Ultimate Guide to Querétaro City 2024: All the Logistics You Need to Know

Whether you’re planning your first trip or considering a return visit, Querétaro offers a unique mix of history, culture, and charm that’s hard to resist. From its stunning colonial architecture to its lively plazas and modern comforts, this city has something for everyone.

I do not claim to be the all-knowing Querétaro expert; however, I think that after over 10 visits and several combined months of living here in different areas, I have developed a strong understanding of what this city is like. Plus, dating a person who lives in Querétaro also helps as he has shown me even more places I would not have otherwise discovered.

I find these types of guides incredibly helpful because they go beyond the surface and dive into the nitty-gritty details. Plus, I’ll admit it—I’m what you might call chismosa (snoopy) in Spanish when it comes to hearing about people’s travel experiences. I love knowing all the little stories and tips that make a trip unique.

That’s why in this guide to Querétaro, I’m going to share everything I think you should know. From my take on the best accommodations to navigating the city’s safety—especially as a woman traveling solo—I’ll cover it all. Think of this as the kind of advice I’d give to a close friend planning a trip.

So, if you’re curious about what it is like visiting this beautiful city, keep reading!

Where is Querétaro?

Querétaro City, officially known as Santiago de Querétaro, is a city in central Mexico. It’s the capital of the state of Querétaro and is located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Mexico City.

How to get to Querétaro?

Mexico is actually a very easy country to travel around. From planes to colectivos (these are vans used for public transportation), there are tons of options for getting from place to place. 

Santiago de Querétaro, in particular, does have an airport that goes to many major destinations in México, including a few cities in the United-States.

First, fly to Mexico City

I’ve flown directly from Puerto Vallarta to Querétaro twice, but I’ve found the cheapest and most convenient option is flying into México City instead—especially if you’re coming from an international location like me.

Why México City? Simply put, it can save you both money and time. In the past, I used to take such a convoluted route: flying from my hometown in Canada to Calgary, then to Puerto Vallarta. From there, I’d book a second ticket with Mexican airlines like VivaAerobus or Volaris to Querétaro, which often included a layover in México City. While I did get lucky twice with direct flights from Puerto Vallarta to Querétaro, it wasn’t the norm.

This setup usually required four flights in one day—exhausting and not cost-effective. On top of that, it ended up being more expensive than my current strategy of flying directly to México City and traveling onward to Querétaro. Trust me, simplifying your travel plans by going through México City can make a big difference!

Nowadays, I fly from my hometown to Vancouver or Toronto and then to México City with Air Canada. This route is more expensive than going to Puerto Vallarta with West Jet, but I realized it was cheaper overall considering I no longer need to buy a second ticket with a Mexican Airline. It also means I only need to take two flights instead of four. The kankles I get from flying for too long thank me, haha. 

Then, take the bus from Mexico City to Querétaro

So, how do you get to Querétaro from México City? I have found that the best option is to buy a bus ticket with Primera Plus as each of the three airports in México City have a connected bus terminal. This means that you don’t even have to leave the airport to catch the bus. So convenient and safe! 

I usually end up at the Terminal 1 Benito Juarez airport, which is most commonly used for international airlines like Air Canada and Air Europa. It used to confuse me a lot, so you can check the airport’s website here to see which airport other airlines arrive at if you’re curious. 

The bus terminal at the Benito Juarez airport is open 24/7 and has buses that leave every 30 minutes or so with Primera Plus. All you have to do is go on their website or go to the cashier counter and ask for a ticket to the Querétaro bus terminal, which currently costs 580 pesos and is 2 hours and 50 minutes long.

Primera plus has pretty comfy seats and two bathrooms on board. There are also TVs behind every seat and power outlets. Travelling by bus is now my preferred way to get to Querétaro from México City.

How long to stay in Querétaro?

Querétaro is a city booming with industries like aerospace and technology, attracting both Mexicans and foreigners to settle here. Many who’ve made the move will tell you it’s an amazing place to live long-term—and I couldn’t agree more. I absolutely love this city! If I ever get the chance to live in Mexico permanently, Querétaro would be my top choice. My fingers are crossed!

