Jiquilpan

Aquadora Fountain in Jiquilpan

Jiquilpan (also known as Jiquilpan de Juarez) is a small town in Michoacan, Mexico. It is best known as being the birthplace of two presidents (Anastasio Bustamente and Lazaro Cardenas). It is a culturally vibrant town that has been designated as one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos.

Get in

It's 3 hours by bus from Guadalajara to Jiquilpan de Juarez. Sur de Jalisco buses leave hourly and charge M$320 (March 2023).

Terminal de Autobuses Jiquilpan is located at Lázaro Cárdenas Nte. 22, Centro.

By car, it's 2 hours from Guadalajara to Jiquilpan, driving east on MEX 15D (Carr. Guadalajara-Morelia) to La Barca, then south on MEX 110 toward Sahuayo, then turn south on the Carreterra Sahuayo-Jiquilpan.

Get around

Jiquilpan is a small town. Walking is the best way to get around. Taxis are available for longer trips.

See

The Public Library is home to a famous mural by Jose Clemente Orozco

• Fuente de Aguadora and Fuente de Peces are two beautiful fountains in the town plaza.
• Casita de Piedra (in Bosque de Cuahtemoc, 200 meters from La Glorieta, open Monday-Friday 08:00 - 15:00 and Saturday 08:00 - 13:00) - Old stone building that was once the library of President Lazaro Cardenas, located in a park setting. Spinning and weaving exhibitions with a variety of silk objects displayed.
• Otero Archaelogical Zone - Several structures including buildings and platforms were discovered on El Otero hill, just west of Jiquilpan. Archaeologists date the site from 900 B.C., at which time it was evidently an agricultural and cultural center. The ruins were discovered between 1940 and 1942. It's a very small and rather insignificant site, but provides clear evidence that Jiquilpan has been occupied by humans for nearly 3,000 years.
• Mexico Magico Galeria - part working art studio, part gallery showcase, it's a marvelously quirky display of modern art.

Do

• Watch a cockfight at Palenque de Gallos (Barrio de la Ignacio Ramírez). Usually viewed as a barbaric, inhumane abuse of animals, cockfighting is still legal in many places in Mexico. Fights take place only during certain public holidays and festivals: typically Mexican Revolution Day in November, around New Years Eve in December, and in March to commemorate the nationalization of the oil industry. It's a run down place with bench seating around a ring and a metal tin roof, but most people don't come for the amenities.

Eat

• 1 El Junco, Elena Abarca 200, Centro, ☏ +52 353 5330309. 14:00 - 21:00. Pasta, pizza, and tacos in a casual space with a bar and billiards table. (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 La Casona, Av. Circunvalación 100, Barrio del Bajío, ☏ +52 353 5331789. 06:30 - 18:00. Casual open-air restaurant with traditional food at reasonable prices, family friendly with play area for kids. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 Toño's, Gral José Maria Arteaga 114, Centro, ☏ +52 353 1174783. Known for their burritos and seafood. (updated Mar 2023)
• 4 Portal de Faby's, Pdte. Lázaro Cárdenas Nte. 22, Barrio del Retache, ☏ +52 3531065311. 8:30 - 17:30 (closed Sunday). Traditional homestyle Mexican cooking. Enchiladas, mole, rice. Turkish coffee is a nice touch. (updated Mar 2023)

Drink

• 1 Micheladas Lupita, Calz. Campo de Aviación 101, Centro. 10:00 - 22:30. Not just micheladas, they have a full bar and serve a variety of cocktails. Excellent vampiros! Nice place with a friendly vibe. (updated Mar 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Palmira, Presidente Lázaro Cárdenas Sur 200, Centro, ☏ +52 353 533 0091. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Older, traditional hotel set around a central courtyard with an on-site restaurant. Some amenities are a bit dated, but the hotel is generally clean and has a good, central location. (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Hotel Colonial Mendoza, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas Nte. 88, Barrio del Retache, ☏ +52 353 533 0242. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Older hotel with dated facilities and frequent hot water problems. Cheap rates. Guests complain about things going missing from rooms. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 Hotel Fiesta Kamichin, Almendra Ote. 20, Los Arcos, ☏ +52 353 5332383. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, comfortable, mid-range hotel. Free wifi. Secure parking with gated entry. Quiet location in a neighborhood about 5 blocks from Lazaro Cardenas. (updated Mar 2023)
• 4 Hotel Bugambilias, Av. Circunvalación 148, El Llano, ☏ +52 353 1173094. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Dirt cheap prices are the reason budget travelers like the place. Worn linens and no hot water...but the prices are cheap. Dirt cheap. M$200. (updated Mar 2023)

Go next

• Guadalajara
• Ajijic
• Tlaqapaque