Valle de Bravo should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Mexico. It has a colonial feel, cobblestone roads, a colourful market, great hiking trails and other outdoor activities, cute cafes, and delicious restaurants. You’ll find out why in this post.
I have been to Valle de Bravo twice. The first time I went, in 2017, I didn’t have much time to look around. Four years later, I went back for a few days to see the monarch butterflies sanctuary, but I ended up staying for three weeks.
I decided that my main goal would be to see as much as I could and take part in as many things as I could to get the most out of this beautiful Pueblo Magico that had won my heart.
Valle de Bravo, Mexico
The beautiful Casa Bravo is in this cute colonial-era village outside of Mexico City. This hacienda is right on the shore of Lago Avándaro. It has a lot of indoor and outdoor living space and up to 18 luxurious bedrooms. During the day, you can hang out by the private heated pool, and in the evenings, you can gather around the outdoor fireplace. .
From your private dock, you can kayak, fish, or water ski. The home comes with a variety of non-motorized watersports gear. When you get back, you can have a drink at the bar outside. During your stay, your private chef will make sure you eat well.
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Valle de Bravo Mexico at a glance
Valle de Bravo is a colonial town in Mexico. It is near the Avandaro Lake and is only two hours by car from Mexico City and one hour and thirty minutes from the Toluca Airport.
It was named Pueblo Magico in 2005, and there is a lot of magic there. For this reason, it has always been a popular vacation spot for the wealthy upper class of the capital.
But many rich foreigners and movie stars also found Valle and the area around it to be the perfect place to get away from it all. You should definitely put this Mexico Pueblo Magico on your list of the best places to visit in Mexico.
If you like to walk around the town and get lost in its narrow flower-lined streets, it won’t take you long to notice the luxurious villas that are spread out on the hills and have beautiful views of the lake.
You can see even more of it if you go to nearby Avandaro and walk around the golf club (but not on weekends).
After my accidental tour of luxury villas, I wasn’t surprised to read about Valle in a well-known architecture magazine. The pretty town is compared to the Hamptons, which are a popular vacation spot for wealthy New Yorkers.
But Valle de Bravo is famous all over the world, not just in Mexico. In 2009, it was the site of the Paragliding World Championship, which brought 150 competitors from more than 40 countries.
Valle is one of the best places to go paragliding. It is one of the many outdoor activities you can do here.
Every year, in January, you can watch the Monarca Paragliding Open, which is a competition. Even though the 2021 event has been cancelled because of COVID, keep an eye out for the event next year.
I’m so interested in this town that I wrote this short but very detailed guide to help you plan your trip there.
Read on if you want to go to Valle with me.
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WANT TO SEE MEXICO CITY’S HAMPTONS?
Valle de Bravo, Mexico, is a beautiful place about two hours from Mexico City. In 2019, Architectural Digest magazine called it the Mexico City Hamptons.
It is one of the 135 magical towns in Mexico (which means magic towns). This magical place is in the state of Mexico (Mexico state, or literally State of Mexico).
Rich chilangos (people who live in Mexico City) like to go there to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Valle is one of the best places to go for a peaceful, high-end weekend, overnight, or day trip from Mexico City. There are many great places to stay.
This well-preserved colonial town is in the middle of Lake Avándaro, where there are lots of things to do on the water.
From boating, yachting, and jet skiing to swimming, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, and hang gliding, there are water and air activities you can’t miss in Valle de Bravo.
Back on land, you can hike to waterfalls and look around Downtown Valle, which is charming and full of history. It has streets with cobblestones and colonial buildings that date back to the 1600s.
Where is Valle de Bravo Mexico
Valle de Bravo is in the state of Estado de Mexico in central Mexico, about 87 miles (140 km) west of Mexico City (Mexico State). This is one of Mexico’s 32 states.
On the map of Valle, Mexico, you can see that it is only a few miles away from the state of Michoacan.
Here, you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage Site Morelia and the Patzcuaro lake towns. This is one of the best places in Mexico to celebrate Day of the Dead, which is a unique holiday.
Want to know how many people live in Valle? In 2020, about 62,000 people will live in Valle de Bravo.
