Top Things to do in Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Top Hotels in Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Central Mexico and Gulf Coast That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Central Mexico and Gulf Coast, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast including Galeria Atotonilco, Mask Museum, Cascada Minas Viejas, Museo de Astronomia Prehispanica, Templo de Santa Maria Tonantzintla, Mirador Cuatro Palos, Puente de Dios, Rancho San Josemaria, San Juanito, Parque Nacional Grutas de Cacahuamilpa.
Restaurants in Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
1. Galeria Atotonilco
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 373 reviews
We are open BY APPOINTMENT only and usually have an Open House the last weekend of every month from noon to 5 pm. Please check our weekly ad in Atencion for directions to the gallery and contact information. Please note: We are NOT a "Museum" or an "Attraction." One of the largest and highest quality folk art collections in all of Mexico, on a gorgeous country property in an architecturally spectacular, much-published building, Galeria Atotonilco is a ten-minute drive north of town. It is an eye-dazzling array of a huge variety of folk art, from funny to exquisite, from all over Mexico. Folk art is a direct route to the true heart of Mexico: it's history, it's traditions, it's myths and legends, it's diverse cultures. Items in all price ranges can be shipped anywhere. We suggest you visit us early in your trip when you have not spent all your money and when shipping can be arranged if necessary. Even if you know little about folk art, we guarantee you will be amazed at the diversity, and we love sharing our knowledge with you. In addition to folk art, you will see country antique furniture, vintage textiles of great beauty, and historic photographs of 19th century Mexico. Within a mile is the historic church of Atotonilco, and the gorgeous country restaurant, Nirvana. Plan to spend at least an hour in our gallery. The time will fly by. Many visitors report that this gallery was the highlight of their visit to San Miguel.
Reviewed By mariet451 - San Diego, United States
My husband and I, with a friend, really enjoyed our visit to this lovely property, with an excellent selection of carefully curated Mexican folk art. The collection is museum-quality, with something for everyone, at every price point, from ceramics, to textiles, masks and beyond. The owner is personable and knowledgable and personally accompanied us to the back gate where a short walk led us to a lovely place for lunch, Nirvana. The property is a beautiful setting for showcasing the colorful artisan works. My husband was thrilled to find curious mezcal figurine bottles he had admired in a private collection in Guanajuato, while I fell in love with the contemporary ceramics of Gustavo Perez. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would definitely return on a future visit to the area-highly recommended! Visits are by appointment, so plan ahead. We were able to visit with only one day's notice, but the owners do travel to find new acquisitions so advance contact by email or phone is advised.
2. Mask Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 430 reviews
By appointment
Reviewed By CarolynH399 - Houston, United States
The mask curator has been collecting masks for 30 years and has hundreds installed in the museum. He is very knowledgeable about the masks and Mexican history. You must call for an appointment. There is also a nice native art shop included in this beautiful bed-and-breakfast attached to the museum.
3. Cascada Minas Viejas
4. Museo de Astronomia Prehispanica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 85 reviews
The Prehispanic Astronomical Museum addresses a 10 year archeoastronomical research made at Cañada de la Virgen archaeological site in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. The exposition explains the importance of the moon cycle at the site and the use of the pyramid as a calendar device.
Reviewed By 883liz - Chicago, United States
It was so worth the visit.! We stopped for lunch and a tour of the cultural astronomy museum at the Comida Prehispanica and the Mueso de Astronomia Prehispanica after a fascinating tour of the Pyramid at Canada de la Virgen (Albert Coffee). Altogether one of the best experiences of our lovely trip to San Miguel de Allende. Our reception from Dr. Rossana Quiro Ennis and her husband Jesus Real Ruiz was so warm and inviting. First we went to the back patio and watched one of the cooks prepare tortillas on the traditional comal while we began with our meal with delicious salsas and chips made from those ethereal tortillas. Two main dishes followed – one vegetable and the other with meat – then dessert and Mexican coffee. All the ingredients were not only organic and locally grown but food that was available to the indigenous people before the arrival of Spaniards. If this lunch was an example, they ate well! And so did we. When I asked Dr. Ennis how she and her husband decided to open both a restaurant and a museum, she explained, “We both found in cooking a way to connect the cycles of nature with the cycles of the sky, which was one of the main themes in prehispanic cosmogonic knowledge.” After lunch, Dr. Ennis described her involvement in the archeological exploration at the Pyramid. She had began by photographing the cycles of the moon as it rose behind the Pyramid over many years and observing the patterns as they must have appeared to the indigenous builders. As a cultural astronomer, she documented evidence of how the local Prehispanic people constructed the Pyramid to follow the complex, interlocking cycles of the moon and sun that they used to predict vital weather cycles and eclipses. She explained - at the level we could absorb - what she had discovered – and documented in her beautiful photographs. Do make time for this experience! It is uniquely engaging!!
