Tequisquiapan

Tequisquiapan is a colonial town in the state of Queretaro. Tequisquiapan, or Tequis as it's locally known, is a popular weekend getaway for people living in Mexico City and is designated as one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos by the federal government's tourism department.

Plaza Hidalgo in Tequiquiapan, Iglesia Santa Maria in background.

Understand

The charming town center has cobblestone streets lined with traditional rustic brick and stone houses with wrought iron fixtures, balconies, and wooden shutters. The town was founded in 1551 and most of the population identifies with indigenous traditions. Tequisquiapan is justly famous for its aquatic water parks (balnearios) and luxurious spa hotels with thermal mineral water baths.

Get in

Buses are available from Queretaro and Mexico City, arriving at the Central de Autobuses on Carretera San Juan Del Rio-Xilitla. Buses are available from Flecha Azul, Transportes Tequis, Flecha Blanca, Flecha Amarilla, Autotransportes Queretanos, and Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales (ETN). You may need to connect in San Juan del Rio. An ETN bus from Mexico City (Norte) to Tequisquipian takes 3 hours and costs M$400 one way.

• 1 Terminal de Autobuses Tequisquiapan (Tequis bus station), Carretera San Juan del Río-Jalpan de Serra s/n, Centro, ☏ +52 800 800 0386. Small but clean and functional bus terminal serving ETN, Futura, and various second and third class bus lines. Buses to Mexico City (Autobuses del Norte), Queretaro, Cadereyta and more. (updated Aug 2023)

Get around

Taxis are readily available. Walking is the best way to get around the core center of town.

See

Shops and restaurants line the cobblestone streets.

• Plaza Hidalgo - the town's main plaza is a pleasant, colonial space with cobblestone streets, park benches, graceful arches, and one and two-story buildings along the narrow streets.

• Iglesia de Santa Maria Asuncion - Originally built in the late 16th century, the church was rebuilt in the 1800s in a Neoclassical style using pink sandstone.

• La Pila - large park with cypress trees, fresh water springs and open picnic areas, site of the town's annual wine and cheese festival

Do

• Horseback Riding through the Barrio Magdalena is available at the Casa de Caballo, located near the river
• Aquatic Parks include Termas del Rey, El Oasis, Fidel Velásquez, La Vega

Buy

Wicker baskets are a local handicraft.

Artisans' Market

Traditional handcrafts are sold in the municiple market and in the shops and markets on Calle Ezequiel Montes near Salvador Carrizal. Street vendors are common in the area; many are indigenous Otomi. Baskets and woven products, including wicker furniture, are regional specialties as are embroidered napkins, tablecloths, and blankets. Many vendors sells sweet breads and dry fruit, including nopal cactus soaked in syrup and crystallized.

• 1 Mercado de Artesanias (Artisans' Market), Calle Ezequiel Montes 31, Centro. 09:00 - 18:00. Local market specializing in handmade crafts like embroidered cloths, jewelry, pottery, etc. Several vendors selling souvenirs, plus a food court with authentic regional dishes at very affordable prices. 

Eat

• 1 La Charamusca, Calle Ezequiel Montes 1, ☏ +52 4142730781. 08:00 - 22:00. Traditional Mexican cuisine at a comfortable restaurant on the main plaza. Popular for breakfast. (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Pozoleria Kauil, Guillermo Prieto 10, Norte, ☏ +52 4141010796. 13:00 - 20:30. Hot steaming bowls of pozole: red, white, green, or black. Top it as you like. (updated Dec 2022)
• 3 La Quercia, C. Niños Heroes 4, ☏ +52 4142736211. 13:00 - 22:00. Charming pizzeria and restaurant on the main plaza. (updated Dec 2022)

Drink

Wine is the local drink of choice. The town is part of Mexico's second-largest wine producing region and locally made wines can be found at several bodegas around town. The largest local wine producer is La Redonda, which welcomes visitors to their vineyards for tours and tastings. Tequisquiapan is famous for its annual wine and cheese festival, featuring wines from around the local region as well as imported wines from around the world; the wine and cheese festival takes place near the beginning of June.

Sleep

• 1 Hotel La Plaza de Tequisquiapan, Av. Benito Juarez 10 (at Plaza Hidalgo), ☏ +52 4142730289. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Pleasant colonial style hotel adjacent to Plaza Hidalgo. (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Hotel Real de San Jose, Juárez Ote. 113, Colonia Magdalena, ☏ +52 4142731057. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Clean, comfortable, well-maintained hotel. (updated Dec 2022)
• 3 Regalo del Alma Hotel, De La Virgen 11, ☏ +52 4441657446. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Large, clean, well-kept rooms. Pet friendly. (updated Dec 2022)

Spa Hotels

• 4 La Casona Tequisquiapan Hotel & Spa, Antiguo Camino al Sauz 55, Grande, ☏ +52 4142735635. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Moderate hotel about 2-3 km from downtown area. Pool, free parking, bicycles available for guests. Offers hot air balloon rides ($$). (updated Dec 2022)

Go next

The major city in the region is the state capital, Queretaro.

• Ezequiel Montes
• Bernal