25 Fun Things to do in Valle de Bravo, Mexico

25 Fun Things to do in Valle de Bravo, Mexico

Table of Contents

As I write this, I’m sitting on the patio of our new apartment in Valle de Bravo, Mexico watching the Day of the Dead festivities begin. We came here for a short break in our travels and decided we liked it so much we’re going to do something we haven’t done in years; rent an apartment, long term.

There are so many reasons to love it here, and there are a ton of fun things to do in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. The people here are incredibly nice, the prices are decent (especially for a tourist town), and the town is pretty easy to get around without a car.

If you’d rather listen to this blog, just click play on the SoundCloud audio below:

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Here’s a quick peek at our list of things to do in Valle de Bravo. Below we’ll get into more detail about all of these fun activities in Valle de Bravo. You can either read on or just click on the link in this list to skip ahead to that section.

  1. Take the Valle de Bravo Chu-Chu Trolley
  2. Browse the Museo Arqueológico de Valle de Bravo
  3. Valle de Bravo Paragliding (“Parapente” in Spanish)
  4. Shop at the Sunday Street Bazaar
  5. Festival de las Almas (Festival of the Souls) (Oct-Nov)
  6. Fishing Lake Avándaro In Valle De Bravo, Mexico
  7. Eat Traditional Mexican Food
  8. Ziplining in Valle de Bravo, Mexico (“Tirolesa” in Spanish)
  9. Cascada Velo de Novia
  10. Cascada Piedra el Molino
  11. Cascadas Refugio del Salto
  12. Take a Trip up La Pena in Valle de Bravo, Mexico
  13. Go Rappelling in Valle de Bravo
  14. Rent a 4-Wheeler in Valle de Bravo
  15. Visit Valle de Bravo’s Mercado Municipal
  16. Visit Valle de Bravo’s Mercado de Artesanías
  17. Take a Party Boat on Lake Avándaro In Valle De Bravo
  18. Take in Some Golf at the Club de Golf Avándaro
  19. Visit Valle de Bravo’s Museo de Arte Popular
  20. Rent a Private Boat on Lake Avándaro In Valle De Bravo
  21. Check out some Butterflies at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
  22. Visit the 17th-Century San Francisco de Asis Church
  23. Hike to La Torre
  24. Visit the Valle de Bravo Lakefront
  25. Monte Alto State Park

Before we get into our detailed list of things to do in Valle de Bravo, let’s get into a little info on the town you may find useful.

Where is Valle de Bravo, Mexico?

Valle de Bravo sits on the shores of Lake Avándaro in Central Mexico.

How Far Is Valle De Bravo From Mexico City

Mexico City to Valle de Bravo

Valle de Bravo is about a 2-3 hour drive west of Mexico City. That’s assuming you hit no traffic, which may be rough to do on the weekends.

Traveling Between Valle de Bravo and Mexico City

You could rent a car and drive, but I don’t really think it’s worth it. Driving in Mexico sucks, and there are very few places to park long-term once you’re in Valle de Bravo.

Thankfully, buses in Mexico are cheap, convenient, and easy to use. We’ve been back and forth between Mexico City and Valle de Bravo a few times, so we’ll walk you through it.

Getting from Mexico City To Valle De Bravo, Mexico

I suggest buying tickets online, here, before your trip. If you show up at the bus terminal in Mexico City on a weekend trying to buy a ticket, you may find all of the first-class buses already full.

There are three bus lines that leave from Terminal de Autobuses del Poniente Observatorio in Mexico City traveling to Valle de Bravo, Mexico. When buying your ticket online, make sure you go with Excelencia Plus. This is a first-class bus that is “direct” to Valle de Bravo.

The Excelencia Plus bus trip from Mexico City to Valle de Bravo takes around 3 hours. It will take longer on the weekend due to traffic between El Arco and Valle de Bravo.

The second and third-class buses leaving Terminal de Autobuses del Poniente Observatorio in Mexico City to Valle de Bravo make many stops and it could take up to six hours to reach Valle de Bravo. Again, go for the first-class Excelencia Plus bus.

