Mexico's Central Highlands: 6 Underrated Towns Most Tourists Skip
Most travelers stop at Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende and call it a trip. This route goes further — through silver-mining ghost towns, jungle sinkholes, and "Magic Towns" almost nobody outside Mexico has heard of. Here's what six stops taught me about where to linger, what to skip, and how to string it all together.
Meta description: A first-hand route through Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Zacatecas, and Ciudad Valles — what's actually worth your time, what to skip, and how to sequence it.
Most people planning a Mexico trip stop at Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende and call it done. But the Central Highlands stretch much further — through silver-mining ghost towns, jungle sinkholes, and "Magic Towns" barely anyone outside Mexico has heard of. Here's what six stops taught me about where to spend more time, where to skip, and how to string them together.
1. Guanajuato
This was the place I was most excited about in the Central Highlands, and the Pipila viewpoint really is stunning, especially in the evening once the city lights come on. You can walk up to the viewpoint, but honestly I wouldn't bother unless your hotel is very close — it's easy to get turned around on the way up (a dog chased me barking the whole time), and the funicular is fast and cheap anyway. The University of Guanajuato and the Alley of the Kiss don't take long to see, and you could technically do the whole old town in a day, but I wouldn't recommend rushing it if you have the time. There are tons of cafes to just sit at, and the old town gets lively at night too. If you have extra time, Plazuelas or Hacienda Tequilera de Corralejo (both near Irapuato) are worth a look — but Irapuato itself isn't that special by Mexican standards, so skip it if you're short on time.
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Three days, two nights, $230 total including flights, hotel, food, and entry fees — and it felt more restorative than a night at a beach resort. A full Sukhothai guide covering ancient ruins with zero crowds, sunrise at a hilltop Buddha, and exactly how to get there.
2. San Miguel de Allende
My favorite spot in the Central Highlands by far, way beyond what I expected. It felt quieter, more refined, and more beautiful than Guanajuato. If your time is limited, I'd actually give San Miguel more days than Guanajuato. There's no single must-see landmark here — it's more about wandering the old town and soaking in the atmosphere. For food: Tío Lucas Restaurante Bar (Mexican-style grilled meats, great vibe) and Quince, which has a rooftop with a direct view of the church. San Miguel also has a lot of local boutique art shops, so if you're into Mexican art you'll probably love it here. History fans can day-trip to Dolores Hidalgo, the birthplace of Mexican independence — barely any foreign tourists there, almost all domestic visitors.
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3. San Luis Potosí
I only spent two nights here. Very few tourists, and it doesn't have Guanajuato's bright colors or San Miguel's polish, but the local culture feels stronger and more authentic. If you're into Mexican history, this is worth checking out. I spent one day in the city and the other visiting Armadillo de los Infante or the abandoned silver mining ghost town Real de Catorce.
4. Querétaro
If you have time on the way from Mexico City to Guanajuato, Querétaro is worth a one-day stop. It's more modern, with a lot of high-rises and some genuinely interesting museums. I've passed through here many times and almost always stop for a day. What surprised me most wasn't the city itself, though — it was the small towns around it: Tequisquiapan, Amealco, Cadereyta, San Joaquín. Colorful and peaceful. A lot of Mexico's officially designated "Pueblos Mágicos" (Magic Towns) are actually in the Querétaro area, but most people head straight to bigger names like San Miguel or Guanajuato and skip these entirely.
5. Zacatecas
I'd heard Zacatecas wasn't the safest, so I based myself in a hotel in the city and did day tours out to nearby towns like Fresnillo and Sombrerete during the day. Also worth doing: Los Cardos Adventure Park just outside Zacatecas for kayaking and rappelling, and Sierra de Órganos National Park, a canyon area with trails through wind-eroded rock formations — though I wouldn't make a special trip just for that last one.
6. Ciudad Valles
Amazing, and a completely different vibe from everything above. No history or culture here, just jaw-dropping nature. It felt almost magical, especially Las Pozas (Edward James) and Sótano de las Huahuas. The town itself doesn't feel like typical Mexico at all — more like a village in the Andean highlands. Tons of hiking trails, rock climbing, and rappelling. A genuinely underrated hidden gem.
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