Family Adventure in Malinalco
For those who follow us on social media, you know we recently took a memorable trip to Malinalco, Mexico. This was Samuel’s very first time traveling outside the U.S., though I’ve been to Mexico many times before. Malinalco is a truly beautiful town with rich history and culture. If you haven’t visited yet, we highly recommend putting it on your travel list.
But this trip wasn’t just another adventure; it was a meaningful family gathering to celebrate my Nona’s (Grandma’s) 85th birthday. It was also special because it was Samuel’s first time meeting our entire family in Mexico, and for me, a heartfelt reunion with relatives I hadn’t seen in many years. Plus, it was a rare moment for my immediate family to be all together again.
Traveling to Malinalco
Like most trips, the first day was mostly travel. Dealing with airports, security checks, and the usual stresses. Fortunately, the San Antonio Airport was smooth sailing, and if you haven’t flown recently, they no longer require removing your shoes at TSA!
Our journey included a flight from San Antonio to Mexico City, followed by a three-hour drive to Malinalco. We took a wrong turn, adding about 30 extra minutes to our drive (oops, Mom, we forgive you 😚). If you’re planning to visit Malinalco, we highly recommend hiring an experienced local driver. Driving there is wild! Even more unpredictable than Texas drivers! The good news is you basically get to make your own rules on the road. 😅
Exploring the Pueblo and Markets
Our first full day was spent exploring Malinalco’s charming pueblo. We visited Iglesia El Divino Salvador, a beautiful church where we quietly observed locals in prayer and admired it’s incredible murals. The church grounds are easy to walk through and offer a peaceful start to the day.
Next, we spent some time exploring the markets where tourists and locals stop for souvenirs, ice cream, freshly made food items, clothes, and lots more. The markets are always hard to resist, and we rarely leave them empty-handed.
Climbing the Malinalco Pyramid
One of the highlights of our trip was climbing La Pirámide de Malinalco, part of the Zona Arqueológica de Malinalco. This pre-Hispanic pyramid is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and entry costs just 80 pesos (about $4.30 USD).
The pyramid was strategically built by the Mexica people to overlook the entire Malinalco Valley, offering breathtaking views from the top. There are approximately 426 steps on the climb. It’s manageable for most people and doable in regular clothes, but we recommend avoiding flip-flops for safety.
Celebrating at La Casa de Valentina
After our pyramid adventure, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at La Casa de Valentina, where much of our family gathered to celebrate La Nona’s birthday. If you visit Malinalco, this restaurant is a must-try! The pastry display at the entrance alone is tempting enough for a future breakfast visit! The dinner menu had a wide variety of dishes and drinks to please everyone, even our picky eater, Samuel (love you).
Discovering Chalma: A Sacred Pilgrimage
The next day, after a short visit to the pueblo, our cousin took us on a journey to Chalma, a sacred pilgrimage site that I hadn’t heard of before. He shared fascinating stories about the Black Christ of Chalma and the thousands of pilgrims who prepare their whole lives to visit this honored place.
We were lucky to participate in some of the rituals, including wearing flower crowns, symbols of life and devotion, and bathing in the ritual waters. While many pilgrims bathe in the sacred spring of the Ahuehuete tree, we washed our hair and neck at La Fuente de Ahuehuete, a fountain near the church. After this purification, people enter the church to receive blessings and leave their flower crowns as offerings. Witnessing such devotion was inspiring and deeply moving.
A Refreshing Michelada and Family Time
After exploring Chalma, my cousin treated Samuel to his first Michelada and got me one as well. They were the best we had! They were so big that we couldn’t finish them, and as my cousin joked, “we made him a drunk” by pouring some of ours into his cup. 🙊
That evening, we enjoyed more family time, celebrating La Nona and her incredible legacy. It was a truly unforgettable occasion. Though we wished we could have stayed longer, we’re already looking forward to our next trip back.
Final Thoughts
Our trip to Malinalco, Mexico, was a perfect mix of adventure, culture, family, and meaningful tradition. From climbing ancient pyramids and exploring colorful markets to participating in sacred pilgrimages, it was an experience we’ll treasure forever.
If you’re planning a visit to Malinalco or Chalma, don’t miss the chance to connect with the rich history and vibrant community that make these places so special.
If you’re ready to start your own adventures, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Travel Essentials to get started the right way. We even included an Amazon list to make it super easy for you!
Side note: While we love sharing weekly posts for you to enjoy, our main goal is to get the Discover page up and running so you can start exploring! To make that happen, we’ll be posting every other week or about once every three weeks.
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