5 reasons Querétaro, Mexico should be on your bucket list

Have you heard of Querétaro, Mexico? Honestly, Querétaro wasn’t on my radar until I went to the Festival de Vino in Oaxaca last fall. I had just begun to learn about Mexican wine and tasted a bright sip of sparkling white from the region. My tongue tingled and I was hooked. And that was just the beginning. Querétaro, I discovered, is full of arts, culture, gastronomy, rich in history…and of course wine.

Here are 5 reasons Querétaro should be on your travel bucket list and when to go.

There are so many reasons! In fact, why shouldn’t it be on your trip list? Querétaro is home to about 1 million people, and is just 3 hours northwest of Mexico city and has its own airport. (I flew ORD-IAH to QTO.) It’s also Mexico’s second-largest wine producing region and a great spot for solo travel. Querétaro is known for pink stone streets and beautiful historic monuments.

1. WINE & CHEESE

Querétaro’s Valle de Bernal region has been producing wine since the 1970s — and most of these vineyards still don’t see foreign tourists. This is where you will find Querétaro’s wine and cheese trail. There are numerous vineyards some more easily accessible, some off the beaten path. Many are only open for tours and tastings on weekends as this is a popular area for Mexican tourists. Some vineyards make cheese and there are stand alone cheesemakers, ranging from cured to fresh, sheep goat and cow milk. This area is incredible!

2. HISTORY

Querétaro boasts a UNESCO World Heritage colonial center, a 74-arch aqueduct, and streets that feel untouched by mass tourism. Explore the free art museum, take a city tour and learn about this city that was once the capital of Mexico! In fact, it’s where the Mexican constitution was written. 

3. CULTURE

This area is home to the indigenous Otomi. You might recognize the lele doll, a symbol of Queretaro. The lele doll is important to the Otomi and is used in rituals to protect deceased children. Eventually settled by the Spaniards, you can find a mix of indigenous roots and European influence.

4. FOOD/GASTRONOMY

The gastronomy of Mexico is not in question, and Querétaro just adds to the richness. 
The local specialty is a gordita, a griddle-cooked thick corn tortilla stuffed with your choice of meat or vegetables and refried beans. The chile rellenos are also delicious, lightly battered stuffed with local cheese and drenched in a fresh tomato sauce. to me it felt like a mix of northern Mexico meets the tropics, with cactus fruits, mangoes, nopales, and delicious greens. There are high end places, street food, you name it. You will not go hungry!

5. NATURE

Querétaro is mountainous and beautiful. There are hiking trails and waterfalls. You can go horseback riding, trail riding, stargazing. There are cabins and lodges in the mountains. The Sierra Gorda is a mountainous and the ecosystems range from desert to tropical forest.

TIPS for travel to QTO;

Book a hotel in the colonial center. It’s a very walkable city. I stayed at Casa del Átrio in the city center!

If you want to check out the grape harvest season, go in Aug or Sept.

If you want to enjoy stargazing or dryer weather go between Nov-May. I found it pleasant in July with afternoon rains. Check out Trek Tours.

There is soooo much art and food and culture. At a minimum I would stay 3 full days in the city and leave at least 2-3 days to get outside of the city. 

Locals told me it’s a very safe state in general. I hired a guide who took me around to the vineyards, though you can use public transportation. I explored the city on my own or on guided tours (food tour with Explore Querétaro.

Stay tuned for a wine trail group trip to Querétaro in 2027!

OR Let me help you plan your trip!