DAY 1: A home where it feels warm (Huasca de Ocampo and Tolantongo)
BONUS: pachuca Hidalgo
This vibrant, multicolored macromural, spread across the entire hillside colony of Palmitas in the town of Pachuca, was painted as part of an effort to promote peace and cooperation in a place beset by crime and poverty. It took the efforts of everyone in town, including reportedly some gang members, to make it happen. Although crime has dropped significantly in the town, as a result of the work, there are still occasional crimes. One should exercise caution when visiting, and limit their visit to a picture of the mural.
huasca de ocampo (village)
Huasca de Ocampo is one of several Pueblo Magicos in Mexico meaning the Mexican government has designated it an historical town, for the high-quality preservation of its architecture and unique natural surroundings. More specifically, Huasca de Ocampo is famous for the preservation of its mining ranches which were built all the way back in the 18th century. While none of them are operational today, you can still tour the Hacienda Santa Maria de la Regla, along with its chapels and gardens, to get a good feel for what life was like back then. It's so authentic in fact that several scenes from the 1998 film The Mask of Zorro were filmed here.
prismas basalticos
These thousand plus year old basalt rock columns, created by the gradual cooling of lava, reach as high as 130 feet. Their natural features are even further accentuated by the multiple waterfalls spilling into the gorge. There are two ways to see these columns. From the official entrance you can see them from above and even cross over them via suspension bridge. Do exercise caution as several people have fallen over and died. You could also get a closer view with less tourists at Hacienda Santa Maria de la Regla.
tolantongo
At this canyon and resort, you could spend the rest of the day both relaxing and exploring. Since you've probably driven quite a while to get here, you should probably start off with a soak in the river. The water is temperate and infused with minerals, which are collected by the water on its passage through the mountains. The Nahuatl name Tolantongo translates to "a home where it feels warm." So if you don't get a warm feeling when you arrive, you'll certainly feel warm by the time you leave. For those who want something more exclusive, you could rent one of several hot tubs built into the side of mountain, overlooking the canyon.
grutas tolantongo
Once you're feeling rejuvenated, head over to the saunas. While there are no actual saunas here, Tolantongo is also home to two large grottoes, both of which sustain a high sauna-like temperature. Enjoy yourself. You'll need the extra R&R for the drive ahead.
STAY THE NIGHT NEAR: LAS Pozas
DAY 2: (San Luis Potosi)
las pozas
Six hours drive north from Tolantongo and twelve hours total from Mexico City takes you into the heart of the Mexican wilderness, where you'll find British artist Edward James' "Garden of Eden." Turned off by the crowds of people following a trip to Los Angeles, James wanted to build a place that people could go to for peace and quiet. He spent the next forty years, between 1949 and 1984, building scores of giant surrealist statues, waterfalls and pools, dispersed among 80 acres of subtropical rainforest. He reportedly sold his entire surrealist art collection to raise the 5 million he needed to complete it all. It's in the middle of nowhere but you could easily spend the whole day here so it's worth the trip. If you love sculpture gardens, this is one of the most unique you'll ever see.
cave of swallows
You came all the way this far north, you might as well drive just another hour and a half to visit the largest known cave shaft and 11th deepest in the world. The floor of the cave is an over 1200 ft. drop from the 200 ft. wide viewing area, making it large enough to fit the entire Empire State Building inside. For this reason it's a popular place for BASE jumpers. For those of you not interested in testing your limits, it's also a beautiful, albeit vertigo-inducing view to the bottom. If you're here at either sunrise or sunset, you will see a spectacular show of birds flying in circles to go outside at dawn or free falling downward to get to their homes at dusk.
STAY THE NIGHT IN: SAN LUIS POTOSI
DAY 3: (Reserva la Biosfera Sierra Gorda)
jalpan de serra
Puente de dios
In the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, home to a diverse array of landscapes and wildlife, you will find a hidden paradise. It can easily be reached without guidance, just stick to the trails. From the nearby town of Pinal de Amoles, follow the path through the forest and along the stream. You will notice the canyon, suitably called the Canyon of the Narrows, converging until you reach a quiet cave known as the Bridge of God. You'll know you're there when you're struck with an irresistible urge to go skinny dipping.