Paso de Cortes
Paso de Cortes
4.5
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4.5
77 reviews
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simsky12
Mexico City, Mexico561 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Beautiful views when the Popo and Iztac are snowy, from the Paso de Cortes pen you have to walk and they only allowed you to walk to the Joya... It is worth taking advantage of the view when it is snowy. They do not allow pets in.
Written November 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carryont
Toronto, Canada148 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
I went to Paso de Cortés with the intention to do a short hike, no climbing. Unfortunately I did not get to hike or see the volcanoes because it was cloudy, rainy, and muddy when I arrived, but regardless, it was a pleasant drive up from Amecameca to the Paso. The roads are in good condition. There was only one day when I could make the trip so I took a chance, but if you have several days, definitely follow the forecast closely before you decide to go. As a female travelling alone I felt that the public transportation from Mexico City to Amecameca, followed by a taxi to the Paso was petty safe.
I had a hard time finding up-to-date information online in English regarding public transportation, costs, and travel duration, so some might find the following helpful based on my experience in October 2014:
1. Take the Mexico City metro to the TAPO bus terminal, which is connected to the San Lázaro metro station.
2. When you step into the circular-shaped central hall of the terminal, look for a ticket booth to the left side that says Sur and Volcanes. Get a ticket for Amecameca. The ticket is 32 pesos one way. Buses depart every 20 minutes or so.
3. On Saturday morning, there was some traffic leaving the city but not too bad - it took about 1.5 hours to arrive at the bus terminal in Amecameca, which is northwest of the town square (Zócalo). The town square is just a minute's walk from the terminal.
4. I found conflicting information online about whether there are combis (the white public van-buses) that take you to Paso de Cortés. I was told by bus terminal staff that there are none. It makes sense because the Paso entrance is actually a significant uphill drive from Amecameca, with very little in between. The combi to San Pedro Nexapa will only take you about 1/4 of the way there. So I hired a taxi just outside the terminal and asked for a return trip where the driver would wait for me for up to two hours as I did my hike. This was 400 pesos, which was within the price range that the bus terminal staff told me. The drive to the Paso entrance was about 40 minutes.
5. Check in at the visistor's centre - I was told I needed to do that before entering the trail.
If you strike bad luck with the weather as I did, you can perhaps ask the taxi driver to take you to a roadside eatery for a local specialty, barbacoa (slow-cooked sheep). My driver felt sorry for me for my failed hiking attempt so he happily waited while I ate, before taking me back to Amecameca.
I had a hard time finding up-to-date information online in English regarding public transportation, costs, and travel duration, so some might find the following helpful based on my experience in October 2014:
1. Take the Mexico City metro to the TAPO bus terminal, which is connected to the San Lázaro metro station.
2. When you step into the circular-shaped central hall of the terminal, look for a ticket booth to the left side that says Sur and Volcanes. Get a ticket for Amecameca. The ticket is 32 pesos one way. Buses depart every 20 minutes or so.
3. On Saturday morning, there was some traffic leaving the city but not too bad - it took about 1.5 hours to arrive at the bus terminal in Amecameca, which is northwest of the town square (Zócalo). The town square is just a minute's walk from the terminal.
4. I found conflicting information online about whether there are combis (the white public van-buses) that take you to Paso de Cortés. I was told by bus terminal staff that there are none. It makes sense because the Paso entrance is actually a significant uphill drive from Amecameca, with very little in between. The combi to San Pedro Nexapa will only take you about 1/4 of the way there. So I hired a taxi just outside the terminal and asked for a return trip where the driver would wait for me for up to two hours as I did my hike. This was 400 pesos, which was within the price range that the bus terminal staff told me. The drive to the Paso entrance was about 40 minutes.
5. Check in at the visistor's centre - I was told I needed to do that before entering the trail.
If you strike bad luck with the weather as I did, you can perhaps ask the taxi driver to take you to a roadside eatery for a local specialty, barbacoa (slow-cooked sheep). My driver felt sorry for me for my failed hiking attempt so he happily waited while I ate, before taking me back to Amecameca.
