Ghost of Dona Felix at the Old Washhouse in Tequila
Tequila, a Pueblo Mágico in Jalisco, Mexico, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. As one strolls through its cobblestone streets, it’s common to hear locals whispering tales of great charros, ancient deities, and hidden secrets. Among these stories is the legend of the washhouses, a place deeply intertwined with the town’s history and traditions.
The Washhouses of Tequila
Constructed in the early 20th century as a solution to the town’s water scarcity, the washhouses of Tequila quickly became a central hub for the community. These structures were used by housewives to wash clothes and served as a gathering place to share joys and sorrows. The washhouses were designed to utilize the clean water from the Atizcua stream, filling 83 smooth stone basins where the women could scrub their clothes.
Over time, the washhouses evolved into a social meeting point. Housewives would congregate there, sharing stories and singing love songs. Despite being initially intended for women, it wasn’t long before romantic charros began frequenting the area to court them. This interaction gave rise to the famous Mexican saying, “men come to flirt, women come to wash¨.
Today, although no longer used for their original purpose, the washhouses have become one of Tequila’s main tourist attractions. Their historical significance is complemented by the legends that surround them.
The Legend of Doña Félix
One of the most famous legends associated with the washhouses is that of Doña Félix. According to the story, Félix began washing clothes for others at the age of fifteen. Being short in stature, she used a small wooden stool to reach the washbasin. Over the years, young Félix grew into an elderly woman, known for always washing clothes at the same spot. She continued this routine until she passed away at the age of 85 from natural causes.
However, her story didn’t end with her death. After she passed away, the townspeople decided to keep her famous stool, ensuring that no one else would use it. Yet, to their astonishment, the stool would reappear at Félix’s washing spot every morning, despite their efforts to store it elsewhere. Believing that her spirit had returned to continue her lifelong task, the townspeople cemented the stool to the ground so that Doña Félix could continue washing clothes from beyond the grave.
It is said that if you visit the washhouses of Tequila at night, you might still see and hear Doña Félix scrubbing clothes, her spirit dedicated to the task she performed in life.
Ghost of Dona Felix at the Old Washhouse in Tequila
Visiting the Washhouses
To visit the washhouses, start from main square. Walk straight for about a block until you reach Ramón Corona Street. Turn right and continue until you find Tabasco Street. Near the end of this street, you will find the washhouses.
For those who love walking and exploring a Tequila Vilage with beautiful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, it is recommended to make this journey on foot. However, due to the distance, you can also take a Tequila Tour from Guadalajara.
The Social Significance of the Washhouses
The washhouses were more than just a place to clean clothes; they were a vital part of the social fabric of Tequila. Women from all over the town gathered there, creating a sense of community and solidarity. The act of washing clothes together became a ritual where they shared stories, exchanged advice, and supported each other through life’s challenges.
The washhouses were also a place where important news and gossip were spread. In a time before modern communication, these gatherings served as a way to disseminate information quickly throughout the community. The women would discuss everything from personal matters to town politics, making the washhouses a hub of information and social interaction.
The Courting Rituals
The presence of the charros added an element of romance to the washhouses. These dashing horsemen would come to flirt with the women, often serenading them with songs and poems. This interaction was a significant part of the courting rituals of the time. The washhouses became a backdrop for many love stories, where young men and women met and fell in love.
The phrase “men come to flirt, women come to wash” encapsulates this dynamic. It highlights how the washhouses served as a unique social space where traditional gender roles were both reinforced and gently subverted through the playful and romantic interactions that took place there.
The Transformation into a Tourist Attraction
As times changed and modern conveniences made washhouses obsolete, the physical structures remained as a testament to Tequila’s history. Recognizing their historical and cultural value, the town preserved these washhouses as a tourist attraction. Today, they stand as a reminder of the town’s past, drawing visitors who are eager to learn about Tequila’s heritage and the stories that shaped it.
Tourists visiting the washhouses can imagine the lively gatherings that once took place there. The site offers a tangible connection to the past, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience a slice of daily life from a bygone era.
