How To Get To Las Pozas Mexico
I stumbled upon the well-nigh whimsical, dreamlike sculpture garden nestled in Mexico's rainforest by chance (or algorithm, rather). When planning my trip to the Huasteca Potosina region of the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí, Edward James' Surrealist Garden came upwardly equally a related epitome. I had spent hours researching hidden waterfalls in the region, but Las Pozas was mayhap the near intriguing. Named Las Pozas for the series of pools formed by the waterfalls running through it, Edward James Surrealist Garden in Xilitla is a banquet for the eyes, and a perfect example of nature taking over.
Las Pozas is a figment of imagination come to life by English writer, Edward James. Originally painted in vibrant color, whimsical concrete structures and staircases to nowhere discover themselves intertwined with the rainforest'due south floral and fauna. The sculpture garden is full of symbolism. When the paint wore away from the concrete, management decided not to restore the color as the rainforest had become overgrown with the sculpture garden, forming something entirely new and romantic in its own manner. Now, visitors who manage to brand the trip to the remote mountain town of Xilitla can take guided tours of the property for only a small fee.
Of course, when I came beyond images of Edward James' Surrealist Garden, I had to add together information technology to my Huasteca Potosina itinerary. To this day, information technology'southward notwithstanding 1 of my favorite attractions in Mexico, and one of the virtually unique attractions I've been to in the globe. I've yet to see any other place in the world that could truly exist chosen similar.
Every bit beautiful as this destination is, it's nigh as as confusing to get to. These days, it seems like most of the places I terminate up are. The near stressful trips usually make for the virtually gratifying final destinations, and Las Pozas is no exception. I've made the journeying and worked out the biggest problems you'll encounter. If you're looking to learn more or make the journey for yourself, continue reading!
HOW TO GET TO LAS POZAS – EDWARD JAMES' SURREALIST GARDEN
DRIVING TO LAS POZAS
Like most attractions in La Huasteca Potosina, renting a car and driving is the all-time way to reach Las Pozas is by far. We picked upwards our rental car at the San Luis Potosí aerodrome, and kept information technology for the entire duration of our trip. Click hither to view rental motorcar options at SLP. For the Huasteca Potosina region as a whole, I strongly recommend trying to rent a loftier clearance vehicle or SUV such as a Jeep, if possible. There's a lot of off route driving with very rough road conditions. Our little economy motorcar managed to make information technology through, but non without some tense and uncertain moments.
I stayed in Ciudad Valles, the largest and most cardinal town in the Huasteca Potosina region. Most of the drive between Ciudad Valles and Las Pozas is very straightforward and on the highway. When you begin reaching the sculpture garden, the route narrows and eventually turns into clay. It goes without proverb, but when this happens, drive slowly and with caution. The clay route is filled with tons of potholes. Large stones and roots sally from all over the road, making it easy to get into a less than optimal situation.
Edward James' Surrealist Garden is located only a few minutes from the mountain town of Xilitla, however, and I can't emphasize this plenty, both are very remote. When I describe Xilitla as a mountain town, I really hateful information technology. Call up Positano on steroids, with rougher roads.
About travelers to Las Pozas volition never need to go all the mode to Xilitla if they've purchased tickets online. I, however, did not do that, and then we ended up on a topsy turvy, rollercoaster of a drive to the pinnacle of Xilitla, where the ticket kiosk is. My friend, equally the driver, was less than amused. Me, as the rider, who did non need to navigate the absolute wall of a road we collection up, found Xilitla incredibly charming.
I've honestly never seen a town with such extreme roads. Roads in Xilitla are crazy narrow, are steep plenty to exist the incline on a rollercoaster, and are filled with tight turns. The roads are paved (thank goodness), but are still really bumpy. When you achieve the center of town, it's worth information technology. The town is really cute and I recommend that whatever traveler to Edward James' Surrealist garden takes the time to walk around in that location before or subsequently.
Continue an center on gas during this drive. Xilitla doesn't have a gas station to my noesis, and gas stations are few and far betwixt while driving between Ciudad Valles and Xilitla.
TAXI
Planning on staying in Ciudad Valles? If you don't accept a rental machine, taxi, private commuter, or tour might be your next all-time option. I wouldn't recommend taxi compared to rental auto, as it will likely terminate upward being much more expensive. Taxis are deficient outside of Ciudad Valles. For that reason, if you have a taxi anywhere in La Huasteca, I strongly, strongly recommend that you lot hire the taxi for the full day, and asking that they wait for y'all at your destination. I cannot stress enough that if you don't conform for a taxi to await during the day, you might find yourself stranded and unable to find another.
