Where to stay

Where to base yourself

Real de Catorce is small enough that “neighborhood” barely applies; everyone stays within a few blocks of the church and the main street, Calle Lanzagorta. Where you land is more about the building and the budget than the location.

The center, near the church

Most of the town’s inns and small hotels sit here, in restored stone houses along and just off Lanzagorta. This is where first-timers should stay: you step out into the plaza, the church, the food and the tour operators. Rooms range from simple to characterful old haciendas with courtyards and thick walls. Expect uneven floors, steep stairs and, in cheaper places, thin heating; the altitude means nights are cold, so ask whether there is a heater or extra blankets before you book.

Budget and simple stays

Smaller posadas and family-run rooms scattered through the upper lanes cost the least. They suit backpackers and anyone who wants basic and quiet. The trade-off is a walk uphill at altitude with your bag, and hot water that can be temperamental.

Quiet and character

A few converted mine-era buildings and boutique guesthouses on the edges of the center give you courtyards, fireplaces and silence at night. Good for couples and anyone who wants the ghost-town atmosphere without street noise.

There is no nightlife scene to base yourself near; the town winds down early. Whatever you pick, book ahead for the early-October St Francis pilgrimage, when the whole town fills and prices climb.