The Ghostly Presence of Doña Félix
The folk tale of Doña Félix adds a mystical element to the washhouses. Her story has captivated the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The idea that her spirit continues to wash clothes long after her death speaks to the deep connection she had with her work and the washhouses themselves.
Visitors who come to the washhouses at night often report feeling a chill in the air or hearing faint, ghostly sounds. Some claim to have seen a spectral figure bent over a washbasin, scrubbing diligently. These experiences add to the allure of the site, making it a popular destination for those interested in the paranormal.
Preserving the Legend
The townspeople of Tequila take pride in their legends and work to preserve them for future generations. The story of Doña Félix is not just a ghost tale but a part of the town’s cultural identity. By sharing this story, they keep the memory of Doña Félix alive and honor the contributions of the women who made the washhouses a vibrant social space.
Local guides often recount the legend to visitors, ensuring that the tale of Doña Félix remains a part of Tequila’s living history. This storytelling tradition helps maintain the town’s cultural heritage, bridging the past and present.
The Cultural Impact
The washhouses and the legend of Doña Félix illustrate the importance of community and tradition in Tequila. They highlight how everyday activities can become deeply significant cultural practices. The washhouses were not just about washing clothes; they were about fostering connections, sharing experiences, and building a sense of community.
The preservation of the washhouses as a tourist attraction and the perpetuation of the legend of Doña Félix show how Tequila values its history. These elements contribute to the town’s identity as a Pueblo Mágico, a place where the past and present coexist in a unique and meaningful way.
The legend of the washhouses of Tequila and the ghost of Doña Félix is a captivating tale that reflects the town’s rich cultural heritage. The washhouses, once a vital social hub, now stand as a testament to Tequila’s history and traditions. The story of Doña Félix, with her enduring spirit, adds a mystical element that continues to intrigue and attract visitors.
As you walk through the streets of Tequila, take a moment to visit the washhouses and reflect on the stories they hold. Feel the presence of the past, the echo of laughter, and the whispers of old songs. And if you listen closely, you might just hear the ghostly scrubbing of Doña Félix, a reminder of the enduring spirit of Tequila and its people.
The Best Tequila Brands to Buy While in Mexico: Hidden Gems Not Found in the US
Mexico, the birthplace of tequila, is a haven for aficionados of this iconic spirit. While many well-known brands are available worldwide, some exquisite tequilas remain exclusive to their homeland, offering a unique opportunity for travelers to discover and savor these hidden gems. If you’re planning a trip to Mexico and wish to explore the best tequilas not found in the US, here are some top recommendations and where to find them.
1. Tequila Los Abuelos
Distillery: La Fortaleza
Location: Tequila, Jalisco
About: Tequila Fortaleza, also known as Los Abuelos, is a family-owned brand with a rich heritage dating back to the 19th century. It is renowned for its artisanal production methods, including traditional stone grinding and copper pot distillation. Fortaleza offers a range of tequilas, including Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo, each with a distinct flavor profile that captures the essence of traditional tequila-making.
Where to Find: You can visit the La Fortaleza distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, for a guided tour and tastings with a reputable tour guide contact Tequila Local Experts in the bottom right corner. Additionally, Fortaleza tequilas can be found in select high-end liquor stores and specialty shops throughout Jalisco.
2. Tequila Ocho
Distillery: La Alteña
Location: Arandas, Jalisco
About: Tequila Ocho is a single-estate tequila, meaning each bottle comes from a specific agave field harvested in a particular year. This approach highlights the terroir and the unique characteristics of each field. Tequila Ocho is known for its complexity and depth of flavor, making it a favorite among tequila enthusiasts.
Where to Find: Visit the La Alteña distillery in Arandas, Jalisco, to experience the craftsmanship behind Tequila Ocho. You can also find it in boutique liquor stores and bars specializing in premium tequilas across Jalisco and other parts of Mexico.
3. Tequila ArteNOM Selección
Distillery: Various
Location: Jalisco
About: Tequila ArteNOM Selección is a unique concept where each expression is curated from different distilleries, showcasing the diversity of tequila production in Jalisco. Each bottle highlights the expertise of a specific master distiller and the characteristics of their distillery’s terroir. The result is a collection of tequilas with distinct personalities and flavors.
