Aguascalientes City

Understand

Located in central Mexico, Aguascalientes borders the states of Zacatecas and Jalisco and is located about 537 km northwest of Mexico City. There are five traditional neighborhoods in Aguascalientes. Those neighborhoods are La Estacion, La Salud, El Encino, Guadalupe, and San Marcos(where the annual San Marcos Fair is held). Aguascalientes was founded in 1575. The city is very Spanish in nature and is known for its pottery, embroideries and woven goods. Aguascalientes, Mexico is the capital city of Aguascalientes state. Historically, the Spanish chose this city as an outpost to guard against the Chichimec Indians who once resided in the area. It was an outpost against the Indian tribes until 1857 when a state of republic was created under the same name as the state, Aguascalientes. From 1910 to 1920 the city was a major rail junction between Mexico City and the silver mines of Zacatecas. Natives call Aguascalientes "the perforated city" or La Ciudad Perforada due to its intertwining passages, or catacombs beneath it that the pre-colonial Indians carved from rock. Their origin and reason is unknown and they are not open to the public. It is ranked among the top three safest cities in Mexico, and one of the best in quality of life for its inhabitants.

Climate

The climate in Aguascalientes is warm and dry year-round. Rainfall season is from May until November, although rain is very seldom here. When it does rain it's fierce and brief in the late afternoon leaving the evenings cooled off and dry.

Getting there

By plane 1 Lic. Jesús Terán Peredo International Airport (AGU IATA, Aguascalientes International Airport) (16 km (10 miles) out of the city). The airport is served by direct flights from the United States on United (via Houston) and American (via Dallas) as well as Mexican domestic carriers Aeromexico (via Mexico City), Viva Aerobus (via Monterrey or Mexico City) and Volaris (via Tijuana). Nearby airports in the Bajio region include:

BJX IATA Leon-Guanajuato Airport, the nearest alternative SLP IATA San Luis Potosí Airport ZCL IATA Zacatecas Airport with a few offered routes

By bus 2 Central de Autobuses The bus station, is on the south side of the first ring, 5 km (3 miles) from main square, at Av de la Convención de 1914 Sur 408, Las Américas. A bus ride from Mexico City will usually take about six hours. There is an overnight bus that runs from Mexico City to Aguascalientes that leaves around midnight and arrives in Aguascalientes around 06:00. This type of bus trip is perfect for those who just want to spend a full day in Aguascalientes. There are also stops on the north side for Omnibus de Mexico (on MEX 95, near the university) and Turistar (on MEX 45). First class services ETN and Primera Plus serve Aguas. Local buses M$6 (pesos) run from outside the bus station into the centre. Look for "Centro" on the windshield, meaning they go downtown. Combis also operate on major thoroughfares in Aguas.

By car To get to Aguascalientes from Mexico City by car, take the MEX 57 as far as Querétaro, then take the MEX 45 via Salamanca. Aguascalientes is located on Federal Highway 57/45 in Mexico. It is a 300 mile trip and will take at least 5 hours.

Getting around

On foot It is safe to walk during the day and at night around the tourist areas and downtown, to get on a cab or public transportation. Most people show their hospitality when they realize you are a tourist, always willing to help, give you directions or help you with the language.

By e-hailing Uber, Didi and Bolt serve Aguascalientes.

By bus Aguascalientes has a public bus system known as CMOV. They operate 48 bus routes with nearly 2,000 stops. Schedules and costs are listed in the Moovit app.

By taxi Taxis are a safe option for getting around in Aguascalientes. You can arrange for a taxi from your hotel although street cabs are usually much cheaper. All taxis have meters that indicate the fare to pay. It is not required to speak Spanish or negotiate the fare. Check that the driver turns on his meter. Most places in the city can be reached for M$40 or less.

By sightseeing tour Tranvía - Right across the main square, you can get a ride on a streetcar around the most important tourist sights with this government-provided service. Cost is M$36 for adults, M$18 for children and senior citizens (April 2022). On board, the tour guide gives you descriptions and facts about the sights in English and Spanish. Hourly departures.

By car Aguascalientes is very accessible by road so renting a car is a good option to see all the historic sites and architecture that Aguascalientes and its surrounding areas have to offer, however, it is recommended that you have some experience driving in Mexico, because the rules and customs can vary significantly from those from other countries.

See

Museums 1 Contemporary Art Museum (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo No. 8), José María Morelos y Pavón S/N, ☏ +52 449 918 6901. With its various inset exterior panoramas, the building looks like a work of art. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Discover Interactive Museum of Science and Technology (Descubre Museo Interactivo de Ciencia y Tecnología), Av. del Parque S/N (on northeast edge of Parque Heroes Mexicanos), ☏ +52 663 156 1435. One of those little interactive learning museums with an IMAX theater. Watch out for dinos and Day of the Dead statues and airplanes outside. (updated Apr 2019) 3 José Guadalupe Posada Museum (Museo José Guadalupe Posada) (north side of Encino Garden), ☏ +52 449 915 4556. Posada is considered by many as the founder of modern art in Mexico. Since his death nearly a century ago, José Guadalupe Posada's work has steadily gained popularity with art lovers and Día de los Muertos celebrators alike. He is especially known for his calaveras images of whimsical skeletons. While the illustration of the high society woman is one of Posada's most highly regarded pieces, it's also one of the most recognizable images of the Día de los Muertos celebration. Adjacent to the museum, you'll find the Encino church (ca. 1796) and garden where food vendors await with bocadillos. (updated Apr 2019) 4 National Museum of Death (Museo Nacional de la Muerte), Rivero y Gutiérrez esq, ☏ +52 449 910 7400. The national museum of death. Celebrating the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead with many beautiful works ranging from pre-Hispanic period to today. Many people visit Aguas for this museum alone. (updated Apr 2019)

5 Museum of Aguascalientes (Museo de Aguascalientes), Calle Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza 505, ☏ +52 449 916 7142. Built out of pink quarry. It has a collection of 20th century arts including the works of Saturnio Herran, who was born in Aguascalientes. Herran's arts include portraits of the everyday citizen painted with a high degree of sensitivity toward his subject

Do

San Marcos Fair (Feria Nacional de San Marcos). From around mid-April to early May annually. The oldest and largest state fair in Mexico. One of the largest fairs in Mexico, attracting milli