Valle de Bravo is, without a doubt, a favorite spot for Mexico City residents to invest in “second homes”, both because of its proximity to the country’s capital and because of the many activities people can do there, not to mention the glamor of belonging to the small Mexican elite who spend their weekends in “Valle”.

The city of Valle de Bravo was founded in the XV century; however, it wasn’t until the 1940’s when the Miguel Aleman Dam (today known as “Valle de Bravo Lake”) was developed that the town began to draw in regional attention and then became really popular in the 1970’s when the town began hosting the Festival de Rock Avándaro.

To understand Valle, it is necessary to divide it into two large sections: the Lake area and Avándaro. Even though these two areas are only separated by a few kilometers, each one offers varying activities, different ambiences, and even distinct climates.

The Lake area gives off a small-town atmosphere coupled with beautiful views of the lake which conveys a sense of serenity. Life here moves at the rhythm typical of provincial grounds and is seasoned with the daily happenings of customs, crafts, cuisine, and regionalisms that are still practiced by this community and which help it preserve the authenticity of yesteryear.

In Avándaro, residents and visitors lose themselves gazing into the immensity of oyamel, pine, and oak tree forests, which through their century-old trees, offer a labyrinth of shadows that provide a fresh climate year-round. The grandeur of these forests blends in with the rustic style of its retail and residential areas, which undoubtedly results in a heaven of peace for visitors coming from the tumultuous capital city.

Valle de Bravo’s lifestyle is a unique mixture of casual with glamorous and unique, where the mere fact of belonging to an elite bunch from the country’s capital who transform themselves into “residents of the Valley” on the weekends is enough to feel a very special sense of pride.

Cool sunrises mark the beginning of the day with different sports activities offered by the town: on the lake you can water ski early in the morning or partake in one of the regattas organized by the different sailing clubs. For those who prefer land sports, road and mountain biking has gained popularity in recent years, as well as Enduro (a form of motorcycle sport) and horseback riding. Golf lovers can enjoy three world-class golf courses: Rancho Avándaro, Club de Golf Avándaro and Club de Golf Izar. The afternoons and evenings belong to family or friend get-togethers sitting around the fireplace while enjoying a good glass of wine.

People in search of warm and tropical climate. Nestled in a valley, Valle de Bravo has a mild climate year-round with some fairly cold days and nights during the winter.

The “second-home” market is made up of good-sized homes designed with modern architecture, built mostly with local materials that allude to the area’s natural environment. Around and near the lake, plots tend to be a bit smaller due to the topography of the place. Avandaro, on the other hand, offers larger land extensions and thus, it is not uncommon to find homes with big front or backyards.

The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Every year, thousands of monarch butterflies fly more than 4,500 kilometers from Canada to the Biosphere Reserve shared between the State of Mexico and Michoacan. There you may visit the different viewing spots where the butterflies gather on tree branches, creating a spectacle unlike any other. This is an ideal activity to do together as a family.