There’s a hidden gem located not too far from Mexico City that many travelers miss.
The sleepy town of Taxco, nestled between lofty mountains and famous for its silver jewelry production, is one of the best places to experience Mexico’s quaint charm, Spanish colonial architecture, and rich history.
While many of Mexico’s pueblos magicos—towns recognized as magical by the secretary of tourism—suffer from over-tourism, there’s something raw and untouched about Taxco.
shop glassware
Besides the day trips from Mexico City which host a handful of international travelers, Taxco belongs to the locals, chatting with their neighbors and flipping gorditas on hot comales (a smooth-flat griddle used to cook tortillas).
If you want to experience Mexico’s beauty in its truest form, we recommend planning a trip to this colonial town filled with winding cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, and red-tiled roofs.
Getting to Taxco
Just a two and a half hour drive from Mexico City, Taxco is an easy overnight trip from the capital. You can choose to hire a private driver—which will be helpful when exploring the surrounding area—or you can catch a bus from Mexico City’s Taxquena terminal.
Tickets cost around 600 pesos (about $24 USD) for a roundtrip.
What to see and do in Taxco
When visiting Taxco, you can see most of the sights by foot or if you get tired, you can hail an adorable Volkswagen Beetle taxi.
If you’re interested in visiting other tourist sights outside the town, you can negotiate a rate with the local taxi drivers. You’ll find prices will be much lower than Mexico City since there is less foreign tourism in Taxco.
Browse the city's silver market
Once upon a time, Taxco was the only place in Mexico to extract silver and turn it into beautiful jewelry. This history long predates colonialism, beginning in the Aztec times. Fun Fact: During this time, silver goods were used during religious ceremonies and presented as gifts to the gods.
While the Taxco mines are now empty and the silver is sourced a few hours away, one thing remains the same—the people of Taxco are incredible artists.
Taxco’s silver markets are a maze to navigate, but worth exploring. You’ll find dozens of rooms and tunnels lined with silver earrings, rings, brooches and more. While bargaining isn’t widely practiced in Taxco, the prices are low to start with—especially if you purchase large quantities.
Bathe in Pozas Azules de Atzala
A 40-minute drive from Taxco will take you to one of Guerrero’s natural world wonders. This idyllic waterfall cascades down a steep cliff creating natural blue pools otherwise known as las pozas azules. Once you’ve swum in these cold but crystal-clear waters, you can take a walk through the jungle, making sure to keep an eye out for wildlife including butterflies and birds.
You can either drive to Pozas Azules or catch a minibus leaving from Coppel Plateros every half hour. On weekends, the pools can be busy so it’s best to leave early. Entrance is just 30 pesos (about $1.20 USD). Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit!
Find Jesus (not like that!)
For an impressive panoramic view of Taxco, type the words “El Cristo Panorámico” into Google Maps. This stone statue of Jesus located on a hilltop was built in 2002 and although, he's only 9 feet 8 inches tall, you can still see him from anywhere in Taxco.
While it is possible to hike the hill and see the statue up close, you’ll want to get an early start to beat the heat. Or you can take a taxi for about 120 pesos (about $5 USD) roundtrip, including the waiting time. No matter which way you decide to make the pilgrimage, we guarantee the views will be spectacular.
El Zócalo
Taxco’s central square is dominated by Santa Prisca Church, built by one of the richest mine owners in the 18th century. Its ornate and elegant spires are quite the contrast to the hectic, atmospheric market stands that surround it. You can enter the church for free or simply admire it from the outside.
While visiting the main square, make sure to also take time to browse the unique textiles, clothes, and souvenirs.
Pro-Tip: Sample all the unique ice cream flavors at Tepoznieves. Some of our favorites include rose petal, mezcal, coconut gin and nopal (cactus).
Eat breakfast at Del Angel Inn
By far the best place to eat breakfast in Taxco is Del Angel Inn, a rooftop terrace restaurant overlooking Santa Prisca Church. The food may not be the cheapest. but the chilaquiles topped with salsa verde, cheese, and a fried egg are delicious.
shop jewelry
Ride the cable car to Hotel Montetaxco
If you’re not excited about the idea of hiking up the hill to see El Cristo Panorámico, we recommend exploring Taxco’s beautiful mountain views by cable car.
To do so, you’ll need to visit Montetaxco, a hilltop hotel that is worth the visit even if you’re not staying overnight. The resort includes a bar and restaurant with panoramic views of Taxco. We also recommend grabbing a bite to eat or enjoying a few cocktails during sunset before heading back down.
A roundtrip costs 95 pesos (about $4 USD).
Museum of Religious Art
Art and history fans visiting Taxco will want to swing by the Museo De Arte Sacro Virreinal. This pastel pink building is also known as the Humboldt House, named after German scientist, Alexander Von Humbolt, who once spent the night there. At the museum, you can browse Baroque art, religious paintings, and scenes of daily life from centuries ago.
Try the signature cocktails
The locals will advise you to try Taxco’s signature cocktail. A “berta” contains tequila, lime and honey. The mix of lime and honey is the perfect balance of sweet and sour, while the tequila is a reminder you're in Mexico! You’ll find them on every bar menu in Taxco.
shop books
Where to stay in Taxco
Hotel Montetaxco: While you’d expect this luxurious hotel to blow the budget, the prices are reasonable. Rooms start from 1,200 pesos a night (about $55 USD) which includes access to the pool, spa, gym, and cable cars. This is a great option for families with kids who want to keep busy. Upgrade for a room with a view.
Boutique Pueblo Lindo: At this charming boutique hotel, you can expect bright, spacious rooms with Mexican art and hot pink details. The highlight is breakfast on the terrace which doubles up as Rosa Mexicano Restaurant (highly rated on Google). Couples will love this romantic venue.
Santa Prisca: For budget travelers, you can’t beat this guesthouse in the heart of Taxco. The price tag is low as 700 pesos a night (about $28 USD) but still includes a clean and cozy double or twin room, Mexican-style breakfast, fantastic views of Taxco, and a fully stocked bar.
How long to spend in Taxco
Many tourists visit Taxco on organized day trips from Mexico City; however, keep in mind that this involves about 5-hours of travel.
We recommend spending at least one night in Taxco, which would give you time to enjoy the city at your leisure and more importantly, to eat more!
A second day would allow you to fully explore Taxco and also take a half-day trip to Pozas Azules de Atzala.
If you're looking for a place to relax and unwind after a busy period of traveling, you could also spend several days soaking up Taxco while reading a good book from any of the charming cafes.
other posts you may love...
About the Author
Rose Munday
Rose is a travel writer and blogger from the UK. She gained a degree in Communications and Media from the University of Leicester before beginning her world travels. She has a passion for exploring places through her stomach which makes Mexico the perfect base. Rose has been living in Mexico City for six months and hopes to be there for much longer. When she's not discovering the best taquerias in Mexico City, she's working on her blog.
Book a Free Travel Consultation
Mexico in My Pocket has just launched a new consultation service for anyone looking for some help planning their next Mexico vacation. Our goal is to create a custom itinerary that will give you incredible memories!
schedule your call today!
Leave a comment