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Trip Report
Plan Your Escape to San Luis Potosí: A Journey of Diverse Landscapes, Cultural Treasures, and Unforgettable Experiences
San Luis has the jungle, the forest, and the desert in one place. It's famous for its micro climates, so there is a lot to do outdoors. The food is great. It's Mexico, so it's always delicious.
+ 5
Highs & Lows
The landscapes.
The rain and the humidity.
Itinerary Overview
We rented a car for one week to explore the different climates in San Luis Potosi.
We began in the capital, San Luis, to get some information about the area and meet the locals.
Afterwards we went to Tamasopo, which is a small village next to a few waterfalls and secluded, away from big cities. We visited Cascadas de Micos and Cascadas de Minas Viejas. Both beautiful waterfalls.
Then, we visited Puente de Dios, which is a locale for more waterfalls.
We headed to Ciudad Valles to rent a car. We needed to rent a car because it's difficult to travel that region by bus. It's the only place in Mexico that we rented a car. We had the best tacos ever in all of Mexico here.
After, we headed to Xilitla, where the real road adventure started. We passed a jungle, forest, and desert all on the way to Xilitla. Amazing!
Xilitla Embark on an Adventure Through the Natural Wonders of Puente de Dios, a Haven of Cascading Waterfalls
1+The hikes in Xilitla are very easy and simple. There are no set routes, so you can just wander as you like, and let your curiosity take you on a path. You do not need a guide or any gear.
Xilitla is famous for its coffee. It's not part of the coffee region, but it's really good. San Luis Potosi is not a very well known area in Mexico, so Xilitla is very cheap and has amazing value for what it is. The coffee was very good. The food was very affordable and delicious. The tortas were delicious.
The Jardín of Edward James is amazing. It's famous for his crazy structures. He was a surrealist artist and he made sculptures of really weird shapes and such, representing nature. You need to go with a group into the garden, with a guide, who explains everything to you. The garden is not modified at all. Nature has overtaken parts of it, so it is a magical mix of nature and art, just as Edward James wanted it.
Tolantongo To take a relaxing dip in the thermal pools.
1+This was a bit of a divergence from our route, because Tolantogo is not in San Luis Potosi. It's in Hidalgo. It's gorgeous and peaceful (if you go at a good time when there are not too many tourists.)
The water is so beautiful. It is a bright, striking blue, and there are white pools cascading down. It is a very picturesque location.
The pools in Tolantogo are thermal. They are hot springs, so the water is really warm.
There is a natural waterfall outside of the hot springs, with cold water. There is a cave, kind of like a cenote, outside of the waterfall. So you can go to the cold waterfall, the dark cenote, and then the beautiful hot springs all in one hour!
It is important to go really early and bring enough cash with you, because the tourists increase as the day goes on.
The food isn't noteworthy here. Bring your own snacks or tacos.
Q & A
What would you have changed?
It's a bit difficult to rent a car without a credit card, so I recommend Ciudad Valles to rent your car, because you can pay by cash there. You don't need to leave any documents or ID there. You can leave a deposit.Anything go wrong during the trip?
We had a few difficulties with the GPS, so we didn't take the best route to Tolantogo from Xilitia.Restaurant recommendations?
The tortas in Xilitla at Las Tortugas de Xilitla. Amazing.Tips you would give a friend?
It can be difficult to withdraw cash, so make sure you bring all the cash you'll need for the whole trip.Transportation Tips?
Get MapsMe because reception is spotty, and you can download the map of the area with MapsMe.Booking details?
If you don't have a tent, don't stay in Tolantogo, stay in a village nearby, because Tolantogo is expensive if you have to pay for accommodations.
Lodging
Casa Jhada. It was a little affordable hotel with a nice view.
We camped and enjoyed the barbecue with locals and friends. There are plenty of places to put up your tent.