Valle de Bravo, a beautiful town
Valle de
Bravo (or simply "Valle", as it's lovingly referred to) is only 85
kilometers from Toluca and 145 from Mexico City. It’s cool weather makes it a
delight to walk around: you'll find shade among white stucco houses decked out in
sienna wainscoting, with wrought iron balconies, elegant porches and tile
roofs. This designated Magic Town has everything the demanding tourist could
hope for, with hotels, restaurants and golf courses that offer relaxation and
allow you to really make the most of your stay. Beautiful town
Life here
is, in every sense, built around the lake. Its calm waters are ideal for
boating, sailing, water-skiing, kayaking… you name it. For a peerless panoramic
view of the town, try walking up either Monte Alto or Divisadero mountains; for
an easier and faster ride, group boat rides are available at the town’s dock.
In town,
you'll surely want to pay a call on the main square to take in the exquisite
harmony of the surrounding buildings. Outstanding among them is the San
Francisco de Asis Parish Church, named after the town's patron saint. This
16th-century structure boasts a unique belfry and a wood-carved Saint Francis
of Assisi dating from the 17thcentury. The bandstand in the middle of the
square's gardens has lovely wooden columns, and beckons you to rest awhile on
one of the square's many benches while enjoying a traditional ice cream.
The
colorful Handcrafts Market is just a few blocks away in a typical provincial
building. Here you'll find a variety of hand made products from around the
region and all over Mexico. For more intrepid souls, Valle de Bravo affords many
opportunities to experience the unforgettable thrill of extreme sports. Atop La
Cruz Hill or Monte Alto, you can take a leap into the void either by
paragliding or on delta wing for a 40-minute, adrenaline-pumping swoop over the
big lake.
Another way
to get close to nature is horseback riding or gently walking through the flower-scented
forest around Avandaro, an even smaller town just 2 km from Valle. The Velo de
Novia Falls are among the most popular and easiest to reach, and invite you to
walk alongside cascading waters and soothe your soul. Exuberant natural beauty and
quaint cottages are the main attractions of this town, but it became famous in
the early 1970s when the town hosted the very first rock concert in Mexico, in
the style of Woodstock.
Regional
cuisine is known for using local ingredients such as rainbow trout, turkey in
mole sauce, pit-cooked mutton, shredded beef, artichokes and steamed beef or
pork head. Local fruit gets turned into scrumptious sherbets, preserves and
liqueurs. Given the vast array of typical Mexican food available here, going to
a fast-food stand would really be a sin. At the other end of the spectrum, and
for those who enjoy a spot of luxury, the up-market resorts out of town boast
some world-class restaurants.
Local
artisans, many of them ethnic Otomi, Mazahua and Mazatlinca people, excel in
handcrafts like pottery, high-fired ceramics and weaving. Don’t miss their
masterfully worked pieces in wrought iron. Including lamps, chandeliers and
many more. Basketry is another long-established local artisan tradition, and
you'll see evidence of high-quality craftsmanship all over town. Valle is made
for walking, so wear comfortable shoes and a hat for the sun. Evenings are
often chilly, so don’t forget your sweater!
Not far
from Valle de Bravo, don't miss the unique spectacle of the Monarch Butterfly
Sanctuaries; the nearest sanctuary, Piedra Herrada, is just 20 minutes away. If
you want to forget about telephones and internet, the Bosencheve Nature Park -
just 40 minutes from Valle - provides facilities for camping, wildlife watching
and trout fishing.
The most important attraction is the paragliding
