Mexico City to Tepotzotlan and San Juan del Rio: Day trip

Discover one of Mexico's most underrated Pueblo Mágico towns, where the most ornate Churrigueresque church in the country, the highest aqueduct in Latin America, and a lively cobblestone zócalo await — all just an hour north of Mexico City.

What to see

• The Church of San Francisco Javier and the National Museum of the Viceroyalty, housed in a magnificent 16th-century Jesuit college whose facade is widely considered the finest example of Churrigueresque baroque architecture in all of Mexico — the gilded altarpieces and the dazzling Camarín de la Virgen, adorned with ivory figurines and mirrors, are extraordinary
• Los Arcos del Sitio, a spectacular unfinished 18th-century Jesuit aqueduct stretching 42 kilometers and rising 61 meters at its peak — the highest aqueduct in Latin America, set within a lush gorge where visitors can walk across the arches and take in sweeping views of the surrounding valley

What to do

• Wander the vast, tree-shaded zócalo, lined with restaurants, an artisan market, and the handsome Palacio Municipal, and take time to browse the stalls for Otomí crafts and locally made textiles
• Explore the National Museum of the Viceroyalty's extensive collection of colonial-era paintings, sculptures, and religious objects — one of the richest collections of viceregal art in Mexico

What to try

• Mushroom or squash flower quesadillas from the market stalls on the zócalo, washed down with a tequila served in a clay jar with pineapple and chili — a local combination that has become something of a Tepotzotlán tradition

Take note

• Note that Tepotzotlán (State of Mexico, north of Mexico City) is frequently confused with Tepoztlán (Morelos, south of Mexico City) — they are entirely different towns. Tepotzotlán is around one hour north of the capital

Discover a quietly captivating colonial city that served for centuries as the vital gateway between Mexico City and the northern interior, where opulent haciendas, a fine opal-trading tradition, and a compact historic center reward those who venture off the well-worn tourist trail.

What to see

• The colonial centro histórico, centered on Plaza Fundadores and anchored by the original 16th-century Franciscan church — one of the oldest in the state — with its handsome 18th-century bridge over the San Juan River still in daily use nearby
• The Museo de la Muerte, a fascinatingly morbid museum set within the old Santa Cruz cemetery, exploring how indigenous and Spanish cultures approached death, funeral rituals, and the afterlife

What to do

• Take a tour of the haciendas that line the fertile San Juan del Río valley — palatial colonial estates built along the old Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the historic silver trail, whose grandeur reflects the enormous wealth that once passed through this region
• Browse the opal jewelry workshops and boutiques in the city center, where local jewelers — many from families with generations of expertise — craft pieces from the distinctive semi-precious stones mined in the surrounding hills

What to try

• A meal at one of the restaurants near the historic center showcasing regional Queretano cuisine — pozole in red, white, or green is a local staple, and the valley's agricultural abundance means fresh ingredients are always on the table

Take note

• San Juan del Río sits 40 minutes south of Querétaro city by bus, making it a natural and easy addition to any itinerary in the region — and a worthwhile stop in its own right rather than just a passing point on the highway