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City and municipality in Nayarit, Mexico
Photo: Altosjal.-, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Amatlán de Cañas (always referred to as simply Amatlán) is a small colonial town in the state of Nayarit in western Mexico. The town is known for its relaxing waters and nearby natural mountain scenery. The town is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.
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Zocalo
The town square is a pleasant place to walk, sit, and people watch. Tall, lush trees provide shade on sunny days. The town hall is here and nearby streets have shops and small cafes.
Church of Jesus of Nazareth
Colonial era church built in 1750 using quarry granite and bricks. Small but beautiful with a very tall, 2-level bell tower. The church contains a number of statues of various saints including San Isidro Labrador and San Juan Bautista (John the Baptist).
Family-friendly riverfront park with picnic tables, outdoor grills, river access for swimming or wading, and hiking trails through the woods.
Hot Spring Baths
Outdoor pools with hot spring waters. Massages available. Picnic tables and grills are available or prepared food is available. Facilities are dated, but water is very clean (pools are emptied at the end of each day).
Thermal mineral spa with hot water pools that also has hotel rooms available. Hotel rooms are small and basically furnished (little more than a bed). No air conditioning in the rooms. No on-site restaurant.
Spa with mineral pools of various temperatures, from slightly warm to YOUCH! Showers and bathrooms available. Tables and outdoor grills available.
Friendly restaurant with large outdoor dining area. Serves carne asada (grilled meats) and seafood. Prices are low but portions are appropriately small.
This place will either be a magnificent culinary adventure, or it's going to be as gross as eating raw oysters on the half shell. Don Chilo specializes in "tacos de cabeza" (head tacos). Head tacos are made from various parts of the head (cow, pig, or sheep) including jowls, tongue, and brains. Many regard tacos de cabeza as a delicacy. Don't knock it 'til you try it! (Don Chilo also serves tacos made from more conventional cuts of meat, but where's the adventure in that?)
Weekend brunch restaurant with a casual outdoor dining area, friendly service, reasonable prices and large portions. Hand-made tortillas made in house accompanying various breakfast entrees. Excellent chilaquiles.
Small budget hotel with basic furnishings.
Peaceful hotel with beautiful garden landscapes. Rooms are in bungalows scattered among the propery. Rooms are clean and spacious, some have A/C but some don't, so be sure to specify if you're arriving on a hot day. Outdoor swimming pool available.
Traditional hotel with small but clean and comfortable rooms. 100 meters to the town's famed thermal spas. Do not arrive or stay out too late because they lock the front doors at night.
Artesanal chocolatier and cookie bakery (both of the basic food groups!) They also sell homemade jams, empanadas and more. The corn cookies are quite unique and should not be missed.
By bus
ATE and TAP (part of Omnibus de Mexico) operate frequent buses to Amatlan from either Tepic or Guadalajara. From Tepic, you may need to change buses in Ixtlán del Rio.
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Puerto Vallarta · International · PVR
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