Most Charming Colonial Towns in Mexico Review

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mrkstvns
Austin, TX

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Top Ten Mexican Towns with Colonial Grace and Charm

into romantic getaways, arts lover, history lover, seeker of fun and interesting places, off the beaten path, exploring Mexican culture

Pros

history galore!, great stories of conquest and revolution, charm, grace, and sophistication, the

JUN

2008

Mexico is wonderfully rich in culture and heritage, with a history rich in mesoamerican culture and an immense wealth of historical sites from the era of colonial conquest. The colonial cities tell colorful stories and there's a kaleidescope of events and personalities that speak to you from every ruin, fort, and hacienda. Exploring them all can take a lifetime, but getting a taste of some of the best colonial towns can be the stuff of wonderful romantic weekend getaways and fun vacations for the cultured traveler.

When I think of "colonial cities" in Mexico, my mind goes immediately to the string of towns in the Sierra Madre highlands of Central Mexico --- the towns of the historic "Bajia" region. Historically rich in silver and gold, they're also towns rich in heritage and history. They're the obvious starting point on any exploration of colonial Mexico...but they aren't the whole story.

Throughout Mexico are myriad towns where equally great stories are told and where the colonial grace and stately architecture is every bit as grand as the most spectacular highland city. What makes these disparate cities and towns so worth knowing about is that each captures a very different mood from those of the highland silver mining cities, which also have their unique aspects, bu that also have more in common in terms of shared history. To really appreciate Mexico's colonial heritage, you'll want to visit some highland mining cities as well as some of the non-mining, non-highland cities.

There are dozens --- maybe even hundreds --- of Mexican cities with spectacular colonial-era historical sites and immense local charm, but there are also a handful that I think rise to the top as "the best" colonial cities in Mexico. In my opinion, these are the "5 best" highland silver mining cities and the "5 best" non-mining colonial cities.

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MY TOP 10 COLONIAL CITIES IN MEXICO...
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Highland Silver Mining Cities...
1. Guanajuato - Narrow winding streets and alleys, peppered with tranquil plazas and parks make this city a joy to visit and the extensive use of tunnels for most vehicular traffic makes it all the more pleasant.
2. Zacatecas - Cobblestone streets, pink cantera marble buildings, an abundance of historical sites, and the local relevance of a real mine tour team up to make Zacatecas an ideal small city for a thoroughly memorable romantic weekend getaway.
3. San Miguel de Allende - It's easy to understand why so many American retirees sell the RV and move to San Miguel de Allende. The town is beautiful, with narrow cobblestone alleys twisting their way around the city's hilly terrain. It's a shopping Mecca and a scenic gem, full of delightful 400-year old chapels, churches, convents, and cathedrals. It is indeed the kind of city charming enough to make a visitor want to spend a lifetime in town.
4. Queretaro - Deep and firm are Queretaro's historic roots, with its powerful stories of revolution and national independence. It was also immensely important as a hub of church power during the colonial era, and was "base camp" for the Franciscan friars who would build many of the historic missions that spread north throughout Mexico and the southwestern United States.
5. Taxco - Founded by the Aztecs long before the Spanish conquest, the city has a graceful colonial era feel to it, but it's silver that draws visitors to Taxco. Silver mines still operate in Taxco, though the city has its share of closed operations as well, and Taxco is world famous for its intricate silversmithing. More than 300 local silver shops will tempt the visiting jewelry buyer.

Coastal or Lowland Colonial Cities...
1. Oaxaca - Few places in Mexico are as "in touch" with their local and regional color as Oaxaca --- arguably the most spectacular of all the colonial-era cities. Oaxaca is a delightful city to stroll through, but a sensory orgasm for the traveler seeking exciting flavors from some of the world's most innovative and unique kitchens. Foodies will adore Oaxaca!
2. Merida - Known as "The White City", Yucatan's state capital was, for centuries, remote and very distinct from the Mexican mainland, and its architecture and feel remains quite distinct. It's also an ideal jumping off point for exploring the region's Mayan archaeological sites.
3. Morelia - Spectacular downtown chock-full of beauty, historical depth, and cultural relevance. It's a city where the arts are celebrated and where upscale travelers find much to love.
4. Patzcuaro - Established in 1324 by the Purhepecha people, Patzcuaro was an important city in colonial times, though today, it's a tranquil city with more tourist value than political or economic power. The downtown is spectacularly charming and inviting, with twin plazas, beautiful old churches, and some of Mexico's most unique and inviting shops for high-quality popular artworks. The city is especially popular during the annual Day of the Dead celebrations.
5. San Cristobal de las Casas - The highland jungle setting and remote location make San Cristobal de las Casas one of the most unique of the old colonial-era towns. It's also a very earthy place that lives for popular arts and, like Oaxaca, is strongly flavored by its indigenous roots and customs.

Last edited on Jun 12, 2008