ACCOMMODATIONS
AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION
ARTS AND CRAFTS
ATTRACTIONS
ECOTOURISM AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS
GASTRONOMY
HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE
MUSEUMS
NIGHTLIFE
SHOPPING

Valle de Bravo is located 67 km (41 mi) east of Toluca, the capital of the State of Mexico, and 145 km (90 mi) from Mexico City. It has a temperate semi-humid climate, with an average year-round temperature of 17º C (63º F.)

Surrounded by mountains, this magical town is an important tourist destination, thanks to its excellent hotels, restaurants, equestrian club, beautiful golf courses and manmade lake. At the lake you can do all kinds of water sports, including water skiing, sailing, kayaking and fishing. As you take a stroll along the cobblestone streets you’ll see white stucco houses with wrought iron balconies and red tile roofs. Under the arches of the main plaza you can enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine. The city also offers a crafts market, numerous boutiques, art galleries and the Church of San Francisco de Assisi, the patron saint of Valle de Bravo. The most striking feature of the church is an original 16th-century bell.

In the surrounding areas you’ll find beautiful nature reserves like the Santuario de la Mariposa Monarca (Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.) The area becomes the nesting grounds of the monarch butterflies from November through March. You also can visit the Parque Natural Bosencheve (Bosencheve Nature Park) and the Reserva de Monte Alto (Monte Alto Reserve) which are ideal spots to enjoy various adventure sports, such as mountain and rock climbing, bicycling and camping. As for extreme sports, Valle de Bravo has become a popular spot for hang gliding and paragliding, making this a preferred destination for thrill seekers. You find all of this and much more in Valle de Bravo, a paradise near Mexico City.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
• Hotel El Santuario Resort and Spa

ECOTOURISM AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
Camping:
The hilly surroundings areas of Valle de Bravo offer ideal conditions for camping outings in totally safe environments.

Ecotourism:
Valle de Bravo’s environs offer ideal spots for observing flora and fauna, hiking and photo safaris.

Extreme sports:
The mountain zone that surrounds Valle de Bravo provides the perfect setting to do various extreme sports, including mountain biking, paragliding and hang gliding. In this area you can even take a flight on an ultra light aircraft.

Fishing:
Valle de Bravo’s main attraction is its lake, where you can practice all kinds of water sports and fishing. Near the town you’ll find another good fishing spots.

Kayaking:
In Valle de Bravo you can enjoy kayaking excursions while you take in the beautiful scenery.

Mountain climbing:
Valle de Bravo is a town surrounded by the mountain ranges of Temascaltepec, Tenayac and Valle de Bravo. At the foothills of these sierras you can set out on a mountain climbing adventure, which allows you to immerse yourself in the beautiful nature.

Outdoor activities:
In Valle de Bravo’s environs you can visit nature reserves, forest zones surrounded by mountains, national parks and recreational areas where you can do outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding and mountain climbing.

Surfing:
Surrounded by a forest, the Valle de Bravo Lake, which covers 2900 hectares (7,163 acres), is a great spot for windsurfing, thanks to the excellent wind and water conditions.

Boating:
At Valle de Bravo Lake you will find numerous places to rent big and small boats.

• Embarcadero Municipal: Just minutes away from Valle de Bravo’s city center, at this place you can rent yachts and other boats, as well as any boating equipment you might need.
• Club de Vela El Zarco: Located on San Gaspar Street, five minutes from downtown Valle de Bravo. This club offers rentals and maintenance for yachts and sailboats.
• Club Nautico y Deportivo de Vela La Peña: Located on Prolongacion 16 de Septiembre. Here you’ll find docking and maintenance service for all kinds of boats.
• Club Nautico El Santuario: Located less than 10 minutes from downtown Valle de Bravo, at Km 4.5 on the Colorines Highway, in the San Gaspar del Lago neighborhood. This club offers docking for yachts and other boats, as well as equipment rentals for water sports.

Golfing:
In Valle de Bravo you’ll find excellent golf courses where you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the lake.

