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Municipality and town in Jalisco, Mexico
Photo: Noé González-Gallegos, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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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.
Beautifully ornate 400-year old church with an elaborate facade, a single bell tower, and an interior filled with religious paintings and sculptures.
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.
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.
8 Segundos
Casual rustic restaurant and bar serving burgers, steaks, and traditional Mexican dishes. Full bar.
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.
Distileria La Primavera
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 aficionado, and include different types of tasting experiences.
Fabrica "La Vencedora", Fabrica "El Centenario"
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).
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.
Pleasant hotel near town center. Rooms are clean and comfortable though minimally furnished. No on-site restaurant, but there are places to eat nearby.
Modern hotel with contemporary decor. Spacious, well equipped rooms with panoramic views of the town. On-site restaurant available. Indoor swimming pool available. Children's play area with ball pit. Secured off-street parking.
By bus
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.
Walking is good for getting around the downtown area, but a car is useful for getting to places on the outskirts.
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Guadalajara · International · GDL
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