Mexico › Mexico City › Jewelry Designers
Updated: March 7, 2022

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• Mexico City – Best Places to Stay
• Mexico City – Best Time to Visit
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Mexico is well-known for its exquisite silver jewelry and intricate designs inspired by a rich indigenous heritage. No trip to Mexico seems complete without acquiring a stunning piece of jewelry to take home. And for every well-established Mexican jewelry designer who has attained international recognition, there are countless emerging designers and craftspeople creating stunning and unique pieces. We took to the streets in Mexico City and perused interesting shops and pop-up markets to compile a selection of the best Mexican jewelry designers to look out for.

10 Best Mexican Jewelry Designers in Mexico City

Marcela Lira

The brand was born at a crossroads in the designer’s life. She had been out of Mexico for 10 years and living in Portland, Oregon, when she felt the need to return to her country, despite not knowing what she’d do when she got there. On a trip to Mexico City, she found a goldsmith shop with a sign that read, “Learn to make a ring in a day.” The first pieces she made were quickly snapped up by her friends, and that’s when she knew she was onto something. Her pieces are produced in Guadalajara and can be purchased at pop-up markets and select stores in Mexico City, like Happening Store.

Mina de Mar

In Giovanna Silva’s words, the designer behind Mina de Mar, the brand is imbued with romantic marine airs in every detail. Inspired by the beauty of beaches and reefs, she created a collection that fuses elements of the ocean and minerals of the earth. All the pieces are handmade in a workshop in Guadalajara, carefully crafting the details of each piece. Her collection can be found at her online store or at Tráfico Bazar, a monthly pop-up market in Mexico City’s trendy Roma neighborhood – follow them on Instagram for actual dates.

Stelröze

Founded by two sisters (STEL = Esthela and RÖZE = Rocío), the brand’s designs can be described as “wearable art.” Each piece is handmade, with only one to three items per design, and the designers work with different communities throughout the world. Some pieces are designed by the sisters and others are proposed by the communities they collaborate with, but Estela and Rocío always choose the color palettes and the materials that will make their jewelry come alive. Their pieces are currently designed and produced in Mexico, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Milan, and Madrid with high-quality materials to ensure durability. Find their collection online or at pop-up markets in Mexico City.

Beka Joyería

Beka is created for people who want to express their identity in a fun, authentic, and graceful way. Rebeca González, the industrial designer behind the brand, creates each piece by hand using different artisan techniques, sometimes enlisting the help of as many as three people at her workshop in downtown Mexico City. Her pieces, which she hopes are small treasures in the life of their new owners, can be found online and at pop-up markets like Vanitas Bazar in the Coyoacán neighborhood and Mercado Escondido in Polanco, both in Mexico City.

Talía Lanz

The brand was born with the intention of filling life with color, joy, and good vibes. When designing her collections, Talía searches for inspiration in various cultures to expose herself to different concepts of beauty. She may design a piece based on a stone she comes across or a pattern she finds on her travels. All her products are unique and handmade, with production lines in Mexico, India, and Turkey. Some of her designs are intervened by the craftsmen who produce them, who she believes are the true experts in the field. Find her pieces online, at the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, select shops throughout the country, and pop-up markets in Mexico, Texas, and Barcelona. In Mexico City, she frequently has a stall at Tráfico Bazar and Zona Zero.

Lorena Loza

Her collections are inspired by the multicultural experience she gained from traveling the world. After her fashion design studies in Guadalajara, she headed to Paris for a diploma in haute couture, where she found her muse among architectural treasures and museum relics. Each design is unique and modeled in wax. When producing her pieces in a workshop by her garden, she likes experimenting with new textures and playing with the shapes of stones. Find her designs on Instagram and at pop-up markets in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

Azure

Azure’s philosophy is to make pieces for everyone, regardless of gender, because people are as unique and different as the brand’s limited-edition collections. The design team is made up of Cynthia, who leads the way and dictates the lines for the collections, Joyce, who uses her international vision to determine the markets to target, and Carlos, in charge of marketing and production. The pieces are produced at their own workshop with the help of goldsmiths and jewelers that have been working with them for more than 10 years. Azure jewelry can be found online and in shops throughout Mexico, the USA, Germany, and Spain, among other countries, as well as pop-up markets, museums, and international trade shows. For a full list of retailers, consult their website.

Lili Carrillo

A piece by Lili Carrillo is not only interesting on account of its vibrant colors and rich textures but also because it’s committed to fair trade and socially responsible practices. Born in the designer’s native Veracruz, the brand soon made its way to a workshop in Cholula, Puebla, where Lili employs single mothers and pregnant women from the region to make each piece by hand. Part of the proceeds goes towards courses to support the women on topics ranging from nutrition to gender equality. Her pieces can be found online and in Puebla, Veracruz, Chiapas, and Mexico City, as well as in Germany.

Joyería Urbana

The brand’s name means ‘Urban Jewelry’ and its silver collections are inspired by daily life in the city. Ariadna, Juliana, and Rodolfo are the design team behind the brand and they aim to create fun, lightweight pieces that accompany the wearer in their day-to-day activities. Their jewelry is produced in Mexico using .925 silver and 100% Mexican materials, and they combine the highest technology with traditional goldsmith practices. They have points of sale at different shopping malls in Mexico City, participate regularly in pop-up markets, and have an online presence.

Malintzi

The brand’s philosophy is to materialize dreams into jewels, reinterpreting everything that makes us happy and turning it into pieces boasting authentic design, quality, and social conscience. All the pieces are designed and handmade by goldsmith and jeweler Patricia Zermeño at her workshop in Puebla. The brand participates regularly at the pop-up markets Tráfico Bazar and Mercado Escondido in Mexico City and has pieces at Casa Salt, a store that sells items by emerging Mexican designers exclusively. Check out Malintzi’s latest collection online.

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Mexico › Visiting Teotihuacan
Updated: March 7, 2022

See Also

• Best Places to Stay in Mexico City
• Best Time to Visit Mexico City
• Mexico City Itineraries
• Best Restaurants in Mexico City

Teotihuacan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes some of the world’s tallest pyramids, one of the most spectacular archeological sites in Mexico, and also one of the most easily accessible.

