Queretaro

Located in central Mexico, Querétaro is one of the most important states in the country, it's where the independence movement  began, back in 1810. It has a population of 2 M and has 18 municipalities.

Santiago de Querétaro is the capital city, which was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, its architecture is characterized by being very colonial, the city is full of history and legends. The city's icon aqueduct is 28.4 meters high, with 74 arches, it was completed in 1735, and it provided water to the entire city.

Querétaro has 6 Pueblos Mágicos (cities in which you will have a magical experience): Bernal, Tequisquiapan, Cadereyta, Amealco, Jalpan and San Joaquín, each with its own charm, making it unique.

In Querétaro you will find all kinds of spaces for fun and recreation, thermal springs and spas, complemented by wine and cheese, hot air balloon rides, legends through colonial streets, diverse gastronomy, all-terrain adventures in the mountains, waterfalls, and endless places to visit.

For outdoor adventures, one of the best places to visit, is the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, which is a protected natural area, covering more than half of the territory of the state, an unmatched  natural beauty, with a great variety of flora and fauna. You can practice mountain biking, horseback riding, or take a boat ride, where you will find many endangered species, such as the jaguar and green macaws. It is the seventh largest reserve in the country.

Some places to visit in the nearby municipalities that are part of the Sierra Gorda:

• Cascada del Chuveje – Waterfall
• Puente de Dios –  Area with a variety of ecosystems and micro climates, you will find caves, canyons and waterfalls.
• Museo Historico de la Sierra Gorda – Museum where you will learn about the Sierra Gorda. 

Another great place to visit is the village of San Sebastián Bernal, house to the Peña de Bernal, the third largest monolith in the world, and which has been named one of the 13 Natural Wonders of Mexico and Protected Natural Area, has an approximate height of 350 meters and 10 million years old.

Querétaro's cuisine is rich and full of flavour. There are dishes you don't want to miss, like:

• Gorditas de migajas – thick corn dough tortillas, filled with small pieces of pork carnitas and topped with your favourite salsa.
• Enchiladas Queretanas – corn tortillas, dipped in red sauce and filled with fresh cheese and onions, accompanied by fried chicken, a mix of  fried potatoes and carrots.
• Cheese is one of the unique features of Querétaro. Between the state capital and the city of Tequisquiapan, you will find the Cheese and Wine Route, where many farms produce handmade cheeses, from fresh to aged: panela, manchego, and goat cheeses are some of the specialties.

Crafts are an icon of the state, mainly, handmade rag dolls created in the village of Amealco by indigenous women and men. The dolls have multicolored skirts and black hair, they adorn all kinds of items, like earrings, T-shirts, bags, among many others.