San Luis Potosí is state capital of the San Luis Potosí state in the Bajío in Mexico. Its position along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, one of the "royal" roads that led all the way up to Santa Fe, New Mexico, has given the city UNESCO World Heritage status. Show
Understand[edit]Plaza de San FranciscoSan Luis Potosi's name is derived from the combination of its patron saint, Louis IX of France, and Potosi, in reference to the silver city of Bolivia, because of San Luis Potosi's own silver lode in nearby Cerro de San Pedro. It was founded in 1592 by Miguel Caldera and the conquistador Juan Onate, after the Spanish crown gave the indigenous peoples like the Otomi and Chichimeca the boot (after about 100 years). SLP briefly served as capital of the country under Benito Juarez during the French invasion in 1863. Then it also featured as the place where Mexico's revolution against its dictator Porfirio Diaz began in 1910, after Diaz's opponent Francisco Madero fled imprisonment and called on Mexican statesmen to take up arms. SLP sits on a high plain at around 1864 m, so be prepared for a little nip in the air on winter evenings. It isn't even unheard-of for some snow to fall. But the city has colonial architecture, churches and government buildings among others, plus museums and modern day attractions to explore. Talk[edit]A conversational understanding of Spanish will aid you greatly during your visit, as few SLP citizens will fluently speak English. Indeed, it is a very chic city for learning the Spanish language without being distracted by the English of tourists. Get in[edit]By plane[edit]San Luis Potosí has a small airport with a handful of routes. If you can't find a direct flight, consider flying to a nearby city and taking an intercity bus to San Luis Potosi. Nearby cities within several hours by bus include Querétaro, León, Aguascalientes, and possibly even Mexico City.
By carpooling[edit]There are shared rides offered on Blablacar, which are about 30-50% cheaper than intercity buses. Some examples with the approximate price (as of March 2022): By bus[edit]The 2 Bus station (Terminal Terrestre Potosína) is fairly large with frequent service to major destinations, including Mexico City to the south and Monterrey to the north, both about 5 hours away. Inside the bus station is a Banorte ATM opposite of the taxi counter. There is a 1 local simple restaurant right next to the entrance of Building B (Edificio B). It offers a main dish for M$75 (March 2022). Several buses per day make the trip from Monterrey. Executive class tickets departing Central de Autobuses in Monterrey to Terminal SLP cost from M$800 to M$900 (August 2022) on lines like Grupo Senda, Omnibus de Mexico, or Futura Plus. Other options cost less, for example:
Primera Plus is a first-class bus line that operates services to SLP from Aeropuerto Mexico, Celaya, Cuautitlan, Guadalajara, Irapuato, La Penita, La Piedad, Lagos De Moreno, León, Mexico City (terminal norte), Mexico Observatorio, Morelia, Moroleon, Puerto Vallarta, Queretaro, San Juan De Los Lagos, Silao, Tapotzoltan, Toluca, Uruapan, Zamora de Hidalgo and Zapopan (western Guadalajara). Overnight buses leave Austin, San Antonio or Laredo each night. They arrive in SLP around lunch time the next day. Most popular international line would be Grupo Senda/ Turimex -- a 5-minute cab ride from Austin Airport. From the bus terminals to the center[edit]Both the bus station and the Apolo Platinum Terminal are 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from the center, so you will need to catch a taxi or city bus to the center. From both terminals any bus marked 'Centro' or 'Alamada' will take you there. The yellow buses bring you to the 4 city bus terminal Alameda, in the south-eastern part of the old-town. The price is M$10 (March 2022). From the central bus station the 5 city buses to the center depart from the other side of the highway in front of the Mobil Diesel. To go there pass the pedestrian bridge. From the Apolo Platinum Terminal the 6 city buses to the center can be flagged down at the street in front of the Brazza y Fogo. If you take a taxi from the central station buy a ticket from the booth inside the bus station. The price into the historical center is M$73 (March 2022). Get around[edit]On foot[edit]You can get around a great portion of the city on foot. By public transport[edit]To go from A to B, Moovit covers the city. Most of the city bus lines are yellow, the other ones are blue (operated by Transporte Tangamanga). Buses must be flaged down at dedicated bus stops. Moovit don't always show the correct position of the bus stops. Have a look where other people wait for the bus or ask a local nearby. Only a few city bus lines go inside the centro historico, others go around it. The price is M$10 (March 2022) and is paid to the driver when entering the bus. The buses operate until 10pm. By e-hailing[edit]Uber covers the city. By taxi[edit]Taxis are cheap. By sightseeing tour[edit]The city has trollies at very inexpensive prices. See[edit]Cathedral in San Luis PotosíFor questions ask the official tourist information on their Facebook page. They answer quite quickly. Church buildings[edit]Museums[edit]
Walking streets[edit]
Theaters[edit]
Cultural centers[edit]
Statues[edit]
Do[edit]Region around San Luis Potosí Stroll through the Centro Histórico while the sun is fading and you will be able to take amazing photos of the beautiful architecture. During holiday periods (Christmas and Easter) there are twilight light shows in Plaza de Armas and Plaza de los Fundadores. It is a festival atmosphere with lots of people mingling in the plazas and surrounding streets. Stall holders sell colourful balloons and Mexican street snacks like corn-on-the-cob with cheese, butter, salt and lime.
