Hiking Iztaccíhuatl from Mexico City, Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Standing at almost 4,000 meters between Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl is a very different experience from hiking anywhere else around Mexico City. In this guide, I'll walk you through the Paso de Cortés to La Joya route, how to get there, how much it costs, when I recommend going, and what you should know about altitude, weather, and the mountain before you set out.

@perronegro.tsx

8/11/20264 min read

Iztaccíhuatl | Paso de Cortés to La Joya

Iztaccíhuatl is one of those places that can completely change the way you see Mexico, on a clear day, you can leave the city in the morning, drive up through the mountains, and 2 hours later find yourself walking through volcanic landscapes at almost 4,000 meters, with Popocatépetl rising across the valley. I've known these mountains since I was a kid, and after years of hiking, climbing, guiding, and exploring mountains in Mexico and other parts of the world, I still think this is one of the most rewarding day hikes you can do from CDMX.

You don't need to climb Iztaccíhuatl's summit to experience the mountain, either. The route from Paso de Cortés to La Joya gives you a chance to get deep into the high mountains without technical climbing, but there are a few things you should know before going, especially because altitude, weather, transportation, and the park's schedule can make a much bigger difference than people expect. That's why I put this guide together, so you can understand what the hike is actually like, choose the right time to go, and get to the mountain prepared rather than figuring everything out once you're already there.

The route

The Paso de Cortés to La Joya route is the option I'd recommend for travelers who want a mountain experience without attempting the summit. You can [follow the route on Wikiloc] and use the GPS track as a reference, but remember that conditions in the mountains can change and a GPS track doesn't replace knowing the terrain.

Experience Iztaccíhuatl at Sunset
How to get there

Getting to Paso de Cortés on your own is possible, although it takes a bit of time and coordination. From Mexico City, head to TAPO, next to Metro San Lázaro, and take an Autobuses Volcanes bus to Amecameca, which takes around 1.5 hours and costs approximately $40 MXN. Once you arrive in Amecameca, walk to the combis next to the church and take one toward Paso de Cortés, which takes roughly another hour and costs around $100 MXN. The route is straightforward once you know it, but because you'll need to coordinate the bus, the combi, and the return trip after a long hike, I wouldn't recommend it if you're trying to make the most of a single day.

If you prefer to have your own transportation but don't want to deal with renting a car for your entire trip, Drivana is a good alternative. You can rent a car in Mexico City and use it for the day, which gives you the freedom to leave early, stop wherever you want along the way, and return whenever you're ready instead of depending on public transportation schedules. It's particularly useful if you're traveling with friends or family and can split the cost of the car between several people.

And if you'd rather not drive at all, that's exactly where Hikes Chidos comes in. Our private Iztaccíhuatl experience includes transportation from Mexico City, so you can leave directly from your accommodation and focus on the hike instead of figuring out the logistics of getting to Paso de Cortés. Pick-up and drop-off are included at no extra cost if you're staying in Roma or Centro, while transportation from other areas of Mexico City has an additional fee of $100–200 MXN, depending on your location.

Entrance fee

There is an entrance fee to the Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park, and the amount is different depending on whether you're a national visitor or an international traveler. For Mexican visitors and foreign residents of Mexico who can prove their residency, the current fee is $62.50 MXN per person, while international visitors who are not residents pay the regular $125 MXN per person. The fee is charged per person, per day.

If you're coming with Hikes Chidos, we include the entrance fee and take care of the logistics of getting you to the mountain but is always good to keep some cash with you anyway, since you're heading into a mountain area where you shouldn't rely on having card payments or ATMs available when you arrive.

When I'd go

I wouldn't say there's one best time of year to hike Iztaccíhuatl because the mountain changes quite a lot with the seasons. During winter, you can find snow covering parts of the landscape, and seeing those white volcanic slopes from Mexico City is one of those things you probably wouldn't expect to experience in Mexico, while during other times of the year the snow gives way to alpine flowers and completely different colors across the mountain. The weather can also change quickly at this altitude, so whichever season you choose, it's important to check the conditions before heading up and remember that the park has its own opening and closing hours, which you need to consider when planning your hike. Personally, I love being there around sunrise or sunset because the light completely changes the landscape and, when conditions are right, watching the sun come up or disappear behind the mountains is one of my favorite ways to experience Iztaccíhuatl.