Where to Find: ArteNOM Selección tequilas can be found in specialty liquor stores in Jalisco and other major cities in Mexico. Each bottle is a limited edition, so availability may vary.
4. Tequila G4
Distillery: El Pandillo
Location: Jesús María, Jalisco
About: Tequila G4 is produced by fourth-generation master distiller Felipe Camarena. Known for his innovative approach and commitment to quality, Camarena uses a unique blend of rainwater and spring water in the production process. G4 tequilas are celebrated for their purity, balance, and rich flavors.
Where to Find: Visit the El Pandillo distillery in Jesús María for a tour and tasting. G4 tequilas are also available in select liquor stores and premium bars throughout Jalisco.
5. Tequila Gran Orendain
Distillery: Orendain
Location: Tequila, Jalisco
About: Tequila Grand Orendain is a small-batch tequila crafted using traditional methods and sustainable practices. Produced at the third Generation Orendain distillery, it is known for its authentic flavor and high-quality ingredients. Orendain Hill produces some of the best valles tequila agave plants that offer a true representation of the valley region of Jalisco, with earthy and vegetal notes.
Where to Find: Schedule a customized tour with an English Speaking Tour Driver-Guide or you can find Gran Orendain tequilas at the Orendain distillery in Tequila and in specialized liquor stores throughout the region.
6. Tequila Don Fulano
Distillery: La Tequileña
Location: Tequila, Jalisco
About: Don Fulano is a family-run brand that emphasizes the importance of terroir and traditional production methods. The agave is grown in the highlands of Jalisco, and the tequila is distilled at the La Tequileña distillery. Don Fulano offers a range of expressions, each with a unique flavor profile that reflects the highland agave’s characteristics.
Where to Find: Visit La Tequileña distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, for a tour and tasting. Don Fulano tequilas are also available in premium liquor stores in Jalisco and other parts of Mexico.
7. Tequila Cascahuin
Distillery: Cascahuin
Location: El Arenal, Jalisco
About: Cascahuin is a family-owned distillery that has been producing tequila since 1904. Known for its traditional methods and commitment to quality, Cascahuin tequilas are crafted with care and expertise. The brand offers a variety of expressions, including Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo.
Where to Find: You can visit the Cascahuin distillery in El Arenal for a comprehensive tour and tasting experience English speaking Tour Guide in Tequila. Cascahuin tequilas are also available in select liquor stores throughout Jalisco.
8. Tequila Rey Sol
Distillery: Casa San Matías
Location: Tepatitlán, Jalisco
About: Rey Sol is a luxurious, extra-aged tequila produced by Casa San Matías, one of the oldest distilleries in Mexico. This premium tequila is aged for six years in French oak barrels, resulting in a rich, complex flavor with notes of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit. The distinctive bottle, designed by artist Sergio Bustamante, makes Rey Sol a collector’s item.
Where to Find: Visit Casa San Matías in Tepatitlán for a tour and tasting with en English Speaking Tour Guide. Rey Sol is also available in high-end liquor stores and specialty shops in Jalisco and other parts of Mexico.
9. Tequila Siete Leguas
Distillery: Siete Leguas
Location: Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco
About: Siete Leguas is a historic brand with a strong commitment to traditional production methods. The agave is cooked in brick ovens, and the juice is extracted using a traditional tahona (stone wheel). Siete Leguas tequilas are known for their authentic flavor and high quality, with expressions ranging from Blanco to Extra Añejo.
Where to Find: You can visit the Siete Leguas distillery in Atotonilco El Alto for an immersive tour and tasting. Siete Leguas tequilas are also available in select liquor stores and premium bars throughout Jalisco.
10. Tequila Arette
Distillery: El Llano
Location: Tequila, Jalisco
About: Arette is produced by the Orendain family, one of the oldest tequila-producing families in Mexico. The brand is named after a famous Mexican horse that won a gold medal in the 1948 Olympics. Arette tequilas are crafted using traditional methods and offer a range of expressions with distinctive, well-balanced flavors.
