Atotonilco is a small town in the mountains that surround the Tequila Valley in Jalisco, Mexico. The town is a key destination on Jalisco's Los Altos Tequila Trail because it is the home of Patron and Don Julio, as well as several smaller artesanal distilleries.
Understand
[edit]The town has a population of just under 29,000 residents. There are over 100 small villages in the surrounding countryside, that when added to the town's population, make for a municipal population of about 64,000 (2020).
The town sits at an elevation of about 1,600 meters, giving it a cooler, more temperate climate than the valley below. Tequilas produced from agaves grown at higher elevations are regarded as sweeter in flavor than their lowland brethren.
Get in
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The closest major airport is in Guadalajara (GDL IATA). From Guadalajara, you can rent a car to explore the Tequila area, or you can take one of the numerous tours. Most of the "Los Altos" tours are smaller than the tour groups going to the town of Tequila and will most often use a large van, like a Toyota HiLux rather than a motor coach.
By bus
[edit]Coordinados (Primera Plus) operates buses from the main (new) bus station in Guadalajara to Atotonilco several times per day with departures about every 40 minutes. The 90-minute trip will cost about M$150.
- 1 Terminal Primera Plus, Av. Independencia Poniente 60, Centro. Small uncomfortable waiting room where you can catch a bus to Guadalajara. Restrooms are filthy and poorly maintained yet still cost M5 to enter.
Get around
[edit]Walking is good for getting around the downtown area, but a car is useful for getting to places on the outskirts. Taxis can usually be found downtown near the main plaza or at the bus station, or your hotel front desk can call one for you.
See
[edit]- 1 Museo de la Estacion, La Estacion. Sa-Su 10ː00 - 14ː00, closed M-F. The town's former train station has been restored and is well maintained. It houses a regional history museum that tells the stories of Atotonilco El Alto, particularly the Cristero War, a rebellion in the late 1920s against the government's efforts to curb the power of the Catholic church.
- 2 Parroquia San Miguel Arcángel, C. Garibi Rivera 19, Centro. Beautifully ornate 400-year old church with an elaborate facade, a single bell tower, and an interior filled with religious paintings and sculptures.
Do
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- 1 Parque Ecologico Taretan, Taretan 246, ☏ +52 391 917 0520. Natural area with springs, pools, and streams in the forests on the north side of town. The waters have a high mineral content and are said to have healing powers. Changing rooms and restrooms are available (5 pesos) and pools are fairly shallow with depths generally under 1 meter, some small waterfalls. Paved walking trails, picnic pavilions with grills available, playground for children. Free.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Los Cuates Campestre, México 90, Los Manguitos, ☏ +52 391 917 3109. Tu-Su 11ː00 - 18ː00, closed M. Attractive, clean, family-friendly restaurant serving traditional Mexican and regional dishes including grilled meats, seafood, and birria. Full bar that includes wines, liqueurs, and of course, a selection of local tequilas. Outdoor terrace with large tables with umbrellas. M200.
- 2 El Marengo (8 Segundos), Juarez 139, Centro, ☏ +52 331 110 6740. W-M 14ː00 - 00ː00, closed Tu. Casual rustic restaurant and bar serving burgers, steaks, and traditional Mexican dishes. Full bar. M$250.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Hacienda Tequila Patron, Highway MEX-90. Patron is a widely known popular tequila brand that markets itself as a high-end premium product. The tequila is produced at the hacienda, which also produces barrels, bottles, and is an upscale hotel and restaurant that welcomes guests who come to tour the facilities to learn about Patron tequilas.
- 2 Don Julio (Distileria La Primavera), Porfirio Díaz 17, Chichimeco, ☏ +52 391 917 0830. Founded by Don Julio Gonzalez in 1942, the distillery produces high-end premium brands sold throughout the world. The distillery does not offer public tours, but is included on several of the higher-end tour routes of the Los Altos Tequila Trail. Tours are geared towards the very knowledgeable tequila afficianado, and include different types of tasting experiences.
- 3 Siete Leguas (Fabrica "La Vencedora", Fabrica "El Centenario"), Av. 16 de Septiembre, ☏ +52 391 917 0996. Traditional tequila producers using time-honored processes like crushing the agave hearts with a stone tahona, drawn by mules. The company has several facilities in Atotoniloco, including two distilleriesː La Vencedora and El Centenario, as well as corporate offices and a downtown storefront. The company does not offer scheduled tours open to the public, but does offer tours on a select basis, so booking a high-end tequila tour can get you in the door (ask the tour provider what distilleries are included) though it is sometimes possible for individual travelers to get in on a tour by contacting the distillery directly (the better your Spanish and the more you know about tequila, the better your chances).
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel Via Real, Hidalgo 75, Centro, ☏ +52 391 688 0520. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Clean, updated hotel with spacious rooms with contemporary furnishings. On-site restaurant available. Off-street parking is available in a lot about 3 blocks walk from the hotel. M$1000.
- 2 Casa Rubio, Calderon 11, ☏ +52 391 917 5111. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Pleasant hotel near town center. Rooms are clean and comfortable though minimally furnished. No on-site restaurant, but there are places to eat nearby. M$1500.
- 3 Oasis Inn, Libramiento Sur, Josefino, ☏ +52 391 125 5692. Check-in: 14ː00, check-out: 10ː00. Modern hotel with contemporary decor. Spacious, well equipped rooms with panoramic views of the town. On-site restaurant available. Indoor swimming pool available. Childrens play area with ball pit. Secured off-street parking. M$2050.