Breakfast
Coffee and sweet bread
A cup of coffee and a warm sweet roll in a cafe near the main square, to start the day slowly.
Local tip Ask for what came out of the oven that morning.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. San Luis Potosí is your base for the first two nights, then you drive down to the green lowlands.Details
- Getting here
- San Luis Potosí has an airport a short ride from the old centre, and long distance buses and roads link it with Mexico City and other cities. Book the ride to your door ahead, and plan to arrive in daylight.
- Getting around
- The old centre is easy on foot. Real de Catorce and the Huasteca need a rental car, a driver or a place on a small group trip with a local operator. Distances between the lowland sites are long, so check current road conditions and official travel advice before you go.
- Cold, heat and altitude
- The city and the silver town are high and dry, with cool mornings and cold nights, so bring layers. The Huasteca lowlands are hot and humid, and the sun is strong. Pack a hat, water and shoes with grip.
- When to go
- The dry months suit the rivers best, when the water runs clearer. In the rains the same waterfalls often turn brown and boat trips can close, so check ahead. Day 1 starts in the Plaza de Armas, so settle in and take an easy walk there first.
How much walking? On foot, about 0.6 to 1.4 kilometers a day, and 516.3 kilometers by car in all across 5 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Day 1. The colonial old centre on foot
5 stops · 0.8 km on footSan Luis Potosí's old centre, on foot. A main square with a bandstand, a twin towered cathedral, a church with a richly carved front, a nineteenth century theatre and the plaza where the city began. Everything is a gentle walk.
If you only have half a dayPlaza de Armas, then San Luis Potosí Cathedral. The main square of the old centre, then the twin towered cathedral on its east side.
- 1Morning
Plaza de Armas
The main square of the old centre, with a bandstand at its heart, trimmed trees and benches, and the cathedral and the state government palace on its sides. Sit for a while and watch the city walk by.
Go when Morning, with a coffee, before the day warms.
Local tip Sit on a bench and look at the cathedral front across the square. Evenings are lively, with music in the bandstand on some nights.
About 2 min walk0.1 km - 2Morning
San Luis Potosí Cathedral
The cathedral of the city, built in the 17th and 18th centuries in pale stone, with two towers and a baroque front. It is a working church, so stay quiet during services.
Go when Morning, when the stone is pale in the low light.
Local tip Look up at the two towers from the square before you go in. It is a working church, so cover your shoulders and stay quiet during services.
Photo by Marie Volkert on Unsplash About 2 min walk0.2 km - 3Midday
Templo del Carmen
An 18th century baroque church, known for the rich carving on its stone front. Stand across the small plaza to take in the whole front before you go inside. A working church, so stay quiet during services.
Go when Midday, when the front is well lit.
Local tip Stand back across the small plaza and read the carving from top to bottom. Go inside only outside the hours of services.
- Lunch
Enchiladas potosinas
A dish of the city: corn dough coloured and flavoured with red chile, folded around cheese, then fried and served with potato, carrot and lettuce.
Local tip The dough itself is red, so do not expect a rolled tortilla.
About 2 min walkunder 0.1 km - 4Afternoon
Teatro de la Paz
A theatre of the late 1800s beside the Carmen church, with a front of columns. Check ahead on when visitors can go in, and on any evening shows.
Go when Afternoon, as an indoor stop.
Local tip Even from outside, the columns are worth a look. Check ahead on when visitors can go in, and on any evening show.
About 5 min walk0.4 km - 5Evening
Plaza de los Fundadores
The plaza where the city is held to have begun, with the main building of the state university, once a Jesuit college, and a small Jesuit chapel beside it. A calm place to end the day as the light softens.
Go when Late afternoon into evening (about 6:41 PM).
Local tip Walk past the university building and look into the small chapel beside it. The plaza is a short stroll from the cathedral square.
- Treat
Queso de tuna
A sweet paste made from the prickly pear, a candy of the region, cut in slices and wrapped in paper.
Local tip Buy a small piece to taste before you buy more, and carry it wrapped.
