All the thrill seekers out there, Mexico’s Ghost town must be on your bucket list as soon as possible. The Real de Catorce is an abandoned town in Mexico that is just three and a half hours away from San Luis Potos.
Once upon a time, known for its mining centers, this city still has an aura of rich history around it. Make sure you have the Mexico car insurance before you visit.
A brief introduction of the Real de Catorce
Real de Catorce was once famous as a silver mining town, and though it is difficult to get there, the place is worth a visit if you are fond of exciting adventures. This settlement is located at a height of 9000 feet in the Sierra de Catorce range and draws hundreds of tourists every year.
The first step towards the town is like visiting a haunted house ride at a park, as you need to travel 17 miles through a steep cobblestone road and then through a tunnel of 1.5 miles to get there. This tunnel was built centuries ago when the town was built in the 18th century.
When it was built, Real de Catorce was one of the largest towns in Mexico. You can see many ruined forts and stone structures that still have a stunning appearance. According to several tourists, the town has some sort of mysticism about it. Many claims that there is a presence of magical powers and energy, like in other ghost towns. Perhaps that is what draws so many tourists every year.
At present, the town offers a unique location for many film shootings. The best way to travel around the town is by horseback. You can find small stores all over the place to buy souvenirs. As you go through the town, you will come across many abandoned buildings, some of which are barely standing. The city center has a cathedral and the rest of the town is built around it. Once, a densely populated and beautiful town is now completely empty. All the buildings are crumbling to dust and just the ghosts of the past.
You can stay real overnight and go sightseeing, which is equally mysterious. You can visit the Cerro del Quemado which the locals considered the “birthplace of the sun”. The location has three circles around some sort of a fireplace and it is believed that the residents of the town once performed sacrifices to the sun there.
You can also visit a Chapel built to perform purification rites all those centuries ago. A Huichol Shaman stays there and volunteers to perform those rites on the visitors.
If you are looking for some intoxicating adventures, Real de Catorce is the place to be. With its mysterious charm and historical surroundings, you will find your visit to this place worth it. It is a perfect blend of peculiar, history and spiritualism. Just remember to have the Mexican auto insurance for Palm Springs before you get here. You can book a hotel if you want to stay overnight.