Where to Find: Visit the El Llano distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, for a tour and tasting contact best rated English Speaking Tour Guides on Tripadvisor. Arette tequilas can also be found in specialized liquor stores throughout Jalisco.
Tips for Buying Tequila in Mexico
Visit Distilleries: Many distilleries offer tours that include tastings and the opportunity to purchase exclusive bottles directly from the source. This is a great way to learn about the production process and bring home a unique souvenir.
Specialty Liquor Stores: Look for boutique liquor stores and specialty shops in major cities like Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Tequila. These stores often carry rare and limited-edition tequilas not available elsewhere.
Markets and Fairs: Local markets and fairs can be a treasure trove for discovering unique tequilas. Vendors often sell artisanal products that reflect the region’s heritage and craftsmanship.
Ask for Recommendations: Don’t hesitate to ask locals for their recommendations. Bartenders, shop owners, and tequila enthusiasts can provide valuable insights and direct you to hidden gems.
Exploring the world of tequila with a local expert from a reputable company like Panoramex in Mexico offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover exceptional brands and flavors not available in the US. Whether you’re a seasoned tequila connoisseur or a curious traveler, these hidden gems promise to enrich your appreciation for this iconic Mexican spirit. So, pack your bags, set your sights on Jalisco, and prepare to embark on a tequila adventure like no other. ¡Salud!
When one gets to Tequila one perceives the aroma of cooked agave that inundates the air as 60 plus tequila factories are found in the city. Some tequila distilleries are quite emblematic.
The breakfast options are varied, but a good idea is to choose one of the traditional market stalls Food, as Menudería Clemen, opened in 1952 and one of the few who prepares dishes with distilled agave, like tequileños eggs, accompanied with chilaquiles, a quesadilla and tequila-based sauce. Another good option is the gourmet cafeteria El Palomar has the best escamochas and exquisite chicken chilaquiles.
The Parish of St. James the Apostle was built in the seventeenth century, and its beauty lies in the simplicity of the building: one tower, a pediment decorated with Doric columns, carved cherubs and a sculpture of San Miguel Archangel. The court has a sculpture of Saint Toribio Romo, Cristero martyr beatified by John Paul II.
The Chapel of the Lord of the Forsaken is a small building built in the sixteenth century, although its present appearance corresponds to the remodeling done in the forties of the last century.
Tequila, Jalisco Mexico
The best way to learn Tequila is taking a tour Tequila from Guadalajara, Stay away from street tour vendors who promise you the stars.
Facing Mundo Cuervo is advisable to test the pachecadas, a drink that is a combination of tejuino, a liquor made from fermented corn, which is added beer and salt. Jose Cuervo factory in La Rojeña can not only make the journey through the history of this brand, you can also know the processes of production of tequila and enjoy drinks with different pairings. This was the first factory to obtain a license of King Charles III, in the late eighteenth century, to make the wine-mezcal, as it was known before the tequila.
You can try several dishes made from agave offering Fonda Cholula, like all saints steak, a cut of meat sauce served with mezcal and Chamorro the post, covered with leaves of agave and steamed.
You can not miss the Lavaderos area of the city, also known as “the chismógrafo”. 83 stone plaques are fed by a canal that brings water from the volcano of Tequila, and which came together washerwomen of the city in the 1920s Very close there you can walk the narrow bridge that encuentrasobre the Atizcua delegate river, whose margins are the ruins of the old distillery, the nineteenth-century brick factories which still distinguish reach fireplaces.
Tequila, Jalisco Mexico
The Agave Landscape is made up of the ruins, distilleries, cultivated agave fields and farms that are among the canyon of Rio Grande and the foot of the volcano of Tequila, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006.
The National Museum of Tequila is an old porfiriana nineteenth century mansion, and its interiorse explain the origin of tequila and the evolution of the first distilleries through old photographs and documents, in addition to having a large collection of antique bottles.