Visiting Teotihuacan – Tips & Info

• The ruins are open daily 9am to 5pm and cost 80 pesos to visit.
• There are five entry gates (“puertas”), but buses (and most visitors) aim for Puerta 1 or 2.
• Aim to arrive at Teotihuacan just before opening time at 9am – this is by far the busiest Mesoamerican site in Mexico, so it pays to get an early start
• Allow around at least half a day to visit the ruins – aim to eat lunch here if possible.
• Hire an official guide (once inside the entrance), or obtain a comprehensive written guide before touring the site, as there are very few signs in English.
• Guides charge around 850 pesos for a 1 to 2 hours and 1500 pesos for a 2 to 3 hours. Non-Spanish speakers should make sure the guide’s English is good before paying.
• Local vendors sell snacks, drinks and handicrafts outside and inside the site – bring peso cash for these.
• Note that it is permitted to leave the site for lunch and re-enter with your original ticket (see below for eating suggestions).
• You can climb the Teotihuacan pyramids (only halfway up the Pyramid of the Moon), but numbers are restricted and lines form for the Pyramid of the Sun soon after opening at 9am. It’s a short but energetic hike to the top, aided by support ropes, but visitors with mobility or fitness issues may have problems..

The main attractions at Teotihuacan are the monumental pyramids along the 2 km “Calzada de los Muertos”, the Causeway of the Dead. The Pyramid of the Sun (“Pirámide del Sol”) is a gargantuan, 70-meter high structure with sensational views of the whole site from the top. The similar Pyramid of the Moon (“Pirámide de la Luna”) at the end of the Calzada de los Muertos is slightly smaller but provides the best overview of the site’s overall layout (though it’s only possible to climb as far as the platform half way up).

Other highlights include the Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl, an artfully restored palace with finely carved pillars and original frescoes. Opposite Gate 1 (Puerta 1) is La Ciudadela, a huge sunken square, surrounded by stepped platforms, once serving as the city’s administrative heart. The main attraction here is the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, with its four steps featuring ornate bas-relief sculptures.

Be sure to also visit the two site museums, the Teotihuacan Culture Museum (“Museo de la Cultura Teotihuacana” at Puerta 5) and the Museum of Teotihuacan Murals (the “Museo de Murales Teotihuacanos” at Puerta 3A), crammed with precious artifacts discovered at Teotihuacan, from obsidian tools and ornately decorated ceramics, to burials recovered from under the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The “Ex-Museo” near Puerta 1 is reserved for temporary exhibitions featuring the latest finds at Teotihuacan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Teotihuacan

Where is Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city in central Mexico, located in the federal State of Mexico, in-between the modern towns of San Juan Teotihuacán and San Martín de las Pirámides. It lies some 50 km northeast of central Mexico City.

How big is Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan covers around 20 square kilometers (8 square miles), though satellite communities are thought to have existed far beyond these boundaries (up to 30 square kilometers). The main tourist site today covers around 2.6 square kilometers (652 acres). At its peak 100,000 to 200,000 people may have lived here. Today around 47,000 people live in the adjacent community of San Juan Teotihuacán.

What is the history of Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan was one of the largest and oldest Mesoamerican cities, with early communities forming here around 600 BC. The city proper was established during the “Teotihuacan I” phase (200 BC to 1 BC), while the city grew to be the biggest in the Americas in “Teotihuacan II” (1–350 AD). The famous Pyramids of the Sun and Moon were completed in this period. The city reached its peak during “Teotihuacan III” (350–650), when it became the predominant power of ancient Mexico, conquering rivals as far as Copán in modern-day Honduras. “Teotihuacan IV” marks the decline of the city between 650 and 750. The reasons for this are still debated, ranging from internal unrest (civil war), to ecological collapse (droughts). Small communities remained among the ruins however, and during the heyday of the Aztec Empire in the 15th century Teotihuacan was a sacred place of pilgrimage, the place where the sun was born. Major excavations and research began in 1905, and the city became one of the first Mesoamerican sites to be developed for tourism. Discoveries are still being made – excavation of a tunnel beneath the Temple of the Feathered Serpent began in 2010 and took several years.

How do I get to Teotihuacan?
Most tourists visit Teotihuacan on day-trips from Mexico City. Taking an organized tour (with transport by bus included, from around 900 pesos) is the most convenient option and is easy to arrange at hotels in the city, but it’s also relatively straightforward to visit independently – a far cheaper option, and allowing more flexibility. Buses depart Mexico City’s Terminal del Norte (“Autobuses del Norte” metro stop, Line 5), every 20 minutes or so through the day to Teotihuacan via Autobuses Teotihuacan (www.autobusesteotihuacan.com.mx). It takes around 1 hour and costs around 110 pesos return. It’s usually a little faster to take the Metro to the Indios Verdes station (line 3) and take a bus to “Las Pirámides”.
Regular taxis in Mexico City are likely to charge well over 1000 pesos for the trip to Teotihuacan – take an Uber or the bus.
Amigo Tours is a recommended operator for guided tours of Teotihuacan – they offer early access tours which arrive before most of the other tour groups (amigotours.com.mx/mexico-city/sunrise-tour).

What about Uber?
Uber is available in Mexico City – one-way rides to Teotihuacan from the Zócalo in the center of Mexico City cost around 490 pesos.

Can I drive to Teotihuacan?
It’s relatively straightforward to drive to Mexico City from the US (it’s 590 miles/950 kilometers from Brownsville, Texas), but this not recommended. The Mexican border states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas have been affected by drug cartel violence, and the roads in and around Mexico City are heavily congested and confusing to navigate. It’s also possible to rent a car once here and drive to Teotihuacan from Mexico City, but it’s much easier to take a bus or a guided tour, especially for first-time visitors.

Do I need a car in Teotihuacan?
No. The site itself is pedestrian only and small enough to explore on foot.

When is the best time to go to Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan is a year-round attraction, but the best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to April – nights can be cold, but during the day it’s likely to be sunny and warm (especially March and April). Summers tend to be hotter and rainy. Aim to arrive early to beat the crowds; avoid Sundays and Mexican public holidays altogether, when the site is mobbed with visitors and long lines are common to climb the pyramids.

Where should I stay in Teotihuacan?
Most people visit Teotihuacan on a day-trip from Mexico City. Visit our Best Places to Stay in Mexico City guide for more info. It is possible to stay next to the ruins, which can make it easier to get an early start – our favorite is the Villas Teotihuacan Hotel Spa, within walking distance of Gate 1 (Puerta 1), with basic but adequate rooms and swimming pool.

What are the best things to do in Teotihuacan?
There’s only one reason to come here – the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan (officially “Zona Arqueológica de Teotihuacan”).

What are the facilities like?
Tickets are sold at each of the five entrances to the site, though toilets are only available at gates 1,2, 3 and 5. Gate 3 is the only accessible entrance (with ramps and walkways for wheelchairs). An official INAH bookstore at Gate 5 sells maps and guidebooks to the site. Souvenir and handicraft shops cluster around each entrance, and official guides are available for hire at all five gates.

