Mazamitla is located in the southeastern region of the state of Jalisco and is a typical mountain town immersed in the mountains framed by Lake Chapala. The town center is characterized by its cobbled streets and its houses with tiled roofs, white walls, and wooden doors.
Mazamitla is a colonial town but its name is of pre-Hispanic origin: in Nahuatl it means “place where arrows are made to hunt deer”. Before the Conquest, it was inhabited by Purépechas from Michoacán and later awarded to Hernán Cortés. At the beginning of the Independence of Mexico, it is believed that Miguel Hidalgo passed through the region and celebrated a mass in Palos Gordos, a ranchería in this municipality where an oak trunk that was used as an altar is still preserved.
This town is also the entrance to the Sierra del Tigre: in the surrounding forests, you can find wooden cabins, and enjoy natural attractions such as streams, waterfalls, and green meadows nestled between mountains, which make it a perfect place for ecotourism.
A place full of history, tradition, magic, and dreams invites you to live the most unforgettable experience in one of the most emblematic and traditional towns in the west of the country.
Its friendly people, its provincial architecture, its gastronomy, its traditional festivals, its cultural festivities, its crafts, extreme sports, and visits to different points of interest such as subdivisions, eco-tourism developments, natural parks, houses of culture, Historical Center, the pedestrian walkway of Hidalgo street among many other attractions will make one of Mazamitla a magical experience.
Characteristic:
- She joined the Pueblos Mágicos program in 2005.
- The word Mazamitla could mean: “place where deer are hunted with arrows” or “place where arrows are made to hunt deer”, due to words of Nahuatl Mazatl origin.
- It is one of the most attractive places in the Sierra del Tigre and offers many adventure and sports activities.
- It is said that during Independence, the priest Miguel Hidalgo , on his way to Colima, officiated mass in the local community of Palos Gordos, where an oak trunk, which is still preserved, served as an altar.
Holidays:
- Bullfighting festivals, held from February 14 to 24, consisting of serenades, traditional dance, bullfights, charro parade, jaripeos and variety at night.
- Mazamitla Foundation Festival takes place from March 27 to 30 with countless sporting events and cultural activities.
- Fiestas de San Cristóbal, last weekend of July: With dances, altars, masses, fireworks and serenades, San Cristóbal, patron saint of the town, is celebrated.
What to visit in Mazamitla Magic Town
The tranquility of the forest, its pleasant atmosphere, and its typical food give Mazamitla a special attraction; walking through the town and discovering the charm of its corners is a comforting experience. Its nearby rancherías offer visitors the possibility of encountering an authentic rural environment.
The wooden cabins are the main reference of its landscape; for them, it has earned the qualification of “the Mexican Switzerland”. On the access road to the town, there is still a small cabin or barn that was built more than 400 years ago; It is said among the settlers that this granary was made with pine wood cut during a full moon since it is believed that when it is cut during that phase, the wood lasts forever.
However, something that breaks the unique environment of the Magical Town is the Parish of San Cristóbal, in front of the Main Square, as its architectural style is eclectic and denotes a great Chinese influence. The interior is quite austere and has three naves, separated by tall columns and illuminated by colorful stained glass windows.
Another interesting point is the Mazamitla Museum, inside the Craft Market, where you can buy traditional Mexican toys such as wooden foosballs, tops, yo-yos, and trucks, and souvenirs such as horses, commemorative mugs and key chains. In the museum part, you can admire some pre-Hispanic pieces of pottery and carved stone made by the first inhabitants of this forested region of Jalisco, as well as the foods that have been used since time immemorial, which tell the story of this Magical Town.
The unmissable in Mazamitla Pueblo Mágico
In Mazamitla there are stories of bandits from the Colonial era such as Martín Toscano and also of the Cristeros, so people narrate that treasures are still found hidden between caves as a result of those robberies. These stories invite you to explore the trails of the Sierra del Tigre, from where the panoramic view is a beautiful and surprising spectacle.
The El Salto waterfall, in the Los Cazos subdivision, is a beautiful spot; The route to the place can be done on horseback up to a few meters before the waterfall. The surroundings of this waterfall are conducive to practicing extreme sports such as mountain biking, paragliding, and driving an ATV or a 4X4 all-terrain vehicle.
Another beauty of Mazamitla is the impressive Lake Chapala, the largest in the Mexican Republic, which has attracted thousands of tourists in the last century. In its surroundings, peaceful picnic days can be enjoyed in the company of friends and family.