Written October 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
206ed
Zacatecas, Mexico2 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We are riding through Mexico and this route was a great escape from Mexico City. After Mexico City we stayed for a couple of nights at Amecameca which is a nice quiet town and is located at the base of the climb on the Mexico City side. Tackling the climb up to the pass, the road was good for cycling, smooth and fairly quiet with lots of shade over the road. A tough ride though as the altitude started to affect our breathing and the continuous climbing requires some endurance.
Lots of roadside eateries to have a bite or a drink.(this was on the weekend and they may not be there during he week)
Once we reached the pass we enjoyed the view of both volcanoes and Popo was steaming quite well. A very clear day with good views. It seems we had risen above the Mexico City smog which envelopes views back to Mexico City on the way up.
The road down from the pass is initially quite rough and we were on the brakes most of the way. There are great views of Mt Popo on this dirt road though and it's worth looking back as you descend.
Road soon turned to asphalt and we zoomed the rest of the way into Cholula then an easy ride into Puebla.
Lots of roadside eateries to have a bite or a drink.(this was on the weekend and they may not be there during he week)
Once we reached the pass we enjoyed the view of both volcanoes and Popo was steaming quite well. A very clear day with good views. It seems we had risen above the Mexico City smog which envelopes views back to Mexico City on the way up.
The road down from the pass is initially quite rough and we were on the brakes most of the way. There are great views of Mt Popo on this dirt road though and it's worth looking back as you descend.
Road soon turned to asphalt and we zoomed the rest of the way into Cholula then an easy ride into Puebla.
Written February 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fjbsnr1
105 contributions
May 2014 • Family
Great time, down to nature neet waterfall to take a summer coooold dip
Spanish
Vas sobre Viaducto hacia salida de la calle zaragosa
pasando el parque deportivo doblas derecha en zaragosa y vas mas de 15 kilometros en la carretera camino a cuota
No se incorpora finalmente a la carretera hacia puebla, ya que te desvias a la derecha antes de la cuota
La carretera hace cuchillo, uno hacia Puebla (izquierda) y otro hacia Cuautla/Chalma cuota (Amecameca) (derecha)
Este cuhcillo es la salida a carretera numero 115, hacia la derecha, que es la cuota Cuautla/Chalma y luego se convierte en “Carretera Mexico-Tlalmanalco” (115), luego se convierte en “Carretera Tlalmanalco Amecameca” (115)
Un libramiento llegando al pueblo Amecameca salimos en una cuchilla a la izquierda a la Libre Cuautla-Chalco de la carretera bastante pronto (200 metros) se acaba la calle y doblas izquierda hacia Amecameca Centro. Enseguida (40 metros) doblas derecha cerrada y te avisa los señalamientos que estás en camino hacia Paso de Cortes. Esta carretera es la carretera “Amecameca San Pedro Nexapa”
Luego la carretera se convierte en carretera “San Pedro “Nexapa Tlamacas”
Esta carretera te lleva directo al centro de visitantes “Paso de Cortes” y se puede pedir diferentes indicaciones, incluyendo para la cascada. La salida hacia abajo de terraceria en la entrada izquierda (No es la salida para arriba)
English
You take the Viaducto highway in Mexico City toward the airport but Street at Zaragosa
You make right past the sports park onto Zaragosa and going over 15 km on the highway toward Puebla toll (“Quota”) road
You do not finally join the toll road to Puebla , as you stray to the right before the toll
The road makes fork , one to Puebla (left) and the other towards Cuautla / Chalma quota road ( Amecameca ) (right )
This right is road number 115, which is the Cuautla / Chalma quota and then becomes " Carretera Mexico - Tlalmanalco " (115 ) then becomes " Tlalmanalco Amecameca Road " (115 )
As you are arriving at the town of Amecameca there is a fork to the left to Chalco Libre (non-toll )- Cuautla road soon enough (200 meters) the street ends and you turn left toward Amecameca Centro (downtone) . Then sortly thereafter (40 meters) and you turn a sharp right and shortly thereafter signs tell you that you're on the road to Paso de Cortes . This road is the " San Pedro Amecameca Nexapa " road
Then the road becomes Highway " San Pedro " Nexapa Tlamacas "
