Aguascalientes is a destination that has to be explored and should be added to your travel plans in the new year.

2025 is a year of discovery, and Mexico is a treasure trove with locations for every wish, budget, and taste. There’s the modern cosmopolitan vibe of CDMX, the enchantment of Chichen Itza and Yucatan, the exclusive resorts and nightlife of Nayarit, the charm of San Miguel Allende, and of course the popularity of Cancun and Riviera Maya.

Aguascalientes

With so many extraordinary locales there are some that fly under the radar, and yet become your best surprise.
It may seem cliché to claim a place has it all, but ‘The Land of Good People’ truly does.

Most frequent travelers may know Aguascalientes because of its singular attractions like La Feria de San Marcos  (April 19 – May 11, 2025), and the traditional and still popular Fiesta Brava (bullfighting).
Yet the state has much more to offer.
There’s the colonial architecture, the railroad history that intertwines with the U.S. industrial growth and will fascinate history buffs, nature lovers can take a trip north and explore former mining sites, and don’t forget the picturesque Magical Towns.

For those wanting to be active there’s hiking, sport fishing, and cycling in the Sierra Fría nature reserve. The haciendas, and hot springs scattered around the state deserve exploration.

This is the birthplace of one of Mexico’s most widely known symbols, La Catrina.

Aguascalientes also has a thriving wine industry and we’ll go more in depth to the top vineyards in a separate section covering La Ruta del Vino.

The state of Aguascalientes is situated in central Mexico, earning its name from the abundance of hot springs. It’s made up of 11 municipalities, with three Magical Towns being a highlight: Calvillo, Real de Asientos, and San José de Gracia.

Here’s our abbreviated guide to the places you must experience as you plan your 2025 visit to Aguascalientes.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel Las Trojes
A comfortable, centrally located hotel in the north of the city serves as a practical home base for exploring all of Aguascalientes. Convenient for leisure and business travelers it offers large guest rooms and all the essential amenities.
It’s located in a busy part of town, right across one of the main shopping centers, the Centro Comercial Altaria and Galerías.

Address: 792, Las Trojes, Blvd. Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta, 20110 Aguascalientes, Mexico

STANDOUT DINING

Almacén del Bife

Almacén del Bife – Aguascalientes
For meat lovers it’s the place to go. This Argentinian themed restaurant offers freshly caught seafood, and superior cuts of beef in an authentic gaucho style.

Address: Blvd. Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta 600, Villas de San Nicolás, 20115 Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico

Quinta Los Granados

Quinta Los Granados – Calvillo
For the ‘traditional’ folkloric feel of a Mexican hacienda visit Quinta Los Granados. Serving local cuisine prepared to perfection and served in generous portions.

Address: Tehuantepec Sur 109, Magisterial los Arcos, 20834 Calvillo, Ags., Mexico

Tikal

Tikal – Aguascalientes
Dining here is an exciting and gastronomically delightful experience thanks to the innovative cuisine.  Some of the dishes bring the restaurant to a stand still with their eye-catching presentations.

Address: Blvd. Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta 621, Jardines de la Concepción II, 20120 Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico

To enjoy local wine with outstanding meals consider these vineyards and vinicolas, all serving outstanding cuisine with award-winning, locally produced wines:

Aguaje Vineyards
El Secreto Vineyards
Vinicola Santa Elena

WHAT TO DO

City of Aguascalientes

Founded in 1575 it’s capital to the state of the same name.
You’ll be transported to the Old World with majestic Spanish colonial buildings in its historic center square.

Standing at Plaza de la Patria  is the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Cathedral, with 18th-century paintings by Miguel Cabrera.
The 17th-century Government Palace is known for its many carved interior arches.

The National Museum of Death displays funerary art and artifacts from pre-Columbian times to the present.

Jose Posada Museum and La Catrina

Take time to tour the the previously covered Jose Guadalupe Posada Museum and learn the history of La Catrina.

Tres Centurias Rail Plaza
The railroad industry had a massive impact in Aguascalientes and its history is closely tied to the United States.
Plaza Tres Centurias is at the center of it and a place to relax and enjoy.  It’s a recreational space with vintage train cars, a charming park with dancing fountains,  cafes, and a museum.
The name Tres Centurias comes from the dates when the buildings were erected, at the end of the XIX, XX, and XXI centuries, thereby uniting past, present, and future.
The plaza also has the Museo Espacio. They have unique exhibitions, present contemporary art, and you can even get your hands dirty (literally) and create your very own artworks.

Address: Plaza tres centurias, Desarrollo Especial Talleres F.F.C.C., 20259 Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico

Calvillo

A special place in Aguascalientes is the Magical Town of Calvillo.
It is known for the cultivation and large production of guava, having the greatest economic impact in the town, along with tourism.

Frutland

You can visit the Frutland factory and taste all products Guava; from candies, bread, fruit bars, cookies, even a delicious liqueur.

There are the impressive waterfalls of Los Alisos y Cienega, and grand haciendas.
Take a leisurely stroll in the central plaza, while enjoying their traditional guava ‘nieves.’

Here you’ll also find the Señor del Salitre Church, inaugurated in1870 and showcasing the second largest dome in Latin America.

From most points in the city you’ll see La Santa Cruz, a cultural complex and the tallest monument in town built over one hundred years ago. It measures 33 meters, the age of Jesus Christ when crucified; the outreach of each arm measures 6 meters, signifying the 12 disciples; and around the base is the symbolism of a crown of thorns.
The complex has a chapel, a mausoleum, and an esplanade with 360 degree stunning views of Calvillo.

Address: Ajusco 218, Cerrito Alto, 20805 Calvillo, Ags., Mexico

Real de Asientos

Another Magical Town is Real de Asientos. The colorful Nuestra Señora de Belen parish, with historic paintings, facing the central plaza is a must-visit.

And if you don’t suffer from claustrophobia take time to explore the underground tunnels dating back to the 18th century.

Address: C. Juárez 3, 20710 Real de Asientos, Ags., Mexico

A few streets from the plaza it’s the Pantheon of Guadalupe, and the state’s first cemetery. Witness skeletal and mummified remains from the 18th century.
This was a mining town and you can still visit some of the old sites.

San José de Gracia

San José de Gracia is a standout in Aguascalientes. A delightful Magical Town where you can spend a day boating, kayaking, or biking around.

The town offers different adventures for families, impressive landscapes, and protected forests in the Sierra Fría.

Devout catholic also organize pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of El Cristo Roto and its massive statue.
Standing 80 feet tall, and fixed on a 10 foot-tall base, it is one of the tallest religious figures in the nation, visible from a distance, and accessible to ALL only by boat.