Bernal - A Mexican Pueblo Magico

The small village of Villa de San Sebastián Bernal (better known as Bernal) is a tiny picturesque village 20 minutes north of Tequisquiapan. This town is classified in Spanish as a "Pueblo Magico" (Magic Town), an award given by the Mexican Government in 2005. The town was founded in the 17th century. Now it is a place that offers several attractions to the thousands of tourists who come here every year to visit.

The tranquil streets and green landscape will give you a real flavor of colonial Mexico. The delicious regional gastronomy, in the several small local restaurants, is definitely worth trying...








...especially at the Mercado Artesanal y Gastronomico (Artisan and Gastronomic Market). There are also an excellent variety of handcrafts, such as woolen clothing, ceramics and wooden pieces.

Attractions include "the Rock" and beautiful colonial buildings such as El Castillo, De las Animas Chapel, De la Santa Cruz Chapel, and the Temple de San Sebastian Martir.


At the peak of San Bernal, stands a gigantic rock monolith of 350 meters in height, the third highest in the world after the Rock of Gibraltar and Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. Legends say that this rock gives the city's inhabitants a long life, as the average life expectancy of Bernal residents is said to be a staggering 94.7 years.

Hotels

CASA MATEO is a boutique hotel built in the 18th century, and rescued and remodeled recently. The hotel has 9 suites, all different, but with a touch of elegance and tranquility. The restaurant has an avant-garde gourmet Mexican cuisine, accompanied by fine wines of the region. On Saturdays and holidays the hotel offers live music. The hotel has a pool, spa, terrace overlooking the Bernal monolith, wireless internet in the common areas, 32" LCD TVs in the rooms, and free parking. Link to hotel web site

CASA TIO CAMILO (House of Uncle Camilo), A very beloved priest and benefactor built this large house in the center of Bernal toward the end of the 18th century. The house which was converted to a hotel and now exhibits its collections of art, family photography and some of the original furniture, retaining the atmosphere of its original inhabitants.

Link to hotel web site

HOSTAL MEDIEVIL is a hotel of tranquility that does not accept children, has anti-stress massage service with alignment of the aura, over 12 terraces, reading and relaxing gardens, and a great view of the monolith. Comfortable rooms have very large bathrooms with bathtub or shower. The elaborate gardens co-exist harmoniously with nature and the architecture. Take a tour of the protected area of the monolith around the slopes of the rock on a pre-Hispanic route where you can see cave paintings, wildlife refuges, a pyramid, and the sanctuary of crows among many other things. Link to hotel web site

PARADOR VERNAL HOTEL is a property considered to be "rustico Mexicano", and distinguished for its service and warm treatment by the staff, offering their visitors indisputably one of the better views of the main attraction of this destination, the "Rock". The hotel contains twelve comfortable rooms, decorated in Mexican-contemporary style, gardens of semi-desert flora, a panoramic restaurant/bar with its famous "window", terraces, meeting rooms, an area for bonfires, a solarium, a play area for children and extensive parking. Part of the hotel was built in an area that formerly housed the corrals and stables of the property, where armies warded off and protected themselves and the Otomíes from the attacks of the Chichimecas who inhabited the region. Phone: +52 (441) 296-4284. Link to hotel web site

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