Arrival and information

You’ll arrive in Taxco on Avenida de los Plateros (formerly Avenida Kennedy), the main road that contours around the side of the valley at the bottom of town. Taxco has two bus stations, about 1km apart on Avenida de los Plateros. From either it is a steep fifteen-minute walk or M$30 taxi ride to Plaza Borda, the zócalo. Ignore offers of a free taxi to a “silver mine” – in fact just a small tunnel (not a mine) with a tacky souvenir shop. To get into town from the Estrella Blanca terminal, take a combi (M$3.50) or cross the road and turn right up the hill and then left to climb even more steeply past the church of Santa Veracruz to the centre. From Estrella de Oro, head straight up Calle de Pilita, the steep alley directly across from you, until you come to the Plazuela de San Juan, on your right; from there go down Cuauhtémoc to the zócalo. Estrella Blanca has the most frequent services to Mexico City (Tasqueña) and most other destinations, but for Chilpancingo and Acapulco there are more departures from the Estrella de Oro terminal.

The tourist office (Mon–Fri 10am–2pm & 5–6pm; t 762/622-0798) is inconveniently sited on Avenida de los Plateros at the very northern end of town, where the remains of the Los Arcos aqueduct cross the road (regular combis connect Los Arcos to the zócalo). Fortunately, a kiosk on the west side of the zócalo (daily 9am–7pm) dispenses much the same information. There are several banks with ATMs on the streets surrounding the zócalo. Casas de cambio include Balsas, just off Plazuela de San Juan at Carlos Nibbi 2, which offers good rates and civilized opening hours (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat & Sun 8am–3.30pm).