What about food?
It’s worth exiting the site to eat at one of the restaurants just beyond the gates (it’s permitted to re-enter afterwards). Our favorite is La Gruta (200m west of Puerta 5), a fine restaurant charmingly located in an open-sided cave, with traditional dance performances and typical Mexican food. Las Pirámides, the official restaurant at Puerta 1, offers the best views of the pyramids and fairly decent Mexican food, as well as three-course set menus.

What currency is used in Teotihuacan?
The Mexican peso (often pre-fixed with a “$” sign) is the currency of Mexico and used in Teotihuacan – vendors in and around the site will often accept US dollars (albeit at poor exchange rates), though entry to the site itself will be paid in pesos.
Bring lots of peso cash for small purchases like bottled water and snacks.

Is Teotihuacan safe?
Yes. Teotihuacan itself has avoided the drug violence that has affected other parts of Mexico, and is generally free of petty crime.

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Mexico › Mexico City › Best Restaurants
Updated: March 7, 2022

See Also

• Mexico City – Travel Guide
• Mexico City – Best Time to Visit
• Mexico City – Itinerary for 1, 2, 3, & 7 Days
• Mexico City – Jewelry Designers

The 13 Best Restaurants in Mexico City

1. Pujol • $$$$
   The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 list named it the best restaurant in Mexico and all of North America. Its creator, Enrique Olvera, is a rockstar in the world of chefs. His signature dishes offer a fancy reinterpretation of traditional Mexican cuisine. Diners can choose between a seven-course tasting menu and a nine-course taco bar in Japanese omakase-style. Bookings should be made well in advance.

   • Location

2. Quintonil • $$$$
   Quintonil regularly competes with Pujol for the first place as the best restaurant in Mexico and sometimes it beats it. Patrons have the option of ordering à la carte or choosing the ten-course tasting menu. The selection of ingredients by Jorge Vallejo, the chef, depends on the harvests of the season, so the menu changes constantly.

   • Location

3. Carmela y Sal • $$$
   In the 2019 edition of México Gastronómico, a culinary guide published by Larousse, Gabriela Ruiz was named the best chef in Mexico. The chef was born in Tabasco, a state in the south of the country, and she brings the essence of her childhood cuisine to her restaurant. With a keen ear that makes her a music lover, the chef uses synesthesia to create her dishes and the menu exudes rhythm and cadence. There are also options for vegans and vegetarians.

   • Location

4. El Huequito • $$
   If there’s a dish that represents Mexico City, it’s undoubtedly the taco al pastor. El Huequito, first opened in 1959, offers a “gourmet” version that arrives at the diner’s table topped with marinated onion, guacamole, and orange sauce, the house’s secret weapon. This veritable hole-in-the-wall (the literal translation for “huequito” is small hole) started out in a space that occupies a mere 11 square feet, but the restaurant now has branches throughout the city.

   • Location

5. Páramo • $$
   This place has no sign indicating its name, it’s open only in the evenings, and in speakeasy style, has gained popularity through word of mouth. Its menu offers a combination of the owners’ homemade recipes influenced by classic canteen fare. The atmosphere is unbeatable and they organize different events all the time, from social gatherings and pulque tastings to sets by famous DJs.

   • Location

6. El Cardenal • $$
   This is one of the most representative restaurants of traditional Mexican cuisine. Paying special attention to elaborating raw materials in house, they produce their own tortillas, bread, and chocolate. There are three branches in the historic center, one in the west of the city and one in the south.

   • Location – various

7. Rosetta • $$
   Rosetta is located in a beautiful house in the trendy Roma neighborhood. With chef Elena Reygadas at the helm, the restaurant is a local favorite on account of her creations. The menu is à la carte and changes regularly, depending on the products of the season. Rosetta’s bakery is even more popular than the restaurant, so much so that it even has its own premises in the Juárez neighborhood.

   • Location

8. La Esquina del Chilaquil • $
   Literally translated as “the corner of the chilaquiles,” this is one of the most popular street stalls in the city. The waiting time can last up to 40 minutes, which patrons gladly endure in order to get their hands on a torta de chilaquiles. This is nothing other than bread stuffed with beans and fried tortillas with salsa, cream, and cheese. The combination can seem a bit strange but diners are delighted and visit time and time again. “La Güera” and her relatives serve this delicacy to an eclectic crowd that includes office workers, hipsters, and housewives.

   • Location

9. Máximo • $$$
   This is one of the most revered restaurants in the city thanks to the creations of its chef, Eduardo García, which vary daily. That’s right, Máximo’s menu is not printed since he cooks something different every day based on seasonal products and whatever the mood strikes. The menu consists of three courses and can be enjoyed from Tuesday to Sunday. Bookings should be made in advance.

   • Location

10. Nicos • $$
    Homemade Mexican cuisine reaches new levels at this restaurant that has been seducing palates for over six decades. It starts the day by serving breakfast, and delicacies like Filete Nicolasa, beef in a crust of dried chiles with hibiscus sauce, can be found on the menu. July to September is chiles en nogada season in Mexico as that’s when the nuts used for the iconic sauce are harvested, and this restaurant’s take on the dish is a classic. It’s very popular among locals, so it’s recommended to book in advance.

    • Location

11. Dulce Patria • $$$$
    An unforgettable experience awaits locals and travelers in a dining room decorated in red, Mexico’s “primary color”, and gold to evoke the hues attained by corn. The renowned chef Martha Chapa experiments with the essence of Mexico and crowns her creations with flowers and some of the country’s quintessential ingredients. Her flagship cocktails and aguas frescas —flavored water— deserve a special mention. Like the dishes on the menu, they’re made from traditional ingredients.

    • Location

12. Azul Histórico • $$$
    Located in the courtyard of a beautiful building in the historic center, this is a restaurant that rescues the traditional flavors of the country and reinvents them through the cuisine of Ricardo Muñoz, known as “the anthropologist of Mexican cuisine”. The menu is à la carte and, in addition, there is a “festival” each month dedicated to a different dish or ingredient. This is a well-known spot among the international crowd, so bookings are essential.

    • Location

13. Campobaja • $$
    In this corner of Baja California located in Mexico City’s trendy Roma neighborhood, diners can sample the perfect combination of seafood and traditional Mexican antojitos —snacks or hors d’œuvre— such as sopes, quesadillas or tacos. The cuisine is simple but exquisite, with seasonality at the forefront given that the dishes are prepared with the fresh ingredients that chef Ezequiel Hernández receives every day.

    • Location

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Mexico › Cancun Things to Do
Updated: March 4, 2022

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9 Best Cancun Tours & Day Trips

All of the tours below are great but if I could only do one it would be the Cenotes Day Tour. Incredible! And super fun.

