The Spanish arrived here in AD 1526, building a church on the "maguey hill", now-called the Ex-convento de San Juan.

While most of the food in Metepec is typical of the region (with dishes such as barbacoa, tamales, and huaraches) it does have a unique drink called "Garañona".

The only place that sells and distributes this drink is a bar called the "2 de Abril", located in the city centre.

Monday is market day in the city centre, called plaza, where merchants go to sell fruit, vegetables and even a few electronic items.

In recent years, the municipality has increased its economic importance with the construction of shopping malls, commercial plazas and automobile agencies etc.

Livestock raising includes cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, goats, rabbits and various fowl such as turkeys and chickens.

However, industrial activities have grown in importance with enterprises dedicated to food-processing, bottling, tobacco, clothing, paper products, construction materials, as well as machinery and other equipment.

[1] During the Spanish Conquest, Gonzálo de Sandoval and his Otomi allies, conquered Toluca, Tenango, Tlacotepec, Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca, Calimaya along with Metepec and other Matlatzinca and Mexica population centers, whose lands were then abandoned by the natives.

[2] Private schools include: The original village of Metepec regards the Tree of Life as representative of this municipality and some local workshops still produce this brightly painted pottery artifact.