Well, we’ve been entranced by the Huasteca Potosina. We hiked close to El Cielo Biosphere (one of the few protected areas in Mexico) while we stayed in Ciudad Mante. We really liked the hotel; the kids played with kids on vacation and got a quick shot of conversational Spanish. The city was incredibly dirty and while it was so nice to be at a hotel with other Mexicans instead of isolated in an RV park, it was a lot next to a bus station and noisy and the pollution was incredible; by the time we left, the internet dish had flakes of blackness on it. It was lovely to be able to walk to the city center, to the mercado, to the panaderia, without it being a strain. The kids LOVED the pool even though it was cold; one of the days was so hot and humid that even Jamie and I joined in.
I really wanted to get higher into El Cielo but the kids just weren’t having it. The last period we spend in the US was so “couch potato” for them and they don’t have nearly the energy and stamina that they have had in years past. So, today we headed about 100km down the road to Ciudad Valle and we hope to make the balneario here a base for exploration of the Huasteca Potosina. This is one of the few areas in Mexico of nature and protection and an area we’ve never even heard of prior to this trip. The balneario is about 10km from town, which is about as “country” as it gets here in Mexico, quiet and serene. The pools are thermally fed and constantly emptying and filling from the thermal spring; the kids are LOVING the pools and overjoyed at the thought of spending a nice chunk of time here.
When we were talking about coming to Mexico this year I promised Jamie, “this year we’ll take the cuota!”. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as it generally turns out), the libre is the only way to the areas we’re interested in, so we have yet to drop a centavo on the cuota.
While you are in that part of Mexico, you might want to stop for a few days at Xilitla and see Sir Edward James Gardens called Las Pozas. I think the kids would have a great time in the water falls and also climbing all over the structures. Here are some of my photos of the place although I don’t think I have any of the many water falls and pools. If you google Sir Edward James las pozas you will find lots more info.
http://www.pbase.com/billie_mercer/xilitla
You could spend time visiting, “El Sótano de las golondrinas”, “Las Pozas de Xilitla”, “Aquismón”, “Tancanhuitz”..is exactly the heart of the “huasteca Potosina”…
We visited Xilitla and Sir Edward James Gargens called Las Pozas. It was very interesting and the surrounding country was beautiful. I would love to return to that area. Do you have any suggestion for Hotels that are not too pricey but are very clean and comfortable. Thanks for any information that you might have on what else we should see in that area.
Anyone know the rates for car rentals in Mexico? Would like to go to San Luis Potosi.
Hi, I know exactly the hotel you are talking about in Valles I stayed there once and was not fond of it. I live in Cruz de Guadalupe which is not far from Aquismon, if you get the chance there is a really nice hotel there and the town is amazing. Plus the hotel is really cheap, hot water, and the beds are soft.