'''Queretaro''' is a city in central Mexico, it is capital of the state of Queretaro. The city's full name is "Santiago de Queretaro", and although it's spelled out fully on the doors of every taxi in the city, nobody uses the full name in polite conversation.
Get in
By plane
Queretero has a brand new international airport (IATA|QRO). There are direct daily flights from Houston, Texas, and a weekly direct flight from Los Angeles, California. Domestic flights are expensive, so a bus may be more convenient (especially from Mexico City).
By bus
There are many buses that go to Queretaro from major cities, such as Mexico City or Guadalajara. Buses are normally inexpensive and some bus lines offer student discounts in either official Mexican holidays or the summer, winter and April vacation period. First class buses often offer movies and can be very comfortable.
The bus station is on the outskirts of the city, and features separate terminals for first-class bus lines and the local and regional second-class lines.
There is toll road from Mexico City to Queretaro. It costs about 114 pesos for an automobile. The drive is about 2 hours, but add another hour for leaving/entering Mexico City.
Get around
Taxis will take you anywhere in town for a fare from $20 pesos up to $60.
There are many city buses on the main roads.
The historical center of town is very compact. It's easiest to walk around once you get there. There are also tour trolleys available.
See
The ''Centro Historico'' (Downtown area) is considered a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, and it includes the ''Cerro del Sangremal'' (Hill of Sangremal), crowned by the Convent of the Holy Cross and the flat area on the east that extends into the ''Cerro de las Campanas'' (Hill of Bells).
'''Theater of the Republic''' (Teatro de la Republica): the most important theater in Mexico due to its role in national history: Emperor Maximilian I had his trial there, the 1917 Constitution was written there, and the national anthem was played there for the first time.
'''Palacio del Gobierno del Estado''' (Government Palace of the Corregidora): the house of the governor, since the time of the Spanish viceroyalty.
'''Palacio Municipal''' (Old City Hall): use to be the palace of the bishop, then a luxury hotel and later the city hall, now it is the office of the "Delegacion Centro"
'''Santa Clara Church''': old baroque covered with gold church.
'''Santa Rosa de Viterbo Church''': old baroque covered with gold church.
'''El Carmen Church''': church and old monastery where part of the film "Once upon a time in Mexico" was shot here.
'''Jardin Zenea''': main square with a gazebo, old financial center of the city.
'''Jardin Guerrero''': In front of the Old City Hall, it's a lovely square, and a pedestrianized section of Madero street extends the square into the atrium of Santa Clara Church.
'''Plaza de la Corregidora''' (Corregidora Square): old plaza with restaurants, gardens, and nightclubs.
'''State Regional Museum''': state history museum.
'''Aqueducto/Aqueduct'''
Do
Take the "Leyendas" (leyends) tour, where people dress like historical characters and explain everything in a very colorful way.
"Convento de la Cruz" where emperor Maximilian spend his last night before execution. Must see the "Cruz de cantera Rosa"(pink stone cross) and the tree with cross shaped spines. Also the place where a series of missions "one day travel apart" started and were founded all the way to California.
Go to the colonial theater "Corral de Comedias" where you eat and enjoy mostly clasical comedy plays in a Colonial Style place.
Enjoy a concert of the "Orquestra Filarmonica de Queretaro" the state philharmonic orchestra in the most important theater in the country "Teatro de la Republica" where the constitution was written, the emperor Maximilian I had a trial, and where the national anthem was first played.
Visit some of the many museums of the city, from those traditional as the Art Museum, Regional Museum or some unusual museums like the Mathematics Museum.
Feel like shopping, well in the historic center you can buy many things from really cheap street vendors, or in very nice boutiques, or feel free to visit some of the city malls.
Sports is your thing, to be in a mexican Soccer (football) match is really a great experience, and a better one if you watch it the FIFA WorldCup Stadium "La Corregidora" one of the most incredible stadiums in the country, there is also a Basketball team where you can see Reggie Jordan playing in the "Arteaga Stadium" in the historic center. If you want to do some sports you can go to the public parks. Play some paintball (or known in Mexico as gotcha) scenery or speedball with turf at Evolution Paintball Field located between Jurica and Juriquilla. "
In December be sure to visit the "Feria Internacional Queretaro" is an international Cattle Fair, that has more than a million visitors from all over the world, it has rides, a palenque (Cock fights and concerts), free concerts of famous mexican pop stars and many other things.
