Fortin de las Flores Attractions

Fortín de las Flores ("fort of flowers"; 1010 m (3315 ft); population: 60,000; fiesta: April 15th-17th, flower festival), 6km/4mi west of the city on the MEX 150, was the site of a Spanish stronghold in colonial times. Today the town's equable climate and abundance of subtropical and temperate flowering plants, make it an exceptionally pleasant place to stay. The superb main plaza, on which stand the town hall and public library, comprises two equal-sized gardens separated by a narrow thoroughfare. Fortín de las Flores is surrounded by coffee plantations covering the high mountain slopes, while in the lower-lying areas subtropical fruit such as mangoes, oranges, bananas, pineapples and papayas thrive.