A roadtrip by means of 10 of Mexico’s most Lovely cities and cities.
This publish was up to date July 2024 after 2 months spent travelling round Mexico. We’ve added a couple of extra cities to the record, locations most individuals usually are not conversant in.
I feel probably the most lovely cities and cities in Mexico are inland. Many are colonial cities that grew to become filthy wealthy due to the invention of gold and silver by the Spanish. They constructed giant squares bordered by attractive church buildings and opulent palaces, constructed giant convents, aqueducts and bullrings. They used totally different buildings supplies, in some circumstances pink stone, somewhere else they adorned buildings with colourful Talevera tiles. A number of the magnificence you’ll discover in Mexico is unbelievable.
This publish covers among the most lovely cities we’ve visited in Mexico. I‘ve created an itinerary constructed round bus journey – bus transportation in Mexico is incredible (a lot better than in Canada or the US). Among the many finest bus strains are ETN, Primera Plus and ADO which I’ll discuss with on this publish. You’ll have reclinable seats, your personal leisure screens, AC, energy shops and onboard bathrooms (a person and a girl’s bathroom in some buses). It’s like first-class on a aircraft. So there’s no have to lease a automobile – the street journey that I describe under is definitely finest completed by bus.
The cities and cities that I record under are my favourite locations within the nation. I’ve tried to fluctuate up this itinerary with a mixture of giant cities and small cities. Simply know that every one are lovely and attention-grabbing in numerous methods.
Guadalajara
Guadajara is our start line. It’s Mexico’s 2nd largest metropolis and you’ll fly direct there from many US locations (with out having to switch in Mexico Metropolis). Not like most of the cities that I’m going to record, Guadalajara didn’t change into wealthy from mining – quite it was politics (it grew to become a regional capital in 1560), commerce, agriculture and manufacturing of products that put the town on the map.
Guadalajara has a really enticing, very walkable metropolis heart – many of the points of interest are in a concentrated space related by a sequence of pedestrian-only plazas and parks. You’ll see church buildings, fountains and museums.
Highlights embody Guadalajara Cathedral (one in all Mexico’s oldest and largest Cathedrals), the “Rotunda of Illustrious Males“, Plaza de Liberacion, the Degollado Theatre, Plaza Tapatio, the Cabañas Cultural Institute (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Website), and the Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento. The above will be completed in a day. If in case you have a bit extra time, take the double decker Hop On Hop off bus to see websites outdoors the middle.
Extra: Why it is best to go to Guadalajara
The place to Keep: The Lodge On line casino Plaza. One of many nicest accommodations I’ve stayed at in Mexico.
How lengthy to remain: I’d give Guadalajara 2 days.
Subsequent: Zacatecas. You will get from Guadalajara to Zacatecas with ETN (Mexico’s finest bus line). The bus trip takes 5 hrs.
Zacatecas
Not often visited by foreigners, possibly on account of it’s fame as being harmful. Notice: The state of Zacatecas is poor and is a crossroads for drug-trafficking into the USA…it’s additionally disputed territory among the many cartels within the area. However the metropolis itself is protected. It’s additionally presumably probably the most lovely metropolis in Mexico and a Unesco World Heritage web site.
Zacatecas grew to become terribly wealthy after the invention of silver in 1546. It grew to become the biggest silver producer in Mexico and the third largest of all New Spain (the richest mines in all of New Spain have been the Potosí mines in Bolivia).
Zacatecas’ wealth grew. Lots of its buildings, primarily spiritual buildings, have been constructed between 1690 and 1750 when the town was at its top. In the present day Zacatecas continues to be dependant on mining and it has 2 of the biggest silver producing mines on the earth.
What to see/do in Zacatecas: Cathedral of Zacatecas (enormous with an unbelievable facade), Templo de Santo Domingo (attractive inside), take the Teleférico up El Cerro De La Bufa (the hill overlooking the town), the El Edén mine, Rafael Coronel Museum (an unbelievable museum situated in a former convent). There’s heaps extra (see the hyperlink under), the town heart is filled with lovely buildings, museums, an previous aqueduct, a bullring, good parks….Gorgeous metropolis.
See extra right here: Why it is best to go to Zacatecas
The place to remain: Casa Torres proper within the heart.
How lengthy to remain: I’d give Zacatecas 3 full days.
Subsequent: San Luis Potosi. You will get there by Omnibus in 2 hrs, 45 minutes.
San Luis Potosí
One other metropolis made wealthy by silver mining, San Luis Potosí was named on a mix of French king Louis IX and the Bolivian mines of “Potosí”. King Louis is definitely the patron saint of the town and also you’ll see the Fleur-de-Lys everywhere in the metropolis’s Cathedral.
