San Luis Potosí is a vast state known for its intriguing indigenous past and its gold and silver mining industry. Get a sense of the local culture with a trip to the state capital of San Luis Potosí.
Explore the city’s charming UNESCO-listed historic center and admire the 19th-century Cathedral of San Luis Potosí, which has an intricate façade that glows at night. Enjoy the year-round hot weather with a picnic beside the scenic lake in the vast Parque Tangamanga I. The city is known for its excellent shopping opportunities, notably in Plaza San Luis and the Plaza Sendero Shopping Center.
Travel northwest for 62 miles (100 kilometers) to reach the charming town of Salinas de Hidalgo, which is an ideal base from which to explore ranches and the adjacent mountain range. See the magnificent altar inside the Sanctuary of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno for a glimpse of the town’s religious culture.
The eastern part of the state contains a portal into the region’s past via its archeological sites. Visit El Consuelo and Tamtoc to learn about the Huastec culture.
Leave the cities to explore the dramatic scenery of the countryside. Embark on a hike along a section of the Royal Road of the Interior Land, which is 1,600 miles (2,560 kilometers) long, running from Mexico to Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, New Mexico.
The state and its capital city take the first part of their shared name from King Louis IX of France. The second section comes from the Bolivian town of Potosí, which drew comparisons with its gold and silver reserves. The state never matched its Bolivian counterpart in prosperity.
San Luis Potosí lies in the northeastern part of Mexico and is surrounded by nine other states. Arrive at San Luis Potosí Airport in the northern outskirts of its namesake town and get around the state by bus or railway. Take a bus from Mexico City to get here in around 5 hours.
Religion, indigenous history and remarkable scenery combine to form the alluring destination of San Luis Potosí.