Experience Val’Quirico: Things to do + How to Make the Most of Your Visit
If you’re craving delicious food with beautiful small-town views of Popocatepetl and La Malinche volcanoes, Val’Quirico, also known as Valle de Quirico, is the best of both worlds.
Val’Quirico blends Mexico’s Pueblan Santa Agueda hacienda magic and quaint medieval European village charm. There are many unique opportunities for things to do in Val’quirico.
I will go over how to make the most of your visit to this charming hidden gem.
What Is Val’Quirico and Why You Should Visit It
Suppose you’re starting your journey in Central Mexico’s state, Tlaxcala.
Although there are plenty of wondrous places to discover in Central Mexico, I strongly recommend taking a short drive from Puebla to find this hidden gem.
In just 30 minutes along the Puebla-Tlaxcala highway outside of Puebla, you will find yourself traveling back in time and arriving smack dab in the middle of what looks and feels like Tuscany, Italy.
Who would have ever thought you could get the medieval architecture, gourmet European cuisine, and old-town Tuscany experience right in the middle of Mexico!?
This hidden gem of Mexico is the inspiration born from Mexican real estate company Grupo aBanza. Fond of French decor and Tuscany estates, the ideas fit perfectly into the commercial project Val’Quirico.
The former hacienda de Santa Agueda was renowned for its dairy production, which provided Latin America with the finest pasteurized dairy products of the 18th century.
However, as the hacienda ended with fame, habitable living spaces and San Quirico d’Orcia-inspired brick and wood buildings quickly emerged in 2014.
As a result, what was once a landscape of agriculture and dairy ex-hacienda is now a neighborhood for cobbled street residency and souvenir entertainment.
And aside from the architecture, the town’s layout includes the small-town feel everyone loves about Tuscan towns– beautiful, quaint, friendly, and pasta.
The land divides into the residential Bosque, Fresno, Laurel, and Las Mercedes. And the tourist epicenter, Centro, is where you see Italy meets Mexico or pasta meets salsa.
But food isn’t the only thing drawing visitors into Val’Quirico.
The town is also home to permanent residents, the historic landmark of the ex-hacienda ruins in Santagueda, and the cultural impact of Italy in the form of dolce-far-niente– the sweet art of idleness.
How To Make the Most of Your Visit
When searching for the best ways to create the most of your visit to Val’Quirico, start your trip to Puebla.
Although Tlaxcala City is the capital of the Mexican state of Tlaxcala, Greater Puebla is one of the largest urban areas in Mexico. And historians consider the Metropolitan area of Puebla one of the most ancient cities in the world, with pre-Columbian Cholula and pre-Hispanic origins.
The Cholula de Rivadavia hosts the mud-brick Great Pyramid of Cholula or Tlachihualtepetl, west of Puebla.
Also known as the most important ancient site of a pyramid in the New World, according to Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.
Around Tlachihualtepetl, you will also stumble upon the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios, or Our Lady of Remedies Church, built upon the pyramid.
The 12th-century neoclassical two-domed sanctuary is dressed in brada stone and 24-carat gold leaf laminilla.
In contrast, the inside of the altar was elegantly blessed with heavenly depictions by the hand of painter Alfonso de Villasana.
And the best time to visit Our Lady of Remedies chapel is during the colorful 100-year-old Cholula Festival of the Virgin. Where food, dancing, large floral arrangements, and figures of the Virgin alongside her saints gather the Cholula streets at the end of August.
However, there is much more to explore in the Val’quirico area. After you’ve soaked in the culture in Pueblo, it’s time to venture into Santagueda by way of the highway into Mexico City.
The Best Things To Do in Val’quirico
Once you’ve arrived in Santagueda, welcome to Val’quirico– the small town with big Mexi-European cuisine flavors and medieval La Toscana-inspired architecture.
Before you start to unwind from your roaming the big city, quickly grab your itinerary and pen and paper… or maybe just bookmark this page. 😉 You’ll want to remember the best things to do while in Val’quirico.
Visit the Hacienda
Although the formed Hacienda de Santa Agueda underwent a significant renovation and transformed into the new town known as Val’Quirico, the hacienda ruins remain.
The building resembles the classic porfiriato era architecture incorporating stone, brick, and terra cotta-scarlet arches.
The houses also combine French art nouveau ornate backdropped by the beautiful Mexican countryside of Quirico Valley.
