Tuxcacuesco

Tuxcacuesco is the seat of the municipality of the same name, in the Sierra de Amula region of southwestern Jalisco. The town sits at about 721 metres above sea level and had 1,674 inhabitants at the 2020 census; the whole municipality had 5,482. The name comes from the Nahuatl Tascahuescomatl, which the municipal encyclopedia translates as "pooled granary".

Before the Spanish arrived the area was home to Otomi-speaking warriors who often fought the people of Autlán, under a chief called Yoteacte. In 1542 Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura came through and took the submission of the local leaders. By the end of the 16th century Tuxcacuesco was one of the four seats of the Province of Amula, where the native communities paid tribute to the Crown, and by decree of 27 March 1824 it became the seat of a department and was given the title of villa. In the municipality, at the hamlet of Apulco, the novelist Juan Rulfo was born in 1917.

What there is to visit includes the town church and former convent, the haciendas of Apulco and Zenzontla, and the church of Apulco. Out toward the hills are the Sierra de Manantlán, Cerro Piedra Ancha and the springs of La Pichintota and La Providencia. The town is also home to the Tuxca Corona distillery, founded by the Corona family, which makes an agave spirit. Local trades include saddlery, huaraches and saddle-making.

The main fiestas are San Antonio de Padua, 1 to 13 June, and the Virgen de Guadalupe, 1 to 12 December; during Easter week there is a bullfighting fair.