Cadereyta (also known as Cadereyta de Montes) is a historic small town in the state of Querétaro. It is one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos.

Understand

Cadereyta was founded in 1640 as a Spanish administrative and military stronghold to reinforce Zimapan in its mission to pacify indigenous populations in the region, particularly the Jonaces and the Pame. This would smooth the efforts to develop the region and to enable the missionaries to do their work. The Franciscans, notably, established the eight monasteries of the Sierra Gorda region.

Get in

The best way to get to Cadereyta is by bus.

From the main bus station in Queretaro, Flecha Amarilla has hourly departures to Cadereyta de Monte. The 90-minute trip will cost M$100 (US$5) (Feb 2023).

1 Bus Station (Central de Autobuses Cadereyta), Carr. MEX 120 San Juan del Rio - Xilitla 28, Centro (at the corner of Ocampo), ☏ +52 4412760214. On the north end of downtown on the main road (MEX 120) passing through town. 

Get around

The historic downtown area is very inviting to explore by walking. Taxis are available for getting to outlying attractions.

See

Templo de San Pedro y San Paulo in Cadereyta

• Templo de San Pedro y San Paulo - Baroque style church in the center of town, facing the Plaza Principal.

• Templo de San Gaspar, 5 de Mayo, Col. San Gaspar - Barroque and neo-classical church built as a parish church. It's got a clean, unadorned facade with twin bell towers on either side of the main portal.

Botanical Garden in Cadereyta

• Jardin Botanico - When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. Most of Queretaro has a hot, dry climate and some of its endemic (and endangered) plant species are cacti and agave succulents. But the mountains of the Sierra Gorda create mountain peaks and valleys that have their own microclimates, making the state quite biodiverse with plenty of subject matter for botanists and naturalists to chat about at happy hour. The Botanical Garden in Cadereyta showcases and preserves many endemic plants. As you walk through the gardens, keep an eye out for birds and reptile species as well.

• Hacienda Tovares - This colonial hacienda dates from 1640, it was the home of Capitan Alonso de Tovar, the founder of Cadereyta. It's a ranch with horses, a lake, event pavilions, a restaurant, a spa, and an upscale boutique hotel. Day passes to the property are available, as are horseback rides and entertainment.

• Vivero Quinta Fernando Schmoll, Calle El Pilancón No. 1, Barrio de las Fuentes - If the Jardin Botanico just whetted your appetite to learn more about cactus and desert plants, you'll enjoy this place. It was built by Schmoll and his wife, Carolina Wagner, in 1920 to raise dry climate plants that could thrive in the semidesert climate of Queretaro.

Do

• Skydiving (paracaidismo)- Skydive Center Queretaro, Aerodromo Cadereyta, +52 442 114 3909, contacto@skydivecenter.mx, https://www.facebook.com/skydivecenterqueretaro/

• Maconi - hike the trails and go see the impressive 75 meter waterfalls

• Cañón del Caracol - the 3 km canyon takes the river towards the Rio Moctezuma, sheer rock walls make it an awe-inspiring site. Guides will show you how to get to the canyon and where you can jump in for a swim.

Buy

Cadereyta has more than 300 local artisans producing handmade products that would make unique and meaningful souvenirs for a traveler to bring home. Among the crafts produced locally are pottery, marble, saddles and other leather goods, baskets, herbal remedies and bath products, and wool woven goods.

Some of the artisans welcome visitors to their workshops (talleres) and you can often buy things directly from the craftsman. In the neighborhood of Boxsani are several pottery workshops that welcome visitors.

Eat

Locals pride themselves on barbacoa and pulque, neither of which are unique to Cadereyta, but are fully embraced by the locals as mainstays of their local tables.

• 1 La Casita, Calle Melchor Ocampo 10, Zona Centro (near the Plaza Principal), ☏ +52 4412761534. 08:00 - 18:00 (until 13:00 Sunday). Traditional restaurant that's a local hotspot so you may have to wait for a table. Fun and funky decor. Known for their house coffee, which is lightly sweetened. (updated Feb 2023)
• 2 La Maria, Gral. Encarnacion Cabrera #1 Centro, ☏ +52 4411170669. Th-Sa 19:00 - 00:00, Su 12:00-18:00, closed M-W. Informal neighborhood cantina with wings and finger food. Cheap. (updated Feb 2023)
• 3 El Tapanco, Calle Melchor Ocampo 30, Centro. 08:00 - 18:00. Unpretentious place with traditional Mexican plates: chicken, shrimp, beef, enchiladas, sopa, etc. Sandwiches. Good breakfast with omellettes, hot cakes, chilaquiles, etc. (updated Feb 2023)
• 4 Don Poncho, Francisco Madero 10-6, Centro. Good place close to the bus station, big cavernous dining room. Traditional Mexican fare: tacos, enchiladas, chilaquiles. Low prices, quick service. (updated Feb 2023)

Drink

Queretaro has a young and growing wine industry with several vineyards gaining a reputation for quality. A local brand to be aware of is Acacholli.

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Real, Carr. 120 San Juan del Rio-Xilitla 120, Centro. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Cheap, barebones rooms, 2 blocks from bus station. (updated Feb 2023)
• 2 Posada Las Vegas, C. José María Morelos 26, Centro, ☏ +52 4412760526. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, comfortable hotel with good service. No smoking in guest rooms. Cable TV, hot water, off-street parking. (updated Feb 2023)
• 3 Hacienda Tovares, Rivapalacios, ☏ +52 442 109 1218. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Luxury boutique hotel in a historic hacienda. Upscale and expensive, but a romantic spot for a true splurge. (updated Feb 2023)

Go next

Cadereyta is one of six designated Pueblos Magicos in Querétaro. Couples looking for charming colonial towns with color and character may want to visit similar towns in the region:

• Bernal (28 km)
• Tequisquiapan (30 km)
• San Joaquin (65 km)