Pabellón de Arteaga is a small city in the central Mexican state of Aguascalientes. It is developing a growing reputation for its wineries and is the epicenter of the state's Ruta de Vino (Aguascalientes Wine Trail). Travelers with an interest in history can learn about its role in the Mexican Revolution and will also find several nearby Haciendas (most re-purposed as venues for weddings and other private events).
Understand
[edit]The city itself has a population of about 30,000 people. When outlying villages and farming communities are counted, the municipality has a total population of more than 47,000 (2020).
Get in
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The nearest airport with commercial flights is in Aguascalientes (AGU IATA). A taxi from the airport will take about 30 minutes to reach Pabellon de Arteaga and will cost about M$200 (US$10). Alternatively, you may find better flights to Zacatecas (ZAC IATA), which is about an hour by taxi (69 km).
By car, drive north from Aguascalientes on federal highway MEX-45 for 30 kilometers.
Get around
[edit]Taxis are readily available. There are two sitios where they wait for faresː on the north side of Plaza Principal (Zocalo) and a few blocks east of the plaza at the corner of Av. 16 de Septiembre and Av. Plutarco Elias (near the town letters).
Combis (shared shuttle vans) leave every 30 minutes towards Aguascalientes.
See
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- 1 Town Letters, 16 de Septiembre 54, Centro. Huge, colorful letters spelling out the town's name are always good for a selfie or two.
Do
[edit]- Feria de la Revolución - the town's largest celebration of the year takes place in November
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal, Calle Valentín Gómez Farías 19, Zona Centro. Daily 09ː00 - 15ː00. The town's traditional marketplace is smaller than those in larger cities, but it has the basics, including the freshest farm produce and the most authentic regional cooking. The Mercado is a good choice if you are looking for a cheap, tasty breakfast or lunch.
- Tianguis - Monday is market day in Pabellon de Arteaga and a temporary marketplace sets up in the downtown area. Local farmers bring fresh produce, cooks prepare inexpensive regional foods, artisans display craft wares, and hucksters sell cheap plastic consumer goods that are guaranteed to break the first time you use them
Eat
[edit]- 1 Papi Fajita, Francisco Javier Mina 101, Francisco Villa. Daily 15ː00 - 20ː00. Casual Mexican restaurant serving burgers and grilled meats. Open-air outdoor dining room is modern and clean. Good food, but often slow service. M$200.
- 2 Pelicanos, 20 de Noviembre 78, Carboneras, ☏ +52 465 958 0786. Daily 10ː00 - 18ː00. Casual restaurant serving burgers and traditional Mexican cuisine.Large portions but service can be slow.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Viñedos y Bodegas Hacienda de Letras (Hacienda de Letras), Teodoro Oliveras, San Luis de Letras, ☏ +52 449 279 5020. Daily 11ː00 - 19ː00. Winery and event space in a restored Hacienda just west of town. Offers guided tours of the vineyard with 1 tasting or a tasting of 5 wines for M$200. On-site restaurant offers gourmet dinners, including a romantic 3-course dinner in the wine cellar for M$4000 per couple and picnics in the vineyard for M$2000.
- 2 Vinicola Santa Elena, State highway AGS-18, ☏ +52 449 198 9131. W-Su 10ː00 - 19ː00, closed M Tu. Beautiful vineyards and winery with sweeping views of El Cerra de la Mesa (Table Top Mountain). The winery produces an extensive range of reds, whites, and blushes. Locally made sausages and cheeses are served at the E'lan restaurant, along with homemade chocolates and other delicacies. Tours and tastings are available though reservations are requested, particularly on weekends.
- Viñedo del Aguaje
- Bodegas Origen
- Viñedo del Aguaje
Sleep
[edit]The town lacks good hotel choices, but some wineries may offer overnight guest rooms, and a large selection of hotels is available in and around Aguascalientes, to the south.
- 1 Hotel Eden, Santos Degollado 1, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 465 958 0403. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Basic hotel with spacious rooms that lack air conditioning and have dated furnishings. Off-street parking is available.
- 2 Del Carmen Business Hotel, Blvd, Enrique Olivares Santana No. 305, ☏ +52 449 239 7847. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Moderate hotel with clean, but small rooms. Hotel lacks amenitiesː no restaurant on-site (or nearby).