San Luis Potosí is a really underrated metropolis and we have been shocked by simply how enticing it’s. Some fairly squares and exquisite church buildings – the town has among the most vibrant domes I’ve seen anyplace. As I acknowledged on my detailed publish on San Luis Potosí, over 4 days we didn’t see any white faces. It’s not on the radar for most individuals (regardless of San Miguel de Allende being solely 2 ½ hours away).
Points of interest: Plaza de Armas (the place you’ll discover the Cathedral), Plaza del Carmen (thought-about one of the crucial lovely squares in Mexico), The Templo de Carmen (wow, beautiful church), San Augustin Temple, Templo de San Francisco, Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Aranzazu Sq. and Aranzazu Chapel, The Leonora Carrington museum (devoted to the British sculptor/painter/author and is situated in a former jail). SLP has a whole lot of museums together with the 2nd largest masks museum in Mexico.
Extra: Is San Luis Potosí price Visiting?
The place to remain: the Gran Lodge Concordia San Luis Potosi which is great worth (and situated proper within the heart)
How lengthy to remain: I’d give San Luis Potosi 2 full days.
Subsequent: Guanajuato. You will get there with Primera Plus (through León) in about 4 hours.
Guanajuato
Guanajuato is certainly on the shortlist of Mexico’s most lovely cities. It’s an enchanting metropolis that has gotten very fashionable lately.
It’s not a giant place and you’ll see it multi functional full day (though I’d advocate 2). You’ll see a lot of vibrant church buildings and streets, an unbelievable college constructing (Guanajuato is a energetic College city), and you’ll go as much as the Pipila statue the place you’ll have unbelievable views of the city and environment. Simply stepping into Guanajuato is an expertise – you’ll need to take a taxi from the bus station which can take you thru previous tunnels to get to the previous metropolis.
San Miguel de Allende
One other extremely lovely city.
San Miguel de Allende is a well-liked place and has a fame (well-deserved) as an Expat haven in Mexico. You’ll discover a lot of fancy eating places, upscale lodging and good bars. Nevertheless it’s not simply expats, Mexicans love to return right here for the weekend.
Begin on the Jardin, SMA’s primary sq.. There you’ll see the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, one in all Mexico’s most photographed church buildings. There are numerous lovely church buildings in San Miguel de Allende: the Iglesia de San Francisco, Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Salud and Oratorio de San Felipe Neri are a couple of within the heart. See the Public Library, go to the Artisan Market, go to “Bellas Artes“, stroll down picturesque Calle Aldama to Parque Benito Juarez. Go to El Mirador for the most effective views of the town.
Way more on this publish: A Photographic Strolling Tour of San Miguel de Allende
Identical to Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende is an absolute “Should See”
The place to Keep: I’ve many suggestions within the hyperlink I’ve connected above (accommodations and eating places). However if you happen to’re searching for one thing charming and inexpensive I like to recommend the Lodge Posada Maria Louisa.
How lengthy to remain: I’d give San Miguel de Allende 2 full days.
Subsequent: Morelia. Primera Plus will get you there in about 3 hours.
Morelia
I’ll admit that I’ve modified my thoughts about Morelia. I didn’t like on on my first go to. However Morelia has actually modified and has some very spectacular websites (it’s a Unesco World Heritage Website).
Should See’s embody Morelia Cathedral, Santuario de Guadalupe (wow!), the Morelia Aquaduct (situated proper subsequent to Santuario de Guadalupe), Clavijero Palace, The Church of Santa Rosa de Lima, Casa de la Cultura,Carmen church, Palacio de Justicia, and the Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Michoacán.
The place to Keep: Lodge Mesón de los Remedios. Very good lodge, affordable costs, nice location.
How lengthy to remain: I’d give Morelia 2 days.
Subsequent: Mexico Metropolis. You will get there by Primera Plus in simply over 4 hours.
Mexico Metropolis
Massive, bustling Mexico Metropolis. A metropolis I each love and hate.
A lot to see however listed here are among the stuff you have to do: Take the Hop On Hop Off Turibus to get acquainted with the town. You’ll be very impressed by among the neighborhoods in Mexico Metropolis. Absolute Musts: the Metropolitan Cathedral (the biggest cathedral within the Americas) and the Zocalo (primary sq.. Mexico Metropolis’s zocalo is likely one of the largest on the earth), Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Nationwide Palace, the Latinoamericana tower (for nice views), and a stroll alongside historic Avenue Francisco Madero. Outdoors the middle, the Nationwide Museum of Anthropology is unbelievable and an absolute should (it’s situated in Chapultepec park which is filled with museums in addition to a zoo). Chapultepec citadel is one other of my favourite locations to go to in CDMX.
Highly regarded is the historic neighbourhood of Coyoacán the place you’ll discover the Frida Kahlo Museum (in a blue constructing referred to as “La Casa Azul”). In Coyoacán you’ll additionally see the Parroquia San Juan Bautista which is one in all Mexico’s oldest church buildings.
There’s a lot extra and you might spend weeks in Mexico Metropolis.