La Cantina La Capilla is located at the intersection of Hidalgo and Mexico and dates from 1930. It is said that its name is because there people come walking in and out knees. She was chosen among the top 50 bars in the world by Drinks International Association, which amazes is the simplicity of its bar, with very few brands like Cuervo, Arete, Tequileño and Orendain, with preparing the specialty of the house, which It earned him worldwide recognition: Batanga, a drink made from distilled agave, lemon, salt and cola.
A good place for hiking, rappelling and many adventure activities is Los Azules, a waterfall located in the heart of Tequila Canyon. It has facilities to spend the whole day. You can only reach by foot or on horseback and with the assistance of a guide.
In 1997 there were no passenger trains, so the Chamber of Commerce revived a railway line in order to exalt three symbols to mexicanidad as mariachi, charros and tequila. The Tequila Express train covers a route from Guadalajara to Amatitlán, running the Agave Landscape and includes entertainment like tequila tasting and a visit to the factory Herradura, through a show of mariachis and folkloric dances, flourish of roping and buffet Mexican food.
Tequila, Jalisco Mexico
Jose Cuervo Express offers a route from Guadalajara to Tequila and during the trip you can enjoy a margarita, Mexican sandwiches, snacks and dishes in positions that are in the La Rojeña.
The tequila has Denomination of Origin, an international regulation which dictates that only thus can call agave distillate produced enJalisco and some areas of Nayarit, Michoacan, Guanajuato and Tamaulipas. Along the roads of Jalisco you can see different types of tequila, so it is advisable to consume only those with the logo of the Official Mexican Norm (NOM).
Since 1873 Quinta Sauza housed one of the most notable factories agave distillate. Today opens its doors to travelers for an experience around the agave, offers tastings and pairings cuisine, among many other things. It has a shop so you can buy a lot of products.
Tequila has a physical, cultural, spiritual and spiritual heritage that is unparalleled in Mexico. This complete guide provides you with all the information so that you can fully enjoy the Magical Town of Jalisco.
Tequila City is a town of cultural, spiritual and spiritual heritage that is unparalleled in Mexico. This complete guide provides you with all the information so that you can fully enjoy the Magical Town of Jalisco.
Where is Tequila and how do I get there?
Tequila is the capital city of the municipality of the same name, located on the center – east side of the state of Jalisco.
It gives its name to the Mexican national drink, originally from the municipality, which constitutes the main economic foundation of the town since the 19th century. Tequila is only 69 km away. of Guadalajara and the Tapatíos are their most frequent visitors. Other state capitals near the Magic Town are Tepic, which is 154 km away. by Nogales / Mexico 15D; Aguascalientes, located 285 km. traveling towards Guadalajara; Colima, 247 km., And Guanajuato, 336 km.
How was the town founded?
The original tequileños were Chichimeca and Otomi Indians, who already got drunk with the juices without distilling the agave from long before the arrival of the Spaniards. The Iberians arrived shortly before 1530 and on April 15 of that year Santiago de Tequila was founded by Franciscan friars headed by Juan Calero, who would be executed in an indigenous uprising of 1541.
According to Christian tradition, Fray Juan was killed in the same space where the main altar of the church of San Juanito de Escobedo, a village located 45 km. of Tequila. The first tequila distillery was installed by Pedro Sánchez de Tagle in the year 1600, but the real takeoff of the drink arrived with José Cuervo at the end of the 18th century.
In 1824, Tequila was named head of one of the 26 departments of Jalisco. The designation as Magical Town arrived in 2002.
How is the Tequileño climate?
The climate of Tequila is of the semi-arid subtropical type, with springs and dry and temperate winters. The thermometer shows an annual average of 23 ° C, with the coldest season being from December to February, and the warmest from May to September.
In Tequila, about 1,075 mm of water are precipitated per year. The rainiest season runs between June and October. Between the months of November and May it rains little in the Magical Town of Jalisco.
What are the best things to see and do in Tequila?