Although you can view the hacienda from Val’Quirico, it is best to book yourself a private tour to get the full historic experience of the beautiful hacienda.
Plus you get to see (and smell) the amazing lavender fields, check out the museum and chapel, and truly experience all that Val’Quirico has to offer.
To save you some time, here is the best tour I have found at the lowest price:
👉 Click HERE
to Book Your Private Tour of Val’Quirico
Rent a Bicycle
Val’quirico is small enough to explore by walking, but renting a bike feels more adventurous if you’re up for it.
La Birota offers bicycle rentals, a recreational court, and a cafeteria to enjoy delicious food that compliments your stay with a warm welcome and a full belly.
Renting a bike can help you quickly access the nonprofit Santuario de Aves bird sanctuary, where you can find parrots, owls, eagles, and other beautiful raptor rescues.
Or visit the Amarte galleria Contemporanea to support local and contemporary Mexican artists. And that’s only part of what you can see.
You can cut across the bike tracks and explore the architecture at your own pace or opt for a guided tour to help you discover the best of Val’Quirico.
However, if you venture during the day, carry a bottle of water with you. Or get yourself a good quality hydration pack that can double as a backpack to carry your phone, wallet, and other gear.
The afternoons tend to be hot! On the other hand, evening tours can often feel cool and magical, with warm streetlights that fill the town.
Shop for Souvenirs
If you don’t bring home a souvenir from Val’Quirico, did you even go to Val’Quirico?
Aside from all of the pictures you’ll probably take, Quirico Valley has many boutiques of hand-crafted goods that will totally induce some heartfelt nostalgia for your time spent in the beautiful town.
You can find luxury-grade woven ponchos and macrame at Immacolata. Or take home traditional Tlaxcala cookware and fine jewelry made by local artists at Tlax’arte.
Check out these other boutiques to make your stay in Val’Quirico that much better:
- Intuition Jewelry
- Spazio Holistic
- Solo Piel
- Canta Lienzo
All your souvenir finds in the Centro quarter near daily entertainment and excellent eats.
Where To Stay While in Val’quirico
Val’Quirico is one of the only smallest medieval-inspired villages in the Tlaxcala, and so is the housing.
Therefore, when you’re looking to book your stay in the village, it is best to book your stay a few months in advance– Never expect an available room when planning your visit to this highly desired countryside.
The Best Affordable Stay in Puebla
When you’re on a budget finding an affordable stay is accessible at the Fiesta Inn Puebla Finsa. It is the best and cheapest hotel in the Puebla area, with easy access to Val’Quirico by car.
It riddles with free parking, a pool, bar and lounge, family activities, airport transportation amenities, and 24-hour front desk access and room service.
If food is the highlight of your trip, the Fiesta Inn won’t let you down. The Inn strategically sits within the vicinity of the best restaurants in Puebla– Moncayo Cocina de Fuegos and Pinche & Chef.
The Best Unique Stay in Val’Quirico
📍 Hotel Pietro Santo ValQuirico
The Hotel Pietro Santo Val’Quirico offers guests the gift of total immersion into Val’Quirico right in the center.
Although they do not accommodate single parties, the stay is ideal for couples, friends, and families who want to feel comfortable and spoiled simultaneously.
Whether in a loft or a suite, the goal of Hotel Pietro Santo ValQuirico is luxury. Balconies, city views, and a private bathtub are all you need when dolce-far-niente in Quirico Valley.
Their vast list of amenities includes access to horseback riding, time machine photography options, and local events like a live music show, all within walking and biking distance.
However, Hidalgo Park and the unique Frida Kahlo House Museum attractions are easily accessible by car.
Best Boutique Hotel in Val’Quirico
If you’re traveling to Mexico but have never been to Italy, you would imagine cobblestone alleys, tall buildings of wood and brick, balconies with tiny house gardens, and romantic tunnels you walk around the city.
Instead, everything you imagined about medieval-aged Italy is in Mexico at the Villa Toscana.
A home away from home, the Villa Toscana is the spacious luxury lofts and suites you want to sleep in when you’re ready to take a break from the busy city side of Mexico.
The villa nestles between majestic views of the ancient Malinche and Popocatepetl volcanoes and the rolling hills around them.
And when you thought your stay couldn’t get any better, the villa is nearby some of the most exotic foods in the area, such as Out of Africa and El Meson de Tourino.
But before you get to the food finale, remember to book a guided tour to experience the genuine hospitality of Val’Quirico, Mexico.