Once you arrive at the Terminal de Autobuses del Poniente Observatorio, walk to the Excelencia Plus ticket window. Right next to it are kiosks where you can scan the QR code on the ticket you bought online and the kiosk will print your actual ticket.

You can see the location of the kiosks at minute 1:06 in my video of the Terminal de Autobuses del Poniente Observatorio, below.

Then just ask one of the workers at the Excelencia Plus ticket window which gate you’re leaving from, and they’ll point you in the right direction (it’s been gate 12 every time we’ve done the trip).

Even though the first-class Excelencia Plus bus says it’s direct from Mexico City to Valle de Bravo, it’s not. After a couple of hours, the bus will make a quick stop in El Arco-Cruz Roja, which is about 15 minutes from Valle de Bravo. It will also make a very brief stop at the entrance to Valle de Bravo near the Soriana.

For most people traveling to Valle de Bravo, they’re going to want to go to the third and final stop in Valle de Bravo at the Autobuses México, Toluca Zinacantepec y Ramales terminal. From here you can walk, most likely uphill, to your final destination or grab a taxi just outside the terminal.

Valle De Bravo To Mexico City

Getting from Valle de Bravo to Mexico City is pretty easy. Again, buy your first-class Excelencia Plus tickets from Valle de Bravo to Mexico City’s Terminal de Autobuses del Poniente Observatorio, here.

Show up at the Autobuses México, Toluca Zinacantepec y Ramales terminal in Valle de Bravo about 15 minutes before your trip, print your tickets at the kiosk, and you’re ready to go.

Top 25 Fun Things to Do in Valle de Bravo, Mexico

We’ve been here for a couple of months now, and are slowly working our way through this list. Once we experience more of the town and its surrounding area, we’ll update this list.

And, now, 25 fun things to do in Valle de Bravo, Mexico.

#1 Take the Valle de Bravo Chu-Chu Trolley

valle de bravo mexico - trolley stop

This is a fun way to kill a couple of hours, as well as see a couple of the waterfalls just outside of town. I have absolutely no idea when this trolley runs, as there are no posted hours anywhere. You will certainly have better luck finding the trolley running on the weekends. Depending on the weekday, though, they may be closed.

Your best bet is to text or email the trolley operators before you show up. Here is the contact info from our receipt.

things to do in valle de bravo, mexico - chu chu trolley

The trolly tour begins right in the middle of the tourist area, across from the Plaza Mariposa. It doesn’t leave at any set time, but when they find 6 or more passengers. Once you pay the $100 pesos (around $5usd) for your ticket, find a seat, sit back, and relax.

The trolley takes a leisurely 1.5-hour tour of Valle de Bravo, Mexico, and its surrounding areas. The trolley’s first stop will be at the Cascadas de Piedra el Molino. Here you’ll have 10-15 minutes to check out the waterfall and get some pics.

valle de bravo mexico - cascada piedra de molino

On the trolley’s way to the second stop, they’ll go through the town of Avandaro where you can check out the homes and lifestyles of Mexico’s rich and famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask).

After your brief tour of Avandaro, you’ll make a stop at the Cascadas Velo de Novia. Here you’ll have about 30 minutes to make the easy walk to the waterfalls, and get some shopping in from the indigenous craft market.

After the second waterfall, you’ll make your way back to where the tour began. There is a tour guide on the trolley that will point out places of interest, in Spanish. Tips are appreciated and I saw people tip between $20-$50 pesos.

#2 Browse the Museo Arqueológico de Valle de Bravo

valle de bravo mexico - Museo Arqueologico 3

If you’re lakeside and looking for something to do for 20-30 minutes, pop on ever to the Museo Arqueológico de Valle de Bravo. They have a nice, but small, collection of pre-Columbian artifacts from the region that you can check out.

The museum is quite small, but it’s a good way to kill half an hour. Admission is free.

#3 Valle de Bravo Paragliding (“Parapente” in Spanish)

One of the main tourist activities in Valle de Bravo, outside of the watersports, is paragliding. From our patio, we can see anywhere between 15-20 paragliders a day jumping off the mountain and enjoying their 15-30 minutes in the air, before landing lakeside. Looks fun. Not for me, though.