You can start enjoying Tequila from the tourist railroad that departs from Guadalajara. In the Magic Town await you its picturesque streets and its tequila houses, old and modern, like the emblematic Mundo Cuervo. The National Museum of Tequila and the Los Abuelos Museum explain the traditional process of making the Mexican national drink. The Temple of the Immaculate Conception, the Municipal Palace and the old laundries, are places of obligatory visit. For outdoor entertainment accounts in Tequila with its extinct volcano and with the Los Azules Waterfall. Two places near Tequila that are essential to know are Amatitán and El Arenal. And of course, the festivities, standing out the National Tequila Fair; bars, taverns, restaurants and cozy hotels, complete the picture for an unforgettable stay, without forgetting the curious and traditional “blessing”.
How about you start on the railroad?
The railroad was the great ally of the production and distribution of tequila since the 19th century. It was used to distribute the drink throughout the national territory and to introduce it into the lucrative US market.
The picturesque but unproductive era of the tequila demijohns transported by the muleteers with their mule trains had come to an end. Currently, you can relive in a certain way the railway era of tequila with the José Cuervo Express. The train travels from the Guadalajara station to Tequila and the ticket plus includes an educational tasting conducted by an expert, tour of the La Rojeña factory and a Mexican show.
What if you continue with a walk in the streets?
An excellent way to start your tourist program in Tequila, immediately entering into a setting, is to walk the streets of the most representative blocks of the historic center. The picturesque streets are lined with shops selling all the liquid and solid products related to tequila. All the brands are present, from the industrial ones to the artisan ones and from those of national and world fame to others that you have surely never seen. In the craft shops you will get tequila ornaments, such as miniature agave pineapples, agave leaves and collection bottles. You can hardly do without the drinks on the road, but do not neglect it, because tequila makes you drunk fast.
How is Mundo Cuervo?
Cuervo is the founding dynasty of the tequila industry in Mexico and a name that has become a legend. It all started around 1781, when the founders acquired the first lands and received authorization from the Spanish crown to produce “mezcal wine”.
The La Rojeña factory was founded in 1812, being the oldest beverage distillery in Latin America. When Cuervo began distributing tequila nationally in the 19th century, he decided to stamp the figure of a raven in the barrels, which is one of the first commercial brands in the country. Mundo Cuervo offers one of the most exciting walks through the history of tequila.
What is in the National Museum of Tequila?
This museum located in Ramón Corona 34 offers an entertaining walk through the origin of the drink in pre-Hispanic times until modernity. In the central courtyard you can see one of the old mills that were used to crush the huge agave pineapples and obtain the original must. Also, you can admire the containers that were used in the past for the fermentation process, as well as the distillation stills that give rise to the tequila. The museum also shows the old farming implements and tools that were used in the cultivation and care of agave plantations, as well as the bottles of tequila packaging used over time.
What awaits me at the Los Abuelos Museum?
The Sauza family is another name historically linked to Tequila Jalisco. There are already 5 tequila generations, so the current Sauza are great-great grandchildren. In the beautiful Los Abuelos Museum you will be able to see through photographs the origin and history of this family belonging to the “aristocracy of tequila” and learn about the process of making tequila by its most traditional method. On the tour you can admire the tools used 150 years ago in the production of tequila, as well as the furniture in use during the time. They have a small shop where you can buy local crafts. The Los Abuelos Museum is located in front of the main square.
How is the Church of the Immaculate Conception?
The temple of the Purisima, built in 1649, is a sober building made of stone blocks in colonial architectural style located opposite the main square of Tequila. It has a single tower with a double-arched bell tower and on the façade the entrance arch is flanked by Doric columns and has a niche with an image of San Miguel Arcángel. In the parish there is a chapel dedicated to Santo Toribio Romo González, Jalisco priest martyred in 1928 during the Cristero War. The interior of the church is of a single nave, standing out for its vaults, stained glass windows and for its main altarpiece of neoclassical style.
What is the interest of the Municipal Palace?
