Latin America

Things to do in Valle de Bravo: Top 10

Today, I will shareĀ some things to do in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. In fact, this is a picture from one of our tours to Valle de Bravo. Our adventurers were so happy with this and other activities Iā€™m about to show you in this post šŸ™Š:

Paragliding

So, you are coming to Vallo de Bravo? Thatā€™s cool; you are in the right article!! If you are ready to live a fantastic experience, welcome and enjoy the best things to do in the magical town of Valle de Bravo, Mexico:

1. Enjoy the lake

This lake can be appreciatedĀ in many different ways. On the Municipal Pier, many restaurants, including floating ones, offer typical dishes such asĀ ā€œvallesana,ā€ cecinaĀ (type of meat), and trout. This body of water is not only one of the primary local food sources. Also, along with the forest, it gives a picturesque touch to the town. This artificial lake is a symbol of Valle de Bravo. It would be a crime not to navigate it.

What to do here?

  • Explore the lake in a kayak.
  • Explore the lake by sailboat.
  • Test your skills on a jet ski.
  • Take some pics of the splendid lake and sunset. Here is one of our adventures during our trip to Valle de Bravo.

The highlight of this place:

Discover, explore, and admire the lake on a boat tour. Different boats can take you around the lake while you listen to live music, eat delicious Mexican food, and take fantastic sunset pictures.

2. A walk through the town

Although its main attraction is the lake, its downtown is an active and lovely place. Named in 2005 as a magical town, walking through its winding and beautiful streets is a must-do activity. The town center is full of culture, so when visiting, take a walk through its cobbled streets, enjoying various craft stalls, restaurants, and cafes that surround the place.

What to do here?

  • Admire some crafts made by local artisans.
  • Buy ceramics and beautiful souvenirs in the local market.
  • Taste some exquisite street food. For instance, ā€˜esquitesā€™ (corn) with shrimp, tacos, quesadillas, pambazos, and other Mexican snacks.
  • On the weekends, there are art galleries open to the public. Also, look at the street and local art surrounding the place.
  • Spend a wonderful afternoon at some delicious cafes and restaurants.

The highlight of this place:

While touring the town, you should also see the imposing 17th-century Parish of San Francisco de Asis. Check out our Holy Week article.

Feel the Local Vibes in Valle

3. Visit the viewpoint of La PeƱa

Either do it from La PeƱa or Monte Alto. From these viewpoints, you can see practically the entire lake, town, valley, and mountains ā€“ a unique and unmissable view.

La PeƱa has been part of many cultures, stories, and legends. Indeed, this place is full of mysticism and ancient energy, where you can spend a magical moment. Nowadays, it has become entirely inhabited, and at the same time, it is a tourist area where you can enjoy a pleasant walk along its paths to reach its mysterious caves.Ā 

What to do here?

  • Going on a hiking tour to see the top of the PeƱa de Valle de Bravo. On the way, you will also find caves of limestone rock dated from pre-Hispanic times.
  • Take advantage of the incredible views and take some astonishing landscape pictures.
  • Watch the dawn and sunset.
  • Listen to the legends and stories, such as the legend of the hidden treasure in the place.

The highlight of this place:

Once the sun starts to fade away, do not hesitate to climb to the top and admire the lights and colors that the sky of Valle de Bravo offers to everyone.

Vibe Adventures team hiking in La PeƱa viewpoint!

4. Paragliding

Flying off the paraglider is one of the iconic experiences of Valle, which is why several companies organize the entire experience to make it as fun and safe as possible. Undoubtedly, with such beautiful views, it is an incredible place to do it.

The tranquility of its winds has earned worldwide recognition for the practice of this activity. These experiences include an unmissable 20-minute flight over the dam and the forest.Ā 

How much does paragliding cost?

The price of this experience varies since they can range from 1,000 pesos (55 USD), 1800 pesos (99 USD) to 2,000 pesos (110 USD), and 3,500 pesos (190 USD), depending on the time (20 minutes, 30-40 minutes, and one hour).

All of the prices are per person. You can check out if they can give you a discount if you come with a big group of friends. Most paragliding companies provide insurance or special prices for those with experience in the sport. It is a free fall of about 1 minute and at least 5 minutes of flight in the parachute.

Paragliding companies:

  • Flumen paragliding
  • ViveValle
  • Rio adventure
  • Volare Xtreme
  • Parapente Vuela en valle ā€“ GoFly
  • Para-Planet
Paragliding time!