If you’re the adventurous type and have no problem jumping off of a perfectly good mountain, you have plenty of paragliding options. In the tourist area of town, near the Plaza Mariposa, there are dozens of shacks, stalls, and storefronts that offer paragliding.

The costs and excursions differ from provider to provider. One paragliding provider may offer no-frills, 15-minute paragliding excursions starting at $2000 pesos ($100usd). Another provider may offer longer 30-minute excursions, which include pics and vids, which may cost up to $3800 pesos ($190usd).

#4 Shop at the Sunday Street Bazaar

I love going to street bazaars in Mexico. No matter what town you’re in, there’s most likely a Sunday street bazaar. And Valle de Bravo has a great one.

Basically, a Mexican street bazaar is a giant outdoor flea market, where you can find just about anything, new or used, for sale. Anyone in Valle de Bravo who has something to sell is here. On any given Sunday you can find:

  • Ready-to-eat food, like tacos, chicharrones, & soups
  • New and used clothing & shoes
  • Fresh produce
  • Fresh meats
  • Cooking utensils
  • Homemade candies and snacks
  • Holiday supplies
  • Home supplies, etc

Natasha and I are regulars at the Sunday bazaar. We furnished a lot of our new apartment with kitchen gadgets, plants, and knick-knacks from the bazaar.

As you can see in the map above, the bazaar is very close to the municipal market, so this would be a great way to kill two birds with one stone. Bring small bills with you, though. The vendors hate making change for bills $500 or above.

#5 Festival de las Almas (Festival of the Souls) (Oct-Nov)

We’re actually celebrating the Festival de las Almas as I write this. It’s a week-long celebration centered around the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). For more information on the festivities, you can follow the Festival de las Almas Valle de Bravo Facebook page.

Every day of the Festival de las Almas is filled with activities like:

  • Mexican film viewing.
  • Traditional dances.
  • Music of every kind imaginable.
  • Day of the Dead sugar skull making.
  • Chocolate expos &
  • Theater troupes.

As you can see in the video just above, the week-long festivities end with a huge Dia de los Muertos parade featuring floats, dancing, musical acts, and a lot of face paint.

#6 Fishing Lake Avándaro In Valle De Bravo, Mexico

Lake Avándaro is full of sport fish, including largemouth bass, trout, tilapia, and huge carp. There are numerous places along the shore to fish, and we see people pulling out some impressive-sized fish right from our patio.

If you want to make a day of it, and rent a boat and fishing tour guide, you can do that also. One of the boat owners we know, Jorge, sets out on 2-hour fishing excursions, with all gear and tackle provided, for $2400 pesos.

#7 Eat Traditional Mexican Food

pechuga empanazada at La Tradicion in Valle de Bravo, Mexico
pechuga empanazada at La Tradicion

Just like any tourist town in Mexico, there are two types of restaurants in Valle de Bravo, Mexico:

  • Restaurants for the Tourists – These are mostly centered around the lakefront and can be a little pricey. There’s nothing wrong with these restaurants, and some of the food is actually pretty good. It’s just that one tourist restaurant is pretty much the same as the next.
  • Tradition Mexican Restaurants – This is where the good food is. And it’s usually a fraction of the price of the tourist spots.

If you want delicious, traditional Mexican food, this is where I suggest eating at traditional restaurants. Some of our favorite spots for traditional Mexican food, include:

  • Carnitas LightThis restaurant offers delicious tacos and quesadillas, filled with your choice of filling, such as carnitas, pollo de tinga, flor de calabaza, or chorizo. The food is amazing and a huge quesadilla de carnitas costs $27 pesos ($1.50usd)
  • La Tradicion – As the name implies, this little restaurant serves up traditional Mexican foods like pechuga empanazada (pictured under the header), flautas de pollo, arrachera, & sopes. You can expect to pay around $100 pesos per plate ($5usd).
  • La ChiquitaThis is a lovely little Oaxacan restaurant that serves up traditional tlayudas, pollo con mole negro, & chorizo quesadillas. The restaurant also doubles as a small art gallery, showcasing local artists.

