| Bulletin Board |
 |
| Spotlight Destination |
Cozumel
|
 |
| Images |
|
|
|
|
TAXCO
LOCATION:
Taxco is located 185 miles northeast of Acapulco, 111 miles southwest of Mexico City, and 50 miles southwest of Cuernavaca.
HISTORY:
Hernan Cortez discovered the silver mines in Taxco as he searched the region for treasure in 1522. The silver rush lasted until the next century when mines started to run dry. In the 1700s a French prospector, Joseph de la Borda, discovered a cache of silver that revitalized the silver industry. The importance of Taxco faded until a writer-architect by the name of William G. Spratling arrived in the 1930s and opened an apprentice shop. Soon his artistic talent began to earn Taxco its reputation as the "Silver City."
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Taxco offers simple but unique accommodations. Small but charming inns are located in the hills of Taxco with more moderate accommodations on the outskirts of town. Several hotels can arrange golf privileges at the near-by course. Rates for accommodations range from US$30 to US$135. Reservations may be required for Easter week and during the many festivals and fiestas.
RESTAURANTS:
Since Taxco sees a lot of day-trippers from Acapulco restaurants tend to fill up. Cielito Lindo is the most popular place for lunch. Tables are always full and the menu is extensive. At the El Mural you can view the Santa Prisca church or the mural painted by Juan OGorman while eating dinner.
NIGHTLIFE:
Nightlife in Taxco is more laid back than neighboring Acapulcos. There are a few bars, clubs and discos. The most popular place, among locals and tourists, is Bertas. Swords and spurs adorn the walls and a saddle hangs from the banister.
SHOPPING:
There are over 300 shops and stores that sell silver items. At the Mercado Municipal you can find crafts, pottery, masks, bowls, baskets, and bark paintings at the various stalls.
CUISINE:
The main types of cuisine you will find in Taxco are Mexican or international. Several restaurants offer limited seafood selections.
SERVICES:
Transportation: Due to the narrow, steep, winding roads its recommended that you take a taxi instead of renting a car. There are public VW minibuses that wind around town dropping off and picking up passengers. |
| WHERE TO GO: |
Iglesia de San Sebastian y Santa Prisca: Joseph de la Borda had
this church built in the 18th century to give thanks for his wealth in
silver. This is Taxcos most important landmark.
Spratling Museum: A collection of William Spratlings pre-
Columbian artifacts are on display in his former home. There is a small
gallery that explains the workings of the colonial mines.
Casa Humboldt: This 18th century Moorish house was named for
German adventurer, Alexander von Humboldt who stayed here in 1803.
Inside there is a collection of colonial art.
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa: These caves contain 12 km of geological
formations. A tour of these caves, the largest in Mexico, takes
approximately 2 hours.
|
| Top |
WHERE TO EAT: |
Taxco restaurants tend to be a little overpriced and busy from all the
day-trippers from Acapulco. Diners can find everything from Mexican
to international foods, as well as exotic such as cooked iguana, which
locals claim is an aphrodisiac. For cheap eats, head to the market
where there are several food stands and stalls. Almost all of the
hotels, except for budget ones, have a restaurant inside. El Mural,
one of the nicest restaurants in town, offers international and
Mexican dishes with a view of the Santa Prisca church and an excellent
Juan OGorman painting. One of the most popular eateries, the Pagaduria
del Rey, has gained a reputation for international foods and dishes.
Tonis, a romantic and classy restaurant, serves house specialties such
as steak and lobster and is located on a mountaintop offering a spectacular
view of the city. The Pizza Pazza serves nine different types of pizza as
well as some traditional Mexican dishes such as pozole. For simple yet
hearty Mexican meals, head to the local favorite, Santa Fe. |
| Top |
| WHAT TO DO: |
Golf: There is a 9-hole course at the Monte Taxco hotel.
Tennis: There are tennis courts at the Monte Taxco and Posada
de la Mision hotels. Check to see if policies allow non-guests to
play on the courts.
Festivals: There are several festivals during the year. They
may include dances, music, fireworks, and parades. Taxco is known for
the many fiestas held each year in honor of almost every saint.
Studying Spanish: At the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de
Mexico students study Spanish, history, silversmithing, and drawing.
|
| Top |
| WHERE TO SHOP: |
Most people come to Taxco with silver in mind. You can find everything
US$1 baubles to items that cost hundreds of dollars. The majority of
the shops carry all the same items, but there are a few that have
different and unusual items. You can find bracelets, serving platters,
earrings, necklaces and more. Many sidewalk vendors sell items from
Olinala and the state of Guerrero such as baskets, bowls, lacquered
boxes, paintings and masks. Arnoldos carries a selection of symbolic
masks with authenticity certificates and a written description of its
use. Sunday is generally market day and vendors from surrounding
villages and towns come to the city to hawk their wares. |
| Top |
|
|
| Weekly Feature |
Costa De Oro
|
|
| Images |
|
|
|