This road takes you straight to the visitor center "Paso de Cortes " and you can ask for different directions, including to the waterfall. The output down dirt road on the left
Spanish
Vas sobre Viaducto hacia salida de la calle zaragosa
pasando el parque deportivo doblas derecha en zaragosa y vas mas de 15 kilometros en la carretera camino a cuota
No se incorpora finalmente a la carretera hacia puebla, ya que te desvias a la derecha antes de la cuota
La carretera hace cuchillo, uno hacia Puebla (izquierda) y otro hacia Cuautla/Chalma cuota (Amecameca) (derecha)
Este cuhcillo es la salida a carretera numero 115, hacia la derecha, que es la cuota Cuautla/Chalma y luego se convierte en “Carretera Mexico-Tlalmanalco” (115), luego se convierte en “Carretera Tlalmanalco Amecameca” (115)
Un libramiento llegando al pueblo Amecameca salimos en una cuchilla a la izquierda a la Libre Cuautla-Chalco de la carretera bastante pronto (200 metros) se acaba la calle y doblas izquierda hacia Amecameca Centro. Enseguida (40 metros) doblas derecha cerrada y te avisa los señalamientos que estás en camino hacia Paso de Cortes. Esta carretera es la carretera “Amecameca San Pedro Nexapa”
Luego la carretera se convierte en carretera “San Pedro “Nexapa Tlamacas”
Esta carretera te lleva directo al centro de visitantes “Paso de Cortes” y se puede pedir diferentes indicaciones, incluyendo para la cascada. La salida hacia abajo de terraceria en la entrada izquierda (No es la salida para arriba)
English
You take the Viaducto highway in Mexico City toward the airport but Street at Zaragosa
You make right past the sports park onto Zaragosa and going over 15 km on the highway toward Puebla toll (“Quota”) road
You do not finally join the toll road to Puebla , as you stray to the right before the toll
The road makes fork , one to Puebla (left) and the other towards Cuautla / Chalma quota road ( Amecameca ) (right )
This right is road number 115, which is the Cuautla / Chalma quota and then becomes " Carretera Mexico - Tlalmanalco " (115 ) then becomes " Tlalmanalco Amecameca Road " (115 )
As you are arriving at the town of Amecameca there is a fork to the left to Chalco Libre (non-toll )- Cuautla road soon enough (200 meters) the street ends and you turn left toward Amecameca Centro (downtone) . Then sortly thereafter (40 meters) and you turn a sharp right and shortly thereafter signs tell you that you're on the road to Paso de Cortes . This road is the " San Pedro Amecameca Nexapa " road
Then the road becomes Highway " San Pedro " Nexapa Tlamacas "
This road takes you straight to the visitor center "Paso de Cortes " and you can ask for different directions, including to the waterfall. The output down dirt road on the left
Written May 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScenicRoute_Kate
San Diego, CA117 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
We took a tour from Puebla. The journey to Paso de Cortes is much more difficult than from the Mexico City / Amecameca side because there is no paved road. The journey up was over an hour of very bumpy, rutted "road" in October, maybe it is better when the ground is drier. We didn't mind as we took a tour and let someone else do the driving.
It was fairly cloudy so the views were not spectacular for us, and it was pretty chilly, despite being very warm in Puebla, so bring layers. We also walked to the waterfall, and had good views of parts of Itza from that trail. On the way up we stopped for lunch at BuenaVista Village Turistica, which was a great stop - tasty food and warm drinks. It was good we stopped because there were no food vendors open during the week when we reach the top.
One of the main highlights of the trip was stopping at a beautiful Franciscan retreat, just above BuenaVista It was stunning and well worth the side trip if you are coming up from the Puebla side.
It was fairly cloudy so the views were not spectacular for us, and it was pretty chilly, despite being very warm in Puebla, so bring layers. We also walked to the waterfall, and had good views of parts of Itza from that trail. On the way up we stopped for lunch at BuenaVista Village Turistica, which was a great stop - tasty food and warm drinks. It was good we stopped because there were no food vendors open during the week when we reach the top.
One of the main highlights of the trip was stopping at a beautiful Franciscan retreat, just above BuenaVista It was stunning and well worth the side trip if you are coming up from the Puebla side.
