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ZACATECAS
LOCATION:
Zacatecas is located 392 miles northwest of Mexico City, 197 miles northeast of Guadalajara, and 186 miles southeast of Durango.
HISTORY:
Zacatecas was, in colonial days, the largest silver producing city in the world.
WEATHER:
Its chilly enough, year-round, to need a jacket or sweater. From December to April temperatures average in the low to mid 50s (degrees Fahrenheit) and the remaining months temperature are in the mid-50s to low 60s (degrees Fahrenheit).
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Many of the finer hotels are located in well-maintained 18th and 19th century buildings. Several hotels include a breakfast buffet in their rate. The most unusual hotel, the Quinta Real, was built around Mexicos oldest bullring. The former bull pens is now the bar and an outdoor café takes up two floors of the spectator area. Rates for accommodations in Zacatecas range from US$24 to US$200.
RESTAURANTS:
The majority of the best dining establishments can be found in the hotels. Along the main road you will find taco stands and snack shops.
NIGHTLIFE:
One of the most popular and unique nightspots is El Malacate. This disco is located 1000 ft underground and is crowded and noisy. Reservations are recommended as this place gets packed. At the Holiday Inn there is a nightclub that has live entertainment.
SHOPPING:
In Zacatecas you will find antiques, art, ceramics, wood furniture, a large selection of silver jewelery, and tacky souvenirs and knickknacks.
CUISINE:
Regional, Mexican, and international are the types of cuisine you will find here.
SERVICES:
Banks: Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. There is a Visa cash machine in the Bancomer.
Transportation: In such a hilly terrain you may need to use a taxi a time or two. They are generally inexpensive but service slows down from 2pm to 4pm for afternoon meals. The Tereferico, a cable car that travels the city, runs from 10am until dusk, unless it is too windy.
SURROUNDING AREA:
Guadalupe: Located 7-km (4 ½ MI) southeast of Zacatecas, this town is full of colonial architecture and art. The Ex-Convento de Guadalupe, while a work of art itself, has an impressive collection of religious art. |
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Cerro de la Bufa: This area is the city trademark. The hill is
the site of Pancho Villas battle against Victorian Huerta in 1914. On
this site is the Plaza de la Revolucion, which is paved with pink
Zacatecan stone; the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Patrocinio, a chapel
devoted to the patron of the city; and the Museo de la Toma Zacatecas
where nine rooms are filled with artifacts such as furniture, newspapers,
guns, and clothing.
La Mina Eden: From 1586 until 1960 this mine supplied most of
Zacatecas silver. It is now a tourist attraction where a guide will lead
you down the mine.
Palacio de la Mala Noche: The Palace of the Bad Nights is one of
two buildings declared a national monument. This 18th century colonial
building was constructed from native pink stone.
Palacio de Gobierno: This 18th century mansion has a mural
portraying Zacatecass history painted by Antonio Pintor Rodriguez in
1970.
Pedro Coronel Museum: This museum, originally a Jesuit monastery,
houses artist Perdo Coronals work and his collection of art by Dali,
Miro, Chagall, Picasso, and Braque. There is also art from India, Tibet,
Africa, Greece, China, and Egypt.
Rafael Coronal Museum: In this museum you will find over 4,500
masks used in festivals all over Mexico.
Teleferico: This cable car is the only one in the world that
crosses an entire city. |
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WHERE TO EAT: |
Several regional sweets come from this city such as dulce de leche, an
extremely sweet milk candy, queso de tuna, a candy made from prickly
pears, and dulce de guayaba, made from guava fruit. Restaurants in
Zacatecas serve a wide variety of cuisines, from Chinese to Greek;
theres something for everyone. Several of the best restaurants are
located along Avenida Juarez and Hidalgo. Locals come to La Cantera
Musico for the excellent Mexican food, mariachi music, and cozy
atmosphere. The house specialty is asado de Boda Jerezano, a pork
dish served with chilies and rice. The Cenaduria Los Dorados, with
its War of Independence memorabilia, is a popular spot for dinner.
La Cuija serves excellent regional dishes such as sopa campera, a
cream corn and squash blossom soup, as well as asado de boda.
From Thursday to Sunday there is a traditional Mexican trio that plays
in the afternoons. Excellent continental dishes are served in a formal
setting in the Quinta Real hotel restaurant. As well, the Continental
Plaza has an excellent restaurant, Candiles, one of the best dining
establishments, that serves regional and continental cuisines. |
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| WHAT TO DO: |
Cultural Tours: There are a few tour operators in town that will
give half day tours of the city center as well as to the La Quemada ruins. |
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| WHERE TO SHOP: |
There are a few shops that carry decent silver jewelry and handicrafts.
Yohuatl carries a large selection of silver jewelry for women and men.
At La Cazzorra you can find collectable antiques, Huichol artwork,
ceramics, as well as guide books about the city. There is a small
boutique in the Hotel Quinta Real as well as a few other shops. |
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Costa De Oro
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