Huasteca Potosina is in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The Huasteca Potosina is part of the region called "la Huasteca" which includes parts of neighboring states. La Huasteca is the region historically occupied by the Huastec people, though today, the Huastec population is far smaller than it was at its peak. The Huasteca Potosina is a region known for its remote location and rugged terrain. It is an area that remains lightly populated with an enduring indigenous identity.
Two archeological parks are located near the town of Tamuín, just east of Ciudad Valles.
The coastal plain and eastern Sierra Madre is called the Huasteca Potosina which is still inhabited by the Huastec (Tének) and Nahua. The climate is hot with strong rains in the summer monsoon season. The vegetation is tropical with parrots and parakeets. The geology is limestone karst with numerous underground rivers feeding springs, sinks, world-renowned caves, gorgeous waterfalls and turquoise-hued rivers. The prevalence of tropical diseases led to slow development of the region until modern times which allowed the native culture to be preserved. The Huastec split off from the Maya before the flowering of that culture and are one of the oldest still-existing cultures in Mexico. The most well-known tribe of Nahuatl speakers is the Culhua-Mexica of the Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco City-States,who are often just labeled as Aztecs,in other words the people or inhabitants of Aztlan,the original and legendary homeland for all Nahuatl speakers.
The heart of the Huastec region is south of Ciudad Valles in the rugged mountains jutting from the coastal plains in a place where there are many nacimientos (springs) that supplied water. Their Tének language has helped trace their origin to the Maya before their ascendency, passing in their migration through the Olmec, the mother culture of the pre-hispanic Mexican civilization, and then through the Totonac to settle in the Panuco basin. There are about 90,000 Huastec and in one municipality (county) 90% speak Tenek.
Nahuatl is spoken by about 130,000 people in San Luis Potosí. They are concentrated around Tamazunchale and to the south in the state of Hildago where 23% are monolingual Nahuatl speakers.
While 90% of the Huastec are located in only 11 of the 20 municipalities that form the Huasteca Potosina, their influence is felt throughout the region which takes great pride in their culture.
The Huasteca Potosina is a fairly popular tourist area for Mexicans but remains unknown to foreign tourists that primarily head to Mexican beaches. Cavers have long been drawn to this area, and kayakers have discovered the rivers and waterfalls.
There is no airport in the Huasteca Potosina region. The nearest airports with commercial flights are San Luis Potosi IATA: SLP or Tampico IATA: TAM. International visitors can fly to Mexico City IATA: MEX and make a connecting flight, or can take a bus to Ciudad Valles (the largest city in the Huasteca Potosina) or Xilitla.
The two best gateway cities for the Huasteca Potosina would be Ciudad Valles or Xilitla. Ciudad Valles is served by first-class long-distance bus lines, and Xilitla is primarily served by second-class buses. Both cities have hotels and restaurants to serve traveler needs though Ciudad Valles is the larger of the two cities and has a better choice of traveler services. From these cities, you can arrange day trips to the region's parks, biosphere reserves, small towns, and archaeological sites.
Ciudad Valles - about 4 hours by first-class bus from San Luis Potosi (M$600). Autonaves buses (Grupo Vencedor) depart hourly from San Luis Potosi. Futura Select and Omnibus de Mexico each have 2 buses per day and Estrella Blanca has 3 buses per day. Tampico is about 3 hours by first-class bus from Ciudad Valles, Autonaves buses operate hourly between the two cities (M$300).
Xilitla - about 4 hours by second-class bus from Tampico on Grupo Vencedor (M$400), buses depart 4 times per day. About 7 hours from San Luis Potosi by Grupo Vencedor second-class bus (M$500), 3 buses per day.
The Careterra Nacional (MEX 85) is the major north-south highway through the region. The highway can be used to drive from Mexico City or from the U.S. border.