Another excellent way to kill two birds with one stone is to check out one of the many small traditional restaurants in the Mercado Municipal or at the Sunday bazaar while you’re there.

For a list of some of the best foods we’ve had in Valle de Bravo, check out our Food in Mexico blog, the Valle de Bravo edition.

#8 Ziplining in Valle de Bravo, Mexico (“Tirolesa” in Spanish)

valle de bravo zip lining

Like paragliding, there are ziplining guides all over Valle de Bravo. A regular zipline excursion usually costs around $1000 pesos ($50usd) each person, with a 2-person minimum. The price includes transportation to and from town.

Visit the Cascadas (waterfalls) in Valle de Bravo, Mexico

There are many cascadas (waterfalls) just outside of town that are worth visiting. We’ll just mention a few of them here.

#9 Cascada Velo de Novia

The cascade Velo de Novia sits in a beautiful park about a 25-minute drive outside of town. You can get here by taxi or on the Valle de Bravo trolley. There is one large-ish waterfall in the park and numerous smaller ones.

Once you’re at the park, it’s a very easy 10-minute walk to the larger waterfall. In the park, there are also hiking trails, zip-lining, picnic spots, a small playground, and a couple of small restaurants. You can make a half-day excursion here, or just go see the waterfall and be done in under half an hour.

#10 Cascada Piedra el Molino

This small waterfall is about a 45-minute walk from town. You can also grab a taxi from town, or take the Valle de Bravo trolley. Again, this is definitely not an all-day excursion. You can see all there is to see, hike to the top of the waterfall, and take all of the pictures you want in under 15 minutes.

There’s also a small pizzeria across the street, that has wonderful views of the waterfall if you’d like to stay longer. Right next to the waterfall are a number of tourist shops run by local indigenous women. It’s worth the stop if you’re looking for something quick and fun to do.

#11 Cascadas Refugio del Salto

The Cascada Refugio del Salto is open 7-days a week from 8:00am to 6:00pm. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to see everything there is to offer – plan to be here for approximately 2 hours. Here in Valle de Bravo, Mexico it tends to get dark pretty early. Plus during the rainy season, you can expect to miss out on things for about an hour just about every afternoon.

We really like the Cascada Refugio del Salto for several reasons:

  • It’s a great day trip for the whole family thanks to the easy terrain.
  • It is a nice, relaxing 20-minute stroll along the river.
  • The views of this 15-meter waterfall are just spectacular.
  • You can do this waterfall plus Avándaro on the same day.
  • Best yet, it’s absolutely free!

Cascada Refugio del Salto is one of the most visited natural sites in Valle de Bravo. Be sure to take your camera and good walking shoes. You’ll find vendors along the way that can offer up snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. There are even a few riverside restaurants worth checking out.

#12 Take a Trip up La Pena in Valle de Bravo, Mexico

Some of the best views in Valle de Bravo can be found at the Mirador La Pena. On a clear day, you’ll get a 360-degree view of the lake, volcanos, and everything in between. We generally recommend going earlier in the day to avoid the afternoon heat, hoards of tourists, and potential rain in the afternoons.

Mirador La Pena is a great tourist spot worth checking out for many reasons:

  • It’s only a 30-minute ascent even if you take a relaxing pace.
  • There’s a cave that can be explored halfway up.
  • It’s very close to Monte Alto where you can paraglide.
  • Both sunrises and sunsets here are spectacular.
  • La Pena is the perfect way to connect with nature at only 5 pesos a person!

Things to take include hiking shoes (preferably boots), lots of water, and cozy clothes – there can be a cool breeze at the top so a lightweight jacket is a good idea too! This is a mid-level trek that can be semi-treacherous during the rainy season thanks to super-slick rocks. But don’t worry, the views are well worth the effort of getting to the top.

