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Several miles south of Taxco el Viejo, and about 1/4 kilometer off to the west,
is a 'bottomless well' about 8-10 meters in diameter. Legend has it that
substantial numbers of defeated soldiers have been marched into the well
with not even a whiff of bad odor coming back up. Tracer dyes are said to
have been thrown in, with no subsequent outlets being detected in rivers or
the Pacific. Weird little place, but interesting, especially if you have something
you want to hide.
Written May 27, 2006
One of the highlights of any visit to Taxco is the Teleferico (cable car). This Swiss-made cable car runs up to the luxurious Monte Taxco hotel/resort - 175 metres above the town. The views as you slowly inch our way up the mountainside are stunning - looking across the town, with the spires of the Templo de Santa Prisca dominating the skyline. But, as long as you don't suffer from vertigo - look straight down and see the homes built into the hillside, clinging to the bare rocky outcrops.
It's a few dollars for the return trip - worth it for the views alone (repeated once ou get to the top).
Written Mar 10, 2006
As mentioned, Taxco is a town to simply amble around, stopping off at the (very) many silver shops or a coffee/drink and watching the quite frantic pace (all those VW Beetles and 250cc bikes!). You'll need to rest frequently - them there hills are steep. There are a couple of small museums (unfortunately closed when we were there) and, as with most Mexican towns, you'll come across many, many churches as you turn the corner.
Updated Mar 10, 2006
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Two-thirds of the way up the hill from the bus station (and a steep walk it is too) is the stunning Catedral de Santa Prisca and its baroque rose-coloured facade. But inside is even more amazing - its many altarpieces covered in gold and intricately sculpted.
It forms the heart of the town and was built between 1748 and 1758 as a gift from Don Jose de la Borda, a wealthy mine owner who essentially rejuvenated the town after the Spaniards exhausted all the then discovered slver mines in the 16th century
Updated Mar 8, 2006
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Grutas de Cacahuamilpa, near Taxco
Quite simply - stunning. Apparently the 3rd or 4th biggest cave in the world. Trip through it is something in the region of 2kms into the mountain side and parts of the caves reach 80+ metres high. Fairly straightforward to tour - a path runs through the entire cave, but there are a lot of steps. Must tour with a guide, who takes great pleasure in pointing out rock formations (some more obvious than others - you may well disagree!) such as 'champagne bottle' (enormous column where stalagmites and stalagtites have conjoined), 'woman on beach', 'man praying', various animals etc. Until recently, only Spanish guides were available - and you would have to go round in groups of up to 200! An extra service of independent English-speaking guides is now offered and well worth the extra 150 pesos per group (whether its 2 or 10)
Updated Mar 8, 2006
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Grutas are caves within a mountain approx 30min drive from Taxco. We booked a taxi with the hotel and it cost $375 pesos for a round trip taxi ride and for the driver waiting for us for 2 hours.
$40 pesos to get in. There's a guided tour only in Spanish but tour basically consists of the guide tell you what he things the crystalized minerals that are formed look like....just like telling someone what you think the clouds in teh sky look like.
Written Jun 7, 2004
This is a great place to explore on foot, although it can be tiring since it's pretty hilly. But the atmosphere is great, with tiny winding streets that meander all over the place. Not many people own cars here because there's no room to park and the streets are so narrow. Probably 90% of cars are tiny VWs that act as taxis. You could also catch a taxi in the zocalo and ask them to take you up the main hill to the Jesus statue. They'll know what you're talking about. You can also walk to it (like a mini pilgrimage) but it takes a good hour to hike up the city. It's a breath taking view once you get there though. It seems like it would be pretty easy to get lost because the streets don't have any specific pattern to them, but just always try to catch a glimpse of the cathedral in the valley, and you'll be able to figure out which way to go. All streets eventually lead to where you want to go, you just may end up with the scenic route, which is fun too.
Written Oct 8, 2003
To begin, this city is like no other that the entire country has to offer. Although I was only there for a day, I will never forget and hope to visit again one day. It is built on what seems to be a...
I met a man there who owns three dogs, Zulu, Blackie, and Fidel (photo)! Turns out he owned an apartment building, and two friends and I rented an apartment from him for the night for $10 (for all 3...
Eminently picturesque silver city built straddling a hill (so be prepared for some muscle stretching in the legs!) with the colonial buildings clinging to the hillside. Narrow, twisting streets ascend...
Taxco is a small picturesque town in the north of Guerrero. It is about four hours drive from DF. It is famous for its silver, and for this reason it is also a popular tourist attraction.
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