7 FUN THINGS TO DO IN TAXCO, MEXICO

Taxco, Mexico is a charming town in the state of Guerrero about three hours southwest of Mexico City. It’s most famous for being Mexico’s silver capital and for its narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, steep hills, and vintage VW beetles.

Being slow travelers we took our time staying for several days wandering around, but if you’re short on time Taxco makes a great day trip from Acapulco or Mexico City.

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Short on Time?

Most visitors come for the silver shops, but we didn’t spend much time silver shopping as I’m more of a gold girl myself (what can I say, it’s the Indian part of me). If you decide to shop for silver, try to buy it from a reputable shop, avoid fakes by reading these tips, and consider that it’s likely less expensive away from the main plaza.

Looking back, Taxco is one of our favorite pueblo mágicos. For being so little, it really has a lot to offer. We hope the list below helps you make the most of your time there!

1. Enjoy Plaza Borda and Go Inside Santa Prisca Church

No pueblo mágico would be complete without a charming plaza and an ornate church, and Taxco has both. The plaza is super laid back with families sitting on benches, vendors selling ice cream, and live music on the weekends.

Grab a seat on a bench and watch a cute old couple dance cumbia, or try it for yourself.

The plaza is named after José de la Borda, a wealthy Spaniard who made a fortune as the owner of Taxco silver mines. Evidently, he ordered the Santa Prisca Church to be built between 1751 and 1758 and nearly went bankrupt in the process.

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It was constructed in a baroque style and ironically, in a town famous for silver, its interior is covered in gold leaf. The Santa Prisca church stood for nearly 50 years as the tallest building in Mexico. It’s best to view and photograph it at sunset when the warm light illuminates the pink sandstone.

2. Take in the Views at Mirador de Cristo Taxqueño

Perched high above Taxco on a hill this statue of Jesus may not compare to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, but it still comes with a nice panoramic view. This is one of the best places in town to watch the sunset!

You can walk up if you’re looking for a strenuous two-hour hike. Otherwise, it’s 50 pesos for a hair-raising ride in a VW beetle taxi.

3. Parque Nacional Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

I’ve been obsessed with caves since visiting Carlsbad Caverns in Carlsbad, New Mexico, so this was a must for me. The caves at Cacahuamilpa National Park make up the largest cave system in Mexico and one of the largest cave systems anywhere in the world.

Formations inside the cave are still growing which means it’s ALIIIVE!!

Inside the cavern system are up to 90 large “rooms”, of which only 20 have been explored and are open to the public. Pottery found inside the cave has led people to believe that Olmecs and other indigenous groups used the caves for ceremonial rituals.

You’re only able to enter the caves as part of a guided tour that leaves once every hour.

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Entry is 80 pesos per person and mostly consists of your guide cracking jokes and pointing out what stalactites and stalagmites look like in Spanish for two hours, nothing much about the geology, but it’s still a cool experience.

It can get humid down there so keep that in mind and bring bug spray. Sneakers are a must! Rappelling, rafting, and ziplining are also available.

You can reach it by driving yourself or catching a bus from the Estrella de Oro station in Taxco. If going by bus, look for the company called Flecha Roja. The 20-minute ride will cost you 42 pesos per person and you’ll get off at Crucero de Grutas. After that, you’ll take another taxi for 15 pesos to the entrance.

4. Pozas Azules de Atzala

Pozas Azules de Atzala makes for a perfect day trip from Taxco if you like the outdoors. These bright turquoise pools come from crystalline mountain water flowing over limestone.

Specifically, the blue color is best seen between November and March when the rain isn’t muddying the water. These are the best natural pools we’ve found in Mexico aside from swimming in cenotes spread throughout the Yucatán.

At the present time, it costs 30 pesos to enter Pozas Azules. Talk about cheap entertainment! You can rent a table for 30 pesos and buy a michelada for 45 pesos. This trip costs very little and offers a ton of fun.

We went in January and felt like we had the place to ourselves.

There are six open pools, with depths between 1-11 meters (3-36ft). Thus, the water is frigid, but once you start swimming you’ll warm up, if not your body becomes numb so you can’t tell the difference anyway.

