Tapalpa and Las Piedrotas

A Mountain Town Of Pine Forest And White Washed Houses, Close To Las Piedrotas, A Field Of Huge Granite Boulders Balanced On One Another, A Favourite For Climbing And Photography. Cabins, Horse Riding, Cycling And Fresh Air Weekends For People From Guadalajara, Cold At Night And Foggy In The Rainy Season · Tapalpa, Jalisco

Tapalpa is a Pueblo Magico of white-washed walls and red tile roofs in the pine highlands of Jalisco, about two hours south-west of Guadalajara by road. Its big draw is Las Piedrotas, a field of enormous rounded granite boulders stacked and balanced in open meadow a few kilometres out of town, reached on a dirt road and entered through a small paid gate. Add the Salto del Nogal waterfall, forest cabins, horse rides, mountain bikes and easy rock climbing, and it makes a good weekend of fresh air. The town is also known for apples, cheese and woollen goods. It suits families, couples, climbers and anyone from Guadalajara who wants cold nights and a fireplace. It is worth the detour for two nights, or for a long day if you start early. It is not worth it for someone chasing grand monuments or nightlife, and a rushed day trip leaves little time for the boulders. In the rainy season, roughly June to September, fog can drift over the meadows and hide the views, so check the sky before you drive up. Evenings turn properly cold in winter, so pack a jacket.

Tapalpa, a Pueblo Magico in the highlands of Jalisco about 130 km south-west of Guadalajara, with the Las Piedrotas rock formations nearby; coordinates approximate, Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico

The town plaza, church and streets are open all day and are FREE to walk at any hour. Las Piedrotas is usually open in daylight, commonly from morning to late afternoon, with a small entry fee at the gate that you should confirm on the day; hours can shorten in heavy rain or on cold foggy days. The waterfall and some cabin and horse-ride operators set their own times and prices and may close midweek in low season. Shops and restaurants are busiest on weekends and holidays, and some close early on quiet Mondays and Tuesdays. Nothing here is closed on a fixed day, but private ranches around the boulders are CLOSED to anyone without permission, so stay on the marked tracks.

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