Note: Parking can be an issue. While there isn’t a dedicated parking lot for people visiting La Pena, you can park on the street. However, roads in Valle are pretty steep. Your best bet is to rent a 4-wheeler, hire a guide who will drive you, or you can take the walk which is approximately 30 minutes from town.

#13 Go Rappelling in Valle de Bravo

If you’re into rappelling, Valle de Bravo has some of the best spots to do it. You can rappel down a waterfall, opt to go on a half-day trek or descend 25 meters from La Pena for some of the best panoramic views of the town.

This is an extreme sport that requires a guided experience. We recommend going with a 2-hour tour to start for those that aren’t quite experienced but want to give it a go. During the tour, you’ll be taught the ins and outs of the rappel system before “taking the leap”.

It’s an exhilarating experience worth checking out while in Valle de Bravo. You can find certified tour companies throughout Valle so there’s really no need to book too far in advance. Expect to pay around $50 USD minimum for this tour.

#14 Rent a 4-Wheeler in Valle de Bravo

One of the first things you’ll notice when arriving to Valle de Bravo is that there are a lot (and we mean a lot) of recreational vehicles. Locals and tourists alike opt to avoid the traffic that the town is known for with all-terrain 4-wheelers. They can be rented just about anywhere by the day or hour.

We definitely recommend spending at least a day renting one of these fun vehicles. It’s easy to circumvent traffic and is definitely the best way to see all of Valle’s many tourist attractions from waterfalls to the best vistas around. Parking can often be an issue too with a larger car or truck so 4-wheelers definitely make it easy to pull up on the side of the road whenever you see a roadside stall or photo opportunity.

There are a few different routes you can take too. When you rent a 4-wheeler, your guide will provide a map and give you the best options for the amount of time you have. Renting a 4-wheeler will generally cost you anywhere from $35-$50 USD per hour. You can sometimes get better rates when you rent multiple vehicles and/or longer amounts of time.

#15 Visit Valle de Bravo’s Mercado Municipal

menu at mercado municipal valle de bravo

We’re at the Mercado Municipal at least twice a week. Be forewarned, this is not a tourist market. This is a traditional Mexican market, and it’s the best place in Valle de Bravo to shop for:

  • Fresh beef, pork, or poultry.
  • Every kind of fresh fruit and veg you can think of.
  • Beautiful flowers.
  • Home goods.
  • Shoes and clothing.

There are also many food stalls in the market serving up some delicious traditional Mexican food and snacks (as you can see in my pic above). If you’ve never been to a traditional Mexican market, I highly recommend it. They’re by far, my favorite places in Mexico to shop and eat.

#16 Visit Valle de Bravo’s Mercado de Artesanías

Valle de Bravo’s Mercado de Artesanías is a cute place to kill an hour or so shopping for traditional Mexican crafts, such as:

  • Hand-made clay cookware.
  • Straw-woven placemats, pen-holders, and drink coasters.
  • Hand-made clothing.
  • Religious artifacts.
  • Household goods &
  • Souvenirs.

A lot of the items in our apartment, including a lot of our cookware, came from here. The prices are ridiculously low, and the individual shop owners are friendly, and not too pushy about making sales. You can spend as little as 15 minutes here, up to probably an hour.

#17 Take a Party Boat on Lake Avándaro In Valle De Bravo

At the center of the tourist area, near the Plaza Mariposa, are three party boats open to the public, the:

  • Fiesta Valle
  • Yate Festivall &
  • Crystal

You can purchase tickets for all three right next to the Plaza Mariposa. Don’t worry about not finding a ticket booth. There are about 30 people walking around selling tickets for each boat.

If you’re here during the week, they may not be open, or they may only go out once a day. On the weekends though they take (3-4) 90-minute trips each day.

The cost of the trip varies by boat, but not by much. You can expect to pay around $120 pesos ($6 usd) for a 90-minute boat ride. There are multiple decks, both in and out of the elements, to sit and enjoy the ride. You can also purchase beer and snacks on the boat while you enjoy the ride.

