Mexico Guide » Destinations in Mexico » Zacatecas

Zacatecas

The state of Zacatecas is located in the north-central portion of the country. It is a large state bounded on the north-west by Durango, to the north by Coahila, to the east by San Luis Potosi, and to the south by the states of Aguascalientes and Jalisco.

Cities and places of note in the state are the capital city and mining center of Zacatecas, a colonial gem whose center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the small colonial center of Sombrerete with a number of wonderful churches built during the colonial era, and the town of Jerez de Garcia Salinas, another town with significant colonial architecture. Popular excursions for visitors seeking eco-tourism activities are trips to see the incredible rock formations of the Sierra de Organos and the natural beauty of the Sierra de Cardos area. La Quemada archaeological zone is located 56 kilometers outside of Zacatecas city on the highway to Guadalajara. The site features a number of platforms, pillars and structures that are thought to be both of ceremonial and habitational nature.

Within the beautiful city of Zacatecas itself there are many sights to see. It is a great city for just wandering the streets and taking in the fabulous architecture with its soft glow of pink cantera stone. Of particular note are the elaborately decorated 18th C Cathedral, the Church of Santo Domingo, the old San Pedro Plaza de Toros (Bullfighting ring), now part of the grounds of a hotel, the Teatro Calderon (Calderon Theater) with its gorgeous facade and stained glass details, the Mercado Ortega with its selection of crafts, the Rafael Coronel mask museum, the Huichol Museum exhibiting an astonishing collection of Huichol indian embroidery and beadwork, and the panorama from Cerro de la Bufa with its attendant cable car that will transport you to and from its heights, giving you an unparalleled view of the whole of Zacatecas from above.

Zacatecas is serviced by an international airport with flights arriving from various points in the U.S. as well as from other Mexican national destinations.