Written October 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PELOWELOMAN
anywhere317 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
can do great hiking here. Start from Paso de Cortes and walk to the slopes of the Izta volcano (8 KM). Or drive up to the Izta and start climbing the Izta. Go early since it could start snowing / getting cold in the afternoon in spring/winter. Good quesadillas at the starting point for climbing the Izta. When climbing the Izta or part of it, go prepared. There is snow in winter time and mud in spring/fall. Ascending consist of several stages so you could decide just go 1 or 2 stages.
Written May 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
josearnoldo
Cuautla, Mexico20 contributions
Dec 2018
Amazing views of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes and of the Valley of Mexico. You climb to the high pass between the two volcanoes along a twisting highway through a beautiful pine forest.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey W
Newport, UK146 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
The day we arrived in Amecameca Popo was stunning and emitting quite a lot of steam, gas and ash. Sadly when we went up to the pass early the next morning the peak of the volcano was shrouded in mist/low cloud. In fact it actually snowed while we were up there! However, worth a visit and I am sure the views are great on some mornings. Plenty of walks in the area but you are not allowed to venture up onto Popo itself.
Written March 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RazorRen
Poole140 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Paso de Cortes or the Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl National Park is great for a few hours hike in nature and even better when it's cloud free when you can get great views. To my knowledge I believe you may need a permit to hike on certain trails (I'm not sure which ones).
Iztaccihuatl is an extinct volcano so it is possible to climb it though it may require having to spend the night in a nearby refugio first.
Popocatepetl is an active volcano and is forbidden to approach it due to it's high level of activity. It tends to explode without warning and if you happen to be on the slopes then you're likely to be in range of the bombs the volcano throws out!
You might be lucky to spot an animal or two in the national park and if the volcano is not covered in clouds, you might be lucky to witness an eruption!
Iztaccihuatl is an extinct volcano so it is possible to climb it though it may require having to spend the night in a nearby refugio first.
Popocatepetl is an active volcano and is forbidden to approach it due to it's high level of activity. It tends to explode without warning and if you happen to be on the slopes then you're likely to be in range of the bombs the volcano throws out!
You might be lucky to spot an animal or two in the national park and if the volcano is not covered in clouds, you might be lucky to witness an eruption!
Written August 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlos R
Mexico City, Mexico374 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Glaciers ceased to exist on volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl in Mexico and snow is scarce lately on them but sometimes snow comes back and the landscape is awsome!
Written February 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
diana perla g
Mexico City, Mexico
hola tengo una pregunta ¿dejan entrar perros a paso de cortés todavia?esta protejida del pavovirus y de otras enfermedades
Written March 4, 2024
Hola amigos, pregunta: hay alguna manera de llegar a paseó de cortes desde el aeropuerto de puebla en camión, tengo un presupuesto un poco limitado y quisiera aprovecharlo en el hospedaje y comidas, gracias!
Written June 27, 2022
Rubi N
Naucalpan, Mexico
Me gustaría saber cómo llegar desde el estado de México?
Dónde se puede pasar la noche que no sea acampando ya que iré con mi niña de 5 años.
Hay transporte allá ?
Y como me voy de paso de cortes a puebla ?
Ojalá puedan ayudarme, es la primera vez que viajaré
Written June 16, 2022
NorthStar18313989047
Mexico City, Mexico
Quiero saber si hay acceso al paso de cortes para ir a la nieve para mediados de febrero. Gracias saludos
Written January 25, 2021
La verdad quiero ir este Domingo 20 de Diciembre con mis amigos pero como iremos en motos dicen que no hay paso que porque en el camino hay retenes y que en Paso de Cortes no dejan entrar quiero saber si es cierto 😔
Written December 18, 2020
¿Se pueden llevar mascotas? ¿Es recomendable?
Written May 3, 2019
Es una zona segura para ir en auto o para hacer senderismo? Por otro lado , se puede llegar a Puebla por la Carretera de paso de Cortes?
Gracias
Written May 9, 2019
Hola tengo pensado ir el lunes al izta, quiero saber si está permitido el paso . Buenas tardes
Written April 19, 2019
Aparentemente no por la actividad del volcán, pero checa en protección civil más seguro
Written April 20, 2019
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