Tips for travel to Zacatecas

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Introduction

Dining & Entertainment

Entry Requirements

Money & Emergency

Weather

Map

Fun Things To Do

Health & Safety Links

Flight Overview

Introduction

Zacatecas is an example of the splendor of the colonial era; the pink stone filigree used in its cathedral and monasteries dates from this period. The late 19th century also saw the creation of a number of enduring works such as the wrought ironwork adorning its balconies and the Teatro Calderón. At the same time, the city boasts traditions such as its traditional Mexican cowboys and silver and leatherwork and some of the most important museums in the country, including one with masks from every region and another with sculpture and painting ranging from the Greeks to Picasso, the nearby archaeological zone of La Quemada and the Viceregal Museum of Guadalupe.

Zacatecas: you can go down a mine or soar above the city in a cable car; stroll through its cobbled streets that take you into the past and explore the museums that keep objects frozen in time; discover its traditions and take part in its celebrations. Accustomed since its foundation to being a border, in the past, Zacatecas was a center of Mesoamerican culture and the bastion of the Conquest in its progress towards the north. Nowadays, the city shares the industrial vigor of the other northern states, the attachment to tradition of the south and is proud of its contribution to Mexico as a World Heritage site.

Founded in 1546 by the soldier Juan de Tolosa who swore he had found silver, despite his companions' mockery, the city soon proved him right and made him a wealthy man. Zacatecas was one of the most important capitals of New Spain: the Franciscans alone controlled 58 monasteries from there, their influence reaching as far as the south of the United States. In 1715, it had 40,000 inhabitants, a figure which, as a result of the wars that began with Independence, it was not to recover until the late 1960's. It entered the modern age in 1857 with the establishment of a photographic workshop and its inhabitants were astonished to see the city's first car in 1902. On June 23 1914, it was seized by Francisco Villa in one of the decisive battles of the Revolution.

With its three hundred thousand inhabitants, Zacatecas is located in the north of the tableland, at an altitude of 2,500 m above sea level in an irregular gully which causes it to rise and fall among the hills of El Cerro and La Bufa, its unmistakable symbol. It has a mild, dry climate, with an average temperature of 16º C although temperatures can fall to below zero in winter.

What To Do

Archaeology
Approximately 50 km further south lies the astonishing archaeological zone of La Quemada which flourished in 300 AD and maintained trade links with far-off Teotihuacan.

Architecture
Since Zacatecas is one of Mexico's three main colonial cities, along with Oaxaca and Puebla, it has a wealth of architecturally stunning buildings. Particularly worth visiting is its Cathedral with its exquisitely carved pink stone facade, the magnificent ex convento de San Francisco and the baroque church of Santo Domingo.

Arts and Crafts
Traditional Zacatecas handicrafts include silver and leatherwork, available at the market next to the Museo de la Toma de Zacatecas, at the top of the Cerro de la Bufa. Zacatecas painters occasionally auction their work in the former Plaza de Toros.

Cuisine
Zacatecas offers a wide range of exquisite cuisine. Specialties include asado de boda, pipián ranchero, chiles rellenos, enchiladas, pozole zacatecanos and the famous molcajete. The city is also famous for its traditional confectionery such as cocadas, quince jelly, capirotada and melcocha de Semana Santa.

Festivals
The profoundly religious nature of the Zacatecans is expressed during Holy Week in a massive procession with candles that ends in the Cathedral. This tradition includes burning effigies of Judas in the nearby city of Jerez, which is decked out with Mexican cowboy accessories. The city has recently begun to organize a series of popular and artistic cultural activities during this period that are held in its gardens, theaters, museums and even in the former bullring, where paintings are auctioned.

Golf
Although this former mining town does not have golf courses, you can play golf in the nearby city of Guadalupe.

Hiking & Climbing
Near Jerez, 49 km outside Zacatecas, the Sierra de los Cardos contains extraordinary geological formations. There are stone needles ranging from a few meters to dozens of meters high.

Historical Interests
The entrance to the mine is at the foot of the Cerro del Grillo, where one of old trains once used to extract silver takes you through the galleries that you later tour on foot while a guide explains how the miners worked there during the Colonial era and how techniques kept changing until the mine was closed in 1964. And yes, you did read correctly: at night, the mine doubles as a state-of-the-art discotheque.

