If one had to define the Magical Town of Jalpan de Serra, the meaning would have to be that it is the perfect merging of the mountains with the rivers and the millenary caves and lush vegetation.
A small city that was dominated by the Pame ethnicity and went on to be evangelized by the Franciscan priests that later on built their colonial religious missions with such baroque beauty, that they have been declared by the UNESCO as World Heritage; this recognition has been quite becoming and today, the buildings are perfectly conserved.
A good place to start your tour would be the main square and its historical edifications among which, one can’t help but notice the outstanding Iglesia de Santiago Apostol (St.
James Apostle’s Church), the Postal Service House, or St.
James's Mission, among the most significant of its time.
There is a beautiful place on the banks of river Jalpan called La Playita; the perfect spot to spend the day and enjoy a picnic, and later in the evening have a Lunada (a sort of gathering in the open air with dance, music and food).
The awesome views that result from the merger between the mountains, the river and the forest are the perfect setting to practice ecotourism; bring your mountain bike or ATV and ride it around the dam; or, test your luck and skills to catch tilapia and lobina.
If you have had enough fishing, just go on a boat and see the whole of this lovely dam.
To learn about the history of this town your best bet is the Museum of Sierra Gorda.
Discover their handicrafts and buy yourself a little something to remember your adventure in this magical place.
At La Casa de las Artesanías you can purchase items made with palm, pine needles, and embroideries.
Then go to a jam and marmalade tasting, savor their typical food, for example, a zacahuil (gigantic tamale), cured meat, enchiladas serranas, beans and cheese gorditas, pacholes, or every kind of food nearby the town market.


Wejoytrip recommends
the recreational park Mundo Acuático.
Explore the Puente de Dios (God’s bridge) cave, and then dare explore the Devil’s Cave and the Cave of Goddess Cachum; given its incredible geological richness and the legends about it.
Remember to enquire about the speleology tours; they are quite a lot of fun and keep you safe while visiting the caves.
Don’t forget a good pair of walking or hiking shoes, and never leave home without your camera, then, go make some memories! Enhance your trip with these nearby destinations: Ciudad Valles (171 km away; practice ecotourism, enjoy its rivers, waterfalls, caves, museums, historical center, and great food); Querétaro (some 191 km far, the capital city of the state offers among many other things, parks, museums, churches, monuments, markets, galleries, aqueduct, archeological sites, gastronomy, and nightlife).

Things to see and do
ecotourism, caving, swimming, mountain bike, ATV, museums, historical touring, churches, rivers, dams, cascades, handicrafts, cuisine, speleology, aquatic park, and grottos)   Read +