Valle de Bravo

About the Valle de Bravo in the state of Mexico, Mexico

By Focelote (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Valle de Bravo (Valley of Bravo in English) is located in the State of Mexico (yes, State of Mexico is the name of a State within Mexico). This small town or valley is located along the shore of Lake Avandaro which is only a short 2 hour drive (about 90 miles southwest) of the capital city, Mexico City. Given its close proximity, this town has become a very popular weekend getaway for many affluent wealthy people, especially from Mexico City.

History of Valle de Bravo

The Valle de Bravo has a very complicated and long history dating back to the 1400’s during Aztec rule. It has been the location of many battle scenes for Independence along with rulers, which also gave the town many names along the way. Several names include: San Francisco del Valle de Temascaltepec, Villa del Valle, Temascaltepec de Indios and today Valle de Bravo, sometimes referred to as only the “El Valle” short for just “The Valley.” The current name of El Valle de Bravo was named in honor of Nicolas Bravo who fought during the Mexican-American War at the Castle of Chapultepec.

There is a great Aztec history at the Valle de Bravo and considered one of the last addition by Aztec chief Axayacatl. After the Spanish conquest, this area became a breeding ground for new movements whether Spanish or Indigenous people. During the Mexican War of Independence, the Valle de Bravo suffered with rebellions taking place there.

The Valley has also experienced modern day changes in geography, such as the Federal Commission on Electricity construction of a damn (“Villa Victoria Damn”) that was completed in 1947 which flooded over 7,100 acres and created the current day reservoir.

Tourism in Valle de Bravo

Valle de Bravo’s primary economic activity is tourism. This destination is a very popular place to visit for weekend getaways, especially for residents of Mexico City and nearby city of Toluca. The estimated number of domestic and international tourist to the valley range from 3.5 million to 4 million annually.
The valley is a hot spot during Semana Santa (“Holly Week”) or New Year’s Eve when many families take vacations. Finding lodging during these times can be very difficult unless you plan well in advance. There are many festivals and events throughout the year that also draw many people into the area, such as the “Festival Vallensano” that includes horse events, art and food exhibits, and many musical performances.

The biggest and well known annual festival is “Festival de las Almas” which stands for the “Festival of the Souls” that occurs late September or early October. This festival includes over 150 programmed events and performances and has been known to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to this event alone.

The Valle de Bravo also has historical teachings and architecture which bring historians and tourist alike. The Colonia architecture includes the “Temple of Santa María Ahuacatlán” dating back to 1864, the “The Casa de la Cultura” (House of Culture) that is located on Lake Avandaro, “The Joaquín Arcadio Pagaza Museum” that is dedicated to the conservation and research of the region's cultural history.

While the Valle de Bravo does not sit on one of Mexico’s prestine beach fronts it does have a shoreline attraction since the town is situated on the edge of Lake Avandaro. You can find numerous shops and restaurants on the boardwalk, including some that float near the primary dock. At night some of these turn into fun and enjoyable night clubs and bars.

On almost every weekend, you can find artistic displays, rent boats for excursions on the lake and even go on horseback riding tours. The Jardín Central i.e. Central Garden can be found outside of the Parish of San Francisco.

Valle de Bravo travel information

Airport: Mexico City International Airport
Address: Av Capitan Carlos León S/N, Venustiano Carranza, Peñón de los Baños, 15620 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
Local phone number: +52 55 2482 2400

Is a passport or travel visa required? This depends on your nationality and your country of origin. We recommend that you check with your travel agent or Mexican Consulate in your area to know what documents you need to travel to Valle De Bravo.

About the Valle de Bravo in the state of Mexico, Mexico

History of Valle de Bravo

Tourism in Valle de Bravo

Valle de Bravo travel information

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