While researching online, yous might find that private tours and drivers in La Huasteca Potosina are few and far between. Equally San Luis Potosí is still an under-the-radar destination for many international travelers, many local tour agencies still do not take online listings. I recommend reaching out to your reception at your hotel, every bit they likely know of local tour operators who can assist you lot.
If yous are more comfortable arranging a tour in advance online, click below to explore your options!
JARDÍN ESCULTÓRICO EDWARD JAMES HOURS
Edward James' Surrealist Garden is currently open up from 9 am to half dozen pm, Wednesday through Monday. The garden is before long closed on Tuesdays.
LAS POZAS Admission FEE AND TICKETS
Admission to Las Pozas can be purchased in advance online, or in person in Xilitla. Locating the ticket kiosk in Xilitla is simple in theory, stressful in practice. The ticket kiosk is in Xilitla's boondocks square at the peak of the town. Sounds simple, right? In actuality, not so much. As previously mentioned, Xilitla'due south roads are narrow, and extremely vertical. Add an extra half hour to your drive time if yous're trying to reach the town square, considering you might need information technology.
When yous reach the ticket kiosk, y'all'll be asked for which time of entry you would similar. The archway fee at Las Pozas is $125 pesos ($6.15 USD) per person. Included in the cost of admission is the mandatory guided tour.
It's important to know that you cannot purchase tickets at Jardín Escultórico Edward James itself. Speaking from feel, if you reach the entrance to the sculpture garden without purchasing access online or in person, they will turn y'all away and betoken yous towards Xilitla. Reaching the garden requires driving through some bumpy, pothole filled dirt jungle roads. Y'all definitely don't desire to have to drive down those roads more than you need to!
LAS POZAS GUIDED TOURS
If a 3rd party tour grouping tries to get you to book a bout for Edwards James' Surrealist Garden, don't do it. The sculpture garden has their own tour guides, who are incredibly knowledgeable about Edward James, Xilitla, and the history and construction of the sculpture garden.
The only way to view the garden is to go on 1 of Jardín Escultórico Edward James' official guided tours. Previously, complimentary exploration and swimming in the waterfalls and pools was immune, yet due to the global situation, this has changed. The tour is included in the toll of the access, and is a grouping tour. Groups tin be up to 25 people, however we simply had 10 or so on ours.
Tours are offered both in Spanish and in English. Go on in listen that Spanish tours are offered much more frequently than English tours, then if an English tour is a must for you, you lot may end up waiting a few hours for one. The tour itself is an hour and a half, however the tour I was on ran longer.
As only elementary, barely conversational Spanish speakers, nosotros definitely should have been on the English language tour. All the same, our tour guide like shooting fish in a barrel to understand (meaning that I picked up about every third give-and-take, enough to slice together a narrative). Nosotros got lucky enough to meet a few other people who spoke English on the tour. All in all, nosotros ended up having a laugh and making friends with some really wonderful travelers.
WHAT TO BRING TO LAS POZAS
There really isn't anything near Xilitla for miles, so information technology'south important to come prepared for the full mean solar day! Here'south your must haves for Las Pozas:
SUNSCREEN
It goes without saying that as a sculpture garden, Jardín Surrealista de Edward James is completely outdoors. Although overall it is heavily shaded, I do still recommend bringing sunscreen, especially if you program on walking effectually Xilitla, which is full sun!
When in Mexico, I highly recommend using a biodegradable, reef safe sunscreen to production the local surround and aquatic life. Although this isn't relevant to Las Pozas directly, as shortly swimming isn't allowed (although it has been in the past), the Huasteca Potosina is filled with h2o attractions where it's important to exist mindful of this.
BUG SPRAY
Being in the rainforest, bugs are inevitable. When packing, make sure to throw in the bug spray! If packing it isn't an option, I recommend picking information technology up at the Chedraui in Ciudad Valles. Chedraui is like to Walmart and is my get-to for essentials that I may have forgotten to pack, such as a embankment towel, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
SNEAKERS
Las Pozas' dirt and cobbled paths are not platonic for heels or sandals. I did wear flat sandals, which wasn't atrocious, only given the hilly terrain and the fact that you're in the rainforest, I definitely remember sneakers are the way to go. The garden is known to go a scrap of rain, which can brand the stone paths glace. Every bit a general rule of thumb, e'er accept a pair with you in the car when in La Huasteca Potosina, as many attractions require a short hike or climbing over rocks! Regardless, you will be doing some walking, stairs, etc. and so plan accordingly.
