Nestled among the lush mountains, Taxco is known as the country’s silver capital. With its winding cobblestone streets and white houses with red tile roofs, Taxco exudes the old-world charm of Mexico’s rich colonial heritage.

Rich in history and tradition, this picturesque city offers a fascinating combination of Spanish colonial architecture and indigenous influences, creating a unique atmosphere that captivates visitors from near and far.

Main attractions in Taxco:

• Santa Prisca Cathedral
• Charming Plazas and Alleyways
• Vibrant Markets

What to eat in Taxco?

Try the local specialty, pozole verde, a hearty hominy soup flavored with aromatic herbs and spices. For dessert, enjoy sweet treats like churros dusted with cinnamon sugar or creamy flan topped with caramel sauce.

How to get there?

From Mexico City, visitors can take a scenic drive along the Autopista del Sol. Additionally, buses depart regularly from Mexico City’s Southern Bus Terminal, offering a convenient and affordable form of transportation.

Located on the Pacific coast, Todos Santos beckons travelers with its bohemian charm and laid-back atmosphere. This eclectic town boasts a vibrant community of artists, surfers, and expats, creating a melting pot of cultures.

With its quaint picturesque streets lined with colorful adobe buildings, swaying palm trees, golden sands, and azure waters, Todos Santos exudes a relaxed vibe that invites visitors to unwind and explore at their own pace.

What to Eat in Todos Santos?

Savor the local specialties like fish tacos, ceviche, and seafood enchiladas, paired with refreshing margaritas or local craft beer. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample traditional Mexican desserts like churros or creamy flan.

How to get there?

From Cabo San Lucas, embark on a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. Alternatively, shuttle services and buses are available from Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, providing convenient transportation options.

Puerto Escondido enchants visitors with its pristine beaches and laid-back ambiance. With its golden sands, turquoise crystal waters, and breathtaking sunsets, this coastal town offers travelers a paradise away from the crowds.

What to do in Puerto Escondido?

• Visit Mercado Benito Juárez
• Surf on Zicatela Beach
• Visit the bioluminescent Laguna de Manialtepec

What to Eat in Puerto Escondido?

Indulge in the rich flavors of Oaxacan cuisine with local delicacies like tlayudas, mole negro, and fresh seafood ceviche. Try a refreshing michelada or mezcal cocktail for an authentic taste of Mexico’s culinary heritage.

How to Get There?

From Oaxaca City, travelers can reach Puerto Escondido via a scenic drive along the coastal highway. Additionally, buses and shuttles depart regularly from Oaxaca City, providing convenient transportation options.

Sayulita embodies the essence of bohemian charm and luxury. This seaside village has transformed from a surf haven to a vibrant cultural hub for travelers seeking sun, surf, and a taste of Mexico’s bohemian spirit.

What to do in Sayulita?

• Relax in a hammock on Sayulita Beach
• Discover the bustling town plaza – the main square
• Get diving lessons at Sayulita Surf School

What to Eat in Sayulita?

Taste fresh seafood tacos and ceviche, grilled fish and shrimp. Wash it all down with a refreshing agua fresca or a tangy margarita. Don’t forget to indulge in Sayulita’s famous street food, from savory tamales to churros.

How to Get There?

Sayulita is just a short drive or bus ride from Puerto Vallarta. Adventure seekers can drive along the scenic coastal route, enjoying panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and lush tropical landscapes along the way.

Real de Catorce is a relic of Mexico’s mining past. This enigmatic ghost town, once a bustling silver-mining hub, now stands frozen in time, its cobblestone streets and abandoned buildings whispering tales of bygone eras.

Main attractions in Real de Catorce:

• Plaza Hidalgo, the town’s historic central square
• La Parroquia de Immaculada Concepcion
• Tunnel of Ogarrio and silver mines labyrinths

What to Eat in Real de Catorce?

Savor the flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine with hearty dishes like carne asada tacos, chile rellenos, and savory tamales, served with a side of homemade tortillas and fiery salsas. Wash it all down with a glass of pulque.

How to Get There?

From San Luis Potosi drive through the rugged landscapes of the Catorce Mountains.

Bernal welcomes travelers with its timeless beauty and rich cultural heritage.

This picturesque town captivates with its meandering cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and historic 18th- and 19th-century buildings, set against the dramatic backdrop of one of the tallest monoliths in the world.

Main attractions:

• Hike to the Peña de Bernal summit for panoramic views
• Visit local craft shops and artisanal markets
• Visit the Museum of the Mask

What to Eat in San Sebastian Bernal?

Taste traditional dishes like enchiladas queretanas, gorditas de nata, and barbacoa, accompanied by a refreshing glass of local wine or pulque. For dessert, treat yourself to local handmade candies and sweets.

How to Get There?

• From Querétaro City, Bernal is just a short drive away.
• Visitors can also reach Bernal by bus or taxi from Querétaro.

