Why Honeymoon in Querétaro
It gives you two very different settings in one trip. The city is elegant and lived-in, with families on the plazas at night, good restaurants and grand old mansions turned into hotels.
The wine country is relaxed and pretty. Spanish and Mexican wineries make sparkling and still wines on high plateaus. Many offer tours, tastings and long lunches among the vines. Small cheese makers welcome visitors too.
It pairs well with nearby highlights. San Miguel de Allende is about an hour away by road, while Mexico City is under three hours. Querétaro is a smart choice for couples who want something cultured, calm and a little off the usual honeymoon map.
When to Go
October through March is the most pleasant time, with dry, sunny days in the 70s Fahrenheit and cool nights. Mornings are crisp, which is ideal for balloon flights over the vineyards.
April and May are the warmest and driest months, with highs that can reach the upper 80s. The rainy season runs from about June through September, usually as afternoon showers that leave the countryside green.
Harvest season falls in summer, typically July and August, when several wineries hold harvest festivals with grape stomping, music and tastings. Book early if you want to time a visit to one. Weekends bring visitors from Mexico City to the wine route, so midweek tastings are quieter.
Where to Stay
In the city, choose a hotel in the historic center so you can walk the plazas at night. Restored mansions such as La Casa de la Marquesa and La Casa del Atrio offer courtyard rooms with period details.
In wine country, look for boutique hotels and vineyard stays around Ezequiel Montes, Tequisquiapan and Bernal. Some wineries have their own rooms or villas among the vines, which lets you skip driving after tastings.
A split stay works best: two nights in the city, then two or three in the countryside. Approximate rates: about US$100 to US$250 a night for good boutique hotels, with top vineyard stays costing more on weekends.
Romantic Things to Do
Spend a day on the wine route. Visit a sparkling wine house with cellars set into the hillside, then a smaller family winery for still wines and lunch. Freixenet, the Spanish cava maker, has a large estate near Ezequiel Montes.
Book a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the vineyards and Peña de Bernal. Many flights end with breakfast.
Climb the trail partway up Peña de Bernal, a monolith that rises about 433 meters above the village. The views over the valley are wide. Then wander Bernal's small streets for gorditas and sweets.
Back in the city, walk to the aqueduct viewpoint at dusk and stroll the plazas as the churches light up.
Getting There and Around
Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) has nonstop flights from several US cities, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Antonio. Routes change, so check before booking. The airport is about 30 minutes from the center.
Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is another option, about three hours away by road or by comfortable first-class bus.
In the city, walk the historic center and use taxis or ride-hailing apps for longer trips. For wine country, hire a driver or join a wine tour so neither of you has to drive after tastings. Use toll roads and travel by day.
Food and Drink
Querétaro's wines are the star, especially the sparkling wines. Try them with local cheeses at tastings, many made in the same valley.
The city has good restaurants serving regional dishes such as enchiladas queretanas in red chile sauce and gorditas de migajas, filled with crisp pork crumbs. Markets and street stands serve tamales and atole in the mornings.
Winery restaurants often serve long lunches with grilled meats, salads and bread, paired with the house wines. For dinner, the historic center has candlelit courtyard restaurants and rooftop bars with views of church towers. Drink bottled or filtered water.
Honeymoon Tips
- The city sits at about 1,800 meters. Drink water and go easy on wine the first day.
- Hire a driver for wine tasting days. It is safer and lets you both enjoy the tastings.
- Pack layers. Mornings and nights are cool, while afternoons can be warm.
- The State Department rates Querétaro state at "exercise increased caution." Use normal precautions and avoid driving at night.
- Book weekend balloon flights and winery lunches ahead.
- Comfortable shoes help on cobbled streets and the Bernal trail.
