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Municipality in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Santa María del Río is a town in San Luis Potosi. It calls itself the cradle of the rebozo, staking a claim to one of Mexico's most well known textile handcrafts. The town is one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos and has a charming city center with two large plazas, some beautiful colonial churches, canoeing and kayaking on the river, and some fascinating remains of colonial-era haciendas.
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City plaza with lots of shade trees, manicured topiary gardens, clean walkways, and an impressive bicentennial clock tower decorated in colors and patterns of rebozos. There are many shops and cafes nearby.
Main plaza occupying two full city blocks with lots of shade trees, walkways, park benches, fountains, and bandstand. The town hall faces one side and the town's main church faces another. There are many shops and cafes nearby.
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
Oldest colonial era church in town, built by the Franciscans in 1604. The church includes a number of significant artworks including mural panels that actually pre-date the church and an image of the Virgen of Guadalupe carved from a tree trunk by sculptor Eduardo Vega. The nave is elaborately decorated with intricate patterns painted on the walls and murals painted on the vaulted ceilings.
17th century chapel is said to be the first church the Franciscans built using indigenous labor. Smaller and less ornate than Our Lady of the Assumption across the plaza.
Living museum to the artistry and work that lies behind the simple garment known as the rebozo. It's a shawl that's hand woven and can be solid colors or patterns or textures, depending on the skill of the artisan. The museum is open to visitors who can watch classes underway teaching people how to make quality rebozos. Learn how the materials are selected and how the process is varied to produce different affects. Hundreds of rebozos are on display.
Beautiful narrow waterfall dropping straight down over a sheer cliff wall into the bright blue waters of a small pond where you can swim. The waterfall is about a 10-15 minute hike from the Señor del Amparo Chapel, just a few minutes outside town on a paved road. There are no facilities here, the trail is unimproved and unmarked, and is rarely visited by locals.
Chinese cuisine with ample portions at affordable prices. Dishes are prepared fresh to order (not pre-made buffet). Locals wash down the food with a michelada.
Oldest and most popular of the town's Chinese restaurants. Large plates, but they do offer a half order if you're a light eater. One of the more unusual dishes (to Americans) will be the queso wontons. Small dining room fills quickly so there is often a wait for tables.
Chinese-Mexican cuisine, large plates can serve two. Affordable prices. Take-out available. Free off-street parking.
Affordable food with ample portions.
Casual bar and grill with rustic decor and a large outdoor patio area. Usual domestic beers, plus a couple imports (Miller High Life). Food is typical bar food, burgers, fries, tacos, barbecue wings, etc.
Cozy traditional Mexican restaurant on a side street near the zocalo, house specialties include homemade molito, very locally sourced chicken (raised by the owners), with handmade tortillas and a natural Jamaican ginger water.
Bright, clean, modern restaurant that caters to the weekend getaway crowd. Extensive menu with lots of traditional Mexican dishes. Chilaquiles Verdes are a winner at breakfast as are the sopes and menudo. Good coffee and aguas frescas.
Cappucino, frappe, iced coffee, light pastries. Hit or miss service.
Moderate roadside motel with spacious, clean rooms, but hard platform beds and no air conditioning. Large swimming pool, kids playground, on-site restaurant with buffet.
Moderate hotel on the main plaza. Rooms are clean and affordable. Free parking and WiFi.
Moderate budget hotel on the main plaza. Spacious, clean rooms are comfortable. Off-street parking available, but the lot is a couple blocks away. Cash only (no credit cards).
Artesania marketplace with several vendors selling handcrafts, especially rebozos.
By car
From San Luis Potosi, it is an easy 40-minute drive to Santa Maria del Rio. Simply take federal highway MEX 57 (Carr. Matehuala-San Luis Potosi) south for 52 km and you'll be there.
The town is fairly compact and easily walkable, but you'll want a taxi for touring the haciendas or visiting waterfalls or other natural sites outside the town itself.
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San Luis Potosí · Regional · SLP
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