- Dinner
Tacos rojos
Tacos of the city, filled with cheese or chicken and dipped in a red chile sauce before frying, served in a stack with a little salad.
Local tip Order a few at a time and add sauce slowly.
If it rains. Rain in the wet months usually comes in the afternoon. The cathedral, the churches and the theatre are indoors or covered, so start with them and keep the open plazas for the gaps.
Day 2. The silver town beyond the tunnel
4 stops · 0.6 km on foot, 171.2 km by carA long day trip north to a former silver town in the high desert, with a long drive each way. Enter through a single lane tunnel, then walk cobbled streets to a church and an old arena. Start early and carry warm layers.
If you only have half a dayOgarrio Tunnel, then the Church of the Purísima Concepción. The long tunnel into the silver town, then its parish church on the main street.
- Drive from Plaza de los FundadoresAbout 2 h 27 min by car171.2 kmWhere Day 1 ended.
- Breakfast
A hot breakfast before the road
Eggs, beans and tortillas with strong coffee, before the long drive north into the high desert.
Local tip Pack water and a snack for the road.
- 1Midday
Ogarrio Tunnel
A long, single lane tunnel cut through the mountain, which is the way into Real de Catorce for cars. Traffic is let through in one direction at a time, with limits on width and height, so check ahead on the rules and the waits, and on whether to leave your car outside and use a local shuttle or jeep.
Go when Morning, as early as you can.
Local tip Traffic goes one way at a time, so expect a wait at the mouth. Check ahead on the rules, the limits for vehicles and the shuttle option, and do not walk in the tunnel unless it is allowed.
About 4 min walk0.3 km - 2MiddayIndoor
Church of the Purísima Concepción
The parish church on the cobbled main street of Real de Catorce, a former silver town of the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a working church, and pilgrims come to it, so stay quiet and cover your shoulders.
Go when Midday, outside the hours of services.
Local tip It is a working church and a place of pilgrimage, so stay quiet and cover your shoulders. The stone streets around it are steep and uneven.
- Lunch
Gorditas and a hot drink
Thick corn cakes split and filled with stew, cheese or beans, eaten with a warm drink in the cold mountain air.
Local tip Eat in a small place on the main street, and keep a layer on.
About 2 min walk0.2 km - 3Afternoon
Plaza Hidalgo
The small main square of the town, a few steps from the church, ringed by old stone houses and cafes. Walk the streets around it, and watch your footing on the uneven cobbles.
Go when Afternoon, with a hot drink.
Local tip At this height the sun is strong and the air is thin and cold. Keep a layer in your bag and drink water.
About 2 min walk0.1 km - 4Afternoon
Real de Catorce Palenque
A round arena built in the silver days for cockfights, on the western edge of the old town. Walk by and look at the stonework. Check ahead on whether it is open to visit.
Go when Afternoon, on your walk back.
Local tip It is on the western edge of the old town. Check ahead on whether it is open to visit, and leave in daylight, since the streets are not well lit.
- Dinner
Asado de boda
A pork stew in a dark red chile sauce, a dish of the region once served at weddings, back in the city after the long day.
Local tip It is rich, so order a small plate and a side of rice.
If it rains. Cloud can fill the town and the cobbles turn slick. In heavy rain or cold snaps, check the road and the tunnel before you set out, and swap the day for the city museums if the road looks poor.
Day 3. Turquoise falls and a stone bridge
3 stops · 252.4 km by carAbout 3 h 24 min drivingA long drive down from the high city to the edge of the Huasteca, where the land turns green and warm. Terraced falls and pools in a park, then a pool under a natural stone bridge, then the small town beside them. Bring swimwear and sandals.
If you only have half a dayCascadas de Tamasopo, then Puente de Dios. A park of terraced falls and blue pools, then a pool beneath a natural stone bridge nearby.
- Drive from Real de Catorce PalenqueAbout 3 h 24 min by car247.6 kmWhere Day 2 ended.
- 1Midday
Cascadas de Tamasopo
A park of terraced waterfalls and pools in the foothills, where limestone in the water gives it a pale turquoise colour in the dry months. Many visitors swim, but rules and water conditions change, so check ahead and follow the signs.