#18 Take in Some Golf at the Club de Golf Avándaro

While this one isn’t exactly for me, to each their own. The Club de Golf Avándaro is open to the public, and there’s something here for everyone, including:

  • a kid’s club where the young ones can hang out
  • a yoga center
  • tennis courts
  • racquetball courts
  • a pool & restaurants

There’s also, believe it or not, golf. I’ve reached out to the golf club by phone, email, and Facebook message for details on pricing. As soon as I get it I’ll update this post. Leave me a comment below if you want me to get back to you with pricing.

#19 Visit Valle de Bravo’s Museo de Arte Popular

The Museo de Arte Popular is a small museum that’s dedicated to the popular art of the country as a collective heritage of Mexico as well as the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups in Valle de Bravo. It’s a great spot to stop by and immerse yourself in Mexican culture thanks to rotating exhibits.

It can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes to visit the museum. Because Museo de Arte Popular is so centrally-located (approx 5-minute walk from Plaza Principal) you can easily fit it into your schedule. Plus, it’s free!

Museo de Arte Popular is open Wednesday thru Sunday 10am to 6pm (Closed Monday/Tuesday). We recommend stopping by to escape the afternoon heat while shopping in the town center.

#20 Rent a Private Boat on Lake Avándaro In Valle De Bravo

If you’re in Valle de Bravo and want an extra special treat for you and the family, renting a private boat might just do the trick. The water in Valle is generally very calm and relaxing. On the weekends you’ll have plenty of boats to choose from and can rent by the hour, or day.

Because each boat has different amenities, prices will definitely vary. However, you can expect most guided boat tours to cost around 500 pesos an hour ($25 USD). We recommend doing a sunset boat ride where they take you past La Pena for some incredibly stunning views.

#21 Check out some Butterflies at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is a must-see in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. This is an absolutely stunning place full of magic. We’ve been to a ton of butterfly sanctuaries and this one is definitely a “worth it” in our book allowing you to truly surround yourself with nature.

Valle de Bravo Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

Why we recommend the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve:

  • It’s considered among the four natural beauties recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
  • The cost for the sanctuary is a steal at 100 pesos ($5 USD) per person.
  • You can have a fully guided tour for an additional $350 pesos ($7.50 USD).
  • It’s a perfect half-day tour taking 1 hour to stroll through and 1-hour to get back.
  • There are plenty of amenities including restrooms, vendors selling snacks, and of course, souvenirs.

The best time to go is during late October-November when you’ll see the trees aglow a bright orange color with the millions of Monarchs that make their journey here each year.

The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is slightly outside of Valle de Bravo – about 30 minutes. Another great reason to rent a 4-wheeler for the day. However, you can easily get a taxi to take you for a decent rate (approx 200 pesos or $10 USD). Some will even wait for you while you tour the facility so you don’t have to worry about finding a way back to town.

#22 Visit the 17th-Century San Francisco de Asis Church

The beautiful Asis church is named after the town’s patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi. If you happen to be in Valle de Bravo, Mexico on October 4th, we highly recommend checking out the extensive celebrations – including fireworks, amazing food, and music. Whichever date you’re in town, we definitely recommend visiting this architectural beauty.

Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís, Valle de Bravo

The Asis church can be found between the streets of 5 de Febrero and Independencia. Here you’ll also find plenty of shady spots to enjoy a cafe or ice cream cone during the warm afternoons. There’s generally some type of market going on at the church too so it’s definitely a gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.

#23 Hike to La Torre

La Torre is the ideal tourist attraction in Valle for the adventurous spirit. It’s about a 30-40 minute walk from Valle de Bravo, Mexico – depending on your starting location. It is up, up, up so be aware that good shoes and water are necessary to reach the top comfortably.

You’ll see some pretty amazing views along the way. La Torre is definitely a great hike to do if you’re into photography, nature, wildlife, and flowers. And once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to views from the amazing Monte Alto – a protected ecological reserve.

