Toluca

Travel Guide
Toluca
Learn about indigenous and colonial history in this dynamic municipality. Explore the rugged surrounding countryside for its parks and quaint villages.

Toluca is a developed and thriving city with modern amenities. The high altitude creates a pleasant climate in this city, which was a pivotal pre-Columbian and colonial hub. Visit the various museums and churches that decorate the quaint historic center for a sense of its rich history.

Browse the range of exhibits at the José María Velasco Museum, which displays some of its namesake artist’s best works. Gaze up at paintings, statues and other features on the façade of the San José de Toluca Cathedral. Many cafés and restaurants adorn the streets of the historic center. Try the city’s famed green and red chorizo sausages.

To the west is Lake Avandaro, where you will find dense woodland, waterfalls and hiking trails. Rent a boat or take a Jet Ski out on the water and admire the spectacular views of the surrounding hills reflected on the lake.

Explore the quaint town center of Valle de Bravo. Relax beside the waterfall of the Velo de Novia park in Avandaro. Sunbathe in the park to enjoy the year-round warm weather due to the town’s high altitude and proximity to the equator. The region is generally dry from November to March and fairly wet from June through September.

Travel to the southeastern outskirts of Toluca and the charming town of Metepec. Arrive at the Centro de Exposición y Venta Artesanal to see the emblematic Tree of Life clay sculptures that portray biblical scenes in spectacular color. Climb the zigzagging steps to the Church of Calvary and admire the yellow colonial façade of the San Juan Bautista Church.

Arrive at Mexico City International Airport and drive west for 1 to 2 hours to reach Toluca. The city is about 45 miles (70 kilometers) from the country’s capital. Visit nearby parks, such as the Nevado de Toluca National Park.

Toluca is a fascinating cultural hub with an intricate history and scenic parks.

Where to stay in Toluca

Colorful mountain

Avandaro

While visiting Avandaro, you might make a stop by sights like Velo de Novia Waterfalls and Valle de Bravo Dam.

Avandaro
Metepec

Metepec

4/5(11 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the restaurants and monuments in Metepec. You might want to make time for a stop at Town Square Metepec or Galerias Metepec Shopping Center.

Metepec
The Cosmovitral

Toluca City-Centre

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the museums and churches in Toluca City-Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at The Cosmovitral or Nemesio Díez Stadium.

Toluca City-Centre
Beutiful sunset un valle de bravo

Valle de Bravo Centro

3/5(2 area reviews)

While visiting Valle de Bravo Centro, you might make a stop by sights like Central Square and Valle de Bravo Dam.

Valle de Bravo Centro
Default Image

San Mateo Atenco

San Mateo Atenco might not have many top sights, but Plaza Sendero Toluca and Town Square Metepec are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

San Mateo Atenco
In Valle de Bravo, all the houses are paint in  red and white. The streets are very narrow.

Santa María Ahuacatlán

5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Santa María Ahuacatlán, Valle de Bravo Dam and Valle de Bravo Archaeological Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Santa María Ahuacatlán
Hotel Opus Grand Toluca Aeropuerto
Hotel Opus Grand Toluca Aeropuerto
4 out of 5
Boulevard Miguel Alemán #505, Col. San Pedro Totoltepec, Toluca, MEX
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$1,896 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$1,896
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Toluca. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Centro Dinámico Pegaso and St. Christopher ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (272 reviews)
"Shower,towels very clean! I give 5 stars"

Reviewed on 2024/3/14

Hotel Opus Grand Toluca Aeropuerto
Ixtapan de la Sal Marriott Hotel & Spa
Ixtapan de la Sal Marriott Hotel & Spa
4.5 out of 5
Jose Ma. Morelos s/n, Fraccionamiento Bugambilias, Ixtapan de la Sal, MEX
The price is NT$2,662 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
NT$2,662
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ixtapan de la Sal. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Balneario Municipal and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Muchas zonas requieren mantenimiento o quizás hasta renovación: alberca infantil, juegos y hasta el piso de varios edificios. Falta personal para un hotel tan grande, pero el que está es atento y procura resolver todo con lo que tiene a la mano."

Reviewed on 2023/9/18

Ixtapan de la Sal Marriott Hotel & Spa
Hotel Misión Grand Valle De Bravo
Hotel Misión Grand Valle De Bravo
3 out of 5
Fontana Brava s/n Col. Avandaro, Valle de Bravo, MEX
The price is NT$6,029 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
NT$6,029
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Valle de Bravo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (875 reviews)
"The natural surroundings, the river, the water fall, great place 👍"

Reviewed on 2024/3/3

Hotel Misión Grand Valle De Bravo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Glamping Rio Valle de Bravo
Glamping Rio Valle de Bravo
2 out of 5
Primera privada de circuito Avandaro s/n, Colonia Avandaro, Valle de Bravo, MEX
Stay at this campground in Valle de Bravo. Enjoy free parking, a 24-hour front desk, and a terrace. Popular attractions Avandaro Waterfall and Valle de Bravo ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (17 reviews)
Buen concepto, lugar agradable
"El concepto esta lindo y diferente. Las casas de buen tamaño, baños y regaderas limpios . Tiene cocina y sala de uso comun. Le falta un poco de mantenimiento a las casas y focos arriba de ellas, la mayoria fundidos. El personal muy amable . El lugar es frio en la noche y tienen cobijas muy delgadas, ..."

Reviewed on 2024/2/5

Glamping Rio Valle de Bravo
Casa del Roble Avandaro
Casa del Roble Avandaro
3.5 out of 5
Circuito Avandaro #15, Avandaro, Valle de Bravo, Mexico
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Valle de Bravo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private spa tubs. Popular attractions Avandaro Waterfall and Rosmarino Forest ...
9/10 Wonderful! (11 reviews)
"I loved the place!"

Reviewed on 2024/1/7

Casa del Roble Avandaro
Cabañas Los Saucos
Cabañas Los Saucos
2 out of 5
Los Saucos, Valle de Bravo, MEX
Stay at this cabin in Valle de Bravo. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary and Rancho Avandaro ...
8/10 Very Good! (52 reviews)
Una de las mejores estancias
"Fue una estancia excepcional y muy romántica en una habitación con chimenea y una comida deliciosa. Mi esposo es italiano y ha quedado impresionado del excelente servicio personalizado que nos han otorgado."

Reviewed on 2021/5/23

Cabañas Los Saucos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Toluca

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
27
" "5 - Excellent 48.214285714285715%
4 - Good
22
" "4 - Good 39.285714285714285%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 10.714285714285714%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 1.7857142857142858%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 18, 2020

Excelente lugar.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 1, 2020

good food, good people

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Sep 30, 2019

The traffic is a nightmare! But, we were close to our meetings, so the location its convenient. We wished the hotel had a bar!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 16, 2019

It used to be small and quiet years ago. It's now a mini-Mexico City with the traffic and number of cars. It's a good idea to schedule travel times within the city during non-peak hours which are mid-morning and before 3 pm. Beautiful downtown

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 9, 2019

Toluca is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, adyacente towns are interesting and fun. We traveled everyday / everywhere with Uber... inexpensive and safe!!

4/5 - Good

O.
May 9, 2019

Is a very nice city. It looked clean and one thing that i did try was a restaurant called Porta Di Roma. The staff and food was excellent.