Tequisquiapan
A Quiet Town Of Cobbled Streets, Bougainvillea And Wicker Craft Markets, At The Head Of The Queretaro Cheese And Wine Route, With The National Cheese And Wine Fair Each Spring And Thermal Pools. A Weekend Escape For Mexico City And Queretaro, Easy To Combine With Bernal · Tequisquiapan, Querétaro
Tequisquiapan is a Pueblo Magico in the south of Queretaro state, about 70 km from Queretaro city, built around a leafy plaza and the church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion. Streets of low whitewashed houses, bougainvillea and small hotels with gardens make it an easy place to wander, and the main plaza is ringed with stalls selling wicker furniture, baskets and lamps woven by local families. It is also the gateway to the Queretaro cheese and wine route, where nearby wineries and cheese makers offer tastings, and it hosts the National Cheese and Wine Fair each year around May and June. Thermal pools, spas and, often, hot-air balloons over the fields add to the leisure side. It suits couples, families and weekenders from Mexico City and Queretaro who want food, shopping and a slow day. It is worth the trip for a night or two, especially on a weekday. It is less rewarding for anyone chasing big monuments or hiking, and on weekends and fair days the plaza fills with day trippers, so book rooms and tastings ahead.
Tequisquiapan, a Pueblo Magico of cheese, wine and handicrafts about 70 km south-east of Queretaro city; coordinates approximate, Tequisquiapan, Querétaro, Mexico
The plaza, the church exterior and the streets are open all day and are FREE to walk. The church usually opens in daytime and closes in the early evening, with Mass at set times, so keep voices low. The craft market stalls normally trade from late morning until evening, with the busiest hours on Saturday and Sunday, and some shops close on Monday or Tuesday. Wineries and cheese makers keep their own tasting hours, often closing early in the week, so confirm by phone. Thermal pools and spas set their own entry times and prices. Balloon flights depend on dawn wind and are CLOSED to the public when weather is poor. Fair dates change each year, so check before you plan.