Plaza Borda: Taxco's Silver Heart and Main Square

Plaza Borda is the main square of Taxco, Guerrero, and it costs nothing to visit — it's a public space open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You'll find it at the foot of the Parroquia de Santa Prisca, the pink-stone baroque church that has anchored this hillside town since the 1750s. Most travelers give the square 90 minutes to two hours, though the benches under the trees have a way of stretching that out.

The plaza sits at the center of the historic core, roughly 180 kilometers southwest of Mexico City via federal toll road 95D. It's the town's living room: silver shops, cafés, and restaurants ring the perimeter, and the paving stones carry small white-stone designs — look for the bull sign near the church, a leftover marker from the days when butchers worked this corner.

Getting to Plaza Borda and Getting Your Bearings

From Mexico City

Buses run from Taxqueña terminal with Estrella Blanca or Costa Line, roughly every hour, and take two and a half to three hours. Fares start around 250 to 300 pesos one way. If you drive, the 95D toll road puts you on the edge of town in about 2.5 hours from the capital. Taxco has no airport.

Once you arrive, leave the car. The center is a knot of narrow, one-way cobblestone lanes built for foot traffic, and parking near the plaza is scarce and stressful. Most hotels within a few blocks of Plaza Borda are reachable on foot, though the slopes are genuinely steep — a 10-minute walk can feel like a stair climber.

On Foot in the Center

Every lane in the historic center eventually spills into the plaza, so you don't need a map to find it. From the bus terminal or most centro hotels, it's a 5-15 minute walk depending on how many hills you're willing to climb. Taxis will drop you within a block or two; drivers can't get closer because of the pedestrian traffic.

A practical detail: wear shoes with grip. The cobblestones are polished smooth by centuries of foot traffic, and they turn slippery in the afternoon rains from June through September.

What to See and Do Around the Square

Santa Prisca Church

This is the reason the square exists. José de la Borda, the silver magnate who made a fortune here, funded the church between 1751 and 1758, and its twin pink towers and carved Churrigueresque facade still dominate the skyline. Entry is free, though a voluntary contribution for conservation is suggested. It's open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, subject to mass times.

Step inside for the gilded altarpieces — the gold leaf is almost aggressive in its brightness against the stone. Photography inside is limited during services, and the church asks visitors to dress respectfully.

Casa Borda

On one corner of the plaza, the Casa Borda cultural center occupies a colonial mansion built for the Borda family in 1759. It hosts art exhibitions and language classes, and access is generally free, with occasional temporary shows asking a voluntary contribution. Hours run Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00, weekends 10:00 to 16:00 — the weekend closing time catches people out, so plan accordingly.

The Silver Shops

Hundreds of workshops and shops sell silver jewelry across Taxco, and the streets radiating from Plaza Borda carry the densest concentration. Look for the 925 stamp that marks sterling silver. Bring pesos in cash — many small shops either don't take cards or add a surcharge, and the ATM situation in town is unreliable. The Feria de la Plata, the national silver fair, fills the plaza and surrounding streets with exhibitions and vendors, usually in late November and early December.

People-Watching and the Evening Light

The benches under the trees are the best seats in town. Come in the early evening, around 17:30-18:30, when the low light turns Santa Prisca's stone a warm rose color and local families fill the square. My own habit is to grab a coffee from one of the cafés on the north side and simply sit for half an hour; the square is at its most alive then, without the midday tour-bus crush.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Plaza Borda is free and always open, so the only real constraints are crowds and weather. Mornings before 10:00 are quiet; afternoons from about 13:00 to 16:00 bring the heaviest foot traffic, especially on weekends and during Semana Santa, when processions make the square nearly impassable.

The dry season runs November through May, with pleasant afternoons and cool nights — the best window for walking the steep streets. June through September brings frequent afternoon downpours, which can turn a casual stroll into a scramble for cover.

Street vendors are persistent but generally polite; a simple "no, gracias" works. As in any crowded tourist square, keep an eye on your belongings. Tipping is customary in restaurants, around 10-15 percent.

If you're combining sights, the cable car (Teleférico) lifts you 175 meters above the rooftops for a view back over the plaza and church — a 10-minute taxi ride from the square. The hilltop Cristo Rey monument and the ex-convent of San Bernardino de Siena round out a solid half-day loop from Plaza Borda. Fees and hours for the cable car and museums change periodically, so check locally before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plaza Borda free to enter?

Yes. It's a public square with no admission fee and no ticket required, open 24 hours a day. You only pay for what you buy from the surrounding shops and restaurants.

When is the best time to visit Plaza Borda?

Early evening, roughly 17:30-18:30, when the light is best on Santa Prisca and the square fills with locals. For weather, November through May is the dry season. Avoid the midday crush from 13:00 to 16:00 if crowds bother you.

How long should I spend at Plaza Borda?

Most visitors stay 90 minutes to two hours, including the church and a walk around the silver shops. If you sit for coffee or a meal, budget longer — the square rewards lingering.

How do I get to Plaza Borda from Mexico City?

Take a bus from Taxqueña terminal with Estrella Blanca or Costa Line, about 2.5-3 hours and roughly 250-300 pesos one way, then walk 5-15 minutes from the center. Driving via the 95D toll road takes about 2.5 hours.

Is Plaza Borda accessible for visitors with limited mobility?

The square itself is fairly level, but the surrounding streets are steep cobblestone and can be difficult. Taxis can drop you within a block or two of the plaza. The church has steps at its entrance.