Rioverde is a small city in the south-central part of the state of San Luis Potosi in the Bajio region of central Mexico. The town has a picturesque colonial centro but is most visited by travelers who enjoy natural attractions, like Laguna de la Media Luna.
Understand
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The city has a population of about 60,000 (2020), but the farms and villages in the surrounding municipal areas increases its overstated population to about 100,000.
Get in
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Map of Rioverde
The nearest airport with commercial flights is in San Luis Potosi SLP IATA, which receives mostly domestic flights on Aeromexico, Aerus, and Volaris as well as limited international service on American Airlines from DFW and United from IAH.
By bus
[edit]Rioverde is served by very frequent departures from San Luis Potosi. Autonaves buses leave every 30 minutes during the day and only somewhat less frequently at night. The 150-km trip costs as little as M$200.
- 1 Terminal de Autobuses Rio Verde, Lateral Carr. Rioverde - San Ciro de Acosta, Isla de San Pablo (south side of downtown near intersection of highways MEX-70 and MEX-69), ☏ +52 487 872 6726. 24 hours. Very convenient bus station close to downtown, open 24 hours, with frequent service to regional destinations. Served by regional carriers AutoNaves and Vencedor as well as Frontera and other companies. Station has food service available and clean restrooms that cost M$8 (carry some toilet paper with you).
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- 1 Museo Regional del Rio Verde, Calle Mariano Matamoros 143, Centro. Tu-Sa 10ː00 - 15ː00, closed Su M. Regional history museum with displays explaining historical events and development of the town and its local region. Lots of artifacts including indigenous jewelry and tools, cooking implements from the 17th through early 20th century. Small, but interesting. Most displays are in Spanish only.
- 2 Parroquia de Santa Catarina de Alexandria, Iturbide 2, Centro (next to Zocalo). Historical main church of Rioverde. Franciscan missionaries arrived in Rioverde in the early 17th century, building a smaller church and rectory using adobe. The current church began construction in 1743 and seems to have been almost continually rebuilding and growing ever since, though the church was complete by 1782. The current rectory dates from 1852, replacing the original adobe structure. In 1976, the church's massive 60-m-high bell tower collapsed in a cloud of brick and mortar dust, killing a 13-year-old boy. The bell tower was re-built in 1980. The church is a neoclassical design with ornately painted ceilings in the main nave and numerous paintings, statues, and other religious artwork on its walls, altars, and side chapels.
Do
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People enjoy the outdoors in Rioverde, where there are several parks close to the city with natural attractions within easy driving distance including many waterfalls near Tamasopo, as well as deep caves and mountainous, wooded hiking trails.
- 1 Manantial Media Luna, Ejido el Jabali, ☏ +52 487 101 5874. W-M 08ː00 - 17ː00, closed Tu. Popular recreational park with the Rio Verde running through it and various freshwater springs including those feeding pools at a consistently warm 38 °C. The park includes a large lake for swimming that includes a diving platform. A 50-m-deep pool is used by local scuba divers who enjoy its clear waters. The park has a large free parking area, allows camping, and has food vendors on site. Floats and snorkling masks are available for rent. M$40 for park admission, M$70 to camp.
- 2 Grutas de la Catedral y del Ángel (Cave of the Cathedral and Angel), Rioverde (drive west on highway MEX-70 for about 30 minutes, then look for the sign for the Cathedral entrance, to your left, then continue down the narrow dirt road for about 20 km). Daily 10ː00 - 18ː00. The cathedral cave is an impressively large open space with stagmites, stalactites, and natural formations. A guided cave tour will take about 90 minutes. Sturdy boots and clothing are recommended. Camping on the grounds is allowed and cabanas can be rented. There are numerous hiking trails through the mountainous forests. There's a rustic pavilion, a treehouse, and a swinging suspension bridge. The access road is in rough condition and the caves are about 20 km from the highway, a 4WD truck is recommended, particularly during wet weather. The path through the cave is fairly rough with wet spots and requires some climbing and getting around obstacles. It would be best for visitors in fairly good physical condition. Children older than 5 years old are allowed but those under 5 are not recommended to visit. M$70 (plus tip), M$35 for children (over 5).
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Colon, Comercial Colon 105, Centro. M-Sa 08ː00 - 15ː00, closed Su. The town's traditional Mexican marketplace is full of fresh produce vendors, butchers with fresh meat, and food stalls where you can buy prepared regional dishes at low prices.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Los Carrizos, Leyes de Reforma, Centro. Daily 07ː30 - 13ː30. Bright, clean Mexican breakfast restaurant in downtown Rioverde. Fresh breaked breads like conchas, chilaquiles, and various egg dishes like huevos rancheros. Great fresh brewed coffee. M$200.
- 2 Ruñideros, Francisco I. Madero 1004, Centro, ☏ +52 487 871 2962. Th-Tu 14ː00 - 23ː00, closed W. Casual restaurant with a rock music theme. Serves burgers, sandwiches and grilled meats. Drinks include aguas frescas (served in 1-litre glass) and a selection of locally brewed craft beers. M$200.
- 3 Mariscos 7 Mares, Carr. Río Verde - San Ciro De Acosta, Puente Del Carmen, ☏ +52 487 149 3435. Daily 09ː00 - 21ː00. Clean, modern casual seafood restaurant serving ceviche, big shrimp cocktails, and grilled fish served in a variety of ways. M$200.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 La Querencia, Cuauhtémoc 402, Puente del Carmen, ☏ +52 487 872 2097. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Modern, comfortable hotel with clean rooms. On-site restaurant and outdoor swimming pool available. M$1800.
- 2 El Molino, Porfirio Díaz 1417, Isla de San Pablo, ☏ +52 444 803 7334. Check-in: 14ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Cozy boutique hotel in an old sugar mill. Rooms are spacious, clean, well-equipped and air conditioned. Swimming pool with jacuzzi available. On-site restaurant available. Spacious grounds include volleyball court, soccer field, and playground for kids. Friendly staff. M$1200.
- 3 Hotel La Malanca, Callejon de Los Vasquez S/N, Centro, ☏ +52 487 107 7935. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Cozy hotel with a country feel on the banks of the Rio Verde. Rooms are comfortable and clean. Friendly owners and staff. Swimming pool with bar. On-site restaurant available.
- 4 Hotel Maria Teresa, Insurgentes 425, Centro, ☏ +52 487 872 5482. Check-in: 14ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Basic hotel with dated decor (some rooms have air conditioning, which is offered at an extra charge). Ample off-street parking. On-site restaurant. Cheap rates, but don't expect what you don't pay for. M$800.
Connect
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