Location:
Southwest region of Mexico State, central
Mexico
Closest major airport: Benito Juarez
International aka Mexico City Intl (MEX)
Population: 60,000
Other important cities/sites nearby:
La Peña, Temascaltepec, Toluca, capital of
Mexico State, Mexico City
Valle de Bravo is a charming mountain
village adorned with cobblestone streets,
white stucco colonial houses, wrought-iron
balconies and red-tiled roofs. It is located
on the shores of a beautiful lake surrounded
by pine trees, just one hour away from
Toluca. As a result of its breathtaking
beauty and numerous attractions, the city is
increasingly becoming a popular tourist
destination.
Valle de Bravo offers a variety of
activities for visitors. The lake lends
itself to a wide range of water sports
including skiing, sailing, canoeing and
fishing, while the high hills surrounding
the lake are a great setting for paragliding
and flying ultra light planes. The village
itself, on the other hand, is perfect for
walking. Its narrow streets, archways,
plazas, unusual wood and tile bandstand,
handicrafts market and parish church of San
Francisco, are only a few of the sights
worth visiting for a glimpse of the
charming, picturesque town.
Adventure travelers also have a variety of
options in Valle de Bravo. Hiking and
climbing, for example, are available at the
rocky promontory La Peña, located northeast
of Valle de Bravo and at Peñon del Diablo, a
cliff over 2000 feet high. The village of
Temascaltepec, 15 miles away from the city,
is another great spot for outdoor
activities. It is where the Rosario Monarch
Butterfly Sanctuary is located, attracting
millions of breeding butterflies from the
United States and Canada annually. Visitors
can also camp on the small hills surrounding
Valle de Bravo where the monarch butterflies
spend their winter.
The neighboring village of Avandaro is also
popular among visitors. It offers luxury
housing developments, deluxe hotels, and
exuberant surroundings ideal for
mountaineering, rock climbing, cycling,
cross-country motor cycling, gliding and
hang-gliding. Visitors interested in
relaxation can head to the Avándaro Golf and
Spa Resort, offering top-quality spa service
with saunas, steam rooms and small hot and
cold massage pools all managed by friendly,
trained personnel.
Valle de Bravo offers handicraft shopping at
the numerous boutiques lined up along the
main street. Textiles, cotton embroidery,
pottery and woodwork are available at the
Sunday open-air market. Cuisine is another
local specialty, with restaurants like La
Parrilla and Las Torres serving Mexican
specialties and a wonderful view of the
town’s picturesque houses and red-tiled
roofs.
Valle de Bravo is a quaint city adorned with
picturesque architecture and magnificent
landscapes, all complimented by lush
vegetation perfect for outdoor activities. |
