This colonial Mexican city at 6,115 feet has blue-tiled domes, baroque buildings, and a surreal art museum. Near the Tamul waterfall and Real de Catorce ghost town.
San Luis Potosí sits 6,115 feet above sea level in central Mexico. Walk through its UNESCO-listed historic center to see the Templo del Carmen's distinctive blue and yellow tiled domes, or explore the 18th-century cathedral's baroque columns. Visit the new Leonora Carrington Museum to see the artist's surreal bronze sculptures. When you're ready to venture beyond the city, drive to the quiet streets of Real de Catorce or swim in the crystal-clear pools beneath the 345-foot Tamul waterfall.
Getting to San Luis Potosí
You can fly into Ponciano Arriaga International Airport on daily flights from Mexico City, Dallas, and Houston. First-class buses depart every two hours from Mexico City (5 hours) and Monterrey (5 hours), with air conditioning, reclining seats, and onboard restrooms. The buses travel on four-lane highways.
Exploring the Historic Center
More than 500 colonial buildings line the streets of the centro histórico. Start at Plaza de Armas, where the cathedral's baroque columns rise above the square. Next door, the Governor's Palace dates to 1770. As you walk, look up to see red cantera stone carvings and black wrought iron balconies. Step into the courtyards to find original stone fountains from the Spanish colonial era.
Museums and Cultural Spaces
The Leonora Carrington Museum (open Tue-Sun, 10 AM-6 PM, 80 pesos) displays the artist's bronze sculptures and interactive installations across three floors. At the National Mask Museum, you'll find masks worn during specific Mexican celebrations like Day of the Dead and the Dance of the Old Men. The Regional Museum, housed in a former prison, explains the area's mining past and displays artifacts from local indigenous groups.
Local Food Scene
Try enchiladas potosinas - corn tortillas mixed with ancho chile powder that gives them their distinctive orange color, filled with white cheese. Head to Mercado Hidalgo for local milk-based candies: jamoncillo (similar to fudge) and natillas (custard). After 6 PM, food carts appear around Plaza de Armas selling tacos, tamales, and elotes (grilled corn with mayo, cheese, and chile powder) until about 10 PM.
Day Trips and Surrounding Areas
Drive 170 km north to Real de Catorce, where stone buildings from the 1800s line unpaved streets. In the Huasteca Potosina region east of the city, you can swim below Tamul waterfall or explore Grutas de la Catedral caves. The area has marked hiking trails and several indigenous Huastec communities where you can learn about local traditions.
Weather and Timing Your Visit
The city's elevation keeps temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C) year-round. From April through November, expect rain between 3 PM and 6 PM, usually clearing by evening. Winter nights cool to 40°F (4°C), while days warm to 70°F (21°C). The sunniest, driest months run from December through March.
