Zacatecas - Travel Agent Planner

Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Zacatecas is a unique city thanks to its mixture of history,
culture, nature and mining, all in one place. It is remarkable for many reasons: its magnificent architecture, the
quality (and quantity) of its museums, its mines and cable
car etc.
The historic center of the city of Zacatecas was designated
a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, joining the select
group of cities that have earned this international distinction.
In the surroundings visitors can found archaeological
sites like La Quemada and Alta Vista, also recommended is
the nearby town of Jerez, considered a “Pueblo Mágico”
or Magical Town because of its rich culture. Furthermore
the tourist can visit the Santuario de Plateros and its revered image of the Santo Niño de Atocha; or the unusual
and stunning natural landscapes of the Sierra de Órganos
and Sierra de Cardos mountains.
Where is it?
The state of Zacatecas is located in central-northern
Mexico, bordered by the states of Jalisco, Aguascalientes,
San Luis Potosí, Coahuila, Durango and Nayarit, with a land
area of 75,040 km2 (28.9576 mi²).
The city of Zacatecas is located 622 km (385.64 mi) from
Mexico City, 448 km (277.76 mi) from the city of Monterrey, and 103.8 km (64.05 mi) from the capital of the state
of Aguascalientes.
History
Recognized as one of the best preserved colonial cities
in the Americas, Zacatecas proudly rises from its historic
past.The city was once an important Chichimeca indigenous settlement, where the indigenous did their own
types of mining.
In 1546, after the Conquest, the city became a “Real de
Minas” and shortly thereafter received its charter under
the name “Muy Noble y Leal Ciudad de Nuestra Señora
de los Zacatecas” (Noble and Loyal City of our Lady of
Zacatecans).
During the 16th to 18th centuries, representations from
all of the most important religious orders became established here, including the Franciscans, Augustinians, Dominicans, Jesuits, Juaninos and Mercedarios. These orders built
extraordinary monasteries, creating a central part of the
cities rich architectural landscape
In the 19th century, the city was influenced by the
regime of president/dictator Porfirio Díaz, whose legacy is
reflected in neoclassical buildings such as the Mercado and
the Teatro Principal. In the 20th century, Zacatecas played
Museum of Rafael Coronel
(52) (492) • zacatecastravel.com
Country Code/ Area Code
Weather
Precipitation
Rainy Days
Winter
(Jan-Mar)
Spring
Summer
(Apr-Jun)
(Jul-Sep)
Autumn
(Oct-Dec)
15 ºC - 59 ºF
20 ºC - 69 ºF
22 º C - 71 ºF
15 ºC - 59 ºF
32 mm
1.25 in
106 mm
4.17 in
284 mm
11 in
61 mm
2.4 in
161
a central role in one of the decisive episodes in the triumph
of the Mexican Revolution, in the famous “Taking of Zacatecas”, a bloody confrontation led by Francisco Villa.
Tourist Institutions
Tourism Ministry of the State of Zacatecas
Av. Hidalgo No. 403, 2nd Floor, Historic Center, Z.C. 98000.
Phone: +52 (492) 925-1277, 924-4047, 922-3426
01 800 712-4078, Fax: 924-0393 zacatecastravel.com
Arriving by plane
General Leobardo C. Ruiz International Airport
Highway panamericana Calera de V.R., Km. 23 tramo Zacatecas
Z.C. 98500, Zacatecas. Phone: 52 (478) 985-0338
Distance to downtown or the hotel zone: 20 km (12,42 mi)
Code: ZAC
Airlines with direct flights to Zacatecas
From
San Agustin ex-temple
162
Airlines
Code
Flight
Time
Mexico City, Mex.
MEX
Aeroméxico, Volaris
1:30
Los Angeles, U.S.A
LAX
Volaris
2:50
Tijuana, Mex.
TIJ
Volaris
2:35
Zacatecas
Cable car
Arriving by land
Zacatecas Central Bus Terminal
Libramiento de Tránsito Pesado, in Lomas de la Isabelita,
Zacatecas. Phone: (492) 922-1112
Distance to downtown: 20 min.
Bus lines that offer direct connections (first class, plus, executive or luxury) to Zacatecas from the following locations:
From
Bus Lines
Travel
Time
Average fare in
USD
4:00
20.00
6:00
38.00
2:30
13.50
4:50
31.50
Omnibus de
México, ETN
ETN, Estrella Blanca,
Omnibus de México
Estrella Blanca,
Omnibus de México
ETN, Estrella Blanca,
Omnibus de México
ETN, Estrella Blanca,
Omnibus de México
Estrella Blanca,
Omnibus de México
7:45
51.00
13:00
62.00
Grupo Senda
19:00
145.00
Houston
Autobuses del norte
18:00
132.00
Tijuana
Estrella Blanca (Elite,
Chihuahuense)
13:00
130.00
Leon
Monterrey
San Luis
Potosi
Guadalajara
Mexico City
North
Chihuahua
Dallas
*First class, executive and luxury service. Prices are subject to change.
