Villanueva is a small city of about 13,600 (2020) in the southernmost part of Zacatecas in Central Mexico. The town is a peaceful, romantic town with colonial era buildings and cobblestone streets. Historical travelers will want to visit the nearby La Quemada archaeological site and the remains of the Hacienda Malpaso. The town preserves several indigenous traditions, especially observing the solstice. The town is one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]
By plane
[edit]The closest airport with commercial flights is Zacatecas International Airport (ZCL IATA). The airport is about 40 km from Villanueva. A taxi will take about an hour and cost about M$400.
By bus
[edit]The easiest and cheapest way to get to Villanueva is by first-class bus. Omnibus de Mexico operates 3 first-class buses to Villanueva each day. The 1-hour trip will cost M$103 (September 2024). The city is also served by ETN, Primera Plus, and Autobuses de Guadalupe.
- 1 Terminal Omnibus de Mexico (Bus station), Hidalgo 56, Centro, ☏ +52 499 526 1368. Frequent buses to Zacatecas. Combis can also be boarded here.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- 1 Parroquia de San Judas Tadeo (St. Jude Church), Reforma 2, Centro. 17th century baroque church dedicated to St. Jude. The church is serene with a handful of artworks in the main church, including a life-size statue of St. Jude.
Do
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- La Quemada (15 km north of Villanueva on federal highway MEX-54). Daily 08:00 - 16:00. Mysterious archaelogical ruins of an unknown Mesoamerican civilization. Archaeologists have put forth different theories about the site's origin and some say it was a blend of different construction methods used by different civilizations at different times in history. The site contains a ball court, a ceremonial pyramid, and a series of platforms. The most picturesque structure is a building with 11 standing columns that are assumed to have once supported a roof (though no roof remains). Admission to the site museum is included in the entry fee for the site. M$90.
Festivals
[edit]- Festival de San Judas Tadeo - held annually on October 28, the town celebrates the feast day of its patron saint. Festivities include traditional dances, music, a parade, displays of local handcrafts, and lots of food and drink.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal Villanueva, Calle Libertad 35-49. Daily 09:00 - 16:00. The town's traditional marketplace has vendors selling farm-fresh produce on the lower level and a variety of vendors selling prepared meals featuring regional cuisine. Plenty of places to sit down upstairs and there are runners who will go to the different restaurant stalls to get your food and bring it to you.
Eat
[edit]- 1 La Huerta Restaurante Campestre, Calle, Arroyo de La Penitencia 70, Centro, ☏ +52 499 926 2596. Daily 14:00 - 21:00. Casual restaurant serving pizza, hamburgers and similar light fare. Kids playground available. M$250.
- 2 El Palenque, Los Geranios, ☏ +52 499 690 1255. Daily 10:00 - 18:00. Local seafood restaurant specializing in shrimp. M$200.
- 3 Mariscos la Cumbre de Villanueva, Victor Rosales 14, Centro. Daily 09:00 - 19:00. Family style seafood restaurant. The garlic salmon is a winner though many swear by the shrimp dishes. M$250.
- 4 El Herradero Carne Asada, Boulevard salida a Zacatecas, Pamanes Escobedo, ☏ +52 499 926 1210. Daily 10:00 - 18:30. Upscale restaurant specializing in grilled steaks. The arrachera is super soft and delicious and the burritos and chimichangas are equally good. Full bar though if you want something without alcohol, the house lemonade is a winner. M$300.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel San Judas Tadeo, Jacarandas, Flores del Pedregal, ☏ +52 499 926 0777. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with simply furnished rooms that are clean and comfortable.
- 2 Villa Florida, Calle Porvenir 18, Centro, ☏ +52 499 102 0711. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic hotel with clean, comfortable rooms.
- 3 Hotel Fina, Hidalgo 26, Centro, ☏ +52 499 926 0306. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic hotel with clean, somewhat small rooms that include cable TV. WiFi is available at extra cost.