5. Avandaro tour

The village of Avandaro is located on the shores of the lake, 5 kilometers from the town center. In fact, this place has a rock music history, just likeĀ Woodstock 1969,Ā that you will love to hear. Want to know more about it? Then, come to this place and listen to the story from the localsā€™ mouths while drinking a cold beer. Sounds like a great plan, isnā€™t it?

What to do here?

  • Rent a bike or a motorcycle and spend an entertaining day.
  • Do some hiking surrounded by nature.
  • Horse ride around the beautiful natural area.
  • On Mondays, there is a flower market where you can buy beautiful specimens.
  • Buy souvenirs in the local handicrafts area.
  • Try some typical sweets of the region and local beverages such as ā€˜micheladasā€˜ and ā€˜cantaritos.ā€™ Also, eat delicious Mexican snacks.
  • Organize a picnic with your friends and family.
  • Listen to the legend of the Velo de Novia Waterfall.

The highlight of this place:

Cool off in the 35m high Velo de Novia Waterfall. You can try rafting-waterfall here to test your extreme adventurerā€™s skills. Plus, you can listen to the sound of the water and animals in the area. You are definitely going to have a peaceful moment enjoying the green paradise that surrounds you.

Vibe Adventures team in Avandaro

6. Mountain biking

One of the main things to do in Valle de Bravo is the extreme sports that can be done there. This is due to its mountainous landscape and incredible views of the surroundings ā€“ perfect terrain for mountain biking. There are also a bit more relaxed routes for beginners, as well as the option of ATV tours.

Where to rent bikes?

  • ViveValle
  • Pabloā€™s Bikes
  • Reyes Bikeā€™s Valle De Bravo
  • LA RUEDA Y EL PEDAL SA de CV
  • La Rodada

7. See the Monarch Butterflies

If you come here between November and March, this is a show that you cannot miss. Valle is known for having one of the few monarch butterfly sanctuaries in Mexico. Every winter, millions of monarch butterflies pilgrimage more than 4,500 kilometers from the forests of Canada and the northern United States.

The entrance to the Butterfly Sanctuary costs 50 pesos and includes a guide.Ā The most famous sanctuary is Piedra Herrada. This place is part of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, which was declared a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. You wonā€™t regret spending a colorful day in a precious place like this one. šŸ¦‹ Check out our tour: Michoacan Monarch Butterfly Reserve Private Tour.

Sanctuary opening hoursĀ 

Monday

9:00ā€“16:00

Tuesday

9:00ā€“16:00

Wednesday

9:00ā€“16:00

Thursday

9:00ā€“16:00

Friday

9:00ā€“16:00

Saturday

9:00ā€“16:00

Sunday

9:00ā€“16:00

Note: Many times, the reservation schedules and dates from the sanctuary may vary due to Mexican celebrations, the COVID-19 pandemic, or external factors on the part of the personnel working on the reserves.

Lovely Monarch Butterfly

8. Enjoy its restaurants

Valleā€™sĀ great culinary delights include its many restaurants that serve Mexican, Italian, French, and other international cuisines. Any of these can make a perfect plan for dinner one night.

For instance, ā€œLos Pericosā€œ (the parrots) was the first floating restaurant on the beautiful lake of Valle de Bravo. It offers a gorgeous view of Mexican and international cuisine and gives specialties in seafood, good drinks, and cocktails.

This is not the only restaurant where you can taste delicious Mexican and local food. There is an extensive culinary variety in Valle, as mentioned above. That is why, wherever you are in Valle de Bravo, every corner will surprise you with its excellent restaurants.

Other restaurants you should try:

9. Go shopping at the Crafts Market

If you want to get the most original gifts and souvenirs, go to the local artisanal market, here you can find a wide variety of products of the highest quality, with a touch of Valle de Bravo. Walking through the streets of Valle, you can appreciate different local stalls where you can admire the local handicrafts. You can take home a souvenir made with love by Mexican artisans! Check out our post: Markets in Mexico City (Top 10).

What to buy in the craft markets?

  • Wood toys šŸ§ø
  • Pots šŸŒ±
  • Ceramics šŸ„¤
  • Customized souvenirs šŸ“ø
  • Traditional embroidery šŸ›ļø
  • T-shirts šŸ‘•
  • Glass and clay figures šŸ„‚
  • Leather products

10. Have a drink and enjoy the local nightlife

Valle is also known for its great nightlife. There is an avenue where you can find bars, karaoke, and clubs, having everything you need to have a fun night. Check out our Latin American Music article.

