The Zócalo of Tehuacan is an archetypal Mexican provincial plaza: a well-maintained garden square surrounded by the cathedral, the municipal palace, and arcaded commercial buildings. The pace here is unhurried. On weekend evenings locals promenade, children chase pigeons, and the surrounding cafes and restaurants fill up. It lacks the colonial grandeur of Puebla or Oaxaca, but has the quality that makes Mexican zócalos worth sitting in.
The kiosco (bandstand) in the centre dates from the 19th century and still hosts Sunday concerts. Portales restaurants and cafes under the arches on the north side serve the standard Mexican provincial menu: enchiladas, memelas, and the local specialty — pipián rojo (red mole with seeds). A good place to spend an hour before exploring the surrounding streets.