Taxco: Romantic Colonial City Awaits You on Your Next Vacation

An important city in the state of Guerrero, it is characterized by its beautiful colonial architecture, its famous silver craftsmanship, and the unique layout of its narrow streets. Strolling through Taxco is like going back to the past while enjoying the comforts of the present time since it has comfortable tourist services for all tastes and budgets. We invite you to get to know this seductive town.

Attractions in Taxco

Taxco was founded in a mining area exploited by a European businessman named José de la Borda, who gathered an important fortune with which he built the famous Santa Prisco Parish, an architectural jewel of churrigueresque style and symbol of the city, which is proud of its beautiful pink quarry façade, its high towers, visible from any point of the city and its interiors, upholstered with gold leaf.

One of the most antique constructions of the city is the Exconvent of San Bernardino de Siena, founded in 1592; there is a painting of the Virgin of Bethlehem, a work of Castillo, a painter of the XIX century.

Other important constructions are: Casa Borda, built-in 1759 in colonial style and currently houses the Municipal Presidency; Casa Figueroa, also called Casa de las Lágrimas because in its construction those who did not pay tribute were forced to work; today, its interior exhibits objects and paintings from the viceroyalty.

The majestic Casa de los Verdugo; the Humboldt House, one of the clearest examples of baroque architecture of the 18th century and the Spratling Museum, located behind the Santa Prisco Parish, which has pre-Hispanic pieces, as well as photographs and newspaper articles on the history of Taxco. William Spratling was a goldsmith whose designs, together with the skill of local artisans, made the town's silversmith tradition famous.

To get to know Taxco, there is nothing like walking through its steep, narrow, cobblestone streets that, at every step, offer pleasant surprises, such as balconies adorned with flowers, beautiful wooden doors, and handicraft stores. Of course, do not miss a visit to the market, which is an experience, both for its bustle and color, as well as for its strange construction, a kind of labyrinth with several levels and access from different streets.

Taxco Handicrafts

In Taxco, you can buy silver objects, which have given worldwide fame to its artisans: jewelry, silverware, ornamental pieces, etc. To certify the quality and authenticity of the pieces, a T and the number 925 have been engraved on them. Handicrafts from other parts of the state are sold, such as small boxes from Olinalá, painted amate paper from Xalitla, embroidered clothing from Acatlán, and palm articles from Chilapa.

Surroundings of Taxco

The Cacahuamiloa Caves, located 28 km northeast of the city, are famous for their extension and for the beauty of their formations - stalactites and stalagmites that can be admired along a road that has lighting -, in addition, there are guide services, restaurants, restrooms, and handicraft stores. Right there, visit Dos Bocas, a cavern where the subway rivers that caused the formation of Cacahuamilpa to emerge.

The Zoofari is a zoo located 26 km from Taxco in the town of Teacalco, it has a kennel, pony rental, dwarf mules, llamas, and sale of some species. Only 5 km to Ixcateopan are the Cacalotenango Waterfalls, 80 m high, a place with a spectacular view that can be enjoyed from a viewpoint.

40 km from the previous point is Ixcateopan, where you can visit a chapel of the XVI century with an interesting collection of pre-Hispanic pieces; this population became famous because of the theory that there were found the remains of Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor.

Another interesting place is Taxco Viejo, 13 km from the city; a picturesque town that preserves its provincial flavor and where some of the best silversmiths reside. Approximately 5 km from Acuitlapan, on a dirt road, and 36 km from Taxco, there is a group of waterfalls called Las Granadas in the middle of a beautiful landscape; we recommend you enjoy a peaceful day in the countryside.

Festivals and fairs in Taxco

In Taxco, as in the rest of the state of Guerrero, there is a proliferation of festivals, one of the most important of which is celebrated on January 18, in honor of Santa Prisco, with dances and fireworks.

Special mention should be made of Holy Week, with its famous Procession of Silence and the Parade of the Encruzados on Good Friday, hooded penitents carrying heavy wooden crosses.

Another event of great importance is the National Silver Fair, which takes place in December with a contest and exhibition of pieces, as well as artistic events, and for lovers of fine arts. Taxco is decked out with the Jornadas Alarconías in homage to the famous writer Juan Ruiz de Alarcón, a native of the town, during which theater festivals, concerts, painting exhibitions, poetry recitals, etc. are organized. The date varies from year to year.

Food and Gastronomy of Taxco

The state of Guerrero has many dishes to offer its visitors. Among the most famous are the white and green pozoles, the Guerrero-style mole, the plum tamales, and the jumiles, insects that can be served fried, in sauce, roasted with salt and lemon, or even alive! Also, the sweets are delicious, like the guayaizote, prepared with the flower of the zote, the tlaxcales -cornbreads with sugar and cinnamon- and the hojaldres, to which sherry is added. Among the beverages, the "chichihualco" and "petaquillas" -both derived from mezcal- and the "Sangre de Baco", which is a liquor made with wild grapes from the region, stand out.

Services in Taxco

The city of Taxco has a wide variety of services, from stupendous five-star hotels to comfortable and neat guesthouses. To taste the regional dishes, you can choose from numerous restaurants, or visit the typical market. There are also handicraft stores, bus terminals, cabs, travel agencies, banks, the internet, dance clubs, nightclubs, and tourist information offices.