#24 Visit the Valle de Bravo Lakefront

Natasha enjoying a liter on the Valle de Bravo lakefront
Natasha enjoying a liter on the Valle de Bravo lakefront

Our apartment sits just above the lakefront, about a 3-minute walk to the Plaza Mariposa, so we spend quite a bit of time in this area. At the lakefront there are:

  • dozens of restaurants to grab a snack.
  • some cool beer shacks to grab an adult beverage.
  • lots of shopping.
  • lots of tourist activities (boat rides, the trolley, paragliding, etc).
  • and a lot of people watching.

During the week the lakeside is pretty sleepy, and some of the bars and restaurants close. The weekend, though, is a whole other story. Everything is packed with locals and tourists enjoying everything the area has to offer.

#25 Monte Alto State Park

Monte Alto is an ecological reserve that offers some amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lake. You can take the La Torre hike to get there, opt to rent a 4-wheeler, or simply taxi it. Monte Alto State Park is most known as the takeoff point for the popular adventure sport – paragliding.

From town, you can see dozens of people make the leap from Monte Alto every single day. If you’re not into jumping off a mountain, don’t worry. Monte Alto has approximately 20 kilometers for hiking, biking, or just taking in the scenery.

The ecological reserve has a ton of amenities that were updated in 2013 too including toilets, a deluxe camping site, and even cabin rentals for those that really want to connect with nature.

Some Things to be Aware of in Valle de Bravo, Mexico

A typical road in Valle de Bravo goes up, and up, and up

While there are a lot of fun things to do in Valle de Bravo, there are also some things about Valle de Bravo you may want to take into consideration. Nothing major, but there are some aspects of Valle de Bravo that might not make it suitable for all.

  • The Altitude – If you’re coming from CDMX you won’t have a problem. If you’re coming from the coast, Valle de Bravo’s altitude of 5550′ (1850m) could cause you some problems for the first couple of days until you’re acclimated.
  • The Sun – On clear days the high-altitude sun here is no joke. You will burn in just a matter of minutes, so a good hat and sunscreen are a must.
  • The Terrain – Aside from the lakeside street in the tourist area, there are very few flat streets or sidewalks. Most of the streets and sidewalks here are very steep and can be exhausting to climb. Especially if you’re not used to the altitude. If you have mobility issues, I suggest staying in and around the lake and avoid walking up into the town.
  • The Wifi – It sucks. Especially on the weekends, and especially if you’re a digital nomad here to get some work done. Both Wifi and data (aside from AT&T) will be spotty, or completely down, on the weekends when all of the tourists are in town.
  • The Language – This is Mexico, they speak Spanish in Mexico. If you don’t have any Spanish, you will have a difficult time in Valle de Bravo. This isn’t CDMX or Playa del Carmen where there are a lot of English-speaking Mexicans. In 6-weeks I have yet to meet one person here who speaks English.

None of these issues should dissuade you from visiting Valle de Bravo, Mexico. I only mention them because some people with mobility issues, or people who depend on Wifi for work, may have to take these issues into account while they’re here.

Valle De Bravo Weather

Valle de Bravo weather is some of the best you’re going to find in Mexico. The days are sunny and warm 70-80f (21-26c) and the nights cool down to 40-50f (4.5-10c). It’s like springtime, all year round.

Sunset on a clear and cool evening in Valle de Bravo, Mexico

We moved here at the beginning of October, just at the end of the rainy season (May-November). Most of the days during the rainy season were sunny to partly cloudy, with 1-2 hours of rain starting at around 4pm.

During the dry season (December-May) there may not be rain for weeks or even months. The temps will be on the cooler side, and you definitely don’t want to be caught out after dark without a jacket.

Is Valle De Bravo Safe?

Yes. Valle de Bravo is safe. As long as you take the same precautions you would take anywhere else, you shouldn’t have any problems in Valle de Bravo. We’ve walked nearly every bit of this town, both day and night, and have never once had a problem or felt unsafe.

Concluding Our 25 Fun Things to Do in Valle de Bravo, Mexico Blog

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I hope you’ve enjoyed our list of 25 fun things to do in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. If there’s anything we’ve missed, or if you have any other questions about our new hometown, please feel free to reach out via the comments below. We’ll do our best to answer any and all questions.

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