Exploring the colonial cities of Mexico is quite like stepping into a beautiful, bright painting. You get transported to streets lined with colorful buildings, busy markets, and grand churches, all of which echo the stories of Mexican ancestors from hundreds of years ago.

Be it charming plazas or local eateries that serve your favorite food, Mexican cities are the amalgamation of multiple kinds of experiences that you simply second to none.

Step 1: Choose Your Cities

The Mexican colonial charm is well-known with deep roots in numerous cities, all of which have their own unique flavor. You can start out by picking a few locations to explore;

• Guanajuato: Pick this location for its lively cultural festivals, beautiful hillside views, winding streets, and underground tunnels.
• San Miguel de Allende: This city is famous for its artistic community, amazing architecture, picturesque streets, and exciting expatriate scene.
• Queretaro: This location is rich in its history and has beautifully preserved architecture, charming plazas, and a very important place in Mexico’s independence story.
• Puebla: Known for its cuisine, ceramics, impressive colonial buildings, and closeness to stunning natural landmarks like volcanoes.
• Oaxaca: Dear to all Mexicans as well as tourists for its traditional markets, delicious food, indigenous cultures, and rich traditions including Day of the Dead celebrations.
• Morelia: Known for its baroque architecture, pink stone buildings, and delicious traditional sweets.
• Zacatecas: This site is well-known for its silver mining history, grand colonial architecture, and exciting cable car rides offering spectacular bird’s-eye views.

Step 2: Planning the Route

Once you are done choosing your destination you must start mapping out your journey. For many travels, the start of the journey has to be Mexico City. It is a convenient starting point as it has excellent transport connections. From there, you can easily rent a car or ride a comfortable bus, exploring scenic landscapes along the way.

If you are someone who prefers organized travel, you must look into reputable Mexico tours which can provide local guides as well as planned itineraries ensuring you don’t end up missing any of the highlights. Allow yourself enough time in each city, typically two to three days, so you can truly savor its unique offerings.

Step 3: A Peek into the Local History

Each colonial city offers you fascinating insights into Mexico’s past. In Guanajuato. You can explore the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, which is a traditionally renowned building representing Mexico’s struggle for independence.

San Miguel de Allende’s Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a stunning pink cathedral, is another spot perfect for both history buffs and Instagram lovers. To add to that, Querétaro’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an ideal spot for people who prefer leisurely walks which tell a story.

Step 4: A Glimpse into the Past through Festivals and Markets

Colonial cities are very well known for their festivals and markets that they put up every season. In Guanajuato, the Cervantino Festival in October invites international performers to visit its streets and put up a show.

Oaxaca’s markets, like Mercado Benito Juárez, overflow with crafts, spices, and fresh produce all year round, which makes them a pretty exciting place to be for someone looking to experience local culture firsthand. Walk a bit further and you’ll get to experience the San Miguel de Allende which hosts the colorful Festival de San Miguel in September, an exciting and delightful annual experience.

Step 5: Charming Local Accommodations

There’s nothing quite like the colonial hotels of Mexico or the charming guest houses waiting to welcome guests. Cities like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato are testament to this as they showcase their cozy boutique hotels with refreshing courtyards, rooftop terraces, and authentic décor. Zacatecas and Querétaro also offer delightful hacienda-style accommodations that reflect the elegance of Mexico’s colonial past.

If you choose to stay here you are certainly going to enjoy and save a lot more. This is because it’s a central location and offers you access to city centers on foot as well as a feel of the local ambiance without you needing to go far.   

The Little Things Matter

Take your time to wander and simply enjoy the essence of the cities without a strict agenda. Lose yourself in the colorful alleys, pause in tranquil plazas, or sip coffee in local cafés.

Interact with the locals and make sure you capture your memories. Don’t forget your camera or smartphone. Every street, building, and market stall offers a photo-worthy moment. Early morning or late afternoon light creates stunning backdrops; the perfect souvenir!

And you can check out these articles if you are interested in visiting some of the other popular international destinations like Singapore, Dubai, Italy, Switzerland, or Bhutan amongst others.

Travel responsibly, respect local customs, and keep your carbon footprint to a minimum. Happy Xploring!

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