However, if you are here as a traveller, I’d recommend spending at least three days in Querétaro to truly experience what this city and its surrounding areas have to offer.

Mini Three Day Itinerary

Day 1: Start by exploring the Centro, which will probably take the half the day, especially if you also check out the Mirador de los Arcos. This is a cool lookout point that makes for the perfect backdrop in pictures. Spend the rest of your day checking out a couple of museums and eating some delicious food. Check out my list of favourite restaurants in Querétaro here!

Day 2: Take a day trip to a nearby town like Tequisquiapan or Bernal. It’s an easy bus ride to either of these places and definitely worth the visit because they are Pueblos Mágicos. If you’ve never heard that term before, which translates to magic towns, it refers to smaller, lesser-known towns that are rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. As of now, there are over 130 towns that hold the Pueblo Mágico title.

You could also spend day two doing a tour of Querétaro’s Wine and Cheese region, which I have done twice and highly recommend! You, of course, have the option of driving to different wineries on your own, but for the sake of simplicity you could also do a guided tour. Even though it costs a bit more money, will give you the chance to see more of the state of Querétaro and even includes a stop in both of the aforementioned towns, Tequisquiapan and Bernal.

In this video, I show you what it is like doing this tour, ranging from its price to its scenic views. 10/10 would recommended.

Day 3: For your last day in Querétaro, you need to visit El Cerrito Pyramid, which is on the outskirts of the city and easily accessible by Uber. I totally underestimated how awesome this archeological site is, thinking it would be nothing but a small pile of rocks. I was so wrong. El Cerrito is actually quite a large pyramid with a museum that has even more artifacts. There is a small market at the exit where you can buy delicious food like gorditas, which is a thick dough stuffed with different fillings.

You can use the rest of the day to do other activities that spark your interest like going to El Mirador de los Arcos and eating more great food.

Three days is ideal to get a good feel for Querétaro, but honestly, you could easily stretch your stay and keep discovering more. It’s a city that has so much to offer, no matter how long you’re here.

Where to stay in Querétaro?

In this guide to Querétaro, I will share some places that not only I recommend but have heard others recommending as well. Whether your budget is large or modest, there is a good option for you.

In this YouTube video, I shared my experiencing staying in Querétaro for a couple of months in order to be closer to my boyfriend. I divided it into a couple of sections, including different ideas for accommodations based on your needs and budget. From an entire house to a singular bedroom, you can see what different places look like. I do, however, prefer hotels over any type of accommodation.

Hotel Boutique Options

Boutique hotels are in abundance, especially in the Centro.

Fancy option

A well-known boutique is Hotel & Spa Doña Urraca. I’ve personally never stayed here because it is a bit too expensive for my current budget as a university student (hopefully that will change in the future hehe). However, I have heart amazing reviews about this place, so it could be an excellent choice for those looking for a beautiful and ideally located boutique hotel.

Address: C. 5 de Mayo 117, La Santa Cruz, La Cruz, 76020 Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico

Affordable Elegance Option

My favourite boutique hotel is El Jardín de la Abuela. Located next to a bunch of cool restaurants and bars, this beautiful place is hands down worth the money if you are looking for a simple yet very, very clean and modern room. Alan and I stayed in their room with a king size bed and we had the comfiest sleep. As of right now, the price for one night is around $55 CAD / $800 MEX.

There was even a little area to prepare and warm up food with a coffee maker. The maid and her sweet daughter cleaned our room daily and brought little packs of coffee. I am so excited to stay here again the next time Alan and I are looking for a place in the Centro.

This boutique hotel is very discreet from the outside, so you probably will not even notice it! Once you reserve a room, you will be given a code that you need to enter on the door with a lock outside. Truthfully, I found the door really hard to open because of this kind of lock, and I needed Alan’s help to open it each time which was kind of annoying. So, for those who are technically challenged, this could pose a problem. There is no staff on site, so you also can’t leave your luggage there, but that’s to be expected with a boutique hotel.

