Santa María del Río
The "Cradle of the Rebozo"—watch artisans weave traditional shawls on backstrap looms
Overview
Santa María del Río is Mexico's rebozo capital, known as the "Cradle of the Rebozo" for its centuries-old tradition of weaving these elegant shawls on backstrap looms. Just 40 minutes south of San Luis Potosí on Highway 57, this small town preserves authentic Mexican craft traditions that have been passed down through generations. Visitors can watch artisans at work in their workshops, learning about the painstaking process that can take weeks or months for a single rebozo. Prices range from 200 pesos for simple designs to 5,000+ pesos for intricate masterpieces. The annual Festival Nacional del Rebozo in August showcases regional traditions with competitions, exhibitions, and cultural events.
Highlights
Practical Information
Half day
Free
Free to explore town and visit workshops. Rebozos range 200–5,000+ pesos depending on complexity. Buses from SLP ~50 pesos.
Year-round. August Festival Nacional del Rebozo is the highlight. Weekdays for more personal artisan interactions.
More Day Trips Nearby
Real de Catorce
Pueblo Mágico ghost town accessible only through a 2.3-kilometer tunnel
Huasteca Potosina
Mexico's most spectacular waterfalls—turquoise cascades through lush jungle
Xilitla & Las Pozas
Edward James's surrealist sculpture garden—37 hectares of jungle-reclaimed concrete dreams
La Media Luna
Thermal spring with 30–60 meter visibility and mammoth skeletons at the bottom