Jalpa de Cánovas

Jalpa de Cánovas is a small town in the Bajio region of central Mexico. It's one of the smallest towns to be recognized as a Pueblo Magico, though it does indeed offer considerable attractions for the historical and cultural traveler. It is a scenic colonial town that's a great place for peaceful weekend getaways.

Understand
The town was founded by Juan Villaseñor in 1542 when he was granted a block of land consisting of 7,365 hectares. Villaseñor used his land grant to start a hacienda that he ran as a cattle and horse ranch. In 1900, President Porfirio Diaz attended his goddaughter's wedding at the hacienda, gifting her with the honor of having the first hacienda with electricity (along with 30 years free of light bills).

Jalpa de Canovas has a number of fruit and nut orchards rasing quince, walnuts, and grapes.

The town itself is really little more than a village of 670 residents (2020).

Get in
The closest airport to Jalpa de Canovas is Bajio International Airport, on the highway between Leon and Guanajuato.

By bus
From Leon, Flecha Amarilla operates buses every 30 minutes to Cd. Manuel Doblado with fares starting at M$60 for the 2½-hour ride (2024). Once you arrive in Manuel Doblado, use a taxi for the 15-minute ride to Jalpa de Canovas.

Get around
Jalpa is a very small town and is easily navigated on foot, or better yet, by bicycle, which puts the presas within a few minutes ride of the main town. You'll probably want to use a taxi (or moto-taxi) for more distant places, like Canada de Negros.

See




Do






Festivals

 * Judea - Holy week (Easter) - Guanajuato's famous passion play has been celebrated for more than 150 years. It is a re-enactment of one part of the Passion of Christ in which Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus by helping the Romans to apprehend him.


 * Feast of Our Lord of Mercy (el Señor de la Misericordia) - Last week in October. The annual feast for the town's patron saint is a lively festival that is the largest social event of the year. Features include parades, a carnival, religious events, food, drink, regional music and dance, and of course, seemingly endless vendors serving tempting food and drink.

Go next

 * Pénjamo
 * León
 * Jalisco