Cuexcomate Volcano | What to See & Do in Puebla City

Volcan Cuexcomate Ciudad de Puebla

The Cuexcomate Volcano is not a volcano, but an inactive geyser, which was born more than 950 years ago during the eruption of the Popocatepetl volcano.

It is its unmistakable shape and crater that immediately reminds us of a small volcano.

The Cuexcomate is a geological formation that is speculated to have been created after an eruption of Popocatepetl, causing the circulation of magma in the area, around the year 1064.

However, several investigations in the region affirm that the formation could be more than six thousand years old.

Cuexcomate comes from Nahuatl, meaning "clay pot or place to keep".

It is believed to have been formed by the eruption of sulfidic water and volcanic lava in the Mesozoic era.

Cuexcomate is known as "the smallest volcano in the world", it is also called the "Son of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl".

It has a height of 13 meters and is located just 15 minutes from the zocalo of the city of Puebla.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Currently you can descend into the interior of the Cuexcomate volcano, inside which there is a beautiful water spring, which forms a waterfall and increases or decreases in height depending on the volcanic state of the Popocatepetl volcano.

You can also see small stalactites and with a little imagination you can see the different figures formed by the rocks inside the volcano.

There is a Cholultec legend that tells that he is the son of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, that from the encounter of both the former released his anger and love in an eruption, thus creating the manifestation of his great power: the smallest volcano in the world, the Cuexcomate.

Legend has it that several centuries ago, the priests of the great temples watched as the great volcano Popocatepetl awoke from its 100-year long lethargy.

At the moment of its awakening, the colossus began to spew fire and ashes accompanied by thunderous sounds that terrified the inhabitants of nearby villages.

En aquellos tiempos, los humanos eran sacrificados para mantener la armonía entre los Dioses y el pueblo. Cuando los sacerdotes vieron que la ciudad se cubría de cenizas, concluyeron que la gran madre tierra estaba enojada con ellos y que los estaba castigando arrojando fuego a través del volcán.

No one knew what to do and they turned to the oldest and wisest of all the priests for advice. The old man told them that they should all stay united and calm so they could think of a way to calm the mountain, he told them that the problem was not of one person, but of the whole community.

After some time of analyzing the situation, the community decided that to try to calm the volcano they had to make some human sacrifices, so they chose a large number of young men and threw them into the great mountain, but these sacrifices did not work either, the fire and ashes continued to devour the crops and destroy the houses, so the priests knew that, despite all their efforts, mother earth was still angry.

The situation of the population was very serious and the inhabitants rebelled against the priests.

One day a loud thundering sound was heard in the sky and a column of boiling water rose very close to the pyramids of the city, and from the column of water a "mountain" was born, spewing boiling water with the smell of death.

Everyone ran to see what was happening because they hoped that this event was the long awaited message from mother earth who wanted to communicate with them.

To his misfortune, the entire road had been destroyed by explosions and boiling water.

The villagers, convinced that the new volcano had been born as a result of the wrath of the gods, came to the conclusion that they had to sacrifice a person belonging to a royal family.

So, after talking and meditating on the situation, they decided to sacrifice Ameyaltzin (which means "little spring"), the daughter of the town's high priest.

For the sacrifice, the young maiden was adorned with a beautiful hairstyle and made up and adorned with brightly colored flowers, gold, silver and jade jewelry, and dressed in the finest clothes they could find.

Once arranged, she was given a liquor to drink that dulled her senses and was transported by four slaves to her place of sacrifice.

The road was very dangerous because the volcano was constantly spewing water and large pools of mud and boiling water had formed around it.

It is said that the water jets reached 5 meters high, and the large amounts of mud on the ground prevented them from approaching. Hence the name of the volcano was born: "Cuexcomate", which means "Pot of Mud".

After the sacrifice, the priest was grief-stricken and could not stop crying. It is said that he cried non-stop until he reached the door of his house and fell down dead from sadness.

The inhabitants were happy to see that the sacrifice had paid off, both volcanoes (Cuexcomate and Popocatepetl) had stopped the explosions.

That was the day that Cuexcomate was born, known as the smallest volcano in the world and that, to this day, can be visited in the beautiful city of Puebla.

Where Cuexcomate Volcano Is Located

Address: Libertad, 72130 Puebla, Pue.

More Official Info: Visit Puebla

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Marvel at the splendor of its elegant colonial buildings, streets and flavors that live up to its nickname "City Of the Angels".

A legend is responsible for this beautiful city being known as Puebla de los Angeles.