The peso/dollar, peso/euro exchange rate is variable. At press time, the
exchange rate was 1 USD = 13.40 pesos, 1 € = 18.90 pesos.
was the site of the celebrated revolutionary battle known
as the Taking of Zacatecas. The museum of the Taking of
Zacatecas and the Chapel of the Patrocino can also be
found there. Opening hours: during the day, from 10 to 18
hrs and at night (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) from 19 to
24 hrs.
City of Museums...
Zacatecas has amazing museums that cover just about
every creative facet of human kind. This circuit takes the
visitor to the museums of Francisco Goitia, Pedro Coronel,
Rafael Coronel, Manuel Felguérez, and the Zacatecano,
among others. All of these museums are located in buildings that are considered true architectural gems.
Del Edén mine
Attractions
Zacatecas offers visitors a great many attractions, both in
its capital city and in the surrounding area. To make most
of any stay, visitors can choose from several tourist circuits.
Historic Center
“Cultural Heritage of Humanity”
In the Zacatecas historic downtown, one comes into direct
contact with the historical and cultural heritage of the city,
face to face with baroque buildings built in colonial times.
Zacatecas, from Underground to the Sky
This is a fascinating journey through the bowels of the
earth, visiting the mine “El Edén”, discovered at the end of
the XVI century and for 300 years was part of the source of
wealth, in the form of gold and silver, that filled the coffers
of the New Spain. Zacatecas also has a cable car ride that
rises 85 m over the city, crossing the 650 meters that divide
the Cerro del Grillo from the Cerro de la Bufa; the latter
Museum of Rafael Coronel
163
Around the City
Artcrafts and Masks
The state of Zacatecas offers visitors many cultural and
natural attractions, all very close to the capital.
Viceregal Shrine
Considered to be one of the most important art collections
in the country, the former 18th-century convent Propaganda Fide de Guadalupe houses works by the most important
painters of the era, including Luis Juárez, Cristóbal de
Villalpando, Juan Correa, Miguel Cabrera, José de Ibarra
and Nicolás Rodríguez Juárez. There is no doubt of the
central place this gallery occupies among the finest colonial
religious art galleries in Latin America. One can also visit
the impressive church Templo de la Virgen de Guadalupe,
and the exquisitely baroque Capilla de Nápoles, or “Chapel
of Naples.” In the vicinity, we recommend a visit to the
Centro Platero Zacatecas (silver center), located in an old
working hacienda.
Archaeology, Poetry and Nature
This circuit takes visitors to the archaeological site “La
Quemada” located 50 km (31.06 mi) from Zacatecas. This
site was an important point along the routes of pilgrimage
of the Mexica indigenous people. Archeological works
indicate that its development began between the years
500 and 900 A.D. (Classic period). The area is made up
of several stone platforms of different sizes, attached to
the hill and distributed throughout an area of more than
70,000 m2. Here one can admire constructions such as the
Hall of Columns, the Ball Court and the Palace.
This circuit also visits the city of Jerez, founded in the
16th century. It has been named a Magical Town thanks
to its charming urban landscape dominated by buildings
from the vice regal period and some others with a marked
style from the Porforio Diaz period, among which the main
Virreinal Guadalupano Museum
square, the Hinojosa Theater, the Tower Building and the
Soledad temple, among others, stand out. Jerez hosts the
oldest fiesta in Zacatecas, the Spring Fair, which has been
held since 1824. Finally, we come to the Sierra de Cardos,
located 20 km west of Jerez, made up of a majestic series
of rock formations. This is the ideal place for camping,
hiking, rappelling, horseback riding, environmental education and birdwatching, among other possibilities. The area
offers furnished cabins.
Information in Jerez +52 (494) 945-7222, +52 (494) 925-7111.
The Trail of Miracles
“La Quemada” arqueological site, the column room
164
This circuit includes the city of Fresnillo, located 60 km
from the city of Zacatecas. Here one finds stunning
baroque churches, interesting museums and impressive
colonial buildings.
The Santuario de Plateros, located 5 km. north of Fresnillo, is considered to be the third most visited religious
center in Mexico.