The Municipal Presidency of the town is not distinguished by the architecture of its construction, but it is one of the places most visited by tourists, who go especially to admire the monumental mural allegorical to the history of Tequila Jalisco, the work of the artist Manuel Hernández. The enormous fresco shows a bit of each historical facet of the Magical Town, including the indigenous origin, the agave and the transport of the pineapples on the back of a mule, the main characters during the Independence and other political periods and the typical charro shows of Jalisco, among the most important images.
When is the National Tequila Fair?
The Mexican national drink has its annual fair in Tequila, between November 30 and December 12. They are two weeks of overflowing party, since December 8 is the day of the Purísima Concepción, patron saint of the city, and the 12th is the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The most important companies of the tequila industry mount their stands in which they exhibit their main products, offer tastings and attend the requests of tourists who wish to tour the plantations and factories.
The program of shows is very rich and intense, including folkloric dances and typical music, concerts, cultural events, gastronomic fair, palenques and charrería events.
How is the tradition of blessing?
If you go to Tequila for the first time, do not be surprised if you walk down the street at 9 o’clock at night and people suddenly start turning in the direction of the parish church to receive the Christian blessing. At that time, the priest goes out to offer his congratulations to the faithful, making them reach people who are far from the church by a triple ringing of the bells. Not only the Tequileños passers-by comply with the rite; also the people in their houses turn off radios and televisions and paralyze what they are doing to meet the wishes of health and prosperity imparted by the priest.
What are the old washing boards by the riverside?
In 1918, in the middle of a severe shortage of water, the tequileños requested to the city council that constructed some washings of clothes. The water from the streams that supplied the population was being stolen by the tequila factories. Cipriano Rosales, municipal president and owner of the La Castellana tequila, preferred not to disturb his colleagues and ordered the construction of 83 laundries with their water supplies and their slabs where the women washed and scrubbed the garments. These wash rooms are at the end of Tabasco Street and today constitute a tourist attraction that visitors go to see them to remember past times.
How do I get to Los Azules Waterfall?
This beautiful waterfall located a few minutes from the city of Tequila is reached by a narrow path down a steep ravine, so you have to be careful. To avoid getting lost in the inmense canyons tour companies offer a
The path is most picturesque and you may even be able to eat a fruit taken from the trees and bushes that grow wild in the place. The access in itself is a hiking exercise, so you have to wear the appropriate clothing and footwear. You can take a dip and swim in the pools formed by the fresh and crystal clear waters and practice some adventure sports, such as rappelling.
What interest does the Tequila Volcano offer?
The extinct Tequila volcano, with its summit at 2930 meters above sea level, is the natural sentinel of the Magical Town. It was considered a sacred mountain by the prehispanic indigenous peoples, mainly for providing obsidian, the hard volcanic stone with which they carved their sharp tools. In fact, the meaning of the word «Tequila» is «Place where it is cut». The predominant vegetation in the lower part is the oak forest and the flora changes as it rises, including the curious dwarf oaks. You can do some comforting walks on the slopes of the mountain and if you reach crater, you can practice sky-diving.
What can I see in Amatitán?
Amatitán disputes to Tequila the cultural hegemony around tequila. The agave plantations and the tequila factories constellate the landscape. In 1870, Don Felix Lopez founded the Herradura House in Amatitán and the brand is one of the best known nationally and internationally. In 2007 it was acquired by the US company Brown-Forman, but they still make their tequila in Amatitán by roasting the agave in clay ovens and using wild yeast in the fermentation. A museum currently operates in the original factory of Herradura. Other attractions of the town of Amatitán are the temple of the Immaculate Conception, the Chapel of Carmen and the Cola de Caballo waterfall.
What are the attractions of El Arenal?
Only 22 km. El Arenal is a beautiful locality that is part of the “agave landscape and old industrial facilities of Tequila” along with Tequila and Amatitán, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006. The Arenal plain of El Arenal is a Beauty and its tequila factories invite you to enjoy the ancestral drink. In the center of town you can see the main square, with its fountain and nice kiosk, as well as the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario. El Arenal is surrounded by former haciendas that still preserve testimonies of the manufacture of tequila in the past, such as tahonas for the grinding of agave.
How is the local cuisine?
