Aguascalientes

Aguascalientes is a city of 950,000 people (2020) in the Bajío region of Mexico. Aguascalientes means hot water in Spanish; the name comes from the abundance of hot springs in the area.

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.

By plane


Nearby airports in the Bajio region include:
 * Leon-Guanajuato Airport, the nearest alternative
 * San Luis Potosí Airport
 * Zacatecas Airport with a few offered routes

By bus
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.

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
Moovit covers the city for taking the bus from one place to another.

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.

Sports
There's a huge sports complex of professional venues and public athletic facilities on the east side of Aguascalientes at the intersection of Av. Adolfo Lopez Mateos Ote. and Av. Ferrocarril. Venues include:


 * – Football (soccer), home of "Necaxa", colloquially called the "Hidrorayos"
 * – Baseball, home of the AAA Mexican League team, Los Rieleros
 * – Basketball, home of the Panteras

Architecture
Walk through the beautiful Parque de San Marcos, and then continue to the gorgeous Palacio de Gobierno with its central courtyard and murals. This is the most outstanding colonial building in Aguascalientes. On the west side of the main square lies the 18th-century baroque cathedral. This cathedral is filled with gorgeous paintings by colonial painter Miguel Cabrera. More interesting places to see include:
 * The Government Palace - Built of tezontle stone and gorgeous with its Neoclassical facade of red
 * The Municipal Palace - Built out of pink quarry
 * El Jardin de los Palacios (Palace Gardens)- A lovely fountain is on display here to honor the artist Jesus F. Contreras who was the creator of two of the relief sculptures decorating the square. Interesting to know is that Contreras sculptures represent the God of hunting "Camaxtli" and the God of Abundance "Centeotl." But perhaps even more impressive is the Patio De Las Jacarandas on the opposite side of the Plaza Patria where a canopy and more fountains and, yes, jacarandas await.
 * La Plaza Patria - Holds spectacular views of an iron tower built in 1808.
 * Legislative Palace

Do

 * Golf - Aguascalientes has two golf clubs. The Country Club Pulgas Pandas has a 6,420-yard-long course, while the Club Campestre de Aguascalientes has an 18-hole course with a 7,535-yard-long course.
 * Golf - Aguascalientes has two golf clubs. The Country Club Pulgas Pandas has a 6,420-yard-long course, while the Club Campestre de Aguascalientes has an 18-hole course with a 7,535-yard-long course.

Out of town trips

 * – 60 km. A walking and hiking trail runs through the Huejucar Canyon.
 * (45 km) and the (40 km) which are ideal for water skiing and fishing.
 * – 40 km. A perfect place for adventure sports, including rock climbing and rappelling.
 * The best sites to hike and climb are at:
 * – 15 km. There should be regional buses running through the area. From the federal road it's a 35 min hike to the mountain top. Google Maps shows the trail. Nearby is the Mirador Los Arqueros.
 * – 30 km
 * – 80 km
 * – 80 km and
 * – 80 km.
 * Fishing: A few kilometers outside of Aguascalientes is where the best fishing occurs. The Jocoqui, El Llanero, and Abelardo Rodríguez Reservoirs are the best places for sport fishing.

Buy
You can check out little curios along the main plaza (Plaza Patria).

Markets

 * Mercado Teran

Malls

 * Centro Comercial El Parian
 * Centro Comercial El Dorado
 * Centro Comercial Villasunción
 * Centro Comercial Galerias
 * The Centro Comercial Plaza de Vestir - This shopping center carries blouses and tablecloths produced by local craftsmen, puppets, wooden toys, and ornaments.
 * Centro Comericial Espacio opened in 2015, is a mall in the eastern part of the city, includes a cinema complex, food court and stores like Office Depot and Soriana supermarket. It sits right beside the Ojo Caliente spa.
 * Centro Comericial Espacio opened in 2015, is a mall in the eastern part of the city, includes a cinema complex, food court and stores like Office Depot and Soriana supermarket. It sits right beside the Ojo Caliente spa.

Flea markets

 * Tianguis de la Purisima
 * Linea de Fuego (on Sundays) mainly for used items, tools.

Eat
The best food to try while in Aguascalientes include the • barbacoa de olla • biznaga tamales • candied guava • caramel sweets and • ladrillos; which is a delicious flaky pastry.

in the city center:

 * There is a mercado near 5 de Mayo (probably, otherwise nearby Mercado Juárez) specialising in delicious roast lamb served with tacos.
 * For cheap eats such as burritos.

Drink
There are many nightclubs and bars in Aguascalientes. But don't head there early. Locals usually begin to show up at the bars around 11pm. They don't leave or even start dancing until 5am through 7am. So if you want to drink and party like a local do not head home early!

If you want to party visit Aguas during la Feria de San Marcos. The city transforms into the largest open-air cantina in Mexico, with an abundance of places selling cocktails (M$50) or 2L beers (also M$50). You are also able to buy beer in cans, bottles, 16 oz and 1L varieties. Usually drinking on the street in Mexico would be problematic, However, during the Feria many enterprising people open public bathroom, all costing M$5.

Clubs and a casino also open specially for the Feria.

Camping
Within a short distance from the city of Aguascalientes you can go camping in the mountains of El Pinal, Guajolote, Laurel, and Sierra Fria.

Budget


These budget hotels have decent ratings on Google Maps and cannot be reserved on booking.com:

in the south-east

 * León
 * Guanajuato
 * San Miguel de Allende
 * Querétaro

in the east

 * San Luis Potosí

in the north

 * Zacatecas

in the south-west

 * Guadalajara