3 of the Best Weekend Getaways from Mexico City

1: Valle de Bravo - A Lakeside Retreat

The first destination to consider for your weekend getaway is Valle de Bravo. It’s just a two-hour drive away from Mexico City, and the town’s biggest attraction is that it’s adjacent to the huge Lake Avándaro. The journey there is straightforward and easy, and it’s even well-served through public transportation, with regular buses leaving from Poniente Bus Station.

Once in Valle de Bravo, prepare yourself for exhilarating water-based activities. Lake Avándaro gets a lot of traffic, with sailing boats cruising around and fishermen patiently awaiting their next catch. The area is also renowned for activities like paragliding and hang gliding. If you feel like getting your blood pumping, this is the way to get the best views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Many of Mexico’s wealthy have houses in this area, so you can expect a lot of luxury. This is especially evident at restaurants like Restaurante los Pericos and hotels like Hotel Rodavento, but there are also plenty of budget-friendly options scattered throughout town. In fact, staying at a charming lakeside cabin rather than an upscale hotel could even make the experience all that more immersive.

2: Puebla’s Colour and Culture

The next weekend travel destination that should be on your radar is the captivating city of Puebla. Just like Valle de Bravo, it’s only two hours away by car, and this city’s historical significance and colonial architecture have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

As you stroll through the city’s streets, you’ll be in awe of masterpieces like the Cathedral of Puebla and the Chapel of the Rosary, while the nearby city in the state of Puebla, Atlixco, will leave you in no doubt as to why the region is described as colourful.

Beyond Puebla’s architecture and its colours, you’ll also find that the city is a foodie’s paradise. Most notable is mole poblano, a rich sauce made from spices, chilli peppers, and chocolate. This sauce is synonymous with Puebloan cuisine, and it’s often considered a national dish of Mexico.

3: Cuernavaca - The City of Eternal Spring

Cuernavaca is known fondly as the City of Eternal Spring largely because of its moderate and comfortable climate. All year round, the weather is warm but not too hot, and the city is filled with greenery. It offers a slower pace of life than the bustling big city, and a chance to get back around nature without having to travel too far away.

You can be in Cuernavaca in less than 90 minutes from Mexico City, and before you know it, you’ll be visiting the Palace of Cortés and contemplating all the history of the region. This is one of the best places in all of Mexico to learn about both the pre and post-Spanish conquest history of the country.

To complement Cuernavaca’s more relaxed environment, a good way to spend time here is at one of the many renowned spas and wellness retreats. These are the places where you can be pampered, and they include traditional temazcal treatments that are designed to purify both your body and mind.

Planning Your Perfect Weekend Getaway

It can be hard to settle on just one location, but the best way to do so is to first define what type of weekend getaway you are looking for. Booking a weekend getaway with eDreams is one means of getting advice. There's a page with information on how to find deals for a weekend trip, that encourages you to assess what type of holiday would suit you best. You can then look for a destination matches up with that: Valle de Bravo is the best spot for a weekend of adventure, while it’s hard to beat Cuernavaca if a weekend of pampering is what you’re after. Alternatively, Puebla’s charm could make it the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. Destination selected, you can plug it into the search tool and see what comes up.

In addition to making bookings, you should also think about how you can make the most of your time. Getting the most out of a short trip often involves careful itinerary planning, striking a balance between must-see attractions and time to just do whatever you feel like doing. It’s always a good idea to speak to the locals directly once you’re in a destination, as they’ll often have great recommendations that you could never find online.

Each of the three highlighted destinations offers something a little bit different, but they’re all worthy of consideration. Regardless of what type of traveller you are, all three of these places are sure to meet your expectations and enhance your overall Mexican travel experience.