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How to Get to Mexico’s Valle de Bravo
Most visitors fly into Mexico City Airport (code: MEX) and rent a car for the two-hour drive to Valle de Bravo. But there is another way to get there by using Toluca Airport.
Toluca International Airport (code: TLC), a small regional airport, is only about 30 minutes away. However, there are no direct flights from the U.S. ▶︎ Look now for flights to Mexico City.
Tours from Mexico City to Valle de Bravo
If you don’t stay at one of these best hotels in Valle, the best way to get there is without a doubt on a tour from Mexico City.
This Private Tour to Valle de Bravo from Mexico City is a great choice because a local guide will show you around, but there are a few more options below.
Drive from Mexico City to Valle de Bravo
Depending on traffic, it takes about 2–2.5 hours to drive from Mexico City to Valle de Bravo. Highway 15D is a fairly new toll road that goes straight from Mexico City to Valle. This is the fastest way to get there.
Note: You’ll need cash (pesos) to pay the tolls.
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You can also take Highway 134, which is more scenic but takes about 30 minutes longer.
Like most scenic drives, it’s the more beautiful and relaxing one. On it, you can see wide views of tall cacti, palm trees, pine trees, and homes and buildings of many different colours.
WHEN TO VISIT VALLE DE BRAVO
The weather in central Mexico doesn’t change much from one season to the next.
Evenings are usually cooler in the winter than in the summer, but daytime temperatures are pretty consistent all year.
The rainy season or dry season is the most important thing to think about when deciding when to go.
Most of the time, it rains a lot from June to September, which is the rainy season.
Most of the time, the best time to see the waterfalls in the Valle area is between October and May, when it is dry.
Also, the best time to see the Monarch butterflies that come to this area during their migration is from November to March.
On May 3, people who want to see a traditional Mexican party might want to go to Valle de Bravo.
Every year, thousands of people go on a religious pilgrimage to the Temple of the Lord of Santa Maria Ahuacatlan in Valle de Bravo.
This well-known festival honours the miracle of the “Black Christ” that happened in the area.
WHERE SHOULD YOU SLEEP IN VALLE DE BRAVO?
A swimming pool on the roof of one of Valle de Bravo’s many cabanas.
There are many places to stay in Valle, from expensive hotels to cheap hostels.
Travelers should be able to find a place to stay that meets their needs, depending on how much money they have and where they want to be.
The El Salto Waterfall is right next to the Mision Grand Valle, which is a popular hotel in Valle de Bravo.
Another popular hotel in Valle is the Hotel Mesón de Leyendas. It is close to the artisanal market and the San Francisco de Asis Church, which makes it very convenient.
The Danzaluna Hotel is a third option. It is in the middle of town and looks out over the lake. The town square is just a short walk away.
There are other places to stay the night in Valle besides hotels.
There are small hotels all over Valle, like Casa Arawi, which is close to many of the city’s most popular sights.
Also, hostels like Hostel el Alebrije, which is one of the cheapest places to stay but also one of the best rated, charge less than hotels and boutique hotels.
Best things to do in Valle de Bravo
Walk around town and see important places in Valle de Bravo.
When I go somewhere new, the first thing I do is wander around and get lost. I wouldn’t pull out my camera until I was sure it was safe to do so. And Valle de Bravo is completely safe. Just be aware of the people around you if you are taking pictures in their direction.
You’ll love walking around the narrow and steep cobblestone lanes. Not only is it a great way to get some exercise in the morning, but it’s also the best way to see the town and get to know it. Attractions in that can be reached on foot include:
The Templo de Santa Mara Ahuacatlán (El Cristo Negro) is loved and respected by the people who live there, and it’s known for the Black Christ.
The Parroquia of San Francisco de Asis is a church that is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. It is next to the Central Garden of the Plaza Independencia and stands out because it is taller than Valle de Bravo. You’ll love taking pictures of it from the town’s hilly roads.
Built in the simple style of the Franciscans, it still has a bell tower from a quarry from the 16th century and sculptures from the 17th century.
Every year in October (except when there is a pandemic), a festival is held to honour the saint. There are dances, fireworks, and a big party in the central garden.
