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The Draw
• Colonialism meets modernity. The historical heart of the country and an ever-developing energy hub, Mexico's heartland has baroque cathedrals and swanky boutique hotels.
• Experimental cuisine. Chefs are pushing the boundaries of traditional Mexican food. Tequila crepes flambé is just the beginning.
• Outdoor Mecca. Myriad outdoor activities - like mountain biking, rock climbing or soaking in hot springs - promises to keep you moving.
The Scene
While Central Mexico has traditionally seen a minimal amount of luxury, this is an area in transition, with high-end haciendas and cutting-edge cuisine finally coming into fashion. Since most cities in Central Mexico benefit from relatively close proximity to the country’s capital (Zacatecas, for example, is just a half-day’s drive), it was just a matter of time before they were discovered by luxury travelers. The region certainly started with an excellent cultural base: all the state capitals are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a recognition of their history as mining centers capitalized on by the conquistadors in the 16th and 17th centuries. Arresting reminders of their fabulous lives are Zacatecas, famous for its pink limestone buildings and baroque cathedral; San Miguel de Allende, which today has a booming cultural scene; and Guanajuato, whose labyrinthine streets have managed to keep sackers (and tourists) away but still has treasures like Don Quixote’s Iconographic Museum, with works by Dali, Picasso, and several Mexican masters. The area’s rugged location and natural beauty fill in the gaps, with cliffs, waterfalls, lakes and caverns that make for a picture-perfect hike or racecourse for extreme sports.
To Be Seen
• Teatro Degollado. Modeled after Milan’s La Scala, Guadalajara’s main theater is home to the state’s philharmonic and the Ballet Folclórico of the University of Guadalajara. After a performance, head to the upscale Zona Minerva and reload at one of Avenida Vallarta’s multiple watering holes.
• Tlaquepaque. A short drive from Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque is more than crafts central. Walk down some of its pedestrian-only streets and venture into its old haciendas-turned-fancy shops, galleries and restaurants.
• San Miguel de Allende. This small town’s thriving cultural scene will spice up your afternoon stroll. Stop by the Instituto Allende, a prestigious art school since 1950.
• Querétaro. Let the cobblestone streets of Santiago de Querétaro guide you through its mainly baroque centro histórico and call it a night at La Casa de la Marquesa, an 18th-century mansion-turned-small luxury hotel.
For The VIP
• Bird’s eye views Book a private hot-air balloon ride over the city of San Miguel and marvel at the 16th-century cityscape.
• Meet Jose Cuervo Venture into the town of Tequila’s Mundo Cuervo, home of Mexico’s oldest tequila producer, and learn how an agave azul plant becomes the exquisite margarita you’ll savor during the VIP tour (www.mundocuervo.com).
• Winged migration, live. On your way to Guadalajara, Queretaro or Zacatecas, let the experts guide you through El Rosario sanctuary, famous for the millions of monarch butterflies it hosts every year. Concoct your own tour with (www.colonialtours.com).
Overrated
Las Momias de Guanajuato. Mummified human corpses are what give this city its national fame. But to really learn from the dead, skip this crowded tourist attraction and visit the monument to El Pipila, a national hero for his role in Mexico’s independence from Spain.
Underrated
Zacatecas. With an average temperature of 61 degrees and a beautifully preserved lineup of pink limestone buildings, this slightly off-center city (378 miles northwest of Mexico City) should be explored before the secret gets out. The museums of brothers Rafael and Pedro Coronel and the cathedral are a must.
Don't Miss
Instituto Cultural Cabañas, Guadalajara. This late 18th-century neoclassical landmark houses 57 murals by one of Mexico’s tres grandes, José Clemente Orozco. (The work of Diego Rivera, another grande, is on view at the master’s house-turned-museum in Guanajuato.)
When To Go
Avoid November, April or May, due to rain and crowds. Any other time and you’ll find that perfect spring weather is here to stay.
MEXICO DELUXE GUIDE »
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