San Luis Potosi

The greater part of the state of San Luis Potosi lies on Mexico's northern central plateau at an average elevation of 1,829 meters, or about 6,000 feet. It is bordered by the states of Queretaro, Guanajuato and Hidalgo, Zacatecas, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and Veracruz. It is only the eastern extremities of the state that dip into the coastal plains and valley of the Panuco River, in the area known as the Huasteca, yielding there a more tropical and humid climate than in the rest of the territory.

Agriculture and livestock raising are practiced particularly in the Huasteca area of San Luis Potosi, yielding mainly maize, beans, sugar cane, barley, coffee, oranges and sour lemons, tuna (cactus fruit) and mangos.

Major cities of San Luis Potosi are the state capital, also called San Luis Potosi, and the cities of Matehuala, Ciudad Valles and Rioverde.

The city of San Luis Potosi, which grew up around the mining industry in an area that was once a great producer of gold, silver, lead and copper, is now a major industrial center and distribution point for both domestic and imported products. Of note to the visitor to the City of San Luis de Potosi are its Cathedral, built in the 18th century; the neoclassic Palacio de Gobierno just off the central plaza, which dates from 1770; the baroque and colorfully tiled domes of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Church of Our Lady of Carmen); the Museo Nacional de la Mascara (National Mask Museum), and the regional crafts to be seen Museo Regional de Arte Popular (Regional Museum of Popular Art) and at Mercado Hidalgo (the Hidalgo market).

Located near Matehuala in the high, dry, rugged north section of the state, are the remnants of the old silver mining town of Real de Catorce, full of legend and mystique. A visit to this town, with its cobblestone access road passing through the narrow, rock-hewn confines of 2.3 km long Ogarrio tunnel, is a fascinating outing for the more adventurous traveler. Of note are its Plaza de Toros (bullfighting ring) and Palenque de Gallos (cockfighting pit); the Chapel of Guadalupe, dating from 1770; the Temple of the Immaculate Conception (Templo de la Purísima Concepción) amd the Jardín Hidalgo.

The Huasteca region of San Luis Potosi is another adventure traveler's dream. It is a region rich with ground water and therefore home to a great many rivers, waterfalls and dramatic and lush landscapes and vegetation as well as abundant fauna. Near Ciudad Valles you can find the waterfalls of Tamasopo and Puente de Dios, among many others, and the Taninul sulphur hot springs and spa. If you are up for extreme adventure, take the opportunity to paraglide or rappel into the yawning mouth of the Sotano de las Golondrinas (Cafe of the Swallows), a gigantic pit cave with a free-fall drop of between 333 and 372 meters (1,094 and 1,220 feet). This cave holds the distinction of being the largest cave shaft, and the 11th deepest pit cave, in the world. An unusual tour also is the visit to the magical, surrealist gardens of Edward James at Las Pozas, just outside of the village of Xilitla in the coffee-growing area of the Huasteca, where the jungle has been made to come alive with fantastic structures, staircases, arches and towers designed by the Englishman on the banks of a delightful, natural stream.

Near Rioverde, take in the scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Laguna de Media Luna (Half Moon lake), as well as plenty of other eco-activities the region has to offer.

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