Cool Places in Mexico & Little-known Destinations in Mexico
Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
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Tamazunchale in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi is one of the most undiscovered jewels in Mexico. Like most jewels, you have to look to find it. Tamazunchale's charms, however, are hidden from view. At first glance, there is little to recommend Tamazunchale to the average tourist, or even the above average tourist. Like many of Mexico's hidden jewels, you have to look deeper to appreciate Tamazunchale.
Tamazunchale used to be an important stop for tourists driving from the US border to Mexico City. It's on the old Pan American Highway (highway MEX-85), south of Cd. Valles and the turnoff to Xilitla. Tamazunchale is in the mountains, It's about 3 hard hours of driving south of Cd. Valles and 3 hours north of Pachuca in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. Because of the winding two-lane road which should never be driven at night and the early morning fogs that blanket this Husateca region, drivers often stopped here before heading south to Pachuca and Mexico City, The Hotel Tamazunchale is the nicest in town, quiet and it has a waterfall in the lobby. RV'ers can dry camp for free by the river or at another location.
Tamazunchale is a birder's heaven. There are hundreds of species of birds that live here. Many unique species are year-round residents and hundreds of others come for the winter. Rudy can show you where they are. Wild orchids fill the surrounding forests. The people are the nicest you'd ever want to meet. There are many indigenous people here, Huasteca Indians, who still wear traditional white clothing (though modern jeans and shirts are becoming the norm). The markets in Tamazunchale are remarkable for the native handicrafts that you won't find anywhere else in Mexico.
My good friend Rodolfo Jonguitud Reyes (Rudy) can guide you to the orchid forests, Indian villages where he is permitted to bring guests, camp out on top of the world and show you this jewel of the Sierras that few people know.
He can take you on a side trip to see Epigmenio Hernandez Ramon and Evasto Santos Hernandez who make guitars by hand. No power equipment here. The one he had in progress (see picture) was made out of red cedar. Another maker uses pine. It takes 2-4 days to make one. They sell for about 500 pesos plain, 700 pesos with intricate inlay design around the hole. Most designs are in form of a star in one way or another, which according to legend brings luck. They still have their own gods - they thank for everything in the Indian way, and yet go to church. There is one person left, Ignacio, who makes violins the same way for about 500 pesos. It's a local trade handed down, but sadly the younger generation is not learning it and will be lost when these men die off.
Tamazunchale now even has its own web site