Museums
Zacatecas is worth seeing for its museums, architecture and collections alone. Make sure you visit the Rafael Coronel, Pedro Coronel, Francisco Goitia and Zacatecas museums. Also worth exploring are the Viceregal Museum of Guadalupe and the archaeological museum of La Quemada.

Night Life
This historic, colonial city has several places where you can have a drink or dance to disco or contemporary music, such as El Malacate, set in the galleries of the Mina de Edén, a former mine, Casa de Sueños and Cáctus.

Performing arts
Several Mexican plays are performed during the lively Independence Day celebrations in September and the Zacatecas Cultural Festival held during Easter Week.

Shopping
In Zacatecas, you can buy silver objects such as boxes and jewelry cases, wooden trunks, hats, boots, belts and leather articles, candelabras, embroidery, wrought iron and fine jewelry. Some hotels also have craft shops.

Dining

The dining in Zacatecas is very good. In addition to the establishments listed below, the restaurants at the Quinta Real and Mesón del Jobito have good reputations. Gorditas might be considered the state food of Zacatecas, and the most popular gordita place is Gorditas Doña Julia, which operates three or four locations. The best coffee in town is at Café San Patricio, below the tourism office. It doesn't open until 9am.

Acropolis Café y Nevería
Next to the cathedral
Av. Hidalgo
T: (52 4) 922-1284
OPEN: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Cazadores
Callejón de la Palma 104
T: (52 4) 924-2653

El Mesonero
Mesón de Jobito hotel, Downtown
Jardín Juárez 143
T: (52 4) 924-1722
OPEN: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Gorditas Doña Julia
Downtown
Av. Hidalgo 409
T: (52 4) 923-7955
OPEN: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

La Cantera Musical
Downtown
Tacuba 2
T: (52 4) 922-8275

La Nueva Galicia
Downtown
Plazuela Goitia 102
T: (52 4) 922-8046
OPEN: 2 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, 2 to 6 p.m.

La Plaza
Quinta Real hotel
Av. Rayón 434
T: (52 4) 922-9104
OPEN: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Los Candiles
Hotel Continental Plaza, in front of the Cathedral
Av. Hidalgo 703
T: (52 4) 922-6183
OPEN: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Reco Veco
Downtown
Torreón 513
T: (52 4) 924-2013

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Entertainment

Zacatecas has a selection of good night spots to suit those looking for culture and those looking for a party! A famous Saturday night ritual in Zacatecas is the "Callejonada Zacateca", which involves a walk around the city's alleys, passageways and plazas, singing, playing instruments, dancing, drinking Mezcal (& Tequila) and having a brilliant time! The 'walk' begins at around 9pm. Ask your local hotel for details on how to get involved in one of these!

Locally Hosted Parties - Check with yours and other Local Hotels about public parties they may be hosting during your stay. Traditional Mexican theme night parties are popular with the locals, and there's a chance you could join a really special night out - the real Mexican way, and certainly on the eve of September 16th - Mexico's Independence Day! Hosted parties usually include dinner, dancing, a show and / or live music (usually authentic Mexican Mariachis) plus all drinks for a fixed fee and are always excellent value for money! Ask at your hotel to find out what is happening locally.

Nightclub Scene: Mexico's Colonial Cities do have lots of young people living in them, so just because they are steeped in history does not mean that you won't find an all-night club party happening somewhere in town! Some night clubs charge an all inclusive cover fee; some a smaller cover and drinks on top. Drinks are served all night - don't even consider going to a nightclub before 11pm. Nightclubs keep going all morning and most people will start to leave between 5 and 7 am.

Night Bars / Restaurants - There's a good variety of Late Night Entertainment in Zacatecas to keep you happy and entertained into the early hours.

A Nighttime Musical Stroll Through Town--ThroughThe Callejoneada Zacatecana could be the best way to tour the city's picturesque back streets and alleys. It is a traditional walk through the callejones (the little curving alleys, byways, and plazas), accompanied by music, dancing, and a burro carrying mezcal. It takes place on Saturday beginning around 9pm (8pm in cold weather). Be sure to ask in the lobby of your hotel if there will be one while you're in town. If you want a free tour, tag along with a group as it marches through the streets -- they're hard to miss, with the drums, horns, and flower-bedecked burro laden with barrels.

