I last wrote that the bad roads in Teocelo were getting new visitors off on the wrong foot. You will encounter better roads on the 32 kilometers drive northeast of Xalapa arriving at the pueblo Naolinco de Victoria.

Follow highway 140 through Xalapa towards Mexico City at Banderilla just north of town you will see a right turn to Naolinco; then 23kilometers from there up Federal Highways 180 & 190.

April of 2008 I wrote about a visit to Naolinco. Yesterday our friends Dave and Rosy made their first visit with Anita and I to Naolinco (NAY-OH-LEAN-COE). We had a scrumptious brunch at my favorite restaurant Pilatos.

Dave & Rosy at Naolinco

We had fresh squeezed orange juice, hot specialty bread and flavorful entrees for 208 pesos for four. That is $16.00 U.S. Dollars folks for a feast for four ravenous travelers. This included a bag of ice to take with us for the libations in Dave’s trunk. I had huevos escondidos (hidden eggs) – wow! Highly recommended.

Restaurant Pilatos Upstairs

You'll find Restaurant Pilatos on the 2nd floor here

In the room aside our dining area a mujer was pressing out hand made tortillas. The restaurant was still decorated for the Day of the Dead Holiday. Walking around the several rooms of this second floor eatery Dave and I spotted a spacious potential SuperBowl party room. That prospect led us to check on the prices of the Hotel de Parque on the same block (across from the park). 280$ pesos will get you and a partner a room.

Dave Captures a Photo of a Couple of Potential Hotel de Parque Patrons

I have oft mentioned that many small towns in Mexico focus on one manufactured item sold by many stores throughout a town. Taxco’s many silver shops, Monte Blanco’s bamboo furniture, Chavarillio’s Mexican tiles etc. Naolinco is the shoe town. Handmade leather boots, belts, purses, travel bags and more can be had for very reasonable prices.

From our Casa Campanas townhouse to Naolinco is more than an hour drive including some very scenic terrain. Great food and finely crafted handmade leather items as well as good roadways and a clean and charming community make Naolinco a shoo-in winner of a visit. Stay Tuned!