Photos from San Luis Potosi

In September 2015, I spent a week in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. I split my time between the state capital, also named San Luis Potosi, and the town of Real de Catorce.

San Luis Potosi location in Mexico

The city of San Luis Potosi was officially founded in 1592, though Spanish settlers had arrived earlier than that, searching for precious metals. The state became one of Mexico’s most prolific mining centers, with large deposits of gold and silver. Today, manufacturing is the leading industry in the region, with several international automobile corporations having large factories in the area. The city has a pleasant colonial central area with some wonderful churches and plazas linked by pedestrian walkways. San Luis Potosi doesn’t seem to be on the normal tourist’s radar, but there’s enough to see and do here to keep a person busy for a couple of days.

I enjoyed walking around and seeing the sites. I also enjoyed the food — there are a couple of dishes that are local to the area. My favorite was Tacos Rojos, which are tortillas slathered in a red sauce and filled with cheese. They are cooked and topped with carrots and potatoes, then usually served with a handful of shredded lettuce and crumbled cheese on top. Delicious!

Tacos Rojos, San Luis Potosi

I always enjoy seeing Volkswagen Beetles when I travel to Mexico. They’re still very common, and were made in Mexico until 2004. I have no way of knowing which ones are old or new, but I sure liked this bright red one against a yellow wall:

VW Bug, San Luis Potosi

Here are some views of various churches, plazas, and other public spaces in San Luis Potosi:

Iglesia Nuestra Señora Del Carmen, San Luis Potosi

Panoramic City View, San Luis Potosi

Iglesia Guadalupe and Gordita Stand, San Luis Potosi

Cathedral, San Luis Potosi

Iglesia San Jose, San Luis Potosi

Teatro de la Paz, San Luis Potosi

Cathedral, San Luis Potosi

Dusk, San Luis Potosi

La Capilla de Aranzazú, San Luis Potosi

This man was selling birds alongside one of the local churches. Sometimes you see men selling small finches, similar to those which you might see in a pet store here in the United States. What I found interesting about this man was that he was selling birds like cardinals and green jays. He had a tall wood cage he carried over his shoulder that extended many feet above his head. While I was watching, he sold the cardinal in the second spot in the cage to the women he is speaking to.