The Bajío

Region

Mexico's colonial heartland. San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato are colourful hillside towns built on silver, Querétaro and Zacatecas have grand churches and aqueducts, and the Huasteca Potosina has turquoise waterfalls and Las Pozas, the surreal garden of Xilitla. The highlands are mild all year.

The Bajío Mummies of GuanajuatoMexican PlateauSierra Madre OrientalSanctuary of AtotonilcoCave of SwallowsEstadio Sergio León ChávezCathedral Basilica of ZacatecasBufaAlhóndiga de GranaditasTeatro JuárezConvent of Santa Rosa de Viterbo (Querétaro)Hoya Rincón de ParangueoCamino Real de Tierra AdentroFranciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of QuerétaroHistoric Centre of ZacatecasHistoric Monuments Zone of QuerétaroProtective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de AtotonilcoWixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé)Aguascalientes MuseumGuanajuatoSan Miguel de AllendeQuerétaroZacatecasSan Luis PotosíReal de CatorceAguascalientesPeña de BernalLeónIrapuatoCelayaSalamanca, GuanajuatoGuadalupe, ZacatecasFresnilloSan Juan del RíoAcámbaroCalvilloTequisquiapanSilao

The Bajío essentials

Country: Mexico
Driest months: Feb-Apr
Pay in: Peso ($)
Language: Spanish
Emergency: 060

Where to Go in The Bajío#

City San Miguel de Allende San Miguel de AllendeUNESCO-listed colonial city famed for arts City León LeónIndustrial city in Guanajuato, Mexico City Querétaro QuerétaroHistoric city in Querétaro, Mexico City Aguascalientes AguascalientesCity in Aguascalientes known for its festivals History Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Camino Real de Tierra AdentroHistoric colonial route linking Mexico City and northern frontier History Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of QuerétaroBaroque Franciscan mission complexes blending European and indigenous art History Historic Centre of Zacatecas Historic Centre of ZacatecasBaroque silver-mining city with steep streets and tunnels History Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro Historic Monuments Zone of QuerétaroColonial city center with Baroque monuments and aqueduct History Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé) Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé)Sacred Wixárika pilgrimage route and ceremonial landscapes Nature Peña de Bernal Peña de BernalGiant monolith and popular climbing destination Nature Bufa BufaHistoric hill viewpoint east of central Zacatecas Nature Hoya Rincón de Parangueo Hoya Rincón de ParangueoLarge karst sinkhole with unique geological formations

Regions & Cities#

Guanajuato Explore Guanajuato A warren of alleys, silver mines and subterranean streets - Guanajuato draws travelers for color-washed colonial buildings, the Mummy Museum, the Pipila overlook and the annual Cervantino arts festival, plus lively markets and candlelit plazas. San Miguel de Allende Explore San Miguel de Allende San Miguel’s pink Parroquia pierces the skyline; travelers wander cobblestone lanes, browse galleries and rooftop bars, join weeklong art workshops, and soak in nearby hot springs and botanical gardens. Querétaro Explore Querétaro An 18th-century aqueduct and UNESCO-listed colonial center lure visitors to Querétaro for baroque churches, narrow plazas, rooftop mezcalerías and nearby vineyards on the Sierra Gorda. Zacatecas Explore Zacatecas Perched in a steep basin, Zacatecas lures visitors with narrow, winding streets, a pink-stone cathedral, the teleférico cable car, underground mine tours and plazas where gorditas and mezcal show up at dusk. San Luis Potosí Explore San Luis Potosí A colonial hub with narrow baroque streets, San Luis Potosí offers the Plaza de Armas, ornate churches and mining‑era mansions. Real de Catorce Explore Real de Catorce Real de Catorce occupies a narrow mountain pass of cobbled streets, ruined mine buildings and mule tracks into the Sierra. Aguascalientes Explore Aguascalientes Plazas, 19th-century facades and the Feria Nacional de San Marcos define Aguascalientes’ calendar: bullfights, rodeos and artisan booths draw crowds. Peña de Bernal Explore Peña de Bernal Peña de Bernal, a massive monolith in Querétaro, draws hikers and climbers, plus visitors to the nearby town for regional food, craft shops and views over the semi-arid landscape.

The Bajío at a Glance#

Local Time
11:32 AM
GMT-6
Population
13,613,281

Best Things to Do in The Bajío#