The Ecological Park of Compañía Peñoles rehabilitates
animals seized by law enforcement, for their subsequent
release. Visits to the nearby mine are also available. Visits:
Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Zacatecas
Zacatecas Cathedral
Alta Vista Archaeological Zone
Colonial, Pre-Hispanic and
Natural Architecture
This circuit takes visitors to the city of Sombrerete, the
archeological site of Altavista and the natural park Sierra
de Órganos. Located 6 km from the town of Chalchiutes, the archaeological site of Alta Vista offers visitors an
encounter with the pre-Hispanic world of the region. Here,
one sees the ruins of the multiple mines built in the vicinity. Importantly, the buildings in the area were used as an
astronomical observatory.
Sombrerete is a mining town located 165 km northwest
of Zacatecas, once one of the most important mining centers in Mexico. The city offers beautiful colonial constructions such as the former convent of San Mateo.
The Sierra de Órganos mountains are located 20 km
north of Sombrerete. These mountains consist of a monumental yet capricious set of rock formations. The place is
also known as “Valle de los Gigantes” or the “Valley of the
Giants”. Interested visitors can rent one of 7 comfortable
furnished cabins, or enjoy the camping area. Information
and reservations: Sombrerete, Phone: +52 (457) 938-0288.
Activities
Shopping Crafts
Centro Platero (Silver Center)
Casco Ex Hacienda 1, Fracc. Lomas de Bernardez 98610
Guadalupe, Zacatecas. Phone: +52 (492) 921 3400
Spas
Paraiso Caxcan (Spa)
This resort is a Hotel-hotsprings-spa, and is located 131 km
(81.39 mi) from Guadalajara, 180 km (111.84 mi) from the
city of Zacatecas and 112 km (69.59 mi) from Aguascalientes. Thermal waters are its main attraction, and it enjoys a
stable climate with abundant vegetation throughout the
year and an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius
(71.6°F). The Spa offers aromatherapy treatments, reflexology, steam baths, clay, temazcal, and more.
For information and reservations, call +52 (467) 952-0850,
+52 (467) 952-0494, +52 (467) 952-0850 or +52 (467) 9520494. In Zacatecas, +52 (492) 922-8970.
Zacatecan creativity is evident in beautiful pieces of silverwork, stonework and textiles, mainly. Often local
production transcends the label of “craft” to become highly
valued works of art. These pieces are available in stores,
workshops and craft centers throughout the city, where
you will also find embroidery and embroidered leather, weaving, wrought iron work and semi-precious stone jewelry.
IDEAZ
Zacatecan Artcraft Development Institute
Plazuela Miguel Auza 312, Centro 98000,
Zacatecas, Zac. Phone: +52 (492) 925-5196
Centro Platero (Silver Center)
165
Calderon´s Theatre and Goitia´s Square
Conventions
Conventions Palace
Its privileged location, in the center of the Republic, combined with the perfect mixture of its spacious historical sites,
its tourist attractions and the fully equipped Conventions
Palace, facilitates the holding of meetings, congresses and
conventions with speedy and safe access from almost any
part of the country. This ensures that every event results in
a pleasant and beneficial experience, where visitors can also
enjoy the attractions offered by the destination. There are
magnificent facilities, equipment and services; a functional
infrastructure of a very high standard; a variety of cultural
and adventure activities; extraordinarily original hotels, both
stylish and first class, with specialized and well equipped
rooms, such as the Quinta Real (in a former bullring) and the
Mesón de Jobito (in a traditional, picturesque ex-residential
quarter), among others.
Gastronomy
Zacatecan cuisine is a fusion of native and imported
ingredients, producing new and highly regarded regional recipes such as the traditional asado de boda,
or “wedding roast,” a dish made from pork, tomatillo and chile ancho among other ingredients- and
usually served at weddings (although any big event
will do). The major production of guavas, tuna (the
“cactus apple”) and other fruits have made this a
mecca for naturally sweet desserts. Beverages produced here include table wines and mezcals of the
Pinos and Teul de González Ortega regions.
166
Armas Square
Restaurant
Specialty
Phone
Los Dorados
de Villa
Mexican Regional
(52) (492) 92 257 22
Mexican Regional
(52) (492) 92 313 64
Mexican Regional
(52) (492) 92 212 84
Gorditas
Doña Julia
Mexican Regional
(52) (492) 92 101 19
Mi Pueblito
Mexican Regional
(52) (492) 92 438 18
La Leyenda
Mexican Regional
(52) (492) 92 238 53
Recoveco
Mexican Regional
(52) (492) 92 420 13
Hacienda del
Cobre
Acrópolis
Zacatecas
Typical coffee shop
Jerez
167