In Tequila you can taste an excellent jalisciense birria. The original recipe of this emblematic dish of Jalisco is with goat, but the relative scarcity of this meat has determined that sheep, pork and beef are also used. Apart from the meat, the essential ingredients in a Jalisco style birria are roasted chiles (guajillo, morita, bell and red width) and pulque.
To drink, we are not going to recommend a combination of tequila or pulque, but we are going to suggest you try a tejuino, a typical Mexican drink made with fermented corn and piloncillo, which in its Jalisco version has lemon and salt.
Can I buy a genuine tequila gift?
The Jalisco craftsmen of the wood make beautiful little barrels with red stick, a regional species of oak with an attractive reddish hue. These small barrels can be decorated with motifs agave and tequila and are a magnificent piece of practical and decorative use in the bar of the house. Another artisan line that the popular tequila makers work with are some amphoras lined with pork skin that tourists hurry to fill with freshly made tequila at an excellent price. They also make pieces of clay and weave clothing accessories with pita or candelilla, a vegetable fiber.
What are the main Tequila Events and Celebrations?
Apart from the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin of Guadalupe, which are celebrated in December as part of the National Tequila Fair, in the Magical Town there are other festivities, among which we must mention the cantes, the days of San Juan and San Pedro, on June 24 and 29. This party gets its name because the locals play throwing in the field small clay figures in the shape of pitchers, with pebbles inside, which turn them into rattles. For the occasion, tradition dictates that the Tequila girls wear a red suit similar to that of the ticks that circulate in the grass.
Can I do a tavern tour in Tequila?
The word “tavern” is globally associated with an establishment of a popular atmosphere in which alcoholic beverages are served; nevertheless, in the Mexico of the commercial origins of the tequila, the tavern was the place in which the drink was distilled and of course the place where the circuit of sale began.
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The taverns were installed in the agave haciendas and some of those who worked clandestinely to circumvent the Spanish crown’s prohibition were La Rojeña, Villa Tequila, La Chorrera and La Estancita. Several of these old “taverns” are now industrial emporiums and you can tour them. For the the best Tequila Experience try Tour Tequila departing from Guadalajara Every day. Now, if what you are looking for is a tour of taverns understood as canteens, you can also do it in an unforgettable night of clubs and bars.
Where do you recommend staying?
The Hotel is a nice lodging that works in a colonial building located at Calle Mexico 138 in the center of Tequila. It is spacious and comfortable rooms and has a spa and sauna. Hotel Solar de las Ánimas is another charming accommodation, with impeccable cleanliness, located in Ramón Corona, 86. Hotel Boutique La Cofradía, in Calle La Cofradía 1297, is an establishment of cabins surrounded by agaves, which has a small museum about the elaboration of tequila.
Hotel La Rienda, Plaza Rubio and Casa Dulce María are other magnificent accommodation options in Tequila.
What are the best places for a time of clubs and bars?
In the list of the “50 best bars in the world” published in 2013 by the prestigious magazine Drinks International Magazine, there is one single Mexican establishment: La Capilla. This Tequila bar has become famous for its cocktail “Batanga”, an incredibly simple preparation, based on white tequila, cola, salt and lemon juice. The Bar Destilados is located on Calle Juárez 91 in downtown Tequila and offers not only distilled spirits. It is the favorite of the local young people for the ambientazo and many tourists arrive asked by him. It has karaoke and the prices are reasonable; The only bad thing is that it closes at 2 AM, usually between the protests of the tipsy parishioners.
What are the best restaurants in Tequila?
La Antigua Casona, in front of the main square, in a house of exquisite Mexican and international food in a beautifully structured and decorated environment. Fonda Cholula, located in José Cuervo 54, next to the La Rojeña factory, is a place praised for its regional dishes and snacks.
The Palomar has a good view of the square and the customers praise the breast of tequila, the chilaquiles, the freshness of the bread and the excellent coffee.
If you fancy some fruit of the sea or Spanish food, you can go to El Marinero; and if you are looking for an authentic Jalisco-style birria, we recommend Fonda Chivo & Vaca.