Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Aguascalientes, a Central Highland City with a Large Japanese Community

Aguascalientes is the capital of Aguascalientes State, located in the northern part of the Central Highlands of Mexico.

Let’s introduce some of the lesser-known tourist attractions of Aguascalientes.

1. Isla San Marcos Festival

The San Marcos Festival is held every year from mid-April to early May in both Isla San Marcos and the Centro of Aguascalientes.
A Feria is an annual festival held in various cities and villages across Mexico. Similar to Japanese summer festivals, it features food and drink stalls, casinos, bullfighting, and concerts by famous singers, creating a lively and exciting atmosphere once a year.

Among these, the San Marcos Festival in Aguascalientes is one of the largest, attracting not only Mexicans but also tourists from various countries. The festival hosts concerts featuring world-famous artists. For example, in 2015, Luis Miguel and Alejandro Fernández performed. The city gets incredibly excited about the opportunity to enjoy live performances from such stars without having to travel to major cities like Mexico City or Guadalajara.

This once-a-year festival is a massive celebration! People drink from daytime until morning, singing, dancing, and enjoying it in their own way.

2. Aguascalientes Bus Terminal

Although Aguascalientes is located in the northern part of the Central Highlands of Mexico, it is a convenient transportation hub with many bus companies such as ETN, Primera Plus, and Omnibus operating routes to famous tourist destinations across the country.

For example, to access to Mexico City, it takes about 6 hours by express bus, to Guadalajara is about 4 hours, to Querétaro, known for its beautiful aqueduct and a UNESCO World Heritage designation is about 4 hours, and to Guanajuato, home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites is about 3 hours.

Compared to other cities, Aguascalientes has a relatively mild climate and is considered a safe place. If you are planning to explore the Central Highlands of Mexico, using Aguascalientes as a base and taking express buses is highly recommended.

Additionally, right across the road from the terminal, there is an amazing taco stand! If you have time while waiting for your bus, be sure to try it.

3. Ojo Caliente

In Spanish, Aguascalientes means "hot waters." Just outside the city, there is a hot spring area. This is similar to Aguas Calientes village in Peru, which serves as a base for visiting Machu Picchu and also has hot springs.

However, since this is Mexico, the experience is different from Japanese hot springs. Here, you can enjoy private bathtubs in individual rooms. Many hotels and homes in Mexico only have showers, so this is a great place to relax in a bathtub and soothe your body.

Additionally, this facility has a large pool (though not heated), so you can enjoy both the hot springs and the swimming pool.

4. Cathedral

In Mexico, every city has a central park known as Parque Central or Zócalo, and next to it, there is always a cathedral.

In Aguascalientes, the cathedral is located next to Plaza de la Patria, the city’s central square.
Completed in 1738, the cathedral has a solemn and majestic exterior, while its interior is made of marble, with columns and ceilings adorned with gold decorations, creating a luxurious atmosphere.

Visitors are allowed inside, but since it is a religious site, it is important to remain quiet and follow the rules out of respect for the devoted Catholic worshippers.

Like many Mexican cities, most important landmarks in Aguascalientes are located around the cathedral area, making it a convenient reference point when navigating the city.

5. Plaza de la Patria

The Plaza de la Patria is the main square of Aguascalientes and serves as the center of tourism. In other cities, this kind of square is called Zócalo or Parque Central.

Surrounded by landmarks like the cathedral and city hall, this area hosts most of the city's main attractions. It is also an important gathering place for locals, where seasonal events are held. Visitors can also enjoy local street food from stalls around the plaza. However, be cautious, as street food may cause stomach issues! If you are unsure about your stomach’s resilience, it's best to avoid risky foods.

◎ Summary

As mentioned earlier, Aguascalientes is not a common tourist destination. Most Japanese visitors come here for business rather than leisure. However, because of this, visitors can experience authentic Mexican daily life without the typical tourist distractions.

Visiting during the San Marcos Festival is highly recommended, as it offers a unique and vibrant cultural experience. If you want to feel the real Mexico, Aguascalientes is a great place to explore!

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Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Aguascalientes, a Central Highland City with a Large Japanese Community