Town 8 km southeast of Bustamante
Bustamante's old mining neighbor, founded in 1690: a hilltop chapel with Stations of the Cross, stone-oven bakeries, and river kayaking.
Villaldama lies just eight kilometers east of Bustamante, and the two towns grew up together. Villaldama was founded in 1690 as the Real de San Pedro de Boca de Leones, a mining camp where silver, lead and zinc were dug from the nearby hills; Tlaxcalan settlers helped found both places. In 1812 it was renamed after Juan Aldama, the independence hero. Mining went on into the 20th century at Minas Viejas, in the sierra of the same name, and during the Revolution a bloody battle was fought here in May 1913.
Today it is a quiet town of old houses and a church dedicated to San Pedro Apóstol. Its landmark is the Ermita de la Santa Cruz, a chapel on a hill about 300 meters from the center, reached by a stairway lined with all the Stations of the Cross, which locals say is unique in the state. From the top you see the whole valley.
Like Bustamante, Villaldama is known for its bakeries, several of which still use traditional stone ovens for empanadas, coyotas and hojarascas. On some weekends the town has also organized kayak outings on its river.
What to see and do
Climb the stairway of the Ermita de la Santa Cruz, past the Stations of the Cross, for the view over the valley.
Visit the parish church of San Pedro Apóstol and the main plaza.
Buy empanadas, coyotas and hojarascas from a stone-oven bakery.
Ask at the town hall whether kayak outings on the river are running.
Getting there
Villaldama is about eight kilometers east of Bustamante, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car on the old road between the two towns. It also sits just off the Monterrey–Nuevo Laredo (Colombia) highway, so it is easy to combine with Bustamante on the way to or from Monterrey.
8 km southeast of Bustamante
Directions from Bustamante on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather warm
Villaldama shares the climate of Bustamante, 8 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Bustamante your base
Villaldama is an easy trip from Bustamante, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Bustamante
-
Cañón de Bustamante
· Nature reserve · 3 km away
The canyon of the San Lorenzo spring between the Sierra de Gomas and Sierra Morena: clear pools, camping, and a water park. -
Grutas de Bustamante
· Cave · 4 km away
Lit caverns high in the Sierra de Gomas, found in 1906 by a man gathering palmito; guided tours and a viewpoint over the valley.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.