Hiking[edit]
Out of town trips[edit]
Buy[edit]ATMs with low
withdrawal fees in the center are: For buying groceries in the center there are Oxxo, minimarkets (tiendas), the Farmacias Guadalajara, the Mercado Hidalgo and Waldo's around. A bigger choice of bread have the Expendido Bimbo stores. A bigger variety of groceries has the Bodega Aurrera in the north of the center. Somewhat more far away are the large supermarkets Soriana and Chedraui. Centro Histórico SLP has many shops and markets where you can buy Mexican handicrafts, fresh produce and pretty much anything else. Start at Plaza de Las Armas and walk north along Miguel Hidalgo. There is pedestrian mall followed by the Mercado Hidalgo.
Eat[edit]San Luis Potosí has many good restaurants in the downtown area. Walk up Venustiano Carranza and you will find many of the city's top culinary gems. One of the entrees the city is uniquely known for is its enchiladas potosinas, which are enchiladas made with ancho peppers and corn dough. Street Food[edit]San Luis Potosí has some street-food, either bicycles, small carts, or even trucks. There is
3 street food every day on the north-western spot of the Alameda park. In Google Maps one of the stalls is shown with its name
Antojitos Mexicanos "Doña Mary". Offered are: 4 Tamales Oaxaqueños – They are offered in the center in front of the Farmacia Guadalajara Ignacio Zaragoza 515. They cost M$20 (March 2022) and the street cart is there until 9:30pm. In other parts of the city this street food is typically offered:
Budget[edit]In the city center[edit]
Off downtown[edit]
Mid-range[edit]
Splurge[edit]
Drink[edit]Be sure to find La Calle San Francisco (near the church by the same name) in the city's downtown sector. There are some outstanding cafes and clubs in this area. Look for those with the rooftop locations. They have the charm of brick-covered alleys and spectacular starlit views in the evening. Some also feature live music.
Sleep[edit]Inexpensive independent hotels are mostly downtown. For true budget travellers the area between the cathedral and the Train museum (museo del ferrocarril) has many cheap hotels. For example the basic Hotel Alameda is for M$300 (March 2022). Budget[edit]in the city center:[edit]
around the bus station:[edit]
Mid-range[edit]
Splurge[edit]
Go next[edit]To get from Alameda to the bus station catch a city bus marked 'Central TTP' running east along Av. Universidad. Or use Moovit to find a connection from any place in town. From the west and north of the historical center (along the street Reforma) go the bus lines 17 and 19 to the central bus station. Your next destination for staying can be: To the east[edit]
To the north[edit]
To the south[edit]
To the west[edit]
Do they have Uber in San Luis Potosí?Complete your plans today by reserving a ride with Uber in San Luis Potosi. Request a ride up to 30 days in advance, at any time and on any day of the year.
Is San Luis Potosí worth visiting?Is San Luis Potosi worth visiting? Yes — San Luis Potosi is a unique Mexico destination that many types of travelers will love. Nature enthusiasts will adore traveling to the Huasteca Potosina to swim in the pools and waterfalls.
When should I go to Huasteca potosina?The best time to visit La Huasteca Potosina is during the dry season or winter (except maybe El Salto because the water won't be running). The rainy season runs between July and August, and high water levels can make many of the waterfalls inaccessible. Plus, it turns the famously blue colored water brown.
How do you get from San Luis Potosí to Huasteca potosina?The fastest way to get from San Luis Potosí to Huasteca potosina is to taxi which takes 3h 31m and costs $1800 - $2200. How far is it from San Luis Potosí to Huasteca potosina? The distance between San Luis Potosí and Huasteca potosina is 181 km. The road distance is 236.8 km.
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