Jalpan de Serra Mexico Sierra Gorda Missions and Waterfall

Why visit Jalpan de Serra

Jalpan sits at a much lower altitude than the high Sierra Gorda towns, so the climate is warm and the valley is green. The town is a pleasant place to walk, with a shaded main square, a museum in an old fort and a mission church that dominates the center.

It is also a practical starting point. Two of the five missions are in Jalpan municipality, and the others, as well as waterfalls and cave country, lie within a day trip by road.

In town

Misión de Santiago de Jalpan

Begun in 1751 and finished in 1758, this was the first of the five Sierra Gorda missions and is dedicated to Saint James the Greater. The main portal is crowded with stucco plants, saints, the Franciscan coat of arms and a double headed eagle, while the dome inside shows the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The main garden sits in front of the mission church and is the social heart of Jalpan. Photo: A01197141_Zuriel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The main garden

The plaza in front of the church is full of trees and noisy birds, and it is the place where the town gathers, especially on Sundays when vendors sell snacks and toys. On weekends there are artistic presentations.

The museum occupies the old Jalpan fort and covers the region from prehistory to the early twentieth century. Photo: Elias Padilla, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Museo de la Sierra Gorda

Across Independencia Street, the museum occupies the old Jalpan fort, one of the oldest buildings in town, which later served as a jail before opening as a museum in 1991.

Crafts from palm fronds, ceramics, pine needles and wood are sold in Jalpan. Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Casa de las Artesanías

This crafts center shows and sells work from Jalpan and nearby municipalities, including items made from palm fronds, ceramics, pine needles and wood. You will also find fruit preserves, guava candies, fruit liquors, honey and regional coffee.

The Playita on the Jalpan River hosts a large community potluck each 1 May. Photo: Rodrigo González Grasa, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

River, dam and countryside

The Playita on the Jalpan River

The riverbank known as the Playita hosts the Convivio de la Amistad on 1 May, a large potluck where families share the food they brought. Even on ordinary days it is a pleasant spot for a short walk.

The Jalpan Dam sits in the river valley below the town. Photo: CRomero, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Jalpan Dam

The reservoir below the town was part of major works in the region and has changed the landscape and local economy.

The Tancoyol mission carries the most elaborate facade iconography of the five Sierra Gorda missions. Photo: Alexialef, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nearby missions and waterfalls

Tancoyol

The second mission in Jalpan municipality is dedicated to Our Lady of Light and is thought to have been built by Friar Juan Ramos de Lora.

The Landa mission was the last of the five Franciscan missions to be built. Photo: A01207946 Dayana, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Landa de Matamoros

Landa has the last of the five missions, built between 1761 and 1768 and dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The town sits at the foot of small mountains on Highway 120 and has a cobblestone center.

The Concá waterfall is fed by a freshwater spring and falls into the Santa María River. Photo: Josep Salvany i Blanch, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Concá waterfall

Beyond Jalpan in Arroyo Seco municipality, a freshwater spring feeds a waterfall just south of the town of Concá. It drops into the Santa María River and also makes a nice stop with the small Concá mission.

Jalpan de Serra lies in the heart of the Sierra Gorda ecological zone. Photo: Renata Frias, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Food and local flavors

Sierra Gorda cooking is rustic and generous. Cecina serrana is dried beef marinated in sour orange and salt, usually grilled. Zacahuil is an extremely large tamale made with corn, chili peppers and pork or chicken that feeds a family, so order it to share.

For something sweet, look for guava ate, a fruit paste made from locally grown guava, along with guava candies, fruit liquors and local honey. Coffee from nearby mountainsides has a distinctive aroma.

Popular dishes to try in Jalpan de Serra

Where to stay

Downtown Jalpan is the best choice for most visitors because the mission, garden, museum and craft center are all within a short walk.

Landa de Matamoros is a quieter option on Highway 120 with a stone paved center and a mission beside the plaza. It suits slow travelers who want a village rhythm.

Pinal de Amoles is cooler, higher and often foggy, and its lodges and cabins suit those who prefer mountain air and forest views.

Where to stay in Jalpan de Serra

Best time to visit

Jalpan has a warm climate, with an annual average temperature around 24 degrees Celsius, and the high mountain areas are much cooler. Spring and autumn are comfortable for walking and day trips.

Events give the calendar its character. The Feria Regional Serrana takes place in April with cultural and sports events and a fishing tournament, the feast of Saint James is on 25 July, and Day of the Dead brings a monumental altar to a small plaza in town.

Getting there and getting around

Jalpan is on Federal Highway 120, about 180 kilometres from San Juan del Río, and the road continues to Xilitla in San Luis Potosí. Most visitors start in Querétaro, which has the nearest major airport.

The route is mountainous, so allow extra time and travel in daylight when you can. A car is the most flexible option for visiting Tancoyol, Landa and Concá.

A suggested itinerary

Practical tips

• Visit the garden on a Sunday if you want to see local life at its liveliest.
• Carry cash for markets and small craft shops.
• Check museum and mission hours locally, as they vary by season.
• Wear sunscreen and a hat, since the valley is warm.
• Fill your tank in town before mountain drives.