Plizio Visual Lab
Chalco
ℹ️Practical info — Chalco
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Traffic can be heavy during rush hours; plan your travel to and from Mexico City outside these times.
- Keep your belongings secure in crowded market areas.
- The town sits at a high altitude; stay hydrated and take it easy on your first day.
- Colectivos (shared vans) are the cheapest way to get around the local neighborhoods.
🍽 Food
Slow-cooked meat is a weekend staple at the large local markets.
Look for bustling taco stands near the town center serving tender pork.
Available early morning from street corners, great with a hot atole.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Check the local schedule for weekly pop-up markets offering fresh produce and local goods.
The region is historically known for its dairy; seek out local cheese vendors.
Explore the remnants of historical haciendas on the outskirts for a glimpse into the past.
The main square often has benches under large trees, suitable for a short rest.
Water temperature…
Chalco de Díaz Covarrubias is an ancient settlement located in the eastern Valley of Mexico, within the State of Mexico, near the foot of the Iztaccíhuatl volcano. In pre-Hispanic times, Chalco was a powerful city-state and the center of a confederacy that famously resisted Aztec expansion for decades before being conquered in 1465. The area was originally situated on the shores of Lake Chalco, which was largely drained during the colonial and modern eras to create land for agriculture and urban development. Today, Chalco has transitioned from a rural agricultural community into a major residential and commercial suburb within the Greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The local landscape is dotted with volcanic features, including the Xico crater, which serves as a reminder of the region's geological history. Despite rapid urban growth, Chalco maintains traditional festivals and a cultural identity rooted in its long history as a crossroads of Mesoamerican civilizations.
- Location: Mexico
- Top sights: Parque Acuatico el Mirador · ALBERCA SEMIOLIMPICA SAN BUENAVENTURA
- Nearby: Texcoco (5 km)
- Population: ~168.720 (2018)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar–May.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
| Rain mm | 14 | 14 | 21 | 31 | 61 | 148 | 150 | 157 | 171 | 88 | 30 | 12 |
Geography
Facts
- Chalco was conquered by the Aztecs in 1465 after a prolonged conflict.
- The Xico volcanic crater within the municipality is 1.4 kilometers wide.
- The city is part of the State of Mexico in the eastern Valley of Mexico.
- The elevation of Chalco is approximately 2,250 meters above sea level.
- The population of the municipality now exceeds 400,000 residents.
- Large-scale drainage of Lake Chalco began in the 1890s.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Chalco (2)
Frequently asked questions
What is Chalco known for?
How do I reach Chalco from Mexico City?
What should I visit here?
Is Chalco suitable for tourists?
When is the best time to visit?
Chalco: where is it located?
Chalco: what is there to see?
Chalco: when is the best time to visit?
Chalco: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
More places