Best Hotel Stay for Singles Near Val’Quirico:
Unlike most hotels near Val’Quirico that require a minimum of two guests to book a reservation, Hotel Cacaxtla lets single parties escape the busy city center near the heart of Cacaxtla’s 1,000-year-old archaeological zone.
Cacaxtla is just 24 minute drive north of Val’quirico by car. However, the town is not accessible by bus and must require van accommodation that the hotel happily offers.
The hotels offer terrace views of the Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes that perfectly pair with their exquisite Mexi-international cuisine at the bar and restaurant.
And if you’re visiting the hotel in summer, remember to visit the Sanctuary of Luciernagas between June and July.
This Sanctuary of the Fireflies is about a one-hour drive north of the hotel in Nanacamilpa. However, the long drive is truly an unforgettable experience to add to your Val’Quirico visit.
Best Places To Eat in Val’quirico
Val’quirico is full of flavor surprises that range from gastronomia mexicana, sushi, autentica cocina italiana, auténtica cocina argentina, restaurante frances, and autentica cocina italiana.
However, suppose you’re only in town for a few days. In that case, you will not regret eating at La Luna Sul Mare Cucina Italiana Mediterranea, Meson De Los Reyes restaurant Espanol, and La Corona Tacos & Tragos.
La Luna Sul Mare
La Luna Sul Mare specializes in stirring up Italian Mediterranean cuisine that is not the typical ma-and-pop pasta and pizza home cooking.
Instead, they serve visitors and food enthusiasts unique yet traditional pasta recipes with fresh fermented dough baked in a wooden oven.
And just like their bread, their pizza is inquisitively approved with the finest imported Italian ingredients.
Other delicious flavors your taste buds can discover at La Luna Sul Mare are pistachio pizza and Tartufo sauce with a black and white truffle oil base.
Meson De Los Reyes
Since 2016, the 2022 Travel & Hospitality Award-nominated Spanish restaurant Meson De Los Reyes has been all about Mexican-Spanish cuisine– paella, oxtail, and cabrales sauce.
Their food deeply reflects the intimate relationship between Mexico and Spain, not just with the language but with the flavors and dishes they choose to serve at the restaurant.
La Casona Tacos & Tragos
The simplicity of the same La Casona Tacos and Tragos is the same as their menu– gastronomic crafted best-meat tacos and original Mexican drinks.
In addition, you’ll discover the delicious flavor of their famous picana, delicate marrow consomme. Plus unique seasonal cocktails that you’ll never forget.
However, the restaurant has a spin on the deliciously ‘poison taco’. That thing will make you want to leave Val’Quirico on a sweet note with their perfect cheese and caramel pie.
One day at La Casona Tacos y Tragos is not enough to enjoy the flavors. So be sure to taste as much as you can.
How To Get to Val’Quirico
You can arrive in Val’Quirico by bus or car. In addition, uber and taxi options are available for a hefty fee.
My personal preference is to rent my own vehicle. It gives me much more freedom. And to be quite honest, I just don’t like to pay tons of cash for other people to drive me around.
If you prefer to rent a motorcycle or scooter in Mexico, find your perfect rental 👉HERE.
If you prefer to rent a car, van, or other vehicle in Mexico, click 👉HERE for your perfect rental.
Arriving to Val’Quirico from Tlaxcala
Traveling to the town by car or motorcycle will take about 30 minutes from Puebla, Tlaxcala, by way of the Puebla-Tlaxcala highway towards Mexico City. Before you reach the Puebla mall, take a detour to Xoxtla for one mile until you arrive at Val’Quirico.
You will know you’ve reached the village when Tuscan-style buildings surround you.
And if you don’t plan on renting a car, and you aren’t up for renting a motorcycle or scooter, you can access the village by bus. Hop on the bus heading toward Xoxtla via the Mexico-Puebla highway.
Once you arrive in Xoxtla, ask your taxi or van driver to take you to Val’Quirico towards Nativitas.
Traveling to Val’Quirico From Mexico City
Hop in your car or on your motorcycle and start driving on the Mexico-Puebla highway for about two and a half hours towards the Xoxtla exit near the Puebla outlet.
Then take the Santa Agueda exit and arrive in Val’Quirico.
Nomads riding the bus should take the bus heading towards the Mexico-Puebla highway and Xoxtla. From Xoxtla, take a van to Nativitas towards Val’Quirico.