Once you walk inside, you will be greeted by a bunch of plants and a table where you can sit. Talk about beautiful!

Address: Calle Vergara Sur 19, Centro, 76000 Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico

Budget-Friendly Option

Kuku Rukú is an extremely budget-friendly option. Again, I haven’t stayed here myself, but I’ve walked past it a few times in the Centro and met a few people who said it was simple but affordable. As of right now, it costs around $49 CAD / $565 MEX for a room with a double bed.

Address: Calle Vergara Sur 12, Centro, 76000 Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico

Hotel Options

A Clean Mid-Range Stay Near the Bus Terminal

If you’re looking for a convenient option near the bus terminal, Ibis Hotel is a great choice. I had a madrugada (early morning) bus ticket with Primera Plus at 2:30 a.m., and since Alan lives 40 minutes away from the terminal, we decided it would be easier—and safer—to stay nearby. This way, I could get more sleep and avoid ordering an Uber alone late at night.

Alan and I really liked the hotel. It’s simple, but our room was clean, cozy, and had a pleasant smell we kept noticing throughout the hotel. The staff were some of the friendliest I’ve encountered in Mexico. Our room wasn’t huge but had an interesting view (even if it was just traffic—I love having something to look at).

While there’s nothing in walking distance, it’s a good option if you have a car, want a quiet room that is away from the noise of the Centro but still relatively close, or need to be near the bus terminal. We paid $80 CAD / $1160 MEX for a Saturday night, which isn’t exactly what I consider to be cheap considering there is nothing but the terminal nearby. However, when doing research for this post, I saw that they have rooms for as low as $49 CAD / $710 MEX a night, which would absolutely persuade me to stay there again if I needed to catch the bus.

Address: Prol. Bernardo Quintana 302 Col, Centro Sur, 76090 Santiago de Querétaro, Qro.

Romantic Hotel option

Hotel Real Alameda gives me romantic vibes. The room has a a cream and brown colour palette as well as a very comfortable bed. I have stayed here twice, and I thought it was clean and nice both times. I especially love that its location, which is across from Alameda Hidalgo, a huge park one street over to Querétaro’s Centro.

It currently costs $64 CAD / $929 MEX per night, which is a fair price considering the ideal location. Everything you could need is within walking distance.

I’ll be honest–the main drawback with this hotel is the bathroom area. There is no seperation between the sink and bed, so this is not a good option if you are travelling with others and want privacy in the loo.

However, they have a pool! A pretty cool one at that. It is located on the roof, giving you an excellent view of the city. There is also a jacuzzi, but I am not sure if that would be open during Querétaro’s winter months or just during the summer like the pool.

Address: Q. Corregidora 184-D, Centro, 76000 Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico

Centrally Located Option

Hotel Amberes de Querétaro is a hotel very close to the aforementioned Hotel Real Alameda. This specific hotel is lower in price and also relatively nice. Neither of them are fancy, but they make for good options for those who want to be super close to the Centro. Rooms cost around $41 CAD / $595 MEX.

I liked how bright the room was and the bathroom was quite large. Though, it was strange being able to hear everything almost perfectly in the next bathroom over.

Address: Prol Corregidora Sur 188, Centro, 76000 Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico

Airbnb Options

I am not wanting to start any issues, but I really do NOT like Airbnb anymore. I have stayed in some great places with some lovely hosts in Querétaro, but I have now had two very negative experiences here in Querétaro that wrecked this website for me. 🙁

I will be very honest. I got bed bugs from one apartment in Centro. I went to the doctor who even confirmed I was full of bed bug bites. However, when I messaged the host showing her the paper that the doctor wrote, she rudely told me I was confused and had mosquito bites. I had to throw away all my luggage and waste time and money buying new stuff, so this was a huge loss.