Take a walk through the colourful market. Before the pandemic, it was much bigger and busier. Now, most of the stands are closed, but you can still walk through the fruit stands and be tempted to buy some fresh vegetables for a healthy meal at home if you’re tired of going out to eat.
Visit a “panaderia” to try the local bread and baked goods.
I usually don’t like Mexican bread, but in Valle de Bravo you can find one of the few places where it’s good. If you come in around 8 a.m., you can still smell the fresh bread that just came out of the oven. The outside is crunchy and the inside is soft. A real delicacy. The sweet version is also tasty.
Walk down Calle 5 de Mayo.
In the middle of Valle de Bravo, the main street has interesting shops, restaurants, and bars. You can walk all the way to the end of the street to get to the lake, which is especially beautiful early in the morning or at sunset.
Walk to El Salto de Avandaro, which is a waterfall.
You could walk to the El Salto waterfall on your own, but I was glad to have a guide. I booked a tour with Arturo through Airbnb.
It only cost $10, and it was all worth it. From Valle de Bravo, it’s a nice walk through beautiful houses and then through the forest along the river to get to the waterfall.
I can’t go alone on the second part of the walk because it’s a little too remote. So, I liked being in a group, even though there were only three of us.
It’s fine to go on your own and easy to find if you’re travelling with someone.
Go to the Velo de Novia waterfall
The falling water Velo de Novia is in Avandaro, a wealthy town on a hill above Valle de Bravo that looks out over a lake. You can take a taxi, either on your own or with other people.
There is a big price difference between the two, but you probably want to be alone in the taxi at this time.
They will drop you off at the park’s entrance, from which you can walk quickly to the beautiful waterfall. You can walk along the river until you reach Avandaro lake if you like to walk. The walk is short and pleasant.
I got lucky because Lupica, the mother of my Airbnb host, offered to take me in her quad. It was a wonderful trip.
She was kind enough to walk me to the golf course, which is a beautiful, well-kept field surrounded by million-dollar homes. We then went to the waterfall, where we walked down to the river and up to the beautiful fall.
You will also enjoy walking down Avandaro’s main street, which has many great shops and restaurants. Lupita also said that the town comes to life on the weekends when the people who live there come from Mexico to spend a few days in their own private paradise.
Go for a walk in the hills near Valle de Bravo.
Take a nice walk up to the tower (La Torre), where paragliding takes off. It is the highest spot in the area of Valle de Bravo.
You can get there by two different paths. I took the one that was the shortest but also the steepest. It was good exercise and a nice walk through homes and nature.
If you walk quickly, it will take you an hour to get there. As you might expect, all the work is worth it when you look out over the lake and the city of Valle and see how beautiful it is.
Even though it’s an easy walk, you should probably go with a guide because the path is hard to find and has a lot of turns. You can get lost. I would without a doubt.
Karla, a nice girl from Venezuela who loved Valle de Bravo and Mexico, went with me. You can book your tour by sending her an email.
Try your hand at paragliding.
Paragliding is a great sport to try if you like dangerous sports. Don’t worry, you don’t need to know anything or be an expert.
You will fly with an instructor, and all you have to do is enjoy the ride. I didn’t do it because I’m too scared, but most people come to Valle just to try flying. So maybe you should try it too.
This tour is offered by several paragliding schools in Valle de Bravo. I can’t give you a specific one, though. Enjoy! And let me know what happens!
Take a kayaking tour on the lake
People often go kayaking or paddleboarding in Valle de Bravo, which is a good way to get some exercise and enjoy the lake. I wanted to go on a kayaking tour, but I found that it’s easier to rent a kayak and go by yourself than to find a tour. I didn’t really want to go kayaking by myself, so I didn’t. Too bad! This is one of the times I wish I had someone with me on the trip.
For paddleboarding, it’s easier to find a group to join, but I didn’t want to get wet because it was February and too cold to swim in the lake.
Go to the place where Monarch butterflies live (seasonal)
The best part of my trip to Valle de Bravo was this. There is no public transportation to the Sanctuary of the Mariposa Monarca, which is about 11 miles from Valle, so I took a private taxi. I stayed there for two hours and saw millions of beautiful butterflies drinking from the river and flying all around me.