• Cenotes Day Tour from Cancún & Riviera Maya
• Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Puerto Aventuras
• Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour
• Cancún: Street Food and Urban Art Tour
• Xplor Park All Inclusive Full-Day Tour from Cancun
• Chichen Itza, Ik-Kil Cenote, and Coba: Private Tour
• Advance Tickets: Rio Secreto Underground River • Xcaret Park • Xel-Há Park

12 Best Things to Do in Cancun

1. Marvel at the Ruins of Chichen Itza

   
   The ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza, famous for its pyramid ruins, is both a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The ancient city dates back to the 5th century, though its most impressive structures were built later in the 9th through 12th centuries and are a mix of Maya, Toltec, and Puuc styles. El Castillo (aka the Temple of Kukulkan) is the best-known pyramid, designed according to the astronomical calendar so that during the equinoxes, the sunlight creates a vision of a feathered snake climbing down its sides. Travelers here will also find the Mesoamerican ball court, with its unique audio qualities and intricately carved rings. Several other impressive structures and landmarks are here, including the Sacred Cenote, a place of pilgrimage and sacrifice; the tzompantli, where skulls of captured warriors were displayed; and El Caracol, the ancient observatory, among many others. There are several tour operators running day trips from Cancun to Chichen Itza, many with stops along the way to cenotes, the Tulum ruins, or Valladolid.

2. Snorkel With Whale Sharks

   
   The Yucatan coast near Cancun is the most reliable spot worldwide to see endangered whale sharks. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world, about the size of a school bus. Despite their immense size, adult whale sharks are completely docile and harmless to humans, while the youngest whale sharks as playful as overgrown puppies. Whale shark season runs roughly from June through September. Most tours follow similar rules for the safety of the whale sharks; divers are allowed in the water two or three at a time, for around five minutes. That group will exit the water, while the next group jumps in. Typically each guest will get three or four swims over the course of the tour. Snorkel gear is included in the rate. Booking a private tour will allow each guest more time in the water versus tagging along with a larger group.

3. Swim In The Cenotes

   
   Cenotes, sometimes written xenotes, are natural pools formed from collapsed limestone with sapphire, turquoise, and emerald waters. The entire coast of the Riviera Maya is dotted with cenotes, nearly 7,000 in total. Some cenotes are open to the sun and surrounded by tropical trees and hanging vines – great for a swim or snorkel, while others are parts of vast, underground cave and river systems, fun to scuba through on a guided tour. Many cenotes are easy to reach on your own by driving or taxiing, like Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote near Tulum or Ik Kil and Suytun near Chichen Itza. Access is usually granted for a small entry fee, with life jackets and snorkel masks to rent onsite; Dos Ojos even has flashlights for cavern snorkeling and diving. For a more in depth exploration of the underwater cave systems, contact Cancun Scuba Center.

4. Get Ready to Rumble with Lucha Libre

   
   Lucha libre is a uniquely Mexican version of pro-wrestling, emphasizing aerial maneuvers, choreographed acrobatics, wild personalities, and of course the famous masks. Each fight, whether one-on-one or tag team, pits the técnicos (good guys) against the rudos (bad guys), often with minis (dwarfs) or exóticos (wrestlers in drag) on either side. Events usually have around five bouts, with each fight lasting for three rounds and always spilling outside the ring. The crowd gets pretty rowdy, so if you’ve always wanted to learn how to swear in Spanish, this is where to practice! In Cancun, fights are held Downtown and sometimes on Isla Mujeres and coordinated by Lucha Libre TWS. Splurge for front row seats; they aren’t expensive, usually only 250 pesos ($12 USD). Beer, soda, and snacks are for sale throughout the event.

5. Swim the Underwater Museum

   
   MUSA is an underwater art museum in between Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Over 500 sculptures by six artists were designed and installed to encourage the growth of coral and replenish the habitat of tropical marine life. Subjects include giant hands, naval mines, VW Beetles, and life-sized people modeled after Cancun locals. Already the largest artificial reef in the world, the museum is still expanding; as the older artworks become obscured by wildlife, new installations are added. The Enchanted Wood, featuring artworks blending land animals and trees, will make up the next permanent installation. There are a few ways to visit MUSA, including by glass-bottom boat or snorkeling for the two Cancun locations or by scuba diving in the Isla Mujeres portion. Contact MUSA directly or Aquaworld to schedule a visit.

6. Get Up Close to Sea Turtles

   
   The ocean and beaches of Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and the Riviera Maya are some of the best spots in the world to see sea turtles. Loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles are the most common, though sometimes giant leatherback sea turtles (the largest turtle in the world and fourth heaviest reptile) make appearances, too. From May through October, female sea turtles come ashore every night to dig nests and lay dozens of eggs each. The eggs hatch and the babies swim out to sea in July through December. Most resorts in Cancun are involved in sea turtle conservation efforts, and allow guests to participate or watch in all stages, including gathering the eggs into a protective enclosure and assisting in a sunset release of the babies. Snorkelers and divers visiting Cancun during the summer and fall months may glimpse sea turtles mating in the ocean. Winter or spring visitors will still find plenty to see at Tortugranja, the turtle conservation center in Isla Mujeres. While there, visitors can see, feed, and interact with turtles at all stages of development, along with other local marine life, like conches, horseshoe crabs, and urchins.

7. Day Trip to Tulum

   
   Located about an hour and a half south of Cancun, Tulum offers a unique getaway from the city, with a blend of bohemian style, sparkling cenotes, Mayan ruins, and gorgeous beaches. Start with beachfront yoga at Sanará, followed by a healthy vegan breakfast at nearby Raw Love or a filling Mexican breakfast at Taqueria Honorio downtown. Head to the Ruins of Tulum next, before the sun gets too high and hot. The main entry to the ruins is off the highway, near the Artisan Mall, but strong swimmers can reach the ruins by swimming up from Santa Fe beach to the aptly named Ruins Beach. Entry is 65 pesos per person; add 600 for a guided tour. After the ruins, be sure to visit at least one of Tulum’s cenotes. There are three major cenotes in the area: Gran Cenote is the largest and busiest, made up of several small cenotes and filled with fish and turtles. Dos Ojos is two connecting cenotes, one a bright clear blue and the other a deep, dark cavern (they have flashlights to rent). Finally, Yal Ku is more of a lagoon, with a mix of fresh and salt water and tons of colorful, tropical fish.

