Tequesquitengo, Mexico's Water-Skiing capital
Tequesquitengo, a town located in Morelos, was founded around the year 1650. This town was near a lake which, amazingly, was getting larger due to the flow of water coming from agriculture (mainly sugar cane planting), to the extent that the village's church (a Dominican's building) began to experience water seepage. Water levels kept rising, coming from all directions, so the town was relocated to higher grounds. Currently the lake is the town's main attraction and there is a major tourist infrastructure around it.
The federal government has been the main driver of Tequesquitengo as a tourist center and carried out the expropriation of land nearby in 1942, although it was not until 1975 when it turned into an attractive tourist location. Entertainment activities revolve around the lake and a visit is highly recommended for those who enjoy swimming and water sports such as skiing, diving, boat riding or kayaking and even (to a lesser extent) fishing. All in one place, with a total surface area of 28 square kilometers.
Many visitors arrive during the weekend to go diving; you can still see the church and other town's remains are visible at the bottom of the lake. It is advisable to bring your own equipment, as there are no rental facilities nearby. Boat rentals are available, tough. The waters' temperature is warm, and the ambient temperature is around 69° degrees Fahrenheit.
The lake has been the subject of several scientific studies to assess its quality, and although it has a high concentration of solids (caused by calcification of the aquifer) it has passed the tests and the water remains drinkable. Besides this, the World Health Organization has approved it for sports and recreational use.
These characteristics have enabled the National Wake-boarding Tour (a sport that combines skiing and a surf board, requiring great skills) to perform its annual exhibitions in this place which they consider most appropriate, given its calm waters. The jumps and spins that can be performed here are amazing!
However, this is not all about the lake: Recently, skydiving has become very popular. This sport is practiced at Tequesquitengo Skydiving Center where tandem jumps are performed. Another âattractionâ is called the "Rollover Phenomenon." In this case fish die when the waters just below the surface mix with cooler waters, which are usually separate by temperature differences. Although this may seem regrettable, this phenomenon helps to maintain a stable ecosystem at the lake.
Places to stay are not few: There are very good hotels with lake-front views and private swimming pools. Lately a popular trend is to rent houses on weekends. One advantage of these services is that you can accommodate more people, which can help you reduce costs. However, if you travel with your couple, staying in a hotel is more enjoyable.
Tequesquitengo is just 30 minutes away from Cuernavaca. One must enter through the Alpuyeca toll booth. Its location makes it ideal for visiting attractions such as the Caves of Cacahuamilpa, the Xochicalco archaeological site or the nearby zoo, amongst others. If you want to enjoy water-skiing in a beautiful location, with an ideal temperature, and at a great price, Tequesquitengo is the place!
Article produced by the Editorial Team of "Explorando Mexico".
Copyright Explorando México, All rights reserved.
Photo: Michael Wassmer