It was a real natural wonder. I wrote a separate post about the Monarch Butterflies in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. In it, I explain in detail how to get there, how much it costs, and why the Monarch Butterflies like these areas.
But keep in mind that you can only see them from December to March.
Mercado de Artesanías (Artisan Market)
Mercado de Artesanas is the best arts and crafts market in Valle de Bravo, and no trip is complete without a stop there. This is the best place in Valle to buy souvenirs made by local craftspeople from other towns.
For upscale Valle shopping, head to Calle Joaquín Arcadio Pagaza instead. Here, you’ll find stall after stall with goods made by Mexican craftspeople and the native Mazahua people.
Don’t miss the chance to buy colourful Mazahua fabrics, Otumba pottery, Ocoxal baskets made from woven pine needles, handcrafted woodworks, and more.
Cascada Velo de Novia Waterfall
Velo de Novia falls is the best one in Valle de Bravo (Bridal Veil Falls).
Velo de Novia Falls, which is 115 feet (35 metres) tall, is in the nearby town of Avándaro, which is a wealthy suburb of Valle. It is called “Bridal Veil Falls.”
From the park entrance, it’s an easy walk to the falls, which are hidden in Velo de Novia Park and surrounded by a grove of fir trees.
VISIT THE CENTER OF HISTORY
The main church in Valle de Bravo is a stately building that stands out against the blue sky.
Valle has a beautiful historic centre with streets and alleys made of cobblestones that wind around old buildings and even older churches.
The Temple of the Lord of Santa Maria Ahuacatlan is a well-known church. It is the site of a miracle story about the “Black Christ,” and on May 3, one of the largest pilgrimages in Mexico takes place there.
The San Francisco de Ass, a church from the 17th century that may be the tallest church in the state of Mexico, is another religious building that people like to see.
In the centre of Valle, there is also an archaeological museum with artefacts from the state of Mexico’s 3000 archaeological sites.
A large artisanal market nearby sells goods from all over central Mexico, like clay pottery from Dolores Hidalgo, blown glass from Jalisco, and wrought iron or woven clothes made by locals of Mazahuan descent.
VISIT LAKE AVANDARO
People often come to Valle de Bravo because there are so many things to do on Lake Avándaro.
Visitors who like to be active and try new things can kayak, paraglide, water ski, water tube, and sail all year long.
Less active adventurers can book a trip on a catamaran or sailboat and eat, drink, and listen to live music as they go around the lake.
Another great way to spend time on the lake is to go on a sunset boat cruise.
The pier on Lake Avándaro is a popular place to hang out. Restaurants line the boardwalk, and on the weekends, artists and other vendors set up tables with things for sale.
EXPLORE MONTE ALTO ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
Extreme sports like horseback riding, mountain biking, driving off-road vehicles and go-karts, and paintballing are popular in the Monte Alto Ecological Reserve.
There are cabins and houses for rent in Monte Alto for people who want to sleep in the wilderness.
GO Trekking
In addition to the hiking trails in Monte Alto Park, a hike from the centre of Valle de Bravo to the Mirador La Pea offers amazing views of Lake Avándaro and the town.
From the town centre, you can drive or take a taxi to El Salto Waterfall and Bridal Veil Waterfall for short hikes.
FOOD IN VALLE DE BRAVO
One of the fun things to do in Valle de Bravo is to go paragliding.
Some well-known and popular dishes from Valle are rainbow trout that has been baked or grilled, mole, barbecue, and tamales with different fillings.
If you like sweets and you’re in Mexico, you should try a fresh, warm churro.
In Valle, people like to drink pulque, which is an alcoholic drink made from fermented maguey syrup, and zende, which is a fermented drink similar to pulque that is used in traditional ceremonies.
Sambumbia is a drink made of water and sugar cane juice. Atole is a traditional hot drink that is thickened with cornflour, made sweet with piloncillo, and flavoured with different fruits.
Valle de Bravo also has some great restaurants that serve food from all over the world made with meats and vegetables from the area.
When you go to Valle, remember that meal times might be different from what you’re used to at home. You might want to avoid going to restaurants when they are very busy.