8. Speed through the Jungle Lagoon

   
   Due west of Cancun’s main beach is Nichupte Lagoon, surrounded by a mangrove jungle, cut through with winding canals, and filled with wildlife. Tiny, two-seater speed boats are the most fun way to explore the lagoon once you get the hang of steering. Guests whip through the jungle waterways and make for the reef for a snorkel interlude before turning around. Most tours snorkel at the Punta Nizuc reef, sometimes in view of the underwater museum.

9. Visit the Maya Museum and San Miguelito Ruins

   
   The Museo Maya and the San Miguelito archaeological site share an 80-hectacre compound in the Hotel Zone. Opened in 2012, the museum holds some of the most important Maya artifacts from the Yucatan region, including many from Chichen Itza, as well as from Comalcalco and Palenque in Tabasco and Chiapas, respectively. Three main galleries cover various topics of Maya history, archaeology, and culture, especially in the pre-Hispanic era. Museum tickets also grant admission to the San Miguelito site, a collection of Maya ruins spread out through a jungle garden. Included in this site are a pyramid, temple, and the remains of family homes. Museo Maya and San Miguelito are open from 9:00am until 6:00pm every day except Mondays.

10. Learn to Scuba

    
    Cancun is the perfect spot for first-timers to try out scuba diving. It’s adjacent to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second largest reef system, and with the underwater museum, endless cenotes, and an abundance of marine life, the city has so many aquatic attractions that are really worth the up close attention that scuba gives over snorkeling. Two-hour intro classes are available at several locations in the Hotel Zone and Riviera Maya, and though patrons won’t leave there PADI certified, they will receive a certificate allowing them to join guided scuba tours all over the area. Aquaworld offers a package deal for a morning intro class, followed by an afternoon dive at MUSA, and Scuba Diving Cancun offers a lesson package that includes two reef dives. Children must be at least ten-years-old to attend most dive courses and at least sixteen to attend without parental guidance.

11. Day Trip to Isla Mujeres

    
    Isla Mujeres offers a laid back change of pace, just a fifteen minute ferry ride away from Cancun. Translating to “Island of Women,” the island’s name comes from it being the historical site if the Temple of Ixchel, the Maya fertility goddess. Now it’s a major destination, known for its main beach, Playa Norte, consistently ranked among best beaches in the world. It’s Downtown area has several amazing restaurants (try Rooster or Ruben’s) and street vendors on Hidalgo Street, while the South End of is home to Punta Sur national park, with Ixchel’s Temple ruins and a sculpture garden, plus Tortugranja, the turtle sanctuary, and Garrafon Natural Reef Park, with snorkeling, ziplining, kayaking, and more. The island is small, less than eight kilometers long and less than one kilometer across, so it’s easy to see the whole thing in a day. The preferred mode of travel here is by golf cart, with several rental shops directly across the street from the ferry terminal.

12. Explore the Shops and Food at Market 28

    
    Mercado 28 is a huge, maze-like, flea market in Downtown with over 600 vendors and restaurants. Stalls sell tons of trinkets and textiles, like maracas, blankets, and leather goods, with some great bargain prices and some unique handicrafts mixed in with the souvenirs. Salespeople can be a little pushy, but it’s all in the game, so be prepared to haggle and you can walk away with some great buys. The market is also a great spot to try more authentic, local foods at a fraction of the Hotel Zone cost. Try Restaurant Margely here, one of the best spots for local Yucatecan food; ask for the conchinita pibil or the parrillada yucateca. This place is easy to reach by bus from the hotel zone. Take the R-2 bus and ask to get off at Market 28; this is the stop right before Wal-Mart. Then take Avenue Coba to Avenue Tankah headed north. Mercado 28 will be right behind the Super Aki store. There are a few stores in the area that have a similar name to try to fool tourists into stopping there, like Plaza 28 or Market 23, so look for the Super Aki and a sign behind it that says Mercado 28!

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Mexico › Bajío Itinerary
Updated: March 3, 2022

See Also

• Mexico – Where to Go
• Mexico – With Kids
• Mexico – Best Time to Visit
• Mexico – Best Beaches
• Mexico – Cancun vs Tulum vs Playa del Carmen

7 Days in the Bajío – Traveling the Ruta de Plata

The Best of the Bajío

• Best Things to Do in the Bajío: Callejóneadas in Guanajuato • Art galleries in San Miguel de Allende • Sanctuary at Atotonilco • Hot springs • Visit Guanajuato from the Pípila monument • Old mine ruins at Mineral de Pozos
• Best Tours: Bici Burro Cycling Tours of San Miguel de Allende • Coyote Canyon Horseback Adventures • Mexico Street Food Tours (Guanajuato) • Catrina Tours (Mineral de Pozos, Atotonilco)
• Best Restaurants: Zibu Allende • The Restaurant • Casa Mercedes • Hacienda La Laborcilla
• Best Place to Learn Spanish: Academia Hispano Americana • Instituto Allende
• Best Nightlife: San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato
• Best Hotels: Casa de la Marquesa (Querétaro) • Casa de Sierra Nevada (San Miguel de Allende) • Casa de la Cuesta (San Miguel de Allende) • Casa Misha (San Miguel de Allende) • Matilda (San Miguel de Allende) • Mesón del Rosario (Guanajuato) • Edelmira Hotel Boutique (Guanajuato) • Quinta Las Acacias (Guanajuato) • Hotel Layseca (San Juan del Rio) • Posada de Las Minas (Mineral de Pozos)

Planning a Bajío Itinerary – Top 5 Bajío Highlights

1. San Miguel de Allende

The most beautiful town in the Bajío, San Miguel de Allende has retained its colonial charm, despite being crammed with posh boutique hotels, art galleries, gourmet restaurants, and thousands of North American expats – strolling its hilly, cobbled streets is likely to the highlight of the trip. The city’s most famous sight is the town church, the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel on the Jardín Principal, the sleepy main plaza. Nearby, the Casa de Don Ignacio de Allende was the birthplace of the Independence hero Miguel Allende in 1769 and now operates as an absorbing history museum. The other big draw here is contemporary art – San Miguel has been attracting artists since the 1930s, and the town is known for its high-quality galleries. San Miguel also boasts the best hotels and restaurants in the region.

Recommended Hotels: Casa de Sierra Nevada • Casa de la Cuesta • Casa Misha • Matilda

2. Guanajuato

Bigger and busier than San Miguel – it’s a big university town – Guanajuato is a grand colonial city, with a dramatic setting in a deep valley and a cache of stately mansions and churches that recall old Spain. It’s a wonderful place for aimless wandering, though there are plenty of must-see attractions, from Diego Rivera’s birthplace (now a museum dedicated to the artist) to a slightly ghoulish museum of mummified corpses (Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato). The Teatro Juárez is perhaps the region’s most elegant building, while the period interiors and gardens of Hacienda de San Gabriel de Barrera show how the upper classes of Guanajuato once lived. Don’t leave without soaking up the views from the Pípila Monument, high above the city.