SPAs:
In Valle de Bravo you’ll find resort hotels that offer spa treatments using ancient therapies and new methods designed to take care of your body and mind. One of the best and most recommended is the SPA at the Hotel el Santuario.

ATTRACTIONS:
The Avandaro: Located at six km (four mi) south of Valle de Bravo. This is a forest area with mountains and valleys surrounding a big lake. Here you can go hiking along trails in an area with a wide array of flora and fauna and impressive waterfalls.

The Cascada Rio del Molino (Waterfall River of the Mill): Located 10 minutes from Valle de Bravo, off the Avandaro Highway. This is the perfect place for hiking or a family picnic. Here you will find picnic tables, barbeque grills, a parking lot, restrooms, a restaurant and a handicrafts shop.

The Cascada Velo de Novia (Waterfall the Bride’s veil): Located in the Avandaro district, 15 minutes from downtown Valle de Bravo. At this 35 meter (115 foot) waterfall surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery, you’ll find designated camping grounds, barbeque grills, picnic tables and public restrooms. Here you can go mountain biking along the nature trails. Also, you can go hiking along a tree-lined trail. During the hike, you’ll come across suspended bridges, which serve as excellent lookout points to observe the flora and small cascades. Here you also can go horseback riding.

The Lake at Valle de Bravo: Located in the town of Valle de Bravo. This manmade lake covers a surface area of 21 sq. kilometers (13 sq. miles) and is about 40 meters (132 feet) deep. Here you can catch freshwater fish, such as: Mojarra, trout, carp and largemouth black bass. You can rent all the necessary fishing equipment at the lake. You can also find various places where you can rent all the necessary equipment to do a kayaking outing on the lake’s calm waters or to practice windsurfing.

The Bosencheve National Park: Located 44 km (27 mi) north of Valle de Bravo, off Highway 15. Here you can observe plants and animal species and go hiking in the surrounding areas of the Lagoon El Carmen. You may also catch mojarra and carp.

La Peña (The Rock): located 20 minutes northeast of Valle de Bravo. This is the ideal spot to go paragliding, as it offers an excellent launching pad for aerial sports. At this place you’ll discover a rocky headland that is fairly easy to climb. Trained guides are available to accompany you to assure that you have a safe climb.

The Peñon del Diablo (The rock of the Devil): Located 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Valle de Bravo. This gorge is 600 meters (1,980 feet) deep and has high cliffs that are ideal for climbing.

The Monte Alto Reserve: Located ten minutes from downtown Valle de Bravo, off the highway that leads to the nearby town of Avandaro. This reserve has rustic cabins, recreational areas, fire pits, restrooms, security service and camping grounds where you can pitch tents. At this natural reserve you can observe a wide variety of flora and fauna while hiking or going on a photo safari that departs from the town. Also you can go on 20 km (14 mi) mountain bike tracks and enjoy exciting hang gliding and paragliding adventures. At the launching pad you’ll find trained instructors who will prepare you for the flights and provide all the necessary equipment. Here you will also find ideal spots for mountain climbing, which offer beautiful views. This reserve has great trails for hiking and horseback riding. Along the routes you’ll come across various lookouts that offer lovely views of the lake.

The Rodavento: Located ten minutes from downtown Valle de Bravo, at Km 3.5 on the Valle de Bravo - Los Saucos Highway. At this place you’ll find a platform where you can do rappelling, as well as various routes for mountain bikes and all-terrain vehicles. Here you also can do archery and horseback riding.

The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary: Lays 25 km (15 mi) north of Valle de Bravo, off the highway to Los Saucos. At this majestic place you can go on guided tours and photo safaris through the nesting grounds of the monarch butterfly. Here you can go hiking or horseback riding while observing the monarch butterflies in their natural refuge.

The San Gaspar Zone: Located on the lakeshore, about five minutes from the city center. This spot offers camping facilities, public restrooms, potable water, security services and a beautiful view of the lake and the nearby town.

HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE:
As you walk along the streets full of many years of tradition you’ll see edifices that date back to the colonial era. Among the most notable buildings are:

The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi: Located on Valle de Bravo’s main square. This old parish church is made of stone, adobe, wood and tiles. Some of its original features remain intact, such as its baptismal fountain and a 16th-century statue of St. Francis of Assisi.

The Church of Santa Maria Ahuacatlan: Located in Valle de Bravo’s Santa Maria Ahuacatlan neighborhood. Founded in the 17th century, this church’s main altar features a black Christ statue, which is believed to perform miracles.

The Kiosk: Located on Valle de Bravo’s main square. This is a construction that has wood columns and a red tile roof. It is surrounded by gardens, benches and stalls selling crafts and food.

ARTS AND CRAFTS:
In Valle de Bravo you’ll find ceramics, leather goods, glazed pottery and embroidered textiles made by Mazahua women. You can buy these crafts and much more at the Mercado de Artesanias on Avenue Juarez.

FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS:
Among Valle de Bravo’s most important festivities is the Festival Vallesano, which takes place in March and features numerous sporting and cultural events. On November 15, the city celebrates its founding in the main square. On October 4, Valle de Bravo honors its patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi, with a parade, a traditional costume contest and plows adorned with flowers. At night, a fair is held in the main square, which offers a fireworks show and food stalls.

GASTRONOMY:
On just about every corner of this picturesque town you’ll find all kinds of culinary surprises as you appreciate the food’s beautiful colors and its pleasant aromas. In Valle de Bravo’s main square you can enjoy traditional Mexican fare and the town’s famous homemade ice cream, which comes in many flavors. Among the most popular dishes are rainbow trout and black bass. Also common are artichokes, which are cultivated in this region of the State of Mexico. During your stay, be sure to visit the local market to discover this destination’s rich culinary offering.

MUSEUMS:
In Valle de Bravo there are various museums where you can learn about the lives and works of famous personalities. These places also host diverse cultural events.

The Casa de la Cultura (House of Culture): Located in the downtown area, this cultural center has a library, an auditorium, a cafe and various rooms used for temporary art exhibits. Open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Cultural Center Joaquin Arcadio Pagaza: Located at 201 Joaquin Arcadio Pagaza. Center dedicated to the famous poet Joaquin Arcadio Pagaza, this cultural center has the poet’s personal objects on display, as well as regional, national and international art exhibits. It also offers courses and workshops in fine arts, music and literature as well as a library. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION:
Valle de Bravo has several swimming resorts and recreational areas that are ideal for a family outing.

The Park Alameda del Pueblo: Located in Valle de Bravo, five minutes from the city center. This park has amusement rides for children and a path for bicycling and roller-skating.

The Rodavento: Located ten minutes from downtown Valle de Bravo, at Km 3.5 on the Valle de Bravo - Los Saucos Highway. At this place you’ll find spacious areas for picnics, bicycling or taking walks with the family. There’s also a bicycle path with four difficulty levels that presents a challenge for children and adults alike.

The Thematic (aquatic) Park of Ixtapan de la Sal: Located southeast of Valle de Bravo, off Highway 55. This aquatic park has giant 150 meters (495 foot) water slides. It also offers a wave pool, thermal springs and other aquatic attractions.

NIGHTLIFE:
Valle de Bravo offers various options for a night out, including dim lit bars, or nightclubs where you can dance all night to the rhythms of pop, rock and electronic music. One of the most famous establishments is the Des Artistes bar, which is located in a large house on Francisco Gonzales Bocanegra Street. The first floor of the house is an art gallery where you will see works of national and international artists.

SHOPPING:
On the streets near the main square you’ll find various boutiques selling household furnishings, clothes, accessories and jewelry. You’ll also come across several art galleries. As you walk along the streets you can go window shopping, or visit the municipal market, which is one block from the historic center. There you’ll find a wide variety of food stalls and other items. The best places to purchase crafts are the Casa de las Artesanias, El Centro de Ceramica Carlos Hank Gonzalez and the Mercado de Artesanias on Avenue Benito Juarez.

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