Money

Banks & ATMs
Banks in Mexico are rapidly expanding and improving services. They tend to be open weekdays from 9am until 5pm, and often for at least a half day on Saturday. In larger resorts and cities, they can generally accommodate the exchange of dollars (which used to stop at noon) anytime during business hours. During times when the currency is in flux, a particular bank may not exchange dollars, so check before standing in line. Some, but not all, banks charge a service fee of about 1% to exchange traveler's checks. However, you can pay for most purchases directly with traveler's checks at the establishment's stated exchange rate. Don't even bother with personal checks drawn on a U.S. bank -- the bank will wait for your check to clear, which can take weeks, before giving you your money.

Travelers to Mexico can easily withdraw money from ATMs (automated teller machine) in most major cities and resort areas. In most resorts in Mexico, the use of ATMs is perfectly safe -- just use the same precautions you would at any ATM. Universal bank cards (such as the Cirrus and PLUS systems) can be used. This is a convenient way to withdraw money and avoid carrying too much with you at any time. The exchange rate is generally more favorable than that at a casas de cambio. Most machines offer Spanish/English menus and dispense pesos, but some offer the option of withdrawing dollars. The Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587) networks span the globe; look at the back of your bank card to see which network you're on, then call or check online for ATM locations at your destination. Be sure you know your personal identification number (PIN) before you leave home and be sure to find out your daily withdrawal limit before you depart. Also keep in mind that many banks impose a fee every time a card is used at a different bank's ATM, and that fee can be higher for international transactions (up to $5 or more) than for domestic ones (where they're rarely more than $1.50). On top of this, the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee.

Traveler's Checks
Traveler's checks are something of an anachronism from the days before the ATM made cash accessible at any time. Traveler's checks used to be the only sound alternative to traveling with dangerously large amounts of cash. They were as reliable as currency, but, unlike cash, could be replaced if lost or stolen.

You can get traveler's checks at almost any bank. You can also get American Express traveler's checks over the phone by calling tel. 800/221-7282.

Visa offers traveler's checks at Citibank locations nationwide, as well as at several other banks. Call tel. 800/732-1322 for information. AAA members can obtain Visa checks without a fee at most AAA offices or by calling tel. 866/339-3378. MasterCard also offers traveler's checks. Call tel. 800/223-9920 for a location near you.

If you choose to carry traveler's checks, be sure to keep a record of their serial numbers separate from your checks in the event that they are stolen or lost. You'll get a refund faster if you know the numbers.

Credit Cards
Credit cards are a safe way to carry money: They also provide a convenient record of all your expenses, and they generally offer relatively good exchange rates. You can also withdraw cash advances from your credit cards at banks or ATMs, provided you know your PIN. If you've forgotten yours, or didn't even know you had one, call the number on the back of your credit card and ask the bank to send it to you. It usually takes 5 to 7 business days, though some banks will provide the number over the phone if you tell them your mother's maiden name or some other personal information.

Charges will be made in pesos, then converted into dollars by the bank issuing the credit card. Generally you receive the favorable bank rate when paying by credit card. However, be aware that some establishments in Mexico add a 5% to 7% surcharge when you pay with a credit card. This is especially true when using American Express. Many times, advertised discounts will not apply if you pay with a credit card.

Dear Visa: I'm Off to Zacatecas! -- Some credit card companies recommend that you notify them of any impending trip abroad so that they don't become suspicious and block your charges when the card is used numerous times in a foreign destination. Even if you don't call your credit card company in advance, you can always call the toll-free emergency number if a charge is refused -- a good reason to carry the phone number with you. But perhaps the most important lesson is to carry more than one card on your trip; if one card doesn't work for any number of reasons, you'll have a backup.

Emergency

Emergency/Police-- The emergency number is tel. 066.

Hospital-- The two hospitals in town are Clínica Santa Elena, Av. Guerrero 143 (tel. 492/922-6861), and Hospital San José, Cuevas Cancino 208, near the clinic (tel. 492/922-3892).

Fun Things To Do in Zacatecas

Attractions & Activities

Zacatecas Attractions

In town you can visit museums and churches, tour an abandoned silver mine, ride a cable car up to the Cerro de la Bufa, perhaps take in a concert, and partake of an old tradition called callejoneadas. On Saturday night, people go strolling and singing with tambourines, drums, and a burro laden with mezcal through the winding streets and alleyways (callejones) of the city. Zacatecas remains largely neglected by foreign tourists, though it is popular with Mexicans. Consequently, the various sights provide little descriptive material in English. If you don't speak Spanish, you might want to hire a bilingual tour guide. Try contacting Viajes Mazzoco. It offers several tours that you can choose from for a fixed price. Some take you around the city; others take you to nearby ruins or to some of the old towns near Zacatecas, such as Jerez or Fresnillo.