Recommended Hotels: Mesón del Rosario • Edelmira Hotel Boutique • Quinta Las Acacias

3. Street Food and Local Specialties

Foodies are in for a treat traveling in the Bajío. In addition to some of the best restaurants in the country, there are plenty of local specialties and street stalls to enjoy. Querétaro is known for its “sopa regional”, a lentil soup with slices of dried fruit, and “enchiladas Queretanas”, fried tortillas stuffed with chili sauce, onions, and cheese. San Miguel is famed for its gourmet restaurants, but Carnitas Bautista is a legendary no-frills canteen serving roast pig in tortillas and gorditas. In Guanajuato, locally celebrated “enchiladas mineras” and birria (goat or mutton stew), is served at stalls in the historic Mercado Hidalgo. Dolores Hidalgo offers wacky ice cream concoctions, everything from alfalfa and beer flavors, to avocado and shrimp.

4. Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco

The “Sistine Chapel of Mexico” is one of the most spectacular religious sights in the country and well worth the effort to get here. Constructed in the 18th century, the shrine was founded by Father Luis Felipe Neri de Alfaro, and looks relatively plain from the outside. The interior, however, is plastered with murals, sculptures, and paintings, principally by Baroque master Miguel Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre. A trip here can be combined with bathing in hot springs at nearby Escondido Place and La Gruta.

5. Mineral de Pozos

The semi-ghost town of Mineral de Pozos makes for a fascinating day-trip, with much of the once-booming colonial mining hub now romantic ruins, from low-slung adobe houses and abandoned haciendas, to actual mine workings and crumbling kilns. Standouts include the ruins of the Hacienda de Cinco Señores, an abandoned mine complex, and the three pyramid-like hornos (smelters) of Santa Brígida. It’s not completely dead, though – artists have restored some of the buildings and established galleries here, and there are plenty of atmospheric boutique hotels and places to eat. Many tunnels in the surrounding countryside and not marked, so hikers should take extra care.

Recommended Hotel: Posada de Las Minas

7 Days in the Bajío (Ruta de Plata)

The “Ruta de Plata” or “Silver Route” was pioneered by the Spanish in the 17th century, one of the “Royal roads” that connected Mexico City with the rich silver mining towns of the Bajío. It originally went all the way to Zacatecas, but this 7-day itinerary takes in the picturesque section between San Juan del Río and Guanajuato – much of the route has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Renting a car will allow much more flexibility – the main roads are all well-maintained here – but it’s possible to follow the route via a series of buses.

Day 1: San Juan del Río

• Soak up the scene in the twin central squares of the Plaza Independencia and Plaza de los Fundadores
• Peruse the food stalls at Mercado Reforma
• Shop for gemstones (primarily local opals), handmade baskets, Hidalgo wine and local cheese
• Visit the Museo de la Muerte (“Museum of the Dead”) to learn about Mexican rituals surrounding death
• Eat or drink at colonial-style Café La Parroquia
Recommended Hotels: Hotel Layseca

Day 2: Querétaro

• Begin a tour of elegant Querétaro with breakfast on colonial Plaza de Armas
• Visit the Museo Casa de la Zacatecana and the Museo Regional de Querétaro
• Sample a torta (sandwich) at Las Tortugas
• Visit the Templo de Santa Clara and the Convento de la Cruz
• Catching sunset over city’s historic aqueduct from the Mirador de los Arcos
• Dinner at Chinicuil (helmed by chef Alan Rodríguez), followed by cocktails on Plaza de Armas
Recommended Hotels: Casa de la Marquesa (Querétaro)

Day 3: San Miguel de Allende

• Stroll the Jardín Principal; visit the church and Casa Allende
• Visit Jardín de San Francisco and its two colonial churches, as well as Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Salud
• Peruse local art galleries or the handicrafts at the Mercado de Artesanías
• Dinner at The Restaurant
Recommended Hotels: Casa de Sierra Nevada • Casa de la Cuesta • Casa Misha • Matilda

Day 4: Atotonilco

• Drive, take a taxi or catch the local bus from San Miguel de Allende to view the mesmerizing art the Santuario de Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco
• Spend the afternoon bathing in the outdoor mineral pools at La Gruta or Escondido Place

Day 5: Dolores Hidalgo

• Visit the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, the church where Father Hidalgo issued his famous “Grito de Dolores” in 1810, signaling the start of the Mexican War of Independence
• Visit the Museo Histórico Curato de Dolores, Father Hidalgo’s home between 1804 and 1810, now a tribute to the “Father of Independence”
• Visit the Museo del Bicentenario, birthplace and former home of independence hero Mariano Abasolo
• Visit the Casa Museo José Alfredo Jiménez, which commemorates Mexico’s greatest ranchera singer – Jiménez was born in Dolores in 1926 and is buried here
• Sample the town’s quirky ice cream flavors around Plaza Principal

Day 6: Mineral de Pozos

• Dolores is the best departure point for Mineral de Pozos – day-trips are possible but it’s better to stay the night. Organized tours also run from San Miguel de Allende
• Start at the central plaza, Jardín Principal, and visit the church, Parroquia San Pedro
• Explore the streets of the old town
• Drive out to the hornos of Santa Brígida, on the east side of town
• Visit one of the old haciendas such as “El Triángulo” and the ruins at Mina Cinco Señores, on the west side of town
• Eat at acclaimed restaurant, La Fama
Recommended Hotels: Posada de Las Minas

Day 7: Guanajuato

• Ride the funicular up to Monumento al Pipila
• Drinks on Jardín de la Unión, the main plaza
• Visit Templo de San Diego and the Teatro Juárez
• Visit Museo Palacio de los Poderes and Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato
• Eat at Mercado Hidalgo
• Visit Museo Regional de Guanajuato
• Dinner at Casa Mercedes
• Join a traditional callejóneada
Recommended Hotels: Mesón del Rosario • Edelmira Hotel Boutique • Quinta Las Acacias

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Mexico › Best Baja Wineries
Updated: March 3, 2022

See Also

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• Best Family Hotels in Cabo

Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe – Tips & Advice

Where is Valle de Guadalupe?
Valle de Guadalupe is a compact wine-growing region lying just inland from the Pacific Ocean, in the northern Mexican state of Baja California – 40 km northeast of Ensenada and 70 km (43 miles) south of the US-Mexican border. The villages of San Antonio de las Minas in the southwest and Francisco Zarco and El Porvenir in the northeast are the main settlements in the valley.

