Ciudad Valles

Ciudad Valles is often referred to as the gateway to the Huasteca Potosina, and the little town often acts as the front door to the better part of the grander Huasteca region even in the surrounding states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Querétaro and Hidalgo, and Guanajuato. With some 136,000 residents, the town acts as a frequent bus transfer point and supply stop for travelers venturing into the more surreal valleys and jungles of the not-so-distant surrounding mountains.

Founded way back in 1533, the city holds its own as a historical center, but for travelers, the city is often a first stop on trips that include adventure, exploration, and often non-stop jaw-dropping turns of landscape and scenery. The city clings to the Rio Valles where visitors find the town center and the agglomeration of markets that serve as culinary centers and artisan outlets. The town is famously home to both Téenek and Nahua indigenous peoples, and they often compete to sell the best in carved wood, molded clay works and woven textiles. 

The Museo Tamuantzan is inside a cultural center of the same name and begins to piece together a past from the nearby Tamohi and Tamtoc excavation sites. The long, long human history does nothing to make the environment less enchanting. The Huasteco Joaquín Meade houses a further 8,000 artifacts, among them, musical instruments, sculpture, and gnawing works in ceramic.

But visitors soon head off for the Los Sabinos Caves in the Sierra Abra Tanchipa. Itself a biosphere reserve, its an adventure all unto itself. The river through town, winding its way along the entire west side, hosts all kinds of rafting and boating trips, though it is surprisingly narrow. It remains in the lush green, when the water is not churning over rocks and falls.

For those arriving late, the city hosts a variety of lodging options from hostels to luxe digs. If the market is closed, a whole variety of kitchens are often open late, too. Bocoles and traditional zacahuil and the local tamales are special favorites. 

Ciudad Valles is a good eight hours north from the Mexico City northern bus terminal. Omnibus, Ovnibus, Frontera, and Futura all make the trip seem easy. Visitors who wish to fly into Tampico, to the east, should expect a further road trip of about three hours. Grupo Vencidor buses make the trip in about the same time. From the capital of San Luis Potosi, the trip takes about 4.5 hours.