'''San Luis Potosi''' is a state in the Bajio.

Regions

San Luis Potosi has three distinct regions with different climate, culture and history. They are

  • '''Central Plateau (Altiplano)''': This region has a rich mining tradition in gold, silver and zinc. The railroad later brought development and a strong participation in the national politics of Mexico.
  • * '''Capital City''': The Seven Historical Neighborhoods (Siete Barrios) that formed the original city, the historical center with colonial architecture and the commercial and political center of the state.
  • '''Huasteca Potosina''': Coastal plains and the eastern reach of the Sierra Madre with a distinct culture greatly influenced by the Huastec Indians.
  • '''Rio Verde Valley (Region Medio)''': A rich agricultural region of mostly rural character.
  • Central Plateau

    The Altiplano is a high desert with high mountain ranges and a moderate climate although it can have snowstorms in the winter. It boasts some of the most diverse varieties of cacti found anywhere. The advent of the railroad extended advancement from the capital of the state to the other parts of the Altiplano.

    The native Guachichiles occupied the largest territory of the Chichimecas (a generic term for less civilized tribes of the north) but have been greatly impacted by development of the region. The Huichol are thought to be originally from San Luis Potosi and engage in an annual migration to Real de Catorce.

    Although plateau or altiplano might indicate that this region is flat, it is far from it. High mountain ranges are found throughout the Altiplano and many of the towns are located adjacent to them.

    Capital City

    Unlike the rest of the Altiplano, the residents in the Capital City region mainly live in cities.

    The mines spurred the early development of the city of San Luis Potosi. It played an important part in the war for Mexican independence along with other mining centers. In the War of Reform, the city was for a short time the capital of the country. The Mexican Revolution began with the escape of Francisco Madero from prison in San Luis Potosi.

    The capital is one of the best in Mexico for colonial architecture. It is known for its strong artistic tradition. The Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Instituto de Cultura de San Luis Potosi have sponsored the Premio Nacional de Cuento (National Story Prize) over the last 20 years to encourage good writers. An active music community has led to the recent founding of the Orquesta Sinfonica de San Luis Potosi.

    Huasteca Potosina

    The coastal plain and eastern Sierra Madre is called the Huasteca Potosina which is still inhabited by the Huastec (Tenek) and Nahua. The climate is hot with strong rains in the summer monsoon season. The vegetation is tropical with parrots and parakeets. The geology is limestone karst with numerous underground rivers feeding springs, sinks, world-renowned caves, gorgeous waterfalls and turquoise-hued rivers. The prevalence of tropical diseases led to slow development of the region until modern times which allowed the native culture to be preserved. The Huastec split off from the Maya before the flowering of that culture and are one of the oldest still-existing cultures in Mexico. The most well-known tribe of Nahuatl speakers is the Culhua-Mexica of the Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco City-States,who are often just labeled as Aztecs,in other words the people or inhabitants of Aztlan,the original and legendary homeland for all Nahuatl speakers.

    The heart of the Huastec region is south of Ciudad Valles in the rugged mountains jutting from the coastal plains in a place where there are many nacimientos (springs) that supplied water. Their Tenek language has helped trace their origin to the Maya before their ascendency, passing in their migration through the Olmec, the mother culture of the pre-hispanic Mexican civilization, and then through the Totonac to settle in the Panuco basin. There are about 90,000 Huastec and in one municipality (county) 90% speak Tenek.

    Nahuatl is spoken by about 130,000 people in San Luis Potosi. They are concentrated around Tamazunchale and to the south in the state of Hildago where 23% are monolingual Nahuatl speakers.

    While 90% of the Huastec are located in only 11 of the twenty municipalities that form the Huasteca Potosina, their influence is felt throughout the region which takes great pride in their culture.

    The Huasteca Potosina is a fairly popular tourist area for Mexicans but remains unknown to foreign tourists that primarily head to Mexican beaches. Cavers have long been drawn to this area and in more recent years, kayakers have discovered the rivers and waterfalls.

    Rio Verde Valley

    The Sierra Madre Oriental seperates the Rio Verde Valley and the Huasteca Potosina. Several mountain ranges to the west separate the Rio Verde Valley from the Altiplano or Central Plateau. The region has extensive valleys between these mountain ranges that boast very fertile soil.

    The vegetation includes oak, pine, popular and walnut trees. Some areas are volcanic along with the limestone of the Huasteca Potosina.

    The main native group in this region is the Pames who still maintain their culture and language.