5. Templo de Santa Maria Tonantzintla
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 624 reviews
Reviewed By GowithJerry - Cancun, Mexico
An example of tequitqui art, refers to the artistic manifestations made by indigenous people of the Mesoamerican area after the Conquest of Mexico. It can be said that it is the mixture of indigenous art with Christian art and you can see the process of transculturation between the indigenous and the Spanish.
6. Mirador Cuatro Palos
7. Puente de Dios
8. Rancho San Josemaria
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 101 reviews
This is the most international awarded cheese factory in Latin America. In Rancho San Josemaria, a family business, hand made farmstead sheep milk cheeses are made since 2007. Every year the farm works in a limited, seasonal production. Open for visitors, by appointment, there you can spend a quite extraordinary time in nature, getting along with sheep. You will recieve a tour where they they will show you how they make the cheese and the care they give the sheep and what they do around them. At the end of the tour, you can try the sensational international award winning seasonal cheeses all under a nice shadow of the trees. Bring your wine or your favorite drink to acompany the cheeses. This tour is strictly contracted by appointment between February and November. Bilingual tours are available.
Reviewed By O5509DLrickw - Dallas, United States
Just a short drive outside of Santiago de Queretaro fantastic way to spend a couple of hours. Bring your own beverage, take a short tour of this family sheep farm and enjoy a sampling of a dozen types of excellent award winning cheese. Simple but extensively enjoyable.
9. San Juanito
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
San Juanito vineyard and winery at the Bernal Valley in Queretaro, Mexico. Come for a tasting of our award winning estate wines or a guided tour through the vineyard, winery and cellar; if you come near lunch hours you can enjoy some wine pairings with appetizers produced with ingredients from the region or our specialty firewood oven pizzas. If you wish to stay at the property and live the full weekend experience don't hesitate to contact us.
Reviewed By Jo-S-dinning-freak
San Juanito is a lovely option to spend a day. Whether you only wish to eat lunch and have a glass of wine taking in the spectacular view of the vines and the Peña de Bernal or you wish to spend a whole weekend in their perfectly setup guesthouse, San Juanito has something for everyone to enjoy. One may go to this place with friends, family or significant other. They organise many events, including the traditional ones you would expect in a vineyard and/or winery like harvest festivals, and tours of the grounds accompanied by their expert enologist who explains the whole process of vine growing and wine making. San Juanito also offers carefully designed yet unpretentious but delicious dinners, luncheons, equestrian festivals and many more. Their proximity to the aerodrome and the quaint towns of Tequisquiapan and Bernal makes it the perfect setting for a hot air balloon ride and a romantic getaway or an adventure with family or friends. One could simply arrive any given weekend, order a delicious pizza, a glass of any of their multi awarded wines and sit in the shade of their terrace to enjoy the peace and quiet of this blessed place in the Mexican countryside. Wear a hat, bring a cozy coat for the sunset and be ready to enjoy a truly splendid time in San Juanito. The owners and staff will bend over backwards to make your visit a memorable one.
10. Parque Nacional Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
These interconnected caves feature 20 huge halls that once were a hideout for runaway Indians.
Reviewed By castleg85 - Mexico City, Mexico
This was a last minute trip and I have to say...WOW! The cave is huge! The walk is about 2hr and about 4 miles 2 in and 2 out, we bought the whole experience including the underground cave tour, if you take that tour make sure you know how to swim (90% recommended as the there are some high spots where you either climb or take the small river). Make sure to take non-slip shoes as the rocks as pretty slippery and if you will get in the water i would suggest that your phone be water resistent so that you can record your tour and at the end of the underground cave you get jump into the river about 10-15 feet off but IT IS FREEZING COLD!
