Rio Frio de Juarez is not dangerous! And I don´t visit dangerous places. I sometimes visit places that are more risksy than others, but only once I take additional precautions and I´m satisfied I´ll be safe.
In any case, never had a burro so much as bray at me, and dogs that accompany woodcutters tend to be well behaved since they´re on public, not prirvate, turf.
Hey, I have no problems with the "if I was safe, everyone's safe" mindset, and I'm convinced.
Just a somewhat iffy area with, though more so Ixtapaluca proper (not to be confused with the far sketchier Ixtapalapa, though there are similarities). To be fair, the bad old days where bandits had a notorious base in the area are a good 100 years in the past. I wouldn't put most of Estado de Mexico at the top of my recs for foreign tourists – the recent killing of the Netflix scout comes to mind – but you've piqued my interest in RFDJ. :D
Thanks for all the ideas - I was never intending to try and do all areas, just couldn't decide where to go in that time.
The reason I was looking at Guanajuato and SMDA was just because they looked a little more relaxed, ambient and photogenic, and maybe slightly more quiet than Mex City?
Are the cascading pools, Hidalgo (?) a day trip from Mex City? Maybe I'll split my time between Mex City and either Guanajuato OR San Miguel de Allende. Why do articles rave about SMDA but most people on here say it's missable?
Cheers
"Are the cascading pools, Hidalgo (?) a day trip from Mex City? "
Tolantongo is 200 kilometers/120 miles north of Mexico City so people driving private vehicles or riding in special excursion buses can reasonably expect it to take four hours to get there and another four to return.Taking public transportation adds a bit more time to the journey. For that figure 4 1/2 hours each way.
Most visitors to Tolantongo are domestic rather than international tourists. To avoid having to pay for lodging at Tolantongo some Mexico City residents make lengthy (and probably exhausting) day visits there. But, I recommend instead making that excursion (visiting Tolantongo and also its gateway town, Ixmiquilpan) a two day or two-and-a- half-day venture. For a day trip pick instead a balneario or other rustic location that is closer to Mexico City.
Mclarjh has mentioned a waterfall at Rio Frio de Juarez. I've not been there, but it may be worth learning about.
One afternoon many years ago I enjoyed floating in an intertube down a clear cold water spring beside attractive tropical vegetation. That was at "Las Estacas" about two hours south of Mexico City in the State of Morelos.
But, judging from their web site, Las Estacas no longer offers "tubing" and has become an upscale spa.. Both their daily admission (335 pesos ) and lodging costs (1,700 to 4,300 pesos for a room or suite) are high, compared to other Mexican balnearios.
Why do articles rave about SMDA but most people on here say it's missable?
Many of us find that there are too many foreigners in San Miguel de Allende, and the city caters too much to their tastes. I would suggest Guanajuato or Queretaro instead of San Miguel de Allende, but others like the place. You will have to decide for yourself (it isn´t far away, make a daytrip there).
And springs are everywhere in Mexico; find one close to you. Cuautla de Morelos is another place, much more urban than Rio Frio de Juarez, that´s famous for its balnearios.
Yeah, it's got it's charms I guess, but it's also a version of a Mexican town that has been largely bought by foreigners and made over according to their tastes. It's the sweetheart of the Vanity Fair/Conde Naste crowd, and I think that some folks who might feel uncomfortable being around mostly Mexican people feel safe or separate from the rest of the country. It's probably a good bet for those who are into the "refined" in life, and want to avoid the crumbling, chaotic, or unpredictable. Like #14 said, it's easy to visit as a day trip from anywhere nearby... who knows, maybe you'll fall in love. For me, Queretaro is an infinitely deeper and more fascinating city.
In case you’re looking for a less chaotic place or a beautiful background for some pictures, there are some good spots near Mexico City you can visit in a day trip!! You can go to Valle de Bravo or Tequisquiapan. Some friends went there and their stories and pictures about their trip make me want to visit them in my next travel.
Thanks for the input everyone!
I think I have decided to split our time between Mexico City and Guanajuato and as always will have to venture back and see the others when time permits.
Any recommendation on where to stay (which neighbourhoods) in each area? We won't have our own transport so somewhere lively is ideal.
Cheers
Why do articles rave about SMDA but most people on here say it's missable?
Because an elitist travel snob said so. One 'tell' for a travel snob is how he'll belittle your interests and then condescends by saying, 'hey, maybe you'll love it' implying your a clod if you do. The snob's travel experiences are always infinitely more interesting than anyone else's. He is unique amongst his peers because he has none. Or so he believes. The irony is his disdain for certain stereotypes, while at the same time being more like them and far more annoying than he'd ever admit.
On a travel note, Mexican tourists in San Miguel far outnumber foreigners. Probably 500 to one on the weekends.
Guanajuato gets nearly twice as many tourists as San Miguel, according to SECTUR, a trend that's been on the rise for some years now.
Because an elitist travel snob said so
Actually, it's kiiind of the other way around... SMdA is the defacto world capital of these lofty folk, which is why it is ranked as the finest and most elite city in the history of cities in the Conde Naste, Affluent Traveler, Town and Country world. Not that there's anything wrong with that!
It's true that many Mexico tourists come in droves and they just love what the wealthy gringo expats have done with the place. Not like there's anything wrong with that, either!
The finest spas, the best boutique hotels, and the adorable architecture... what's not to like?