Major city · Mexico
San Joaquín
Spend a half‑day to a full day in San Joaquín for its waterfalls, caves and Huapango culture; stay overnight only if you want park camping.
San Joaquín is a Pueblo Mágico in the Serra Gorda mountains, known for outdoor recreation and Huapango dance. It lies 2 h 15 min by car from Querétaro city and 3 h by bus. The town’s main sights – waterfalls, caves and archaeological sites – are clustered near the centre, making walking or short taxi rides sufficient. One day covers the highlights; an extra night adds camping in Campo Alegre National Park.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Sep (hot, rainy)
- Airport
- Querétaro Intercontinental (QRO)
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for San Joaquín911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Joaquín, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch belongings on buses and stay on marked trails at waterfalls.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 065 Medical emergencies
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportQRO Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (Bus or car 2 h 15 min to town).
- Getting aroundWalking covers the town centre; taxis are cheap for the waterfalls and caves a few km out.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (≈5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (≈3.1 mi (5 km))M$120–180
- Museum or sight ticketCascadas Maravillas entryM$45
- Budget bedCamping cabin in Campo Alegre National Park, a night, per roomMX$400 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomMX$900 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomMX$1,400 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$500 (≈ US$30) · Mid MX$800 (≈ US$45) · High MX$1,200 (≈ US$65)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- QRO Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (Bus or car 2 h 15 min to town)
Map of San Joaquín
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- San Joaquín
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Pinal de Amoles · 19 km straight line
- Jalpan · 26 km straight line
- Zimapán · 31 km straight line
- Cadereyta · 46 km straight line
- Bernal · 52 km straight line
- Tecozautla · 52 km straight line
- Ezequiel Montes · 53 km straight line
- Ixmiquilpan · 60 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Joaquín: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking covers the town centre; taxis are cheap for the waterfalls and caves a few km out.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jalpan
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus from San Joaquín, about 1 h 30 min
Historic town with additional waterfalls
Xilitla
cautionDoor to door: ≈4 h
Bus to Querétaro then regional bus, ≈3 h total
Long travel; best for a dedicated day
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Mesón Doña Lupe
Clean, large rooms; central location
Hotel Rosita
Fuchsia pink building; very low rates
Florida Inn
Comfortable, low‑price rooms in La Laguna
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$500–800 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$800–1,200 excl. bed
- High
- M$1,200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × MX$900 | MX$900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$800 | MX$1,600 |
| Bus Querétaro → San Joaquín (round‑trip)2 × MX$320 | MX$640 |
| Entrance to Cascadas Maravillas2 × MX$45 | MX$90 |
| eSIM data for a week2 × MX$350 | MX$700 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$393 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,162 per person per day, bed included | MX$4,323≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in Mexican pesos; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus fare Querétaro → San Joaquín | M$160 |
| Cascadas Maravillas entry | M$45 |
| Meal at El Otatal (burger, fries) | M$80–120 |
| Taxi within town (≈5 km) | M$120–180 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus from Querétaro runs every 4 h; M$160 fare.
- Cascadas Maravillas can be slippery after rain; wear sturdy shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Medical emergencies
- 065
Pocket card
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San JoaquínSan Joaquín
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Emergency
- Police911
- Medical emergencies065
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Querétaro → San Joaquín bus: M$160, about 3 h
- Taxi town centre → Cascadas Maravillas: ≈M$150–180
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Joaquín. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Sep (hot, rainy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Campo Alegre National Park for camping (check permit).
- Combine with a visit to nearby Jalpan for a two‑day mountain loop.
Sources
Ask about San Joaquín
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