Valle de Bravo, Sate of Mexico

Details: Parent Category: Region XV (English); Category: Valle de Bravo; Hits: 4321

Valle de Bravo is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Mexico and in the entire country. It boasts beautiful colonial arquitecture and a warm climate. You should not forget to include Valle de Bravo in your travel plans.

A plethora of activities and places to visit makes it impossible to dedicate only one day to Valle de Bravo. We recommend taking at least three days to get to know Valle.

You’ll enjoy walking through its cobbled, colonial streets, taking a walk by the lake and contemplating the sunset. You may also enjoy the charm of its breathtaking forests, rivers and waterfalls

HISTORY

Valle de Bravo was founded in 1530 and was originally called “San Francisco del Valle de Temascaltepec”. It received its actual name in 1861 to honor General Nicolas Bravo. Temascaltepec means “The hill where the temascales are” in Nahuatl.

The first to settle here were the Matlazincas and after the Aztec’s empire defeat to Spain, Franciscan monks arrived at the area which at the time was called “Villa del Valle” in 1523, under the supervision of Fray Gregorio Jimenez de la Cuenca.

Later, it was run by Dominican monks. Not until 1899 was construction of the Municipal Palace started.

Information:
Main Municipality	Valle de Bravo
Founded	15 Noviembre 1530
Area	Total 421.95 km²
Región	XV
Población (2007)
Total	53,547 hab.
Densidad	hab/km²
Gentilicio	Vallense
Goverment web page:
http://www.valledebravo.gob.mx/

PLACES TO VISIT

Main sites
Valle de Bravo Dam.- This is one of its main attractions. Here, you will be able to take a boat ride, eat at a restaurant in the middle of the lake or take a night yacht ride.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.-Located 25km from Valle de Bravo, in the community known as “Los Saucos” you will be able to witness one of the biggest Monarch butterfly migrations.
Velo de Novia Waterfall.- A beautiful, large waterfall, it features camping and picnic areas as well as cabins for rent.

More places to visit:
Río del Molino Waterfall.-It has a trail to walk upstream and picnic area.
Monte Alto Ecological Reserve.- A protected natural habitat, on the higher part of the mountain. Here you will find “La Torre del guardabosque” Where you will be able to take part of hand gliding.

ACTIVITIES - THINGS TO DO

Four wheelers.- They are available for rent to cross several parts of the Valley.
Bicycle.- Valle the Bravo is ideal to ride in bicycle.
Boats (short trips).- You may rent them to sightsee in the lake.
Yacht (Sightseeing).-The nighttime sightseeing yacht ride in the lake is highly recommended.
Hand-gliding.-Jump with a qualified instructor and descend while enjoying beautiful scenery.
Horse rental.-You’ll be able to rent horses to sightsee around the Valley.

TRADITIONAL CELEBRATIONS

De Las Almas Festival- October of every year

LOCATION/HOW TO GET THERE

Valle de Bravo is located on the southeast of the state of Mexico. It sits next to the Balsas River. It borders to the north with Donato Guerra, to the south with Temascaltepec, to the west with Ixtapan del Oro, Santo Tomas de los Platanos and Otzoloapan.
There are 4 ways to get there.

1. Zitacuaro highway (more expensive and longer but with better roads)
If you are getting there from the north of the state of Mexico (Tepotzotlan), take the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense. From there head toward Toluca-Chamapa. Continue on past Naucalpan and Tlalnepantla. Take the Valle de Bravo exit which you will find once you’ve passed Lerma. Estimated time is two and a half hours.
If you are coming from Toluca, take libramiento Bicentenario on Paseo Tollocan and continue on Federal highway No. 15.


Circuito Exterior Mexiquense Exit. If you are getting there from Tepotzotlan heading to Lecheria.	Circuito Exterior Exit. If you are getting there from Lecheria heading to Cuautitlan Izcalli.

First Toll Booth at Circuito Exterior mexiquense towards Toluca-Chamapa.

2. Los Saucos route (82 km.)
The most direct route if you are heading out from Toluca, take road 134 to Temascaltepec passing through the town of Oxtotilpan where you will find the Valle de Bravo exit.

3.Villa Victoria route (96 km.)
A longer distance with fewer curves. From Toluca take the road 15 to Zitacuaro and having passed Villa Victoria, you will find the Valle de Bravo exit.

4.-Amanalco route (72 km.)
A shorter distance though there are more curves. From Toluca take federal highway 1 heading through Amanalco de Becerra.

MORE INFORMATION ON VALLE DE BRAVO

Galery:

Lago o Presa Valle de Bravo