Hot springs 13 km south of Villanueva
A restored colonial hacienda south of Villanueva with a small hot-spring spa, a temazcal and rooms in the old main house.
Hacienda La Encarnación lies in the farmland south of Villanueva and is one of the oldest estates in a district that was once full of them. It began in 1596 as a presidio, a fortified post: in those years the haciendas around Villanueva doubled as strongholds against raids by the Chichimec peoples of the northern plains. By 1695 it had become a full farming and ranching hacienda, and it grew into one of the region's most important cattle producers.
Today the estate has been restored and works as a place to stay and unwind. Rooms are in the Casa Grande, the old main house, and the grounds keep the hacienda's original layout, with gardens and an old granary. In what used to be the orchard, a small spa has been built around natural hot springs, and there is also a temazcal, the traditional steam bath.
The small chapel inside the main house is worth a look for its images of Gregorio López, a 16th-century hermit who lived in this part of New Spain and was venerated for his austere life. Since the hacienda operates as a private hotel and spa, it is best to contact it ahead of time to ask whether day visits to the thermal pools are possible.
What to see and do
Soak in the small hot-spring pools set in the hacienda's old orchard.
Try the temazcal, the traditional steam bath.
See the chapel in the Casa Grande with its images of the hermit Gregorio López.
Walk the gardens and look at the old granary and hacienda buildings.
Stay the night in the Casa Grande for a quiet base near Villanueva and La Quemada.
Getting there
La Encarnación is about 15 to 20 minutes south of Villanueva by car, reached by local roads through the farming communities south of town. There is no regular tourist transport; go by car or taxi. The hacienda is private, so book a stay or call ahead to arrange a visit.
13 km south of Villanueva
Directions from Villanueva on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Hacienda La Encarnación shares the climate of Villanueva, 13 km away. The best months to visit are Mar, Apr, May, Dec.
Make Villanueva your base
Hacienda La Encarnación is an easy trip from Villanueva, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Villanueva
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El Salto
· Landmark · 7 km away
A former hacienda just west of Villanueva whose baroque church, from 1689, keeps a carved and gilded wooden altarpiece. -
La Quemada
· Archaeological site · 13 km away
The great hilltop city of northern Mesoamerica, with its Hall of Columns, ball court and Votive Pyramid, just north of Villanueva. -
Hacienda de Tayahua
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A 16th-century hacienda village with a big stone arch and carved church, long linked to singer and actor Antonio Aguilar's family.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.