Amealco de Bonfil, municipality in Querétaro, Mexico
Amealco de Bonfil is a small municipality in southern Querétaro, Mexico, serving as an administrative division of the state. The town sits within green surroundings of lakes and dense forests with tall firs, pines, and oaks, featuring narrow streets where artisans still make traditional dolls and crafts using centuries-old methods.
The town was founded in 1538 during Spanish exploration, reportedly by indigenous leaders such as Fernando de Tapia and Nicolás de San Luis Montañez. In 1941 Amealco was officially recognized as a municipality with its own local government, formalizing its administrative status as part of Querétaro state.
The name Amealco comes from Nahuatl and means 'place of springs,' reflecting the town's importance to its indigenous inhabitants. The strong Otomi tradition shapes daily life here, visible in colorful clothing, traditional food preparation, and handmade dolls that local women craft in workshops using methods passed down through generations.
The climate is cool with daytime temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius and much colder nights, so visitors should bring warm clothing. Accommodation options range from the Misión La Muralla hotel with traditional Mexican food and activities like horseback riding to rustic wooden cabins in the forest where you can see deer and enjoy nature.
Near town stands the La Piedad waterfall, where water cascades from a high point and creates a cool spray, attracting visitors for outdoor activities. In the same area ancient animal bones have been discovered including a mammoth tusk, revealing the region's prehistoric past.
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