When To Visit Valle de Guadalupe
Wineries are usually open year-round for visits, but the busiest period for Guadalupe is during the Fiestas de la Vendimia (Wine Harvest Festival), late July through August when the grapes are picked and crushed. However, the valley is very hot at this time – climate-wise it’s more comfortable (and less busy) to visit in the Fall or Spring. The best time is late March to early May when the valley is bursting with flowers and the vines are beginning to bloom.

How to visit Valle de Guadalupe
The most convenient way to visit Valle de Guadalupe is with a vehicle (assuming there is a designated driver). Plenty of Americans and Canadians take their own cars, crossing the border in Tijuana or Tecate. From Ensenada, Hwy-3 (dubbed “La Ruta del Vino”) cuts inland into the valley; most of the wineries are located on dirt roads that branch off this highway (and most are well signposted). It’s also possible to rent a car in Tijuana or Ensenada (taking a rental car across the US border can be complicated/expensive).

In addition, a service dubbed “uberVALLE” offers day-long, round-trip Uber rides to the Valle de Guadalupe from Ensenada – just select “valleX” in the Uber app (the driver will wait at the various vineyards).

Guided tours in Valle de Guadalupe
Numerous guided tours offer a no-hassle, convenient way to visit Valle de Guadalupe’s wineries – tours depart Rosarito, Ensenada, Tijuana, and even across the border in San Diego. Our favorites include Baja Viajes, Baja Wine Tours, and the fun, bespoke tours at Valley Girl Wine Tours.

Do I need to speak Spanish in Valle de Guadalupe?
It’s always a good idea to know a little Spanish when visiting the wineries, though there are English-speakers at almost every vineyard in Valle de Guadalupe.

How much do wineries charge in Valle de Guadalupe?
Most wineries charge for tastings, but not always for tours – costs vary widely, from as low as 50 pesos to 600 pesos, with an average of around 200 pesos for a tasting of five wines. Though showing up at the major wineries without a reservation is possible, it is best to call before visiting.

Where should I stay in Valle de Guadalupe?
Our favorite spots to stay in Valle de Guadalupe include the Adobe Guadalupe, a charming six-room B&B, and stylish La Villa del Valle.

Restaurants in Valle de Guadalupe
Our top pick for a gourmet Baja Med meal in Valle de Guadalupe is Laja, helmed by Chef Rafael Magaña Tinoco.

Safety in Valle de Guadalupe
The Valle de Guadalupe is one of the safest parts of Mexico, though care should be taken driving through the border cities of Tijuana and Tecate.

TIP – Get oriented at a couple of small but worthy museums in Valle de Guadalupe
The sleek Museo de la Vid y el Vino (just outside Francisco Zarco) introduces the history of wine-making in the region, while the Museo Comunitario Ruso in Francisco Zarco pays tribute to the valley’s Russian pioneers, settlers who came here in the early 1900s.

The 15 Best Wines and Wineries in the Valle de Guadalupe

1. Adobe Guadalupe

Their winery is one of the most atmospheric in the valley, with a Spanish Mission-style tasting room complete with bell tower and adobe arches. It’s also possible to stay in the charming B&B on site and have dinner at the restaurant.

Best Wine – Gabriel – This Bordeaux-style red (blend, with 55 percent Merlot), with a dry and fruity taste was created by Adobe Guadalupe owner Tru Miller with winemaker Daniel Lonnberg.
Location – Parcela A-1 S/N, Valle de Guadalupe
Details – Tastings daily 10am–5pm (reservation recommended); 250–300 pesos
Where to Stay – Agua de Vida

2. Monte Xanic

To visit the elegant Monte Xanic winery advance reservations are required – guards will only open the gate once they’ve checked a reservation has been made. Inside a tranquil man-made lake, breezy covered patio, and cozy tasting room can be found.

Best Wine – Gran Ricardo – The connoisseurs choice for Bordeaux-style reds (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot) – pricey but worth it.
Location – Francisco Zarco S/N, Col, 22750 Valle de Guadalupe
Details – Tastings and tours daily 10am–5pm (reservations required); 250–300 pesos
Where to Stay – Casa Pan y Vino

3. L. A. Cetto

L. A. Cetto is one of the oldest producers in the valley, with roots that go back to 1928; it’s now the biggest producer of table wines in Mexico (also noted for Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel). The vineyard features a spacious tasting room with rustic wood ceiling, tiled floor, and floor-to-ceiling racks of bottles of wine, but gets very busy at the weekends.

Best Wine – ‘Reserva Privada’ Nebbiolo – Rich, barrel-aged red wine, similar to Italy’s Barolo.
Location – Carretera Tecate–El Sauzal Km 73.5, Valle de Guadalupe 22750
Details – Tastings daily 9am–5pm; 50 pesos (100 pesos for reserves)
Where to Stay – Encuentro Guadalupe

4. Casa de Piedra

French-born d’Acosta is generally credited with the renaissance of Mexican wine since the late 1990s. The vineyard name comes from the old stone building (Casa de Piedra is “Stone House”) in which the wine is now made – tasting takes place up the hill in a modest adobe building, with superb views of the vineyards below.

Best Wine – Vino de Piedra – The signature red wine (Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon blend) from famed winemaker Hugo d’Acosta, aged 13 months in French and American oak barrels.
Location – Carretera Tecate–Ensenada Km 93.5, San Antonio de las Minas, Ensenada, Baja California 22755
Details – Tastings by appointment only (usually Sat & Sun 11am–6pm); Free
Where to Stay – Posada San Antonio

5. Château Camou

The all-white winery building makes a stunning contrast to the arid surroundings, looming above the vineyards like a giant fortress. The tasting room features tables made of old oak barrels.

Best Wine – Gran Vino Tinto – Very intense, ruby-red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend), produced at Château Camou in the Cañada del Trigo, a canyon in the northwest of the valley.
Location – Domicilio Conocido s/n, 22785 Valle de Guadalupe
Details – Tastings daily 11am–4pm (reservations required at least 15 days in advance); US$12–30 (258–646 pesos)
Where to Stay – Casa Emiliana

6. Viñedos Bibayoff

The only Russian family-owned vineyard still open to the public – Bibayoff was established in 1906 by Russian emigres, and there’s an interesting history museum on-site.

Best Wine – Zinfandel – An old vine Zinfandel that is a bit like a Spanish Rioja.
Location – Rancho Toros Pinto, Ensenada
Details – Tours and wine tasting by appointment, Tues–Sun 11am–5:30pm; 100 pesos
Where to Stay – El Cielo Winery and Resort

7. Villa Montefiori (Vinos Paoloni)

Paoloni’s vines are all from Italian rootstock. His tasting room is sleek and contemporary, with two levels, floor-to-ceiling glass and a veranda.

