Blog | Querétaro

Magical Towns of Querétaro

In the heart of the country, Querétaro is a state full of riches including six Magical Towns that characterize its cultural, gastronomic and historical diversity. This route can be easily done by car, and each town has much to offer making this tour an enriching and unforgettable one.

Our first stop begins in Tequisquiapan: the gateway to the Sierra Gorda Queretana. Tequisquiapan is considered the navel of Mexico, since it is geographically located in the center of the country. Tequis, as it is affectionately referred to by the locals, is also the epicenter of the Cheese and Wine Route. This part of Querétaro includes the second most important wine-growing area in Mexico, as the climate is suitable for growing grapes that produce excellent red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. Being a cattle-raising state, the variety and quality of the dairy products and cheeses produced in the area make them one of the best and recognized worldwide. A perfect pairing that is celebrated during the Cheese and Wine Fair throughout the month of October.

Enjoying a mild climate almost all year round, a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards and landscape is a must. Its cobblestone colonial streets force you to walk slowly, but this only makes you appreciate the twittering of birds and the tolling of bells. Its impressive sunsets bathe the center in an intense orange light and soft pink, highlighting the bougainvilleas on the rooftops and the imposing Parish of Santa Maria Asuncion, and reaches up to the opal mines revealing fragments of light like small rainbows suspended in the air. It is also renowned for its spas and hot springs. Let yourself be enveloped by its provincial aromas and tranquil atmosphere, fall in love with its handicrafts or taste artisanal cheese along with a good bottle of wine at sunset. Tequis, the place of eternal summer, is truly magical.

We continue on to San Sebastián Bernal, better known as Bernal. The scenery towards this town, perched at the foot of the Peña de Bernal, the third largest monolith in the world, is fascinating. This imposing panorama invites visitors to let themselves be carried away by the mystical energy of the place. The rock is more than 60 million years old and is a must for climbers. However, the rock can be climbed with guides and it is a hike to the top that takes about an hour and a half. The traditions of the town, whose settlement was founded in 1642, are just as alive as its cultural manifestations.

Those who live in Bernal tend to be long-lived and it is said that this is thanks to the energy emanating from the rock. This holistic destination is also sought after by those who wish to take life more slowly. Enjoy strolling up and down its narrow streets, or delight your palate with the traditional gorditas, distinctive of this magical town. Bernal is an excellent place to purchase quartz and crystals to recharge your energy.

After Bernal we continue on to Cadereyta, the beginning of the Sierra Gorda. Every corner of this place is like a portal to embark on a playful journey into the past. Founded in 1640, here are two of the most important nurseries in Latin America: the Regional Botanical Garden and the Quinta Fernando Schmoll, where hundreds of species of cacti are reproduced, researched and exhibited. It is considered the beginning of the Sierra Gorda and where the semi-desert and water merge, resulting in a diverse ecosystem with thousands of contrasting flora species framed by the red walls of the Queretaro mountains. Be sure to visit the impressive Zimapán Dam, which is the natural boundary between the state of Querétaro and Hidalgo and can be traveled between the canyons and caves in small rafts.

Entering the Queretaro huasteca we find San Joaquin, a small mining town characterized by its colorful houses and tile roofs in the heart of the sierra. Overlooking lush forests this town is as lively as its people, always full of huapango music and friendliness. Here you can sample their famous apple wine and local delicacies. Go back in time by visiting the archaeological sites of Las Ranas and Toluquilla. Of course, you can't miss the impressive Ex-Convent of Bucareli that appears as a mirage. Also explore the Herrera Grotto where you can distinguish curious shapes among the stalactites and stalagmites millions of years old. If you like nature, don't miss the Cascada de Diamantes, which got its name from the accumulation of salt crystals that sparkle and create the optical illusion of precious stones sliding down the wall. Also nearby are the Maravilla Waterfalls, which are surrounded by natural pools of crystalline waters.

Finally we conclude our journey through the magical towns of Queretaro in the heart of the sierra: Jalpan de Serra. Here you will find the Historical Museum of the Sierra Gorda, which is located inside an old jail. The climate is warm, and its beauty can be appreciated in its immense dam, its quiet streets and the Mission of Santiago Apostle, Cultural Patrimony of Humanity, with an intricate and ornate baroque stone facade that will leave you in awe. The pure mountain air fills you with life, as well as the mountain music enveloping you in its cultural mestizaje.

Undoubtedly, this will be a tour full of natural and cultural beauty, full of history, as diverse as the Sierra Gorda itself and of course, full of magic.

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