Hiking La Malinche by bus from Mexico City
A 4,461 m volcano you can hike in a day, and the classic warm-up for Mexico's high peaks. Take an ADO bus to Puebla, a regional bus to Apizaco and a combi or taxi to the Malintzi trailhead.
La Malinche at a glance
Getting to the trailhead and up the volcano:
Over 50 ADO buses a day from Mexico City TAPO to Puebla
ADO bus to Puebla → bus to Apizaco
→
Combi or taxi to Malintzi
Bus fares from about US$12 · Park fee about MXN 120–125 a day
Getting to La Malinche: the essentials
La Malinche, or Matlalcuéyetl, is an isolated volcano on the border of Tlaxcala and Puebla. Its summit (4,461 m) is a jagged crown of rock above pine forest and grassland. The standard route starts at the Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi (about 3,070 m), which has cabins and a campsite.
Step 1: ADO bus from Mexico City to Puebla
Over 50 buses a day leave TAPO for Puebla CAPU, about 2h–2h 35min, from US$15.50 (about 190 a day from all Mexico City terminals, from US$11.50). See Mexico City to Puebla.
Step 2: Puebla to Apizaco
Regional bus lines such as ATAH and Supra run from CAPU to Apizaco in about 1 hour. These buses are not sold on ADO; buy your ticket at the terminal.
Step 3: Apizaco to the Malintzi trailhead
- A combi towards Teacalco continues to Malintzi a few times a day (travellers report departures at about 8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM).
- A shared taxi from Apizaco cost about MXN 300 in recent reports. From Huamantla the trailhead is 16 km.
- The national park gate closes at 7:00 PM.
Step 4: sleep at Malintzi, hike at dawn
- Cabins for 4, 6 or 9 people started at about MXN 1,350 a night in 2026; there is also a campsite. Malintzi has been cashless since January 2026, so bring a card. Book at centrovacacionalmalintzi.com.mx.
- Park fee: about MXN 120–125 per person per day (2026 federal park fee).
- The hike is about 12–14 km round trip with 1,300–1,400 m of ascent: a forest track, a steep sandy ridge, grassland and a rocky scramble to the top. Allow 6–7 hours.
Bus times, travel times and fares on this page come from the ADO booking flow for Wednesday, December 2, 2026, and can change. Search your travel date for live times. Park fees, opening hours and local transport are set by each park, operator and driver; the figures here are approximate 2026 prices, so confirm them locally. Mountain conditions change quickly: check the weather and any park closures before you go.
More mountains by ADO bus
The perfect acclimatisation hike
Sleeping at 3,070 m and walking to 4,461 m is the classic first step before Iztaccíhuatl and Pico de Orizaba. On clear days you can see both, plus Popocatépetl, from the summit.
Tips for the hike
- Start early. Clouds and storms build in the afternoon, and rangers turn groups back in bad weather.
- November to February is the clearest season. After cold fronts, snow or ice can coat the summit rocks; bring microspikes.
- Pack warm layers, gloves, 2–3 litres of water, sun protection and hiking poles.
- Go slowly and turn back if you feel the signs of altitude sickness.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons. Top: Isaacvp, CC BY-SA 4.0; Side: B.B., CC BY-SA 4.0.
Why start your Malinche trip with ADO
Book online in English, pay in your own currency and travel from Mexico City in comfort:
Buses every few minutes to Puebla
Around 190 ADO buses a day link Mexico City with Puebla, the gateway to La Malinche.
Ultra comfort Seats
Your seat guaranteed — spacious, comfortable, and adjustable.
Bulky luggage included
Your ticket includes 25 kg of checked luggage at no extra cost. Buy extra space at the counter if needed.
Entertainment & Wi-Fi
Selected services offer onboard screens and Wi-Fi. Amenities vary by service class.
Book Online in Advance
Climate Control
Onboard Bathrooms
USB Ports & Power Outlets
Certified Safety Standards
Digital ticket
Directly to your email
Mobile Download
Compatible with your phone
Travel Safely
Certified Vehicles
La Malinche: frequently asked questions
Buses, the trailhead and hiking tips
Do you have questions?
Contact us at our customer support channel (in Spanish). We're here to help.
Feel free to check out our Frequently Asked Questions below.