A Stroll Around Town
The Plaza de Armas, the town's main square on Avenida Hidalgo, is where you'll find the cathedral, with its famous facade. Nowhere else in Mexico is there anything like this; the depth of relief in the carving (4 in. and more) and sheer wealth of detail create the impression that the images are formed not in stone but in some softer material, such as cake icing. The cathedral took 23 years to build (1729-52), and the final tower wasn't completed until 1904.

To the left of the cathedral, on the Plaza de Armas, is the 18th-century Palacio de Gobierno, where viceregal-era governors lived. By the time of Mexico's revolt against Spain in 1810, Don Miguel de Rivera (Count of Santiago de la Laguna), owned it. Since 1834, it's been a government building. Inside is a modern mural (1970) by Antonio Pintor Rodríguez showing the history of Zacatecas. It is a fairly straightforward chronological presentation of history from left to right, except for the center panel, which represents prominent Zacatecans. Below it is a stone frieze depicting the economic underpinning that supports society and drives historical events. It flows into the mural's central panel, tying society's leaders to the soil of their motherland.

To the left of the Palacio de Gobierno is the Residencia de Gobernadores, with its multicolor stonework; the governor lived here until 1950. Across the street from the plaza are the Palacio de la Mala Noche (Palace of the Bad Night) and the Hotel Emporio. The palacio's name comes from the mine that brought great wealth to its original owner, Manuel de Rétegui, a philanthropic Spaniard. In case you're thinking that such fine stonework is becoming a lost art, look at the hotel's facade, which was done within the last 40 years.

A Ride Up Cerro De La Bufa
To get to the cable car station from the Plaza de Armas, you must climb one of the streets or alleys that lead up the hill that faces the cathedral. But first, glance up to see if the cars are running; if it's windy, they won't be. The first cross street will be Villalpando or Hierro; go right, and make a left when you get to the Callejón (alley) de García Roja. If you're unaccustomed to the thin air, this is quite a climb. An easier way to get there is to catch bus no. 7, which you can pick up along Juárez, or a cab. The cable car (tel. 492/922-5694) is a great ride up to the Cerro de la Bufa. The view from the top is best in the late afternoon and early evening, when the sun is low in the sky; if you intend to ride the cable car down, you can't stay too late. It operates only from 10am to 6pm, but the walk down is fairly easy if you want to stay later.

On Cerro de la Bufa is the Museo de la Toma de Zacatecas, which will be of most interest to Spanish-speaking history buffs. It displays artifacts and enlarged newspaper articles about the capture of Zacatecas by Pancho Villa. This was a decisive battle of the Revolución, and one of Villa's greatest victories. The museum is in need of investment; admission is $2. Beside the museum is the beautiful church La Capilla de la Virgen del Patrocinio, patroness of Zacatecas. Around the far side of the cerro is the Mausoleo de los Hombres Ilustres de Zacatecas, where many of the city's heroes are entombed.

Zacatecas Activities

During Semana Santa (Holy Week), Zacatecas hosts an international cultural festival that the town hopes will rival the similar Festival Cervantino in Guanajuato. Painters, poets, dancers, musicians, actors, and other artists converge on the town.

The annual Feria de Zacatecas, which celebrates the founding of the city, begins the Friday before September 8 and lasts for 3 weeks, incorporating the national Fiestas Patrias (independence celebration).

In the nearby town of Guadalupe, now almost a suburb of Zacatecas, is a large Franciscan convent and evangelical college founded by a famous member of the evangelical college of Querétaro, Fray Antonio Margil de Jesús. It remains an active monastery, but a large part of the convent houses a wonderful museum of colonial art, which will impress anyone interested in art and painting of any kind. Some people might skip this one because they suppose colonial art to be staid, scholastic, and full of arcane symbolism. Not true. The paintings, mostly from the 1700s, are by some of the greatest painters of New Spain -- Cabrera, Villalpando, Correa, and others. They are detailed, expressive, dramatic, and eye-catching for their use of anachronisms and fantastical themes. There is also a smaller museum displaying antique carriages from colonial times and classic cars. Zacatecas had a lively carriage-building industry in the colonial era.