Most people outside of Mexico have never even heard of the charming city of Queretaro, Mexico’s hidden gem in the centre of the country. Despite this, it is fast becoming the destination of choice for expats and Mexicans alike. Read on to find why Queretaro is the best city in Mexico (in my opinion at least).
1. It’s simply beautiful
Queretaro’s historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site and for good reason. Walking through the colonial streets feels like stepping back in time. Everything within sight has been there for centuries and the cobbled streets, colourful houses, fountains, squares and churches never fail to take my breath away; even after having lived here for years.
2. Its central location
Queretaro couldn’t be much more centrally located. Right in the middle of Mexico, weekend trips to explore the rest of the country are easy to arrange. With the two metropolises of Mexico City and Guadalajara, around a 4-5 hours drive away each and a plethora of smaller colonial towns, as well as awesome nature. If you ever get bored of the city, you can find something completely different without travelling too far.
The downside of being in the middle of the country is that the beach is a long drive. Fortunately, Queretaro has its own airport, making seaside trips much more manageable.
3. The perfect climate
If you like hot weather but hate humidity, Querétaro is the city for you. With clear blue skies almost every day throughout the year Queretaro is perfect if you enjoy being outside, drinking a coffee or a cocktail in one of the beautiful squares. The winters are mild and short with temperatures falling to around zero on rare occasions. As you can see from the chart above, all of the rainfall is concentrated into a short rainy season and tends to fall in short periods. Try not to get caught out in these torrential downpours and make sure to have a good vantage point to appreciate the awesome lightning show!
4. It’s steeped in history
Did you know that Querétaro was once the capital of Mexico? Did you know that the struggle for Mexican independence began when the mayor’s wife conspired to overthrow the Spanish from the Casa de la Corregidora in Plaza de Armas? Did you know that the Emperor of Mexico was executed by Benito Juárez’s forces there? Not only does Querétaro boast beautiful colonial architecture, but it’s also been the setting for pivotal moments in the country’s history. Oh if those walls could talk!
5. Modern amenities
Despite the majority of Querétaro’s centre being centuries old, don’t let that fool you into thinking that it’s not a modern city. There are countless brand new developments across the cities; international brands; super-fast internet; and one of the largest malls in Latin America.
6. It’s safe
We all know that Mexico is going through some tough times in terms of crime and violence. While there are certainly areas of the country that it would be wise to avoid, the troubles are not evenly spread out.
Much like most countries, Mexico has some places which are unsafe and others that are relatively untouched by the instability. As an affluent city with booming industries, Queretaro is thankfully a very secure city. It feels comfortable walking the streets alone at night and it is often listed next to Merida, Yucatan as one of the safest cities in Mexico.
There are so many reasons to love Queretaro that I don’t think that I can fit them all into one list.
If you’re curious about life in Queretaro and you can’t wait for part 2 of this blog, check out my Youtube channel to see what life is really like in Mexico.
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