    Cities

  • Central Plateau
  • * '''Charcas'''
  • * '''Venado'''
  • * '''Salinas'''
  • * '''Matehuala'''
  • * '''Cedral'''
  • * Real de Catorce
  • Capital City
  • * San Luis Potosi - State capital
  • * '''Ahualulco'''
  • * '''Santa Maria del Rio'''
  • Huasteca Potosina
  • * '''Aquismon''' - One of several towns in the heart of the Huastec, Aquismon is also the stepping off point to Sotano de las Golodrinas and the southern access to Casacada Tamul.
  • * '''Ciudad Valles''' - Largest city of the region and commercial and cultural center. It lies on the Old Pan-American Highway, the first paved road to traverse Mexico from north to south. Ciudad Valles is located in the wide valley between the first two ridges of the Sierra Madre.
  • * '''Ebano''' - Located on the eastern coastal plain, this was the area of early oil and gas development.
  • * '''Tamazunchale''' - The largest town in the Nahua region located on the Rio Moctezuma and at the foot of the Sierra Madre.
  • * '''Xilitla''' - http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/mkernan/onemansfantasy.html Sir Edward James created the surrealistic Las Pozas here, but it required the ingenuity and work of local residents to carry out. The artistic tradition continues to grow as other artists are attracted to this village.
  • Rio Verde Valley
  • * '''Cerritos'''
  • * '''Cardenas'''
  • * '''Ciudad del Maiz'''
  • * '''El Refugio'''
  • * '''Rioverde/Ciudad Fernandez''' - The capitals of their respective municipalities, these two towns are separated only by a street and form the largest town in the region.
  • Understand

    Get in

    By plane

    Aeropuerto Internacional Pociano A. is a large airport in the city of San Luis Potosi. It is served by Aeromar, Aeromexico, Aerolitoral, American Airlines and Mexicana. The closest large airport to the eastern part of the state is Tampico. Both have car rentals. There is a smaller airport in Tamuin just east of Ciudad Valles. Commercial flights started in Tamuin just a few years ago with flights to the border and San Luis Potosi.

    By car

    The major highways are the Old Pan American Highway (85) that runs along the coastal plain and through Ciudad Valles. Another is the Olympic Highway from Laredo to Mexico City which travels the central plateau and passes through San Luis Potosi. There is a new highway running from San Luis Potosi to Rioverde and the remaining part to Ciudad Valles is currently under construction.

    By train

    A major railroad runs north-south through San Luis Potosi. Another railroad connects Ciudad Valles to Tampico and to San Luis Potosi in the other direction. These are freight railroads, but a lot of migrants from central america hitch rides on the train on their journey north to the U.S. If you're adventurous you could always join the campesinos.

    By bus

    There is extensive bus service running both major north-south highways as well as local buses and taxis. Bus companies:

  • Transpais (01-800) 713-1000
  • Transportes Venecedor (01-800) 640-9354
  • Omnibus de Mexico (01-800) 640-9354
  • ETN (01-800) 800-0386
  • Autobuses del Noreste (01-800) 280-1010
  • Flecha Amarilla (01-800) 375-7587
  • Grupo Estrella Blanca (01-800) 507-5500
  • Grupo Senda (01-800) 890-9090
  • Get around

    Within the state, bus, automobile, and taxis are the primary source of travel. Buses are listed above. [http://www.visitasanluispotosi.com/Principal/rentarcarro.html Rental Cars] are available only in the city of San Luis Potosi. Taxis are available throughout the state.

    Itineraries

    See

    Archaeological Sites

    Both of the archeological parks are located near the town of Tamuin, just east of Ciudad Valles.

  • '''El Consuelo''' - an older site.
  • '''Tamtoc''' - Its recent discovery has resulted in a reevaluation of the Huastec culture. A calendar and ball park are part of the discoveries.
  • Museums

  • Huasteca Potosina
  • * Ciudad Valles
  • **'''Museo de las Culturas de la Huasteca Potosina Tamuatzan'''
  • **'''Museo Regional Huasteco'''
  • *Tamuin
  • **'''Museo Universitario Lariab de Historia Antigua de la Huaxteca'''
  • *Xilitla
  • ** '''Museo Edward James'''
  • Festivals

    Central Plateau

  • '''Festival del Desierto del Altiplano Potosino''' (April - May) Music, dance and theater in towns throughout the Altiplano.
  • Capital City

  • '''Encuentro Bianual de Decimistas y Versadores de Latinamerica y el Caribe''' (October) - Open air concerts, recitals, lectures and round tables of genres from Latin America, the Carribbean and Europe.
  • '''Festival de Danzas Etnicas de la Huasteca Potosina''' (December) - Festival of the ethnic dances of the Huasteca Potosina
  • '''Festival del Son''' (March) - Promotes the musical form '''son'''.
  • '''Festival de Musica Antigua y Barroca''' (November) - Celebration of the founding of the city of San Luis Potosi featuring Medieval, Rennaissance, Colonial, Arab, Andalusian and Baroque music.
  • '''Festival de Musica Vernacula''' (March) - Festival of regional and popular music.
  • '''Festival de San Luis''' (April - May) - Festival of art and culture.
  • '''Festival Internacional Letras en San Luis''' (May) - Festival of literature.
  • '''Festival Internacional de Danza Contemporanea de San Luis Potosi Lila Lopez''' (September - October) - Festival of contemporary dance.
  • '''Muestra Anual del Folklor''' (December) - Exhibition of folk dance.
  • '''Muestra International de Folklore y Artes Tradicionales''' (September) - Exhibition of folk music and folk dance of Mexico and other countries.
  • Huasteca Potosina