Best Wine – Nebbiolo de Guadalupe – Signature 100 percent Nebbiolo (aged 15 months in French oak), made by Italian-born winemaker Paolo Paoloni (the wines are sold under the “Paoloni” label in the US).
Location – Parcela 26-1 s/n Ejido El Porvenir Km 9, Valle de Guadalupe
Details – Tastings daily 11am to 5pm (reservations recommended); 200–450 pesos
Where to Stay – Villa Toros Pintos

8. Hacienda La Lomita

Owned by Fernando Perez-Castro, the winery itself features a rustic Spanish Mission style, with a tasting room on the second level, most notable for its stunning murals by Mexican artist Jorge Tellaeche. Be sure to take a tour after the tasting to see more of his murals in the production area (he also designed the hip labels on the wine). Dine at the TrasLomita Restaurant on-site.

Best Wine – Tinto de la Hacienda & Pagano – Two much sought after wines recommended from Lomita; the Tinto de la Hacienda (a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah, aged 10 months in second use French oak) is one of the best bargains in the valley, while the Pagano (100 percent Grenache) is a more full-bodied wine. It’s one of the few Mexican wines served at the celebrated French Laundry restaurant in California.
Location – Fracc. 3, Lote 13, Camino Vecinal Parcela 71, San Marcos, Valle de Guadalupe
Details – Tastings Wed & Thurs 11am–4pm, Fri–Sun 11am–6pm; US$12–21 (258–452 pesos)
Where to Stay – Entrevalle Hotel Boutique

9. Viñas de la Erre

Winemaker and owner Ernesto Rochas’s tasting room stands like a large open-sided barn in the lee of a hill, furnished with wooden tables and chairs providing visitors with an expansive view.

Best Wine – Mezcla Bordalesa Gran Reserva – Highly prized blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85 percent), Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 28 months in French oak, from winemaker and owner Ernesto Rocha.
Location – Carretera Tecate-Ensenada 87.5 San Antonio de las Minas, Tecate
Details – Tastings Fri noon–6pm, Sat & Sun 11am–6pm; 250–300 pesos
Where to Stay – Casa Mayoral

10. Bodegas de Santo Tomás

The main vineyard actually lies south of the valley and Ensenada, but they operate a tasting room (“cava”) in San Antonio de las Minas (at the start of the Valle de Guadalupe).

Best Wine – Único – Luscious Cabernet Sauvignon (60 percent) and Merlot (40 percent) blend from Baja’s oldest existing winery, with roots in 1791 (commercial production began in 1888).
Location – (Cava San Antonio de las Minas); Carretera Federal No. 3, Ensenada–Tecate Km 94.7
Details – Tastings daily 10am–5pm (reservations recommended); 200 pesos
Where to Stay – En’kanto

11. Barón Balch’é

“Balch’é” means “sacred drink” in Mayan. Try and book a meal at on-site Tahal, an open-sided, breezy restaurant with stellar views across the surrounding desert and mountains.

Best Wine – Balché Uno Premium – This intense 100 percent Grenache (aged in French oak for 36 month) is one of our all-time favorites.
Location – Juanita Beltran s/n, Ejido El Porvenir, 22755 Ensenada
Details – Tastings daily 11am–7pm; 140–330 pesos
Where to Stay – Terra del Valle Bed & Breakfast

12. AlXimia

Helmed by mathematician Alvaro Alvarez-Parrilla, AlXimia is an eco-friendly winery that looks like a giant flying saucer – it’s a fun place to visit. Inside the giant dome, there are three floors where just about the whole process of wine-making takes place, from huge stainless steel fermenting drums to the French oak barrels in the underground “cava”.

Best Wine – Magma – Fabulous, complex blend of Carignan (Cariñena; two thirds) and Grenache (Garnacha; one third), aged 24 months in French oak barrels – it’s a bit like wines from the Spanish Priorat region.
Location – Camino Vecinal al Tigre Km 3 (enseguida rancho El Parral), Valle de Guadalupe 22766
Details – Tastings daily 11am–5pm; 250 pesos
Where to Stay – Rancho el Parral

13. Viña de Frannes

A boutique winery established by Ernesto Álvarez Morphy Camou, the founder of Château Camou (which is next door). The famed Bordeaux-based winemaker Michel Rolland acts as a consultant. Viña de Frannes winery is a little off the beaten path, where it can be enjoyed in solitude. The tasting room is a real highlight of the valley, a raised, minimalist-style wood and glass cube.

Best Wine – Pater – Limited production Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 18 months in French oak.
Location – Camino Vecinal al Rancho Cañada del Trigo, 22750 Valle de Guadalupe
Details – Tastings Wed–Sun 10am–5pm (call ahead); 130–240 pesos
Where to Stay – Ojo Azul Resort

14. Corona del Valle

Helmed by Hector Corona and family, Corona del Valle is a rustic chic winery – liberally decorated with distressed wood, antiques and recyclable items – known as the most family-friendly in the valley, with several play areas for kids. There’s also an excellent restaurant on-site (with kids menu) specializing in Baja Med cuisine.

Best Wine – Tempranillo/Nebbiolo – This prize-winning blend of Tempranillo (60 percent) and Nebbiolo (40 percent), aged for 12 months in French oak, is another favorite of California’s French Laundry.
Location – Carretera Tecate-Ensenada Km 89, 22760 Valle de Guadalupe
Details – Tastings summer daily 1–9pm, winter 11am–7pm; 100–250 pesos
Where to Stay – Contemplacion

15. Vena Cava

Founded by Phil and Eileen Gregory, Vena Cava’s premises are as much an attraction as the wine. Designed by architect Alejandro D’Acosta, they are built from reclaimed fishing boats and wood, and recycled bottles and tires, with a large outdoor patio. Don’t miss the celebrated food truck here dubbed “Troika,” for tacos, tostadas, churros, and fresh oysters.

Best Wine – Preventa Big Blend – Another one of our absolute favorites, a dark and smoky blend of five different grapes; Syrah (25 percent), Cabernet Sauvignon (25 percent), Petite Syrah (19 percent), Zinfandel (17 percent) and Grenache (14 percent), aged 13 months in French and American oak.
Location – Rancho San Marcos, Toros Pintos s/n, Ejido Francisco Zarco, Valle de Guadalupe
Details – Tastings Thurs–Tues 11am–5pm (reservations required); 150–230 pesos
Where to Stay – Santulan

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