I also had another host claim I broke her fan and stained the (very old and pancake-like) pillows. She reported me and charged me an outrageous price for a new fan and new pillows. The Airbnb support team ignored me even though I had evidence that proved the fan and pillows, amongst many other things in this place, were old and in poor condition before my arrival. 

I will no longer be supporting Airbnb because of the way they side with hosts who refuse to hold accountability. Use Airbnb at your own discretion.

Using your phone and Sim Cards in Mexico

While you can often rely on Wi-Fi at airports or hotels, having a phone with data is essential when exploring Querétaro—or any new destination for that matter.

Don’t know where you are? With data you can easily figure out transportation options or the safest routes to take. Looking for a specific product but you don’t know what it’s called in Spanish? Use Google translate or any other translation app.

Travel often comes with surprises, good and bad. Having a phone with data ensures you can stay connected, figure out transportation, or even search for a nearby pharmacy or hospital if needed.

So, in order to ensure your phone will work in Mexico, you have three main options.

eSIMs: A Convenient Short-Term Option

Lately, I’ve been using eSIMs, especially for short trips. Services like Airalo make it easy to purchase and set up data for many countries, including Mexico.

• Pros:
  • You can set up the eSIM while still in your home country. I like to activate mine at the airport in Canada before flying to Querétaro. That way, as soon as the plane lands, I can switch from my Canadian data to the eSIM line.
  • No physical SIM card is required.
  • The more you buy eSIMs from Airalo, the more credit you get. It surprisingly adds up fast and can be redeemed to get discounts on more eSIMs. 
• Cons:
  • It is kind of confusing to set up. I have to watch the Airalo tutorial every single time because I always forget how to activate the eSIM.
  • You need WIFI to set up the eSIM.
  • Data seems to get used up faster. I am constantly running out of it.
  • It can get expensive if you need to top up the data frequently.
  • You can’t make regular phone calls with an eSIM.

On Wander and Words, my goal is to be as authentic as possible, so I’m not one for throwing a bunch of ads in your face, but Airalo is a really good option for tech-savvy travellers. So, if you want to help a girl out while saving yourself some coins, please consider using my code. Get CAD $4.50 off your first purchase if you use my referral code JAMEN8146 when you sign or check out. You can also get this discount by clicking here.

Mexican SIM Card: The Best for Longer Stays

If you’re staying in Mexico for more than a week, getting a local SIM card is my favourite option. I usually buy one from the phone companies Telcel or OXXO Cel, which is widely available at convenience stores like Oxxo or 7-Eleven.

Convenience stores are everywhere in Mexico, so you should have no trouble finding one where you can buy this SIM card. If you fly to Mexico City as I recommended earlier in this post, there is a 7-Eleven near the bus terminal where you can get a SIM card.

• How it Works:
  • Open your phone’s SIM card slot (I use an earring if I don’t have the proper tool).
  • Insert the Mexican SIM card. Sometimes, store staff will help set it up for you.
  • Top up your data either online or in-store by asking at Oxxo.
• Pros:
  • It’s the cheapest option. I usually spend $300 MEX and get 5GB of data.
  • You get a Mexican phone number, making it easier to make local calls.
• Cons:
  • It can mess up iMessage temporarily since your number changes.
  • You’ll need to keep track of your original SIM card to switch back later. I once lost my original SIM card and had to get another one for $10 CAD once I was back in Canada. 
  • Basic Spanish is necessary for buying the SIM card at Oxxo or any convenience store. I saw you could buy one online on Amazon, but it is like five times the price, so I think waiting until you’re in Mexico is best.

Use Data from Your Home Carrier

Some phone carriers offer international data plans, allowing you to use your regular phone plan abroad. While I’m not entirely sure how this works for every provider, it’s often the easiest option since you don’t need to set anything up. 

I am too scared of getting roaming charges, so I personally avoid this option. 

My recommended option for getting data

Each option has its pros and cons, so it depends on your needs and the length of your trip. Personally, I prefer the Mexican SIM card for longer stays—it’s reliable and budget-friendly.