Oaxaca City stands as a vibrant tapestry of culture, history, and tradition. Surrounded by the mountain range, this colonial gem enchants visitors with its colorful streets, centuries-old architecture, and rich indigenous heritage.

From its bustling markets and lively plazas to its world-renowned cuisine, Oaxaca offers a blend of old-world charm and contemporary flair, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in the magic of Mexico’s cultural capital.

Main attractions:

• Explore Oaxaca’s UNESCO-listed historic center
• Marvel at the ornate facades of the Templo de Santo Domingo
• Visit Mercado Benito Juárez
• Visit the ancient Zapotec capital of Monte Albán, perched atop a hill

What to Eat in Oaxaca?

In Oaxaca, the flavors of indigenous ingredients and centuries-old recipes come together to create a symphony of taste and texture. Sample tlayudas, tamales, and mole negro with a refreshing mezcal or tejate.

For dessert, treat yourself to a sweet empanada or ice cream.

How to Get There?

From Mexico City, travelers can reach Oaxaca City by bus, car, or plane, and long-distance buses connecting the two cities. Alternatively, embark on a scenic road trip through the rugged landscapes of southern Mexico.

San Miguel de Allende is a town with timeless beauty and colonial charm. The town enchants visitors with its cobblestone streets, and historic architecture, creating a picturesque backdrop for exploration and discovery.

From its courtyards and plazas to its world-class restaurants, San Miguel de Allende offers a captivating mix of old-world elegance and modern sophistication, inviting travelers to experience the magic of Mexico’s cultural capital.

Main Attractions:

• Marvel at the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
• Explore San Miguel’s UNESCO-listed historic center

What to Eat in San Miguel de Allende?

Indulge in the flavors of central Mexico with traditional dishes like enchiladas mineras, chiles en nogada, and pozole, served with a side of handmade tortillas and fiery salsas.

Pair your meal with a glass of local wine or mezcal for an authentic taste of San Miguel’s culinary heritage, and don’t forget to save room for dessert, whether it’s a decadent tres leches cake or a sweet concha from a local bakery.

How to Get There?

From Mexico City, travelers can reach San Miguel de Allende by bus, car, or shuttle.

Alternatively, adventurous souls can embark on a scenic road trip through the picturesque landscapes of central Mexico, enjoying breathtaking views of the countryside along the way.

Pátzcuaro enchants visitors with its colonial charm, indigenous heritage, and natural beauty.

This picturesque pueblo mágico (magic town) captivates travelers with its cobblestone streets, red-and-white adobe walls, and centuries-old traditions, creating a timeless haven where past and present converge.

From its bustling markets and historic plazas to its tranquil lakeside promenades, Pátzcuaro offers a captivating glimpse into Mexico’s rich cultural tapestry, inviting visitors to explore, discover, and connect with the soul of Michoacán.

Main Attractions:

• Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, the city’s central square
• Admire the colonial architecture
• Marvel at the majestic Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud
• Embark on a scenic boat ride to Isla Janitzio

What to Eat in Pátzcuaro?

Indulge in the flavors of Michoacán with traditional dishes like uchepos (corn tamales), corundas (triangular tamales), and pescado blanco (whitefish), served with a side of rice, beans, and spicy salsa.

Wash it all down with a glass of local charanda (sugar cane spirit) or atole (hot corn drink), and don’t forget to sample the region’s famous artisanal sweets, including candied fruits, tamarind candies, and sugar-coated peanuts.

How to Get There?

From Morelia, travelers can reach Pátzcuaro by bus, taxi, or rental car. Alternatively, adventurous souls can embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque landscapes of Michoacán, enjoying breathtaking views of the countryside along the way.

San Sebastián Bernal (in Otomi language “Ma’hando”), better known as Bernal (from Basque “Vernal” (“place of stones or boulders”)

Likewise, in the Otomi language: Ma’hando, in Chichimeca: De’hendo, has the same meaning: “In the middle of two”.

The current town of Bernal, was founded in 1647 by Lieutenant Alonso Cabrera, who moved, along with the first settlers of the town, the population of Cadereyta to build a population to protect the inhabitants of the area from the constant attacks of incursions Pames and Chichimecas, during much of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Bernal was considered the southern boundary of the Gran Chichimeca, vast area formed by the north of the today states of Queretaro and Guanajuato and much of San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, where ethnic groups Chichimecas, Pames and Jonaces, fought against the colonizers.

The choice of the place of the foundation was given to consider it safe and elevated, from where you could monitor the area, the first building was the barracks in which the soldiers were housed, later began to arrive more inhabitants who were building other buildings. The barracks was replaced by a more elaborate prison, and then the government building known today as the Casas Reales was built. Soon Bernal began to consolidate as a population and most of the buildings and colonial houses visible today were built, being one of the richest towns architecturally of the state.

