Querétaro Intercontinental Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Aeropuerto Intercontinental de Querétaro is in the municipality of Colón, about 30 km north-east of downtown: there is no direct train or bus, so every transfer requires a taxi, a rental car or a private shuttle. Because of this, the choice depends more on the reason for travel than on distance alone: the UNESCO-listed historic centre remains the most pleasant base for tourism but is also the area furthest from the airport, while the corridor of offices and shopping centres along Avenida 5 de Febrero and the Zona Diamante cuts 5-10 minutes off the transfer. Those working in the university and technology hub north of the city instead find Juriquilla more convenient, even though it is the area with the longest trip from the airport.

Historic Centre

City centre · About 35-37 km and 35 minutes by car or taxi from the airport; there are no direct trains or buses, so outside hotels with their own shuttle you always need a taxi or a rental car.

Best for: Those visiting Querétaro for tourism who want the aqueduct, the Teatro de la República and the colonial streets within walking distance, accepting the longest transfer from the airport.

Pros

The aqueduct, Jardín Zenea and the colonial centre within walking distance of the hotels in the area
Several properties occupy restored historic palaces, with interior courtyards and panoramic terraces

Cons

It is the area furthest from the airport among those in this guide, worthwhile only if staying more than one night
Some streets downtown are affected by construction work and heavy foot traffic on weekends

Recommended hotels in this area

Holiday Inn Querétaro Centro Histórico by IHG: About 2 km from the heart of the historic centre, on Avenida 5 de Febrero; outdoor pool and several in-house restaurants, handy for those arriving late who don't want to go out for dinner right away.
Hyatt Centric Querétaro: Recently opened a few minutes on foot from the aqueduct, with a rooftop pool and several in-house restaurants; designed for those who want to stay close to the monuments without giving up an international standard.
Casona de la República Hotel Boutique & SPA: Restored 1790 palace in the historic centre, 15 rooms, an Art Nouveau-style inner courtyard and a terrace overlooking the Carmen church; adults only.
Antiguo Mesón de Aspeytia (Casa Aspeytia Hotel Boutique): Eighteenth-century house in the heart of the historic centre, with stone staircases, wooden floors and a panoramic rooftop restaurant; 15 rooms in all.

See more hotels in this area →

Avenida 5 de Febrero and the Zona Diamante

Neighbourhood · About 25-35 minutes by car from the airport, depending on the exact spot in the area; the historic centre is then just 10 minutes away by car.

Best for: Business trips and conferences, with the shortest transfer from the airport among the city's areas and the Paseo Querétaro and Plaza del Parque shopping centres a few minutes away.

Pros

Faster transfer from the airport than the historic centre or Juriquilla
Shopping centres, offices and convention centres reachable without leaving the area

Cons

An area designed for cars and offices, with little to do on foot in the evening outside the shopping centres
For the historic centre you still need a car or a taxi, about 10 minutes

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Querétaro: In the Zona Diamante, 5 minutes from the Acueducto and the Paseo Querétaro shopping centre; 139 rooms, outdoor pool and round-the-clock gym. The property operated until a few years ago as Crowne Plaza Querétaro Diamante before switching to the Hilton brand.
NH Querétaro: On Avenida 5 de Febrero, about 10 minutes by car from the historic centre; breakfast among the most appreciated points in the reviews.
Holiday Inn Querétaro Zona Diamante by IHG: In the heart of the Zona Diamante, among the shopping centres and offices of the area; among the highest ratings in its category in the city.

See more hotels in this area →

Juriquilla and Antea

Neighbourhood · About 40 km and 40-45 minutes by car from the airport; no direct connection, only taxi or rental car.

Best for: Those working in the university and technology hub north of the city or needing to visit the Antea Lifestyle Center shopping centre, accepting the longest transfer from the airport after the historic centre.

Pros

A few minutes on foot from the UNAM campus in Juriquilla and Plaza Juriquilla
A quieter residential area compared to the traffic of downtown

Cons

Transfer from the airport among the longest in this guide, worth considering only for multi-night stays
For the historic centre or the Zona Diamante you always need a car, another 20-30 minutes

Recommended hotels in this area

Hampton by Hilton Querétaro Juriquilla: 7 minutes on foot from the UNAM campus in Juriquilla and 11 from Plaza Juriquilla; free breakfast included, among the most appreciated in the reviews.
AC Hotel by Marriott Querétaro Antea: Right next to the Antea Lifestyle Center shopping centre, with an indoor pool and gym; Marriott style geared towards business travellers.

See more hotels in this area →