  • '''Feria Nacional de la Huasteca Potosina (FENAHUAP)''': March in Ciudad Valles
  • '''Xantolo''' (Huastec version of Day of the Dead): October
  • Rio Verde Valley

    Pame festivals

  • '''Candlemas or Purification of the Virgin Day''' (February 2)
  • '''Saint Joseph's Day''' (March 19)
  • '''Holy Week (Semana Santa)''' : Most important celebration
  • '''Holy Cross Day''' (May 3)
  • '''The Assumption of the Virgin Mary''' (August 15)
  • '''Day of the Dead''' (All Souls' Day)
  • '''Christmas'''
  • Protected Natural Areas

    Central Plateau

  • '''Wirikuta''' : the place of pilgrimage for the Huichol (Wirrarika).
  • '''Sierra de la Mojonera'''
  • '''Real de Guadalcazar''' : the largest variety of cactus on the American continent.
  • Capital City

  • '''Ejido San Juan de Guadalupe'''
  • '''Paseo de la Presa San Jose'''
  • '''Parque Nacional El Gogorron'''
  • '''Reserva Forestal y de la Fauna Sierra de Alvarez'''
  • '''Parque Nacional El Potosi'''
  • Huasteca Potosina

    Caves:

  • '''Sotano de las Golondrinas'''
  • '''La Hoya de las Huahuas y las Cuevas de Mantetzulel'''
  • '''Cuevas Sagradas del Viento y la Fertilidad en Chununtzen I'''
  • Forests:

  • '''Reserva de Tancojol'''
  • '''Reserva Forestal Nacional Porcion Boscosa del Estado de San Luis Potosi'''
  • '''Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra El Abra Tanchipa'''
  • Rio Verde Valley

  • '''Parque Nacional El Potosi''' extends from Rioverde to Santa Maria del Rio.
  • Protected Historical Areas

    The center of the city of San Luis Potosi has been declared a "centro de monumentos historicos." Some of the buildings that have been preserved are the '''Museo Federico Silva''' (modern sculpture), the '''Museo Nacional de la Mascara (National Museum of the Mask)''', the old '''Penitenciaria''' and the '''Teatro de la Paz (Peace Theatre)'''.

    Springs

    Central Plateau

  • '''San Juan de Vanegas'''
  • Capital City

  • '''El Gogorron'''
  • Huasteca Potosina

    There are many springs. Taninul is a warm springs that has been developed into a swimming pool with a resort hotel. There is also a small cave with some climbing routes. Often, the springs are called nacimientos or ojos.

  • '''Nacimiento de Huichihuayan'''
  • Rio Verde Valley

    '''Laguna de la Media Luna (Lake of the Half Moon)''' is a clear spring-fed lake. Scuba diving and camping are available. Other springs are

  • '''Ojo Caliente'''
  • Caves

    Huasteca Potosina

    '''Sotano de los Golondrinas (Pit Cave of the Swallows)''' is the most well-known cave. The swallows spiral up out of the cave every morning and retun every evening. For cavers it is a 1100 foot vertical descent to the floor of the cave. There are many caves in this area including

  • '''Sotano de las Huahuas'''
  • '''Cuevas de Mantetzulel'''
  • '''Cuevas Sagradas del Viento y Fertilidad'''
  • '''Grutas los Sabinos'''
  • Rio Verde Valley

    '''Grutas de Catedral''' is the most well-known cave and does not require special equipment. Other caves

  • '''El Angel'''
  • Waterfalls

    Huasteca Potosina

    '''Cascada de Tamul''' is a 345 foot waterfall where the Rio Gallinas pours over the canyon wall into the Rio Santa Maria, forming the Rio Tampoan. Travertine forms many waterfalls in this region, including

  • '''Cascadas Minas Viejas'''
  • '''Cascadas Micos'''
  • '''Cascada El Meco'''
  • '''Cascada El Salto'''
  • Rio Verde Valley

  • '''Cascada La Llovisnosa (The Big Mist Waterfall)''' is the largest of three waterfalls on the Rio Verde. The volcanic rock in this area forms these waterfalls and other interesting formations such as the narrow gorge at Pinihuan.
  • Nature

    Capital City

    '''Valle de los Fantasmas (Valley of the Ghosts)''' is a rock formation that has a ghostly look under a full moon. It is located near the highway from San Luis Potosi to Rioverde.

    Huasteca Potosina

    '''Puente de Dios''', '''El Trampolin''' and '''Balneario Cascadas de Tamasopo''' is an area of springs, grottos and waterfalls.

    '''Puente de Dios''' (Rio Tampoan) is a travertine bridge located a short distance upstream of the mouth of the Rio Tampoan. A short paddle (or swim) on flatwater or raft trip through the canyon allows access to the travertine bridge and the pools that form on top for about half the year.

    Do

    Many activities are possible at attractions listed under See, such as hiking, caving, rappelling, kayaking, swimming, tubing, etc.

    Eat

    the enchiladas potosinas and the meat"Cesina".and aslo "Pipian".

    Drink

    The Capital of San Luis Potosi is Awesome for night life. Their are great clubs such as Mantra, Play, Roush.

    Stay safe

    Get out