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Real de Catorce

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Landmark
—°5
Real de Catorce (Mexico)

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Real de Catorce is a mystical former silver mining town in the Sierra de Catorce mountains, accessible only through the 1.9 km long Ogarrio Tunnel. Visitors are drawn to the ghost-like yet majestic atmosphere of the town, where stone ruins bear witness to former wealth. The site is sacred to the Huichol people, who make pilgrimages to the nearby Wirikuta desert. The clean mountain air and silence offer a unique experience away from the modern world. Nature lovers can enjoy horseback rides into the surrounding mountains or explore the high desert landscape. Gastronomy is simple but tasty, dominated by local miner dishes and fresh gorditas. The best season to visit is spring or autumn, as winter nights can be very cold at an altitude of 2,750m. The town is reachable from San Luis Potosí and has served as a filming location for several international movies.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr–Jun.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C101315192121191918161311
Rain mm12161411296582739232137

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The town is open to visitors; you can freely walk its cobblestone streets and explore abandoned mines and chapels. Many buildings are in ruins but accessible from outside.
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Typical hours
The town itself is accessible at all hours, but specific museums and the chapel have typical daytime hours, usually 9:00 to 18:00. The tunnel is open 24/7.
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Photography
Photography is allowed everywhere. The abandoned mines and the town’s isolation provide excellent, sometimes eerie, photo opportunities.
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Time needed
Allow half a day (3-4 hours) to explore the town and its surroundings, including a short hike up the mountain. More time if you want to visit the Wirikuta desert.
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Combine with
Combine with a trip to the sacred Wirikuta desert or the nearby ghost town of La Luz. Both are within a short drive.
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Getting there
Access is via the Ogarrio tunnel, a one-lane tunnel that must be used in alternating directions. You can drive your own car or take a collective taxi from the town of Matehuala.
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Insider tip
Stay overnight in the town to experience the starry desert sky and the ghostly atmosphere after dark. Book accommodation in advance as it can fill up.

Geography

Population
1,392 (2018)
Coordinates
23.69000, -100.88611

Facts

  • Reachable through Ogarrio Tunnel.
  • Located at 2,750m altitude.
  • Former silver boom town.
  • Sacred site for Huichol people.
  • Famous as a 'ghost town'.
  • Filming location for 'The Mexican'.
  • Parish of Immaculate Conception.
  • Steep, stone-paved streets.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Sierra de CatorceSierra de Catorce13 km · SExplore →
San Luis PotosíSan Luis Potosí34 km · EExplore →
SaltilloSaltillo38 km · WExplore →
Derramadero Industrial HubDerramadero Industrial Hub41 km · SWExplore →
Church of Dolores HidalgoChurch of Dolores Hidalgo54 km · EExplore →
Sierra de ArteagaSierra de Arteaga56 km · NWExplore →
San Miguel de AllendeSan Miguel de Allende60 km · EExplore →
Santa Catarina Industrial ZoneSanta Catarina Industrial Zone62 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Real de Catorce (5)

Real de Catorce📍 landmark

Real de Catorce is a historic silver mining town in Mexico and a Pueblo Mágico.

Mirador🌿 nature

A natural viewpoint overlooking the desert landscape of Real de Catorce.

Socavon de Purisima📍 landmark

An abandoned silver mine shaft in the mining district of Real de Catorce.

Cerro del quemado🌿 nature

A hill with burned-looking rock formations near Real de Catorce.

Pueblo Fantsma🏺 historical

A ghost town abandoned after the silver mining boom near Real de Catorce.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Real de Catorce: where is it located?
Real de Catorce is located in Mexico.
Real de Catorce: what is there to see?
Highlights include Real de Catorce, Mirador, Socavon de Purisima.
Real de Catorce: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Jun.
Real de Catorce: why is it worth visiting?
Real de Catorce is a mystical former silver mining town in the Sierra de Catorce mountains, accessible only through the 1.9 km long Ogarrio Tunnel.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
North America
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in North America
More places in Mexico →

Nearby cities

San Luis Potosí — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
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A colonial city that was once an important silver mining center.
Tampico — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
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A historic port city on the Pánuco River, known for its New Orleans-style architecture and water-rich surroundings.
Ciudad Valles — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
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The gateway to the Huasteca Potosina, a region of waterfalls, rivers, and rich nature.
Xilitla — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
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A surrealist paradise in the Huasteca Potosina rainforest, featuring Edward James' extraordinary concrete garden.
Saltillo — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Saltillo
The capital of Coahuila, known as the 'Detroit of Mexico' due to its strong automotive industry.
San Miguel de Allende — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
San Miguel de Allende
A colonial town known for its baroque architecture, arts scene, and large expat community.
Celaya — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Celaya
A city in Guanajuato famous for its 'cajeta', a type of goat's milk caramel.
Salamanca — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Salamanca
An industrial city in Guanajuato with one of Mexico's largest oil refineries.
Monterrey — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Monterrey
The capital of the state of Nuevo León and a major industrial center.

More places

Sierra de Catorce — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Sierra de Catorce
A mountain system in San Luis Potosí, famous for its history.
🗺️
Derramadero Industrial Hub
Located south of Saltillo, this valley is a leading center for the production of heavy trucks and vans.
Church of Dolores Hidalgo — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Church of Dolores Hidalgo
The church from whose steps Miguel Hidalgo delivered the 'Grito de Dolores' in 1810, launching the Mexican War of Independence.
Sierra de Arteaga — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Sierra de Arteaga
A mountain range in Coahuila, known as 'Mexican Switzerland'.
Santa Catarina Industrial Zone — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Santa Catarina Industrial Zone
A rapidly growing industrial area near Monterrey, selected as the future site for Tesla's Gigafactory.
El Pipila Monument — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
El Pipila Monument
A monument on a hill overlooking Guanajuato honoring a local hero of independence.
Mummies of Guanajuato Museum — Real de Catorce (Mexico)
Mummies of Guanajuato Museum
A world-famous museum exhibiting naturally mummified bodies from the local cemetery of Guanajuato.