The best part about the place other than the amazing natural beauty? There are several cliff jumps! If you’re not sure where to jump just ask a local. It’s so fun to test your nerves! Just be safe and know your limits.

The first thing to remember is to not wear sunscreen or bug spray before entering the pools to avoid contaminating it. Pozas Azules is in control of the local community and they do a great job maintaining it. Even though it’s rather quiet for now, we can totally see it blowing up someday.

How to Get to Pozas Azules from Taxco?

Pozas Azules is in the town of Atzala just a short drive from Taxco (see map). If you don’t have your own rental car you can find a cheap ride for around 27 pesos in a combi (shared van taxi). You can find the combis in front of the large department store named Coppel on the main road coming into town.

Type Coppel into your phone for navigation and when you arrive you’ll see them waiting out front. Look for the vans with signs that say “Pozas Azules” or “Atzala”. That’s the ticket to paradise!

5. Teleférico de Taxco (Cable Car)

If you’re looking for another beautiful view over Taxco and you’re not deathly afraid of heights, check out the teleférico. It’s a ten or fifteen-minute gondola ride up to Hotel Montetaxco overlooking the surrounding valley. Once you arrive head to the hotel to have dinner or a glass of wine (or both).

It’s wise to stick around for sunset and on Saturdays, there’s a dance performance that ends with a firework show!

The cost of the teleférico is 95 pesos roundtrip and 65 pesos one way. We suggest taking the cable car up to the top and then getting a taxi back to the main plaza or your accommodation to save time and money.

6. Eat Pozole

While visiting Guerrero State you need to try pozole! What is pozole you ask? It’s a traditional hominy stew with meat (chicken or pork) and plenty of fresh condiments including radish, onion, peppers, avocado, lettuce, lime, and oregano. It comes in three varieties red (rojo), green (verde), or white (blanco).

Basically, it’s heaven in a bowl!

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Pozolería Tía Calla

This restaurant is famous in Taxco for its pozole. Pozole Blanco is available every day of the week, and the red and green varieties are available on Thursdays. Try a bowl (or three) while you’re in town.

We recommend going around 2pm, because it tends to sell out fast. If you’re not into pozole, the tacos dorados are muy rico tambien!

You can also find inexpensive bowls of pozole in the Mercado.

7. Sip on a Classic Cocktail or Craft Beer

Bar Berta

If you like to drink, why not visit the oldest bar in Taxco? This bar is famous for the Berta cocktail a creation from the 1930s. It consists of tequila blanca, honey, lime juice, and mineral water poured over ice. Sit out on the patio to people-watch and admire the views of Santa Prisca Church at sunset.

Yolotl Cerveza Artesanal

Stop by this subterranean craft brewery near the ex-convent and sip a cold one. Have a chat with Victor, the owner and an awesome guy who speaks great English and has some stories to tell.

Yolotl translates to heart in Nahuatl (the Aztec language). Try the Black IPA if you’re looking for something strong (9.7% ABV). However, it’s only open Thurs-Sun during the evenings.

How to Get to Taxco?

By Tour:

Reach Taxco from either Acapulco or Mexico City on a fun private day tour.

By Rental Car:

The simplest way to get there independently is by renting a car. If you’re coming from Mexico City or Acapulco it makes a nice day trip or you can just stay for a few days. Why not?

Check Rental Rates: Book a Car for Your Trip From Acapulco or Mexico City.

By Bus:

Buses for Taxco leave from the Central del Sur Taxqueña station in Mexico City. The bus we’re familiar with is Costa Line.

Tickets cost around 255 pesos/person and it’s about a three-hour ride. Heading back to Mexico City the last bus appears to leave from Taxco at 8pm.

Reach Taxco by bus from Acapulco with Estrella de Oro.

How Many Days Should I Spend in Taxco?

At least 2 days and 1 night is best. That way you have time to see Taxco and visit some of the other things outside of town like Grutas de Cacahuamilpa or Pozas Azules as well. Although a day trip is certainly better than nothing if you’re in a hurry.

Check Current Rates: Book a Room in Taxco

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