Having fun at night in Valle de Bravo is pretty easy; it has many places ranging from breweries and bars to exclusive nightclubs with terraces and great lake views. If safety is your concern, throughout the day and the night, you will find police officers wandering around to ensure you donā€™t have a sour time in this town. Check out our article about gay clubs in Mexico City.

Where to spend nightlife in Valle?

Enjoy local vibes when partying in Valle de Bravo

Why visit Valle de Bravo in Mexico?

Valle de Bravo, located just 2 hours from Mexico City, is a perfect destination to rest and get in touch with nature. In this place, you can taste exquisite local cuisine, be sporty, and experience some of its attractive festivals.

In fact, Valle de Bravo is a ā€œmagical townā€ where you can spend the best days of your life doing different activities. Furthermore, our post discusses where to celebrate New Yearā€™s Eve!

Many things to do in Valle de Bravo fit your budget. Indeed, it can be from a luxury experience to discovering a more local-vibe environment. Check out our Private ATV & Water Skiing Tour to Valle de Bravo.

How to get to Valle de Bravo from Mexico City?

The best option for you to get there is by bus. In Mexico City, there are different bus stations. The best bus station option to get there is La Tapo terminal (Terminal de Autobuses Poniente). Once at the terminal, you must go to the Autobuses Zinacantepec module.

The ticket to Mexico City ā€“ Valle de Bravo ranges from $185 to $245 MXN. Buses leave at any time of the day, and the trip takes 2 hours. If you want to arrive by car, you have two routes. In one, you pay at Toluca; in the other, you do not. However, in both, you pay the ticket office at La Marquesa ($85 MXN).

Toluca City, Panoramic

Toll road: On this road, you avoid going through the traffic of Toluca. However, this route has ticket offices (Approx. $200.00 MXN), and the trip takes 2 and a half hours.

Free highway: You pass through Toluca here, making your trip longer. However, you can make several stops during your trip and learn the hidden gems that the State of Mexico (Estado de Mexico) offers.

Cosmovitral, Toluca

How far is Valle de Bravo from Mexico City?

The distance is relatively close. From Valle de Bravo to Mexico City, it is 84.5065 miles by road, including 28 miles on highways. The highway takes approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes and passes through Toluca de Lerdo, Almoloya de Juarez, Lerma de Villada, Ocoyoacac, La Marquesa, and Cuajimalpa de Morelos.

Best time to visit Valle de Bravo

May is a perfect season for warm weather, with a minimum of 21Ā° to a maximum of 30Ā°. January and February are the coldest months. The best option to have a hot but refreshing afternoon is in May. And if you want a more fabulous afternoon and enjoy it with a hot drink, you can come from the end of November until February.

Informative video about Valle de Bravo

Mariana Montes

Hi! I'm Mariana, a passionate traveler, music and art enthusiast, cinephile, and multilingual translator of English, French, and Mexican Sign Language. As a content creator and local tour guide, I enjoy writing about travel, art, music, food, and movies. I believe that by sharing our emotions and experiences, we can definitely create a better world. Through vivid descriptions, I aim to bridge emotions with my passions, offering readers a glimpse into what inspires me. šŸ’š

Recent Posts

Best Beaches in Mexico & Best Hidden Ones

Offering over 6,000 miles of coastline, Mexicoā€™s versatility includes enjoyable weather, sunny days, and cool…

23 hours ago

Tacos al Pastor: A Guide to a Street Food Gem

Table of contents: Tacos al pastor history How to make tacos al pastor Where to…

2 days ago

Markets in Mexico City Top 10

Table of contents: Markets in Mexico City Intro šŸ’š Markets in Mexico City History šŸ•®…

3 days ago

Mexican Tacos: Let’s Taco ‘Bout It!

Table of contents: Mexican Tacos Introduction When is National Taco Day? Importance and why is…

4 days ago

From Beaches to Business: What Expats Need to Know About Living in Nevis

Table of contents: Introduction Business and Financial Opportunities in Nevis Tax Benefits Nevis Trusts Living…

1 week ago

10 Car Rental Tips You Wish You Knew Before Booking

Table of contents: Introduction Book Early to Lock in the Best Deals Be Clear About…

1 week ago