Amealco

Amealco (also known as Amealco de Bonfil) is a town in the Bajio region of Mexico in Querétaro state. Known for its colonial era charm, its Otomi traditions, and its rustic natural ambience with mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. Amealco is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.

Understand
Amealco is an historic Otomi indigenous community and the greater municipal area (county) includes 34 villages populated by Otomi, many speaking their traditional language. The Spanish established Amealco as a city in 1538. Logging became an important industry for the town during the 19th century when thousands of hectares of neaarby forest were cut down to supply wood to Mexico City and for export to France and the United States.

Amealco is best known for the Maria dolls made by local Otomi women. These rag dolls are typically handmade and sold in mercados and artesania shops throughout Mexico, but especially in the state of Querétaro.

Get in
Getting to Amealco takes 1 hr 15 min by car or bus.

By car
Drive south from Querétaro on highway QRO 400 for about 65 km until you reach federal highway MEX 120. Turn right and continue about 10 km and you'll be in Amealco.

By bus
Transportes Amealcenses operates several daily buses from the Querétaro bus station. Tickets start at M$50 (Jan 2024).



See



 * Parroquia Santa Maria — neoclassical church built in the late 19th century
 * Museo de la Muñeca Artesanal (Museum of Artesanal Dolls) — small museum that tells the story of Amealco's most iconic folk craft, colorful rag dolls with black hair and colorful ribbons
 * Hacienda la Muralla
 * Hacienda Galindo

Do
Amealco is set in a mountainous region with nearby forests and streams. It is a popular destination for outdoor activities including:


 * Camping
 * Mountain biking
 * Hiking
 * Ecotourism
 * off-road ATV trails



Buy
Amealco is home to a large indigenous Otomi population, many of whom practice traditional folkcraft traditions including clay ceramics, weaving and embroidery, and making rag dolls known as Marias. The Maria dolls are particularly significant as an icon of Amealco's Otomi community. Artesania shops and local markets sell blouses, Maria dolls, and other crafts.



Eat
Be aware that many restaurants and street food vendors are only open a few days per week, often just on weekends. There are always a few restaurants open though and most hotels include on-site restaurants serving three meals per day. The Mercado Municipal includes a wide variety of vendors selling some of the most authentic regional cuisine.







Sleep






Go next

 * Tequisquiapan
 * Querétaro
 * Bernal
 * San Juan del Rio