Go when Morning, when the water is cool and the park is calm.
Local tip Wear sandals with grip and keep your valuables in a dry bag. Check the water level and the rules before you swim, and skip the pools after heavy rain.
Photo: Psau on Wikimedia Commons About 9 min by car or transit2.1 km - 2Midday
Puente de Dios
A natural pool of clear water in a hollow of rock beneath a stone bridge, a short drive from the falls. Check ahead on access and on whether swimming is allowed, and take care on the wet rock.
Go when Midday, when light reaches the water.
Local tip Move slowly on wet rock and keep to the marked paths. Check ahead on how to reach it and on whether swimming is allowed.
- Lunch
Bocoles
A Huasteca corn cake, thick and round, stuffed with cheese, beans or pork and cooked on a griddle.
Local tip Ask for them hot, and add a sauce to taste.
About 10 min by car or transit2.6 km - 3Afternoon
Tamasopo
A small town at the edge of the Huasteca, with a plain square and shops of fruit, sweets and straw hats. A place to eat, rest and stock up before the rest of the lowland drive.
Go when Afternoon, for a meal and a rest.
Local tip Buy fruit and water here, since the next stretch of road has fewer places to stop. The town is simple and slow, which is its charm.
- Dinner
Enchiladas huastecas with cecina
Small tortillas bathed in a red or green sauce, topped with cheese, served with thin salted beef, a taste of the Huasteca.
Local tip The cecina is salted, so drink plenty of water.
If it rains. Heavy rain turns the water brown and raises the rivers, and the rock around the pools gets slippery. If the water is high or muddy, check with the park before going and keep to the dry paths.
Day 4. The river to the Tamul waterfall
3 stops · 57.8 km by carA day on a river in the Huasteca. A village landing, a boat or paddle trip upriver to a broad waterfall where one river drops into another, then a drive on to a small town. The boat ride is long and sunny. Check water levels ahead.
If you only have half a dayTanchachín, then Tamul Waterfall. The village landing, then a boat or paddle trip up the river to the waterfall.
- Drive from TamasopoAbout 40 min by car27.2 kmWhere Day 3 ended.
- Breakfast
Fruit and bread before the landing
A plate of tropical fruit, a roll and a coffee in the village, to fuel a long day on the water.
Local tip Carry water and a snack onto the boat.
- 1Morning
Tanchachín
A village on the river, where the boats and paddle trips to the Tamul waterfall set off from a landing. Ask the operators there about water levels and conditions, and wear a life jacket if one is offered.
Go when Morning, as early as you can.
Local tip Ask the operators at the landing about water levels, the route and the length of the trip. Wear a hat, sunscreen and the life jacket you are given.
About 13 min by car or transit4.5 km - 2Midday
Tamul Waterfall
A broad waterfall where one river drops over a cliff into another, in a green canyon. It is reached by boat or paddle from the village landing, upriver through the canyon. The water is turquoise when it runs clear, and brown and high after rain, so check conditions ahead.
Go when Midday, once the canyon is lit.
Local tip The water is turquoise only when it runs clear, so go in the dry months and check conditions the day before. Trips can close when the river is high.
- Lunch
Fried fish and tortillas
A simple plate of fried river fish with rice, beans and tortillas, eaten at a table in the village after the boat.
Local tip Ask what was caught that day, and be patient, since it is cooked fresh.
About 39 min by car26.0 km - 3Evening
Aquismón
A small hill town of the Huasteca, with a plain main square, on the road south. Stop for a meal and a rest, and sleep here or nearby so that tomorrow starts close to the cave.
Go when Evening, for a meal and a rest.
Local tip Sleep here or in Xilitla so you reach the cave in the cool of the morning. Many local shops close early.
Photo: Patricia Alzuarte Díaz, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
Zacahuil
A very large tamal of the Huasteca, filled with pork, wrapped in leaves and baked for hours in an oven, sold by the piece.