You hear about bull fighting, well Queretaro has two Bullrings, one is considered the third most important in Mexico (Plaza Santa Maria), and the other is considered the most beautiful bullring in Latin America (Juriquilla).
Buy
In the historical center you will find lots of tourist souvenirs and handcrafts.
'''Plaza del Parque''' - Shopping center with a Comercial Mexicana (Mexican supermarket), Sanborn's (small department stores where you can find everything), Suburbia (Fashion affordable store) and many more
'''Plaza Boulevares''' - Shopping and entertainment center with sports club (Sport City), betting club (Yak), Cinemas (Cinemark 12), arcade place, and many stores.
'''Galerias Queretaro''' - Exclusive Liverpool department store, Sanborn's, Sears, Marti Sports, Tous, Zara and many other stores.
Eat
'''La Mariposa''' - Great traditional food and ''antojitos'' prepared the old style. Downtown. Suggestions: "Pan de Queso", "Pozole", "Tamales"(spicy and sweet), atole, ice cream and shakes of "Mantecado", "nieve de limon", "Dulce de Membrillo", "Jamoncillos", "Enchiladas Rojas"(also know nowadays as "Enchiladas Queretanas"), "Enchiladas Suizas".
'''Memo's''' - Great "Tacos Parados" at "La Cruz". Suggestions: "Volcan", all.
'''El Pata''' - Great "Al pastor" tacos. Suggestion: "Que me ves?" taco plate.
'''Che Che''' - Great seafood and ceviche (raw fish "cooked" in lemon juice). The main dishes are very big -- plan to share with a friend. The appetizers are vrey tasty -- a meal in themselves.
'''Los Compadres''' - Excellent Mexican food. The "Rico Pozole" is a must.
Drink
Queretaro has many nightlife districts where you can enjoy all kind of music and people, everything for everybody.
'''Wicklow''' - Irish pub located downtown with various kind of beers
'''Chava Invita''' - Classical "Cantina" founded in 1940's where you can take drinks and the food is free.
Sleep
Budget
The budget sleeps are in Calle Juarez between Reforma and Zaragoza. They range between 110 and 300 Pesos. Some of them are incredibly basic.
'''Jirafa Roja Hostel''', Cnr 20 de Noviembre/Dr. Lucio, dorms from 110 Pesos, clean, kitchen use.
Hostel K'angi. ltamirano 8 Norte. 442)2123324. orms 115 Pesos. HI affiliate
Mid- and Toprange
'''La Casa de la Marquesa''' - The mansion of the Marquis has been turned into a luxury hotel.
'''Dona Urraca''' - Old spanish mansion turned into a hotel and spa, very expensive and elegant.
'''Fiesta Inn''' - Chain hotel, located far outside the downtown.
'''Fiesta Americana''' - Hotel in a mall
'''Holiday Inn Diamante''' - The best view of the city, it is located on a hill far from the city center/downtown.
'''Mansion del Burro Azul''' [http://www.de-paseo.com/Burroazul/MansionBurroAzul.htm] Very cute colonial house converted into a bed and breakfast, very colorful and lots of light and air. Located in the Historic center on Altamirano Sur #35, rooms are a fraction of the price of the other hotels in the area. Rooms from 350 Pesos.
'''Plaza Camelinas''' - Large hotel with enormous character. Location next to highway can be loud.
'''Flamingo Inn''' - Modest motor court style hotel, clean rooms, excellent choice for the motorist on a budget.
Learn
Queretaro has one of the fastest growing foreign populations in Mexico, and the need to learn Spanish is growing.
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<listing name="Survival Spanish Classes in Mexico" alt="" directions="Downtown of Queretaro" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.survivalspanishinmexico.com" hours="" price=""></listing>
<listing name="Cooking Classes in Mexico" alt="" directions="Downtown of Queretaro" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.cookingclassesinmexico.com" hours="" price=""></listing>
Get out
About a 1.5 hour drive to Guanajuato.
About a 1 hour drive Bernal.
About a 1 hour drive to Tequisquiapan.
About a 2 hour drive Ranas.
About a 2 hour drive to butterflies in Michoacan.
About a 45 minute drive to San Miguel de Allende.
About a 2.5 hours drive to Mexico City.
About a 22.125 hours drive to Campeche.