My sneaker of pick is ever the APL Techloom Pro. These lightweight tennis shoes are like walking on clouds. I wore these all through Mexico with no issue.
H2o
In that location are some concessions stands and restaurants exterior of the entrance to Las Pozas where you tin can buy bottled water if needed. Notwithstanding, with a long drive to and from Ciudad Valles, yous may want to pack some actress. If you lot want to become a more than environmentally friendly route, buy big water jugs to refill a reusable water canteen, or bring a personal h2o purifier. Note that for Mexico, your h2o filter needs to be able filter out or purify bacteria specifically, not but clay and particles.
Officially, the garden does not allow any food or beverage into the premises, with the exception of bottled water.
CAMERA
Whether on your phone or a DSLR, you lot're definitely going to want to bring a camera! Edward James' Surrealist Garden is ane of the almost interesting photograph locations that I've been to in Mexico. I shot this garden on a Sony A7III with a kit lens. Exit the drone and GoPro at home. When I went, drones were not allowed at Las Pozas, and frankly, there's so much tree coverage that information technology would be hard to fly ane well anyway. Despite Las Pozas translating into "The Pools," there's no swimmable h2o at Edward James' Surrealist Garden, besides negating the need for a GoPro.
Be mindful that the garden does non permit videography at this time. The garden also does not allow the use of tripods.
Cash
Cash is king in La Huasteca Potosina. Whether you demand to refill on gas, purchase entrance tickets, or finish for a snack, you lot'll need cash. When withdrawing cash in Mexico, I always recommend using an ATM at an actual bank, or at a Chedraui to avert being scammed. Chedraui stores are guarded with armed baby-sit, both periodically throughout the day, and all night, making them a safe bet for ATM use. In the region, I recommend withdrawing cash in Ciudad Valles at Chedraui before going anywhere. The towns surrounding Huasteca Potosina attractions are very small and exercise not accept bank locations or big box stores.
WHERE TO STAY FOR LAS POZAS IN LA HUASTECA POTOSINA
POSADA EL CASTILLO
Although many tourists to La Huasteca Potosina know of Las Pozas, few realize that Edward James' place of residence in Xilitla still exists, and is now operating every bit a hotel. The firm was built by Plutarco Gastélum, who was Edward James' collaborator in building the garden. Originally, El Castillo was Gastélum'south family unit dwelling. The Gastélum family unit however maintains and runs the property today. Guests will notice that the beautiful home has some of the same architectural features as Las Pozas. Beingness in Xilitla, the house also has stunning views of the Sierra Gorda mountains.
For those staying elsewhere, Posada El Castillo does offering tours for $100 pesos per person. Tours terminal approximately 40 minutes, and are available between one and vii pm.
HOTEL TAPASOLI
Looking for a hotel in Xilitla that's nestled in nature with cute views? Look no further than Hotel Tapasoli. This charming boutique hotel is known for its nest style rooms, and cozy, den style villas built into the mountain. Unlike Posada El Castillo, this property is surrounded past rainforest and right in nature.
HOTEL CASA ORTIZ
Edward James' Surrealist Garden is one of the furthest destinations from Ciudad Valles, all the same if you lot're interested in exploring other Huasteca Potosina attractions, Ciudad Valles is the best city to stay in. Ciudad Valles is central to many attractions, then even though you'll still have a bit of a drive, you won't exist driving more than than three hours whatsoever management.
I stayed at Hotel Casa Ortiz in Ciudad Valles. This charming boutique hotel is located on a safe, quiet residential street only a couple blocks from the main road. The hotel's intimate restaurant is just across the street. At $40 a dark, Hotel Casa Ortiz is a fantastic value for the price, and one of the best hotels in Ciudad Valles. To read my full review of Hotel Casa Ortiz, click hither. Ready to volume? Click below to explore availability and rates for your dates.
MORE TO Practise IN LA HUASTECA POTOSINA, SAN LUÍS POTOSI, MEXICO
- Cascada el Salto
- Casacadas de Tamasopo
- Cascada el Meco
- Cascada de Tamul
- Cascadas de Micos
Looking to combine Edward James' Surrealist Garden with another La Huasteca Potosina attraction in San Luis Potosí? We did Las Pozas in the morning, and so hiked to Cascada de Tamul in the afternoon. Read my guide to viewing one of La Huasteca Potosina'south almost impressive waterfalls by clicking hither.
WHAT TO Wear IN LA HUASTECA POTOSINA
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Source: https://www.eva-darling.com/2022/01/how-to-visit-las-pozas-xilitla-mexico.html
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