Town 28 km northwest of Nochistlán
Canyon town with colonial churches, thermal-water balnearios on the Juchipila River, Tastoanes in July and the historic Cerro del Mixtón.
Apozol is a small town in the Juchipila canyon, a few kilometers north of Juchipila on the highway between Guadalajara and Zacatecas. It was founded in 1538 as San Miguel Atotonilco, a Nahuatl name that points to hot water, and later took the name Apozol, after pozol, a drink made from maize.
The hot water is still the main draw. Along the Juchipila River near town there are several balnearios fed by thermal springs, such as Paraíso Caxcán, a resort with pools, slides, a spa, lodging and a restaurant on the riverbank, and the Rincón Verde water park, one of the most visited in Zacatecas. With the warm canyon climate they work almost all year.
The town itself keeps several old churches, including the templo de San Miguel from the 1530s and others from the 16th to 18th centuries, plus a traditional kiosk in the main plaza. The mountains around Apozol include the Cerro del Mixtón, where the Caxcanes made their stand against the Spanish in 1541, and every July the Tastoanes dance recalls that war.
What to see and do
Soak in the thermal pools at Paraíso Caxcán or Rincón Verde.
Visit the old churches of the town, starting with San Miguel.
Sit by the kiosk in the main plaza.
Come in late July to see the Tastoanes dance.
Look out toward the Cerro del Mixtón, scene of the 1541 Caxcan uprising.
Getting there
From Nochistlán, Apozol is about 55 km and an hour by car: head north toward Tlachichila and descend into the canyon to Federal Highway 54, then turn north. Paraíso Caxcán is at about km 136 of Highway 54. Buses between Guadalajara and Zacatecas on Highway 54 stop in Apozol. Check balneario hours and prices before going.
28 km northwest of Nochistlán
Directions from Nochistlán on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Apozol
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Weather mild
Apozol shares the climate of Nochistlán, 28 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Apr, Nov.
Make Nochistlán your base
Apozol is an easy trip from Nochistlán, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.