I recommend buying a 1GB 7-day eSIM from Airalo so that you instantly have data once you land in Mexico. That way you can safely get your accommodation by ordering transportation like Uber. Since the Airalo data seems to run out faster, I would then suggest that you go to Oxxo a day or two later to buy a TELCEL sim card, which has way cheaper packages.

Is Querétaro safe?

The U.S. Department of State currently lists Querétaro under “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime, which is the same category as most of Mexico except for Campeche and Yucatán, which are listed as “Exercise Normal Precautions.” While the advisory is a good guideline, it’s worth noting that safety experiences can vary depending on where you go and how you approach travel. Personally, I’ve always felt very safe in Querétaro, but like any city, it isn’t perfect.

In online expat groups, Querétaro is often described as “so safe,” and I’ve found this to be mostly true. That being said, people who’ve never been to Mexico (like some of my friends and family) often assume the entire country is unsafe and think you’ll get kidnapped the moment you land. This couldn’t be further from my experience. Yes, anything can happen, but I’ve visited other states and cities in Mexico where I’ve felt much more on edge—like Guadalajara and Villahermosa. For example, in Guadalajara, I felt nervous being alone, and in Villahermosa I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere solo. I do love both of those places, though.

Here in Querétaro, the negative experiences I’ve had have been pretty minor:

Catcalling

When walking alone—especially in Centro Histórico—I’ve received a few catcalls from men, like whistles or being called “beautiful.” No one has been overly creepy, so this isn’t a huge concern. Plus, this kind of male attention doesn’t happen when I’m with my boyfriend.

During the day, I feel completely at ease walking around Querétaro, but at night, I stick to well-lit and populated areas. The city’s bustling Centro usually has enough activity to feel secure in the evenings, though I avoid wandering too far alone late at night.

Theft

One time, I stayed at an Airbnb, and the cleaning lady stole my GoPro camera while I ran out to grab water at a convenience store. That Airbnb was a disaster overall since the host also charged me for new phone cases and pillowcases I didn’t damage. Since then, I’ve basically sworn off Airbnbs—they can sometimes be in sketchy areas and lack the security of hotels anyway. I’ve never had anything stolen in a hotel. In fact, my mom once left money out in her room, and the cleaning staff didn’t even touch it until she left a note specifying it was a tip.

Pickpocketing

I once saw a woman’s purse get snatched by a thief at the market across from the bus terminal. It’s a good reminder to keep your belongings close and not flash your phone or wallet.

Weird Uber Driver

For the most part, I’ve had excellent experiences with transportation in Querétaro. The Uber drivers I’ve ridden with have been polite and professional, except for one who made me uncomfortable by asking too many personal questions and giving me his card. He kept looking at me through the rearview mirror and saying he wanted to show me more places in the city even though I made it clear I had a boyfriend. While that was an isolated incident, it’s a reminder to trust your instincts and avoid sharing details that could put you in danger.

So, is Querétaro safe as a woman?

Here’s the surprising part: I’m from one of the top ten most dangerous cities in Canada, and I honestly feel safer in Querétaro than I do in my own hometown. While Querétaro has its share of issues, the level of day-to-day caution I need to exercise here feels manageable compared to what I’m used to back home.

Yes, Querétaro is relatively safe for women, especially compared to other cities in Mexico and even some cities in Canada. With basic precautions—like keeping your phone out of sight, avoiding walking alone late at night, and trusting your instincts—it’s possible to explore the city comfortably and confidently.

No city is perfect, and Querétaro isn’t an exception. But for me, it’s one of the few places where I genuinely feel at ease as a woman, and I’d highly recommend it to female travellers. With its charm and culture, Querétaro is a city that’s well worth visiting.

Conclusion

Thank you so much for reading this guide to Querétaro city! I will do continue updating it so that you can get the most of your trip here.

Overall, I hope you found some helpful information about the logistics of visiting this city. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and share your tips down below. Also, check out my YouTube channel, wander and words, for even more Mexico videos, including vlogs and guides to Querétaro. 🙂