It is known for its large ethnic Otomi population, the Centro Ceremonial Otomí and its tradition of making Persian style rugs using Mexican designs.

[2][3] The name “Temoaya” comes from the Nahuatl phrase “Temoayan” which means “place of descending.” The Aztec glyph which depicts the municipality shows footprints descending a mountain.

[2] In local Otomi, the town is called "Nthekunthe" (meeting place between brothers), however more originally the settlement was named "Ndongu" ("house of the rock" or "casa grande", a large public structure) There have been humans in the Temoaya area since the prehistoric period.

Remains from this time such as utensils, tools, human figures and mammoth bones have been found in various parts of the municipality.

Intense population of the Toluca Valley dates back to the 12th century, with the settlement of the Xiquipilco or Jiquipilco el Viejo site antecedent to modern Temoaya.

No documents from this era survive but it is likely that modern Temoaya was the result of a division of Xiquipilco as it existed when the Aztecs came to the area at the end of the 15th century.

[2] The Otomis of this region gained a reputation as fierce warriors over the pre-Hispanic period, fighting off the Toltecs, the Chichimecas under Xolotl and the Aztecs in the 15th century.

[2][4] The Otomi here were conquered in 1486 by Ahuizotl, but chafed under Aztec rule, occasionally scheming with the Purépecha to try and wrest more sovereignty.

Shortly the conquest, Frair Alonso Antonio Rangel began evangelization efforts in the area.

[2] The Spanish town of Temoaya was officially founded in 1593, although the population center for the area remained at Xiquipilco for some time.

[2] During the Mexican War of Independence, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla passed through Temoaya after the Battle of Monte de las Cruces.

(encmuc) Prior to rugmaking, the municipality had a reputation for weaving, making pre-Hispanic garments such as ayates, sashes, chincuetes and sarapes on backstrap looms.

[2] The town and seat of the municipality is the center of commerce for the area, providing basic needs such as food, tools, hardware, paper, sewing supplies, clothes and other items.

Much of the commerce is done by sidewalk vendors and the weekly tianguis on Sundays is important,[2] as the seat does not have a permanent market.

[2] The center of the town in a large plaza, which is surrounded by many old adobe houses with red tile roofs.

[4] The main feature of the church is a very large equestrian sculpture of Saint James the Moor-slayer, which is the only one of its kind in Latin America, due to its size and age.

Traditional dances featuring locally designed sarapes are performed accompanied by drums and violins.

During this and other ethnic Otomi celebrations music such as Chimarecú, Naki ma Tosho, Njú and Rosa María are played, but this tradition is in danger of disappearing.

[9] The site and organization aims to recreate Otomi ceremonies of centuries past even though the written and archeological evidence as to what they were is scarce.

On the second Sunday of each month, a ritual is performed there to honor the elements of earth, air, fire, and water, as well as to supplicate to the gods with offerings.

[9] Ascending the hill is the Glorieta del Centinela (Roundabout of the Sentinel) to which indications of the four cardinal directions meet.

[10] This building houses the Otomi Supreme Council, and the seven columns are thought to be associated with the seven musical notes, the seven colors of the rainbow, and the seven days of the week.

[9] At the most elevated spot are twelve silos or cones, each representing a generation of Otomis on which is a sculpture of Tata Jiade, the Sun.

[2] The complex is notable for having appeared in the James Bond film Licence to Kill (1989), as well as a Sofi Tukker music video for "Swing".

In 1999, a new organization, Sociedad Cooperativa de Tapetes Anudados a Mano Temoaya (http://tapetestemoaya.com/) took over but remained independent of the government.

Common themes include birds, flowers, geometric figures, elements from natures, as well as magical and religious signs.

The rugs are knotted on wooden frames which have been strung with heavy duty cotton string to serve as the base.

Some of the wares produced include cheeses, bread, tortillas, brooms, ironing boards, and various wood products.

There are also campgrounds and patrolled hiking paths[12] The San José Buenavista Hacienda was founded in the 16th century mostly for agricultural purposes.

[2] Xiquilpilco El Viejo (Old Juiquipilco) is an unexplored archeological zone with an ancient teocalli or sacred precinct located from the town of Temoaya.