RegionUsable guide

Querétaro (state)

State of Mexico

Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Queretaro is a state in the Bajío region of Mexico. It has rugged mountainous terrain and a richly storied colonial past with silver mining cities and cultural treasures.

Getting there and around

Getting there

Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO).

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Getting around

Bus service in Queretaro is excellent. Cities and towns throughout the region are served by a network of first-class and second-class (local) buses, most connecting via the Terminal Autobuses de Queretaro.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Querétaro Intercontinental Airport

Querétaro · International · QRO

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Cities

Querétaro

state capital with rich colonial history, travel hub for the region

Amealco

scenic colonial town with local Otomi traditions, a hub for outdoor activities like camping, mountain biking, and hiking

Bernal

scenic small town famous for its monolithic mountain, a designated "Pueblo Magico"

Cadereyta

charming small town with a delightful botanical garden, a designated "Pueblo Magico"

Ezequiel Montes

center of Queretaro's young but growing wine industry

Jalpan

scenic small town in the heart of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, home of two historic Franciscan missions that are part of a UNESCO world heritage site

Pinal de Amoles

rural small town in the Sierra Gorda mountains, surrounded by forests, a traditional mining town

San Joaquín

visit nearby waterfalls and Ranas archaeological site, a 2000 year old "lost city"

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San Juan del Rio

second largest city in state, historic point on Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, charming downtown

Tequisquiapan

pretty town to visit, home of annual wine and cheese festival, a designated "Pueblo Magico"

Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the mountains of eastern Queretaro

El Cerrito

settled by the Chupícuaro around 350 BC, the site has a large pyramid that was a ceremonial center and an important site in the Toltec culture. The archaeological Zone is in the capital city of Queretaro

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

The colonial era silver mining route () from Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico crosses the state of Queretaro and includes the city of Queretaro and the town of San Juan del Rio.

Ruta Misiones de la Sierra Gorda

Follow the path of Franciscan missionaries to the five 18th century missions that constitute a .

Read before you go to Querétaro (state)

Articles and travel topics about Querétaro (state) and Mexico.

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandThe state is one of the smallest in Mexico, but it is also one of the most heterogeneous geographically, with ecosystems varying from deserts to tropical rainforest, especially in the Sierra Gorda, which is filled with…

Get inQuerétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO).

Get aroundBus service in Queretaro is excellent. Cities and towns throughout the region are served by a network of first-class and second-class (local) buses, most connecting via the Terminal Autobuses de Queretaro.

SeeThe Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

DoMost traditional festivals are tied to the Catholic religion, with some of the most important being La Candelaria (Candlemas), Holy Week and Day of the Dead.

BuyHandcrafts produced in the state include baskets, textiles, metal objects, pottery and items made from wood, leather and paper.

EatThe cooking of the Sierra Gorda region is strongly influenced by the Huasteca cuisine of neighboring Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí states.

DrinkThe state promotes its wine and cheeses with a Ruta de Queso y Vino (Wine and Cheese Route). The center of Queretaro's wine country is the town of Ezequiel Montes.

Stay safeQueretaro is generally a safe state to travel in. There are no special problems related to driving in the countryside. Normal precautions are always wise.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Querétaro (state)" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Querétaro", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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