Extra: 48 hours in Mexico Metropolis
The place to Keep: A really inexpensive and central choice is Lodge Castropol within the Centro Historico (it’s a 3 star lodge). Extra upscale is Lodge Cathedral (4 stars) which is a good worth choice.
How lengthy to remain: It will depend on how a lot you want massive cities. I’d personally give Mexico Metropolis 3 days.
Subsequent: Puebla. Take the ADO bus from the TAPO terminal or the airport in Mexico metropolis. It should take 2 hours to get to Puebla.
Puebla
Puebla is a gorgeous metropolis that I take into account one in all Mexico’s highlights. It’s a wealthy metropolis and in contrast to the cities that observe on this publish (which really feel indigenous) Puebla feels European. You would simply suppose your self someplace in Spain.
Highlights embody a enormous primary sq. (zocalo) and Cathedral (Puebla Cathedral), lovely church buildings and vibrant buildings. Puebla’s buildings are famously adorned with talavera tiles, a colourfully-glazed ceramic initially dropped at Mexico from Spain (These tiles will be discovered on fountains, patios, the facades of houses, church buildings and different buildings in Puebla). The Amparo Museum is a spotlight, a gorgeous trendy constructing with one of many largest pre-Hispanic artwork collections of any museum in Mexico.
Extra: Is Puebla Mexico’s most lovely metropolis?
The place to Keep: on the glorious Meson Sacristia de la Compañia Lodge Boutique.
How lengthy to remain: I’d give Puebla 3 full days. Additionally, be certain to go to close by Cholula.
Subsequent: Oaxaca. Take the bus from the principle CAPU station (Centro de Autobuses Puebla). ADO is the most effective bus line to take. It’ll take about 5 hours to Oaxaca – a spectacular journey by means of rugged mountain surroundings.
Oaxaca
Southern Mexico could be very totally different than what you see up north. Oaxaca state has one of many highest indigenous populations in Mexico with over 50% talking languages apart from Spanish. You’ll see the tradition mirrored in clothes, delicacies, arts, and handicrafts. It (together with Chiapas additional south) are distinctive and replicate a unique aspect of Mexico.
Oaxaca is vibrant and vibrant. It has nice church buildings (Santo Domingo church is likely one of the most lovely church buildings in Mexico) and a fairly metropolis heart. Simply outdoors the town is Monte Alban, one of the crucial spectacular archaeological websites in Mexico (and my private favourite). Oaxaca additionally has nice meals (it’s the residence of ‘mole’) and is understood for its chocolate and low. Go to the Mercado 20 de Noviembre, go to a Mezcaleria for Mezcal (our favourite is La Mezcalería). Discover the neighbourhoods of Xochimilco and Jalatlaco for avenue artwork.
The place to Keep: Parador del Dominico which was glorious with an ideal location within the heart.
The place to eat: Zandunga is a superb restaurant. Go to Mayordomo for chocolate.
How lengthy to remain: I’d give Oaxaca 3 full days (together with a half day for Monte Alban).
Subsequent: San Cristobal de las Casas. Of all of the bus journeys talked about on this publish that is the longest. ADO has luxurious buses doing this in a single day journey (they’ve 4 buses each night leaving Oaxaca between 7pm and 10:30 pm) arriving 11 hours later in San Cristobal.
San Cristobal de las Casas
San Cristobal de las Casas is in Chiapas, Mexico’s most southernly (and poorest) state. Arriving right here is totally different than anyplace above. It’s lush, inexperienced and mountainous and is Mexico’s principal coffee-growing space (in some ways it jogs my memory of the Eje Cafetero in Colombia which has precisely the identical geography and local weather).
San Cristobal de las Casas is a extremely fairly metropolis that’s not in contrast to Oaxaca with its many church buildings (together with the Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas), vibrant streets and steep hills. It’s sleepy and genuine, with many small eating places and cafés. You’ll see indigenous girls, wearing lovely wool skirts and vibrant shawls, promoting textiles, arts and crafts. I don’t suppose there may be anyplace in Mexico the place you should buy the standard of textiles that yow will discover in San Cristobal.
I cherished San Cristobal de las Casas. It’s a spot you’ll be able to keep for weeks, simply chilling, exploring and consuming espresso. It simply feels actually genuine.
Extra on San Cristobal de las Casas.
The place to Keep: Lodge Grand Maria (in a gorgeous historic constructing within the heart).
How lengthy to remain: I’d give San Cristobal de las Casas 3 full days.
San Cristobal de las Casas ends this Mexico street journey. From right here you’ll be able to take the bus or taxi to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (1 hour away) and fly out from there. Tuxtla Gutiérrez Worldwide Airport has frequent flights to Mexico Metropolis (main airways being Aeromexico, Volaris and Interjet).
Do you could have your personal favourite city/metropolis in Mexico so as to add to this record?
Associated: 11 Unforgettable Off-the-beaten path adventures in Mexico
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