Getting to Val’Quirico, Leaving Puebla
Get in the car or on your motorcycle and head towards the San Miguel Xoxtla exit on the Mexico-Puebla highway for about forty minutes. Then, drive straight and arrive in Santa Agueda.
However, to get to Val’Quirico by bus, you must get on a bus heading towards San Miguel Xoxtla from the Station Central De Autobuses CAPU terminal. The journey is about thirty minutes.
Tips for Visitors
Val’Quirico is a rich Italian-Spanish influence that is so new and exciting that you may forget that you’re visiting Mexico.
However, Quirico Valley is still in Mexico, so before you add any more events to your itinerary, absorb these quick tips for a smooth sailing trip into Val’Quirico.
Learn Some Useful Spanish Phrases
Although Val’Quirico is a popular tourist destination where most people can communicate by speaking English, Val’Quirico is on the outskirts of Pueblo.
That means that while you’re in the Tlaxcala state, you’ll probably be using a few Mexican-Spanish phrases here and there.
A few helpful phrases to practice before you get on the airplane include:
- Hello, how are you?
- Please and Thank you.
- Do you speak English?
- I don’t speak Spanish.
- Where is –the bathroom, downtown, the park?
- I need a beer, please
- One shot of tequila
- I ran out of toilet paper
Learning Mexican-Spanish can help you connect with locals. And you’ll feel less like an outsider, and better understand your surroundings, especially when you’re wandering between areas for tourists.
Google Translate was our best friend while traveling in Mexico. I highly recommend using it or any translation app right on your phone.
Purchase Mexico Travel Insurance
Whether you live close to the border in Cali or as far away east as New York, purchasing travel insurance for yourself and your belongings is always important.
The right insurance can help protect your wellness from unforeseen medical and non-medical emergencies. Especially if you’re a nomad with an itinerary that involves a lot of traveling.
And if you’re renting a car in Mexico, add car insurance.
I strongly recommend using Discover Cars for any car or vehicle rental in Mexico. They can easily include the vehicle insurance you need, so it’s less hassle for you and a much smoother process.
👉 Click Here
To Book Your Car Rental
Have Your Own Vehicle in Mexico?
If you are like us, you brought your own vehicles to Mexico. We rode our little 125cc Honda Monkey motorcycles all the way from North Dakota through Mexico and Central America. And although they don’t get up to super high speeds, they were the perfect bike for the journey.
There are many similarities between driving in Mexico and the US, such as freeways, tolls, signaling to pass, and moving over to the shoulder to make way for emergency vehicles.
However, there are some differences you should be aware of in order to ensure a safe drive through Mexico.
For example, the road signs are in Spanish, and the metric system uses weights and measures, unlike the US Imperial system.
That means the mileage checkpoints measure in kilometers, not miles– so keep an eye on the speed limit.
In addition, Mexican drivers don’t necessarily use turn signals as they do in the US. When in doubt– get car insurance.
If you are driving your vehicle or riding your motorcycle through Mexico, the best insurance company to use is Baja Bound.
They have outstanding customer service, and the online process is so straightforward and simple to use. I strongly recommend it for any insurance in Mexico.
👉Get Your Free Quote from Baja Bound
This Beautiful, Unique Town is SMALL
While there is plenty to see and do, it’s not a huge city. So if you’re looking for a bustling metropolis, Val’quirico may not be the right place for you.
That said, Val’quirico is a beautiful town with a rich history and culture. It is the absolutely perfect day trip from Puebla or Mexico City.
I LOVE day trips that explore hidden gems and unique islands in Mexico. That’s why I can’t recommend visiting Val’Quirico and exploring all of the things to do enough.
This charming town is easily accessible from the center of Mexico. Plus it has such a relaxing vibe and you can truly explore at your own pace.
There are plenty of things to see and do. From exploring the old city center to hiking in the surrounding hills.
And don’t forget to sample the local cuisine! Val’quirico’s food is some of the best in Italy, (I mean Mexico’s Italy).
Beautiful Quaint Val’Quirico Awaits
Now that your travel bag includes the best travel tips, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and best stays near Val’Quirico, you’re ready to book your stay in the quaint Mexi-Tuscan town.
So pack your bags, grab your itinerary and passport, and have safe travels through the beautiful country of Mexico, my friends!
Remember to bookmark this page for your future travel plans, and please feel free to share with me your favorite adventures in Quirico Valley.