In the year of 1725, it was given the rank of congregation with the name of San Sebastián Bernal, and the present church of three naves dedicated to San Sebastián, patron of the town since its foundation, whose celebration every January 20, is built. one of the main celebrations of the town at the moment.

Bernal had during the nineteenth century the status of municipal seat of the municipality of the same name, however, by 1921 the municipality was abolished and was incorporated to the Cadereyta de Montes, until April 8, 1941 in which by decree No. 55 of the Congress of Querétaro was constituted the municipality of Jalpan de Serra in which it was incorporated for a short time, nowadays it is part of the municipality of Ezequiel Montes.

An excellent way to enjoy Bernal is to walk its beautiful streets, visiting the first houses built during the seventeenth century. The Tourist Office offers two tours; the first one tells the history of the town and the geology of the rock; the second, narrates the foundation of Bernal and the procession of las Animas. The circuit of historical monuments is well known, such as the Castle of the XVII Century that has a large clock of German origin, placed to receive the arrival of the XIX century. Another very important construction is the Capilla de las Ánimas, built in the 18th century in honor of the souls in purgatory.

El Castillo

This viceregal-type property, built in the seventeenth century, is one of the most important in the political history of Bernal. In its front tower there is a beautiful clock of German origin, which was placed to commemorate the beginning of the 20th century.

Currently, this building houses the offices of the Municipal Delegation. Capilla de las Ánimas This chapel, also known as the Animitas, dates from the 18th century and was built in honor of all the souls of purgatory. Its attractive design is due to the small dimensions of its atrium and altar. It has an open-air theater and a park where visitors can take, in addition to a rest, magnificent photographs. Chapel of the Holy Cross The chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross, to which the Berlan people venerate with great devotion, was built between the 18th and 19th centuries.

The tradition marks that the pilgrims must reach the atrium on their knees under the sun, as payment of a heavenly debt. Temple of San Sebastián Mártir Its construction began in 1700 and ended in 1725. It does not have a defined style; However, in the bell tower you can see the hand of the indigenous artist. In addition, several stained glass windows worthy of admiration were recently placed.

Peña de Bernal is an obligatory point of reference for climbers from all over the world. Peña de Bernal (“Bernal’s Boulder or Bernal Peak”) is a 433 m (1,421 ft) tall monolith, one of the tallest in the world. Peña de Bernal is located in San Sebastián Bernal, a small town in the Mexican state of Querétaro.

The porphyrytic monolith was thought to have been formed 65 million years ago, during the Jurassic period. A recent chemical analysis by researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico has determined that it is considerably younger, likely formed about 8.7 million years ago.

Even though time passes by, it does not seem to affect its inhabitants, who actually live longer and who spend their days under the shelter of the third largest monolith in the world, which was formed 65 million years ago by the depleted force of volcanic lava.

This rock holds many mysteries. It is evident that it appears to be a highly attractive magnet, which must be seen at least once in a lifetime.

Many people perform a pilgrimage to the small chapel located at the highest point accessible through hiking.

De igual forma, destacan los típicos dulces de leche y la fruta cristalizada. Deléitate con los platillos preparados en cazuelas de barro y fogones rústicos, las deliciosas enchiladas serranas con cecina, los nopales santos o la barbacoa de borrego tapada con pencas de maguey.

Lo típico de Bernal son sus tradicionales gorditas de maíz quebrado, la típica nieve de guamishi caseras, que desde hace años se es conocida y a quien la prepara desde hace más de 50 años el Sr. Crecente Camacho Campos.

Y los ya típicos chicharones con cueritos que llevan una rica salsa casera herencia de doña Carmela Salinas.

Spring Equinox Festivity held from March 19 to 21 at the peña, where thousands of visitors gather to take charge of the energy emanating from the colossal monolith. In addition, an artistic and cultural program tending to stage pre-Hispanic rituals is presented.

Feast of the Holy Cross This feast takes place from May 1st to 5th; the villagers climb to the top of the rock, where they place a cross, which lasts all year. Likewise, a marathon and a contest of artisan masks are held; the winners are exhibited in the Mask Museum. Bernal’s main fair is dedicated to the patron saint of this town San Sebastián Mártir where it is celebrated with some processions and musical events from January 11 to 20.

La economía de Bernal se basa en la producción artesanal y en el turismo. Una de las expresiones de las manos bernalenses son los artículos de lana elaborados rústicamente en telares de más de 100 años, como rebozos, tapetes, cojines, chamarras y cobertores.

Bernal is located 0:45 min by road from state capital Santiago de Querétaro.

It is located in Ezequiel Montes municipality, a few minutes from Colón and Cadereyta.

Buses from Mexico City run to San Juan del Rio (2:00 hours) each 1 hour daily.
From San Juan del Rio is around 0:55 min in taxi.

Buses from Mexico City run to Tequisquiapan (3:00 hours) each 1 hour daily.
From Tequisquiapan is around 0:32 min in taxi.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700