Real de Catorce is a town in the state of San Luis Potosí, in central-northern Mexico. Once a booming silver mining settlement, it now feels remote and quiet, with a ghostly, desert character that draws visitors looking for something different.
What to expect
The town's cobblestone streets wind between crumbling colonial buildings, and much of the place has the feel of a Wild West settlement that has slowed to a stop. Walking through it is the main activity, and the mood of the streets, with their old stone and open desert light, is a large part of the appeal.
Getting there
Access is part of the experience. The town can only be reached through a narrow mountain tunnel, which sets it apart from the places around it and gives a sense of arriving somewhere removed from everyday life.
The surrounding desert
Real de Catorce is a gateway to the Wirikuta desert, which is considered sacred by the Huichol people. Visitors who go out into the surrounding landscape should keep in mind that this is a holy place to a living community, and approach it with respect.
Is it for you?
- Good for travellers who enjoy quiet, atmospheric towns and historic streets.
- Suits people interested in the mining past of the region and in the desert landscape around it.
- Best for visitors willing to accept a remote setting, with the journey in and out forming part of the trip.