Breakfast usually doesn’t start until after 9 a.m., and the biggest meal of the day, which is usually called “La Comida,” is around 2 p.m. Usually, dinner is a small meal eaten between 7 and 8 pm.
One thing non-Mexican visitors should know is that servers in sit-down restaurants don’t always check on your table, so don’t wait politely for your waiter or waitress to come over. If you need something, just wave a flag.
Breakfast is a great time to eat at Altitud 1700, Italik Cafe, or El Punto. If you like to get up early, Altitud 1700 is one of the first places to open in the city. It opens at 8 am.
You can find some Valle restaurants in interesting places, such as Los Pericos, a floating restaurant on Lake Avándaro.
The restaurant at the Mision Grand Valle de Bravo Hotel has a beautiful view of the El Salto Waterfall.
This restaurant is one of the best places to eat because it has a great menu and a great view of Lake Avándaro.
Mountain biking
Extreme sports are one of the most popular things to do in Valle de Bravo. This is because it is full of mountains and has amazing views of the area. This makes it a great place for mountain biking.
There are also ATV tours and routes that are a bit easier for people who have never done this before.
Enjoy its restaurants
One of the best things about Valle’s food is how many restaurants there are. There are restaurants that serve Mexican, Italian, French, and other types of food from all over the world. Any of these restaurants would be a great place to go for dinner one night.
The first restaurant on the beautiful lake of Valle de Bravo was called “Los Pericos,” which means “the parrots.” It has a nice view and serves both Mexican and international food. It is known for its seafood and good drinks and cocktails.
It’s on the town’s public pier, and it’s open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday through Tuesday.
Enjoy a drink and the nightlife in the area.
Valle is also known for its great nightlife. There is an avenue with bars, karaoke rooms, and clubs that have everything you need for a fun night out.
Valle de Bravo has a lot of places to have fun at night, from breweries and bars to high-end nightclubs with terraces and great views of the lake.
If you’re worried about safety, police officers are out and about all day and night to make sure you don’t have a bad time in this town.
Best cafes and restaurants in Valle de Bravo
Valle de Bravo’s food scene is also quite diverse and unique. But I have to admit that for the past three weeks, I have been eating out at the same places every time.
Since I like to work in cafes, my favourite was La Machinhuepa, which was right at the beginning of Calle 5 de Mayo, the main road that goes from the Plaza to the Lake.
Cozy and roomy spot with great simple lunch options and tasty croissants for breakfast. I used to stay there all day when I wasn’t out exploring, and I always felt welcome, especially since it was usually empty, except on Sundays. The staff was very professional and friendly, especially Francisco.
Trastevere was another place I went. The food wasn’t great, but it was a great place to work, with a beautiful patio outside and a nicely decorated lounge for when it was too hot to be outside.
If you want a great cup of espresso, go to Caos Cafe, which is small but has great coffee.
You can try Dipao for good pizza and other Italian-style treats. I ate pizza, and even though it was nothing like pizza from Italy, it was still good.
Where to go in Valle de Bravo
Most of the time, you can walk around the pretty town because everything is close together and the town is so nice that you just want to walk around. But if you need to get to places and attractions in the area, you have two choices:
Private taxis don’t have set prices, so you’ll have to talk with the driver.
Taxis called “Colectivos” are supposed to have a fixed rate, but they usually charge more to foreigners. Ask a local how much it costs to get from one place to another and be firm. But keep in mind that if you don’t pay what they want, they might not let you in.
There are no car rentals in Valle de Bravo, which is a shame. If you are coming from Toluca, you can rent a car there and drive to Valle, which is the best way to get there.
Don’t worry about driving in Mexico if that scares you. It’s pretty safe to drive around this area. Just make sure to follow my tips on how to rent a car in Mexico.
There are direct buses from Mexico City to Valle de Bravo
There are no buses that go straight from the airport in Mexico City to Valle If you don’t want to change buses in Toluca, take an Uber from Mexico City Airport to Terminal de Autobuses Poniente. From there, you can find Zina Bus, which has different direct buses every day.
From the Mexico City airport to Poniente, a ride with Uber costs between 150 MXN and 200 MXN, depending on the time of day and how much traffic there is.