The forests of Mazamitla inspired its inhabitants to create and maintain the Mundo Aventura Ecological Park, whose main attraction is the “11 Hermanos” suspension bridge, which is 350 meters long and 150 meters high, making it larger than the Capilano in Vancouver, Canada, considered one of the largest in the world. In this place, the adrenaline is lived to the fullest, as there is also a zip line, motorcycles, rappelling, climbing, and gotcha.
Mazamitla keeps important traditions; Various popular and religious festivities are held throughout the year. The festivities of the foundation of the town are held in the month of March; the festival of San Cristóbal, its patron saint, in the second week of July; and in the month of October, a fair is held whose theme is the flora of the municipality, adopting the wild poppy as a symbol.
What to eat in Mazamitla Magic Town
The Mercado de Antojitos de Mazamitla is the ideal place to try delicacies such as gorditas, menudo, birria, or sopes, as well as traditional dishes such as “el boat”, which is prepared with pork, chicken and beef, and drinks. such as “pajarete”, freshly milked milk with chocolate and a touch of alcohol. In the center, there are numerous restaurants such as La Posada Mazamitla or El Charco, which offer from the most typical dishes to signature cuisine.
What to buy in Mazamitla Magic Town
In addition to the aforementioned Mercado de Artesanías, on Calle Hidalgo, there are several shops that sell plants and typical products such as sweets, preserves, jams, cajetas, and cheeses.
Where to stay in Mazamitla Magical Town
Mazamitla has a wide hotel offer for all budgets. One of its main hotels is the Huerta Real, a place where nature, the color of Mexico, the smell of the garden and the wet earth merge, providing a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere. Another excellent option to stay and continue enjoying the beauties and cultural events of the Magical Town is the Bosque Escondido Mountain Hotel, in whose cabins you can spend idyllic afternoons in the warmth of its fireplaces or before the majestic view of its terraces.
Apart from these two options, there is a wide range of cabins in Mazamitla, the main advantages of reserving a cabin in the mountains in Mazamitla are: staying in the middle of nature with the whole family, which usually reduces the cost of the trip and being able to cook your own meals at your own pace. Not to mention the possibility of enjoying a delicious roast beef or a quiet bath with the family, since, as can be seen at cabinsen.com/mazamitla, many of the cabins listed have a grill, hot tub, and/or private pool.
While in Mazamitla
- SAN CRISTOBAL PARISH
Without a doubt, just one look at the exterior of this architectural monument is reason enough to visit Mazamitla. Unlike other religious buildings, this parish is influenced by the East, so the experience and, of course, the photos will be completely different from what you have experienced before.
- SIERRA DEL TIGRE
Now yes, the romantic but adventurous part. The wooded setting, log cabins as cozy as you’ve seen on TV, beautiful scenery, and the mesmerizing sounds of nature provide the perfect environment to reconnect with you and your partner.
Not bad for a proposal, anniversary, or weekend getaway. You, your special person, Mazamitla, I don’t know, think about it.
- BARRANCA VERDE FISH FARM
Because there is nothing like learning a little about nature and eating delicious food, this rainbow trout hatchery is a great reason to visit Mazamitla. Here they will show you the entire conservation process to prevent the extinction of the species.
In addition, you can fish your own trout and enjoy its exquisite flavor.
- ADVENTURE WORLD
If adventure is what you are looking for, this place is for you. It has one of the largest zip lines in Mexico and you can practice rappelling, climbing, gotcha, camping or tour the area on an ATV.
There are also cabins here, in case you want to extend the feeling of adrenaline. Still not convinced to visit Mazamitla?
- WATERFALL El SALTO
It is always impressive to be able to admire the imposing fall of a waterfall, but if the route is also through beautiful landscapes of cobblestone paths, the experience intensifies.
This is the case of the Cascada el Salto, fed by a river that usually grows in the rainy season to provide a comforting home for its wild inhabitants and city tourists.
Do you need more reasons to visit Mazamitla? Grab your backpack, prepare something warm in case the wooded nights turn out to be cold, and set out to discover Jalisco. You will not regret it.
Location:
- The municipality of Mazamitla is located to the south of the State of Jalisco, it limits to the north with the municipality of Manzanilla de la Paz and the state of Michoacán, to the south with the municipality of Tamazula de Gordiano, to the east with the municipalities of Valle de Juárez and Quitupan.