Local tip It is a dish for sharing, and best eaten fresh.
If it rains. The river trip may close when the water is high or after storms. Check with the operators at the landing the day before, and keep the day open. If the boats do not run, spend the time in Aquismón.
Day 5. A deep cave and a garden in the forest
3 stops · 1.4 km on foot, 34.9 km by carA day in the south of the Huasteca. An early look at a very deep cave pit, a coffee in the hill town of Xilitla and, in the afternoon, a garden of concrete sculptures in the rainforest. It is hot, humid and steep, with long drives between stops.
If you only have half a dayXilitla, then Las Pozas. The hill town, then the surreal garden of concrete sculptures and stairs made by Edward James in the rainforest.
- Travel from AquismónAbout 21 min by car or transit8.5 kmWhere Day 4 ended.
- Breakfast
Fruit and a roll before the cave
A quick breakfast of fruit, a sweet roll and coffee, so you reach the cave while it is cool.
Local tip Fill your water bottle before you leave.
- 1MorningBest early
Sótano de las Golondrinas
A vertical pit cave hundreds of metres deep, opening in the forest floor, where swifts and parakeets nest on the walls. Visit with a local guide where required, stay behind the rails, and check ahead on access. The birds cannot be promised.
Go when Morning, early, when it is cool.
Local tip The pit is very deep and the edges are open, so stay behind the rails. Birds nest on the walls but cannot be promised. Check ahead on access and any rules for guides or descents.
Photo: Dave Bunnell, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 39 min by car26.4 km - 2Midday
Xilitla
A small town on a steep hill in the green lowlands of the Huasteca, with a square, a church and cafes serving coffee grown in the hills around. Walk up and down its streets, and rest in the shade.
Go when Midday, with a cup of local coffee.
Local tip The town is built on a steep slope, so wear shoes with grip. A short rest here is a good break between the cave and the garden.
Photo by Marie Volkert on Unsplash - Lunch
Coffee and a savoury tamal
A cup of coffee grown in the hills of the Huasteca, with a corn tamal wrapped in a leaf, served at a cafe in the town.
Local tip Ask the cafe about the coffee, since many grow it nearby.
About 18 min walk1.4 km - 3Afternoon
Las Pozas
A garden of concrete sculptures, pavilions, arches and stairs that climb into the forest and lead nowhere, begun in the 1960s by the English poet Edward James. Steps are steep and wet and some edges have no rail, so wear shoes with grip and go slowly.
Go when Afternoon, when the forest gives shade.
Local tip Keep to the paths, hold the rails where there are some, and mind the wet stone. It is hot and humid, so carry water and take your time.
Photo: Rod Waddington, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Treat
Cane sugar sweets for the road
Sweets made from brown cane sugar, called piloncillo, a product of the region, sold in small blocks and rolls.
Local tip Wrap them well, since the car is hot and sticky.
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If it rains. Wet stone makes the steps of Las Pozas slick, and the cave is open to the sky. In heavy rain, take things slowly, wear shoes with grip and spend the middle of the day in the cafes of Xilitla.
Departure day
After the last day. The road back to San Luis Potosí and its airport is a long one, so plan the day around it.Details
- The long road back
- Book the driver or the rental return the day before, and leave Xilitla early. The road winds through mountain curves and town traffic, so allow extra time, and more after rain. Plan to be off the road before dark.
- Wet and muddy things
- Damp swimsuits, muddy shoes and wet towels are common at the end of a Huasteca trip, so keep a spare bag for them. Coffee and cane sugar sweets from the region travel well, if wrapped.
- If you have a few hours
- Sit once more in the Plaza de Armas in San Luis Potosí with a cold drink, or stroll the long avenue called the Calzada de Guadalupe.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit San Luis Potosí?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, January to March and August to December are the most comfortable months for walking around San Luis Potosí. This plan is built for february, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 5 days in San Luis Potosí, planned for february. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
On foot, about 0.6 to 1.4 kilometers a day, and 516.3 kilometers by car in all across 5 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Keep exploring
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Make this plan yours
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated November 2026
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