Mazamitla is a mountain town in southern Jalisco, set among pine forests at roughly 2,200 metres above sea level. The name comes from Nahuatl and is usually taken to mean a place where arrows are made to hunt deer.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
October to May for dry days, with October flower events as a highlight.
How long
A weekend of two nights is ideal, and three nights lets you slow down.
Getting there
About two to three hours by road or bus from Guadalajara.
Why visit Mazamitla
The town sits in the Sierra del Tigre, a landscape of pine and oak hills, streams and springs.
The centre is small and easy to walk, with a lively main plaza, a market and craft shops, while the forest, the waterfall and the lakeside village of Valle de Juárez are a short ride away.
As a Pueblo Mágico, a title Mexico gives to towns with notable cultural or natural appeal, Mazamitla keeps a tidy centre and plenty of visitor services, yet it remains small enough to feel unhurried once you leave the plaza.
The town centre and its markets
Parroquia de San Cristóbal
The parish church looks old but dates from the twentieth century. Its wide bell towers and flared rooflines resemble a pagoda, which gives it an unusual Chinese-influenced look among Mexican churches.
Plaza Municipal José Parres Arias
The main plaza has manicured trees, iron benches, a bandstand and the Palacio Municipal, along with colourful letters that spell out the town name for photographs. Cafes and restaurants overlook it, and weekends bring families, street vendors and music.
Mercado Municipal
This busy daily market sells fruit, vegetables, meat and prepared food, and it is one of the most authentic places in town for a regional breakfast. Arrive early for the best choice, and look at what the cooks around you are ordering before you decide.
Mercado Artesanal
This indoor craft market has small stalls selling handmade pottery, blankets, jewelry and wood carvings. It is a good place to practise polite haggling and to find souvenirs made with local materials. Allow about thirty minutes, and carry small notes in case vendors cannot change large ones.
Waterfall, forest and lakeside villages
Cascada El Salto
The waterfall drops about fifty metres and is reached on a brisk walk along cobblestone lanes past woodland cabins, then along the river on a trail. There are pools near the base where you can swim in the warmer months.
Los Cazos
Los Cazos is the wooded area on the way to the waterfall, lined with cabins in the trees. Many visitors stay here, and even day visitors enjoy the shaded walks and quiet.
Valle de Juárez
This nearby village has a dam and a lake where you can ride trajineras, the flat wooden boats also used at Xochimilco. It is a relaxed stop for families and couples who want an hour on the water.
Sierra del Tigre forest trails
The forests around town offer hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, climbing and zip lines, and many local businesses rent ATVs and run guided tours on rugged tracks. Bird watchers can find more than a hundred species, including wild turkey and chachalaca.
Ajijic and Lake Chapala
The lakeside town of Ajijic, on Lake Chapala to the north, makes an easy side trip on the way back toward Guadalajara. Plan for a long lunch by the water and a stroll through the town centre before returning.
Planning a trip to Mazamitla?Compare hotels, flights and vacation rentals for Mazamitla on Expedia.Book nowFood and local flavors
Birria is popular all over Jalisco, but the dish to look for in Mazamitla is El Bote, a stew of mixed meats cooked with blended vegetables and simmered in pulque. Try it at a sit-down restaurant around the plaza. At the Mercado Municipal, order a breakfast of chilaquiles with a cup of café de olla, the spiced coffee brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo.
Popular dishes to try in Mazamitla
Where to stay
Centro is the best base for first-timers, since the plaza, church, markets and restaurants are all within a short walk and you can leave the car parked. La Gloria is the downtown area near the bus station and zócalo, handy for traveling without a car and for early departures. Los Cazos is the choice for cabins in the pines, with fireplaces, quiet nights and easy access to the waterfall trail, which suits couples and families wanting a retreat.
Where to stay in Mazamitla
Best time to visit
The wettest months run from June to October, when forest trails can be muddy and afternoon storms are common, though the hills are at their greenest. Dry months from November to May are best for walking and ATV rides, with cold nights, so pack warm layers. October brings the Festival de las Flores with flower shows and parades.
Getting there and getting around
Mazamitla lies roughly 125 to 140 kilometres from Guadalajara, south of Lake Chapala. Most visitors drive, and the trip takes about two to three hours depending on traffic. Second-class buses run frequently from Guadalajara's old bus station, the Central Vieja, and the journey takes close to three hours because they stop in many towns. Street surfaces in town are rough cobblestone with speed bumps, so drive slowly and save your route offline since mobile signal drops outside town.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Arrive in time for lunch around the plaza, visit the church and the craft market, and have El Bote for dinner.
Second day
Walk to Cascada El Salto in the morning, swim if the weather allows, and spend the afternoon at Valle de Juárez on the water.
Third day
Take a guided ATV or horseback tour in the Sierra del Tigre, or drive north to Ajijic and Lake Chapala on your way home.
Practical tips
- Check your government's current travel advisory before you go.
- Bring layers and a warm jacket, since nights are cold even after hot days.
- Carry cash in small notes for markets, the waterfall entrance and horse rentals.
- Save maps offline, because mobile signal drops outside the town centre.
- Expect rough cobblestone streets and speed bumps, and wear comfortable shoes.
