State tourism secretary Le Roy Barragan says Zacatecas is romantic
IAN STALKER
The interior Mexican state of Zacatecas says unmarried couples who arrive there will have no trouble finding venues that will enable them to return home in a state of newlywed bliss.
State tourism secretary Le Roy Barragan told a recent Toronto gathering that among wedding venue options in his jurisdiction are vineyards and archeological sites in a state that has both pre-Columbian structures and buildings dating back to the Spanish colonial era.
“It’s a romantic city,” Barragan added of the state capital, also called Zacatecas.
Event organizer and Uniglobe travel agent Ethel Hansen Davey — who recently visited the destination — in turn told the gathering that the “city’s Baroque cathedral is stunning.”
The city — located in a valley — was founded in the 16th century thanks to area silver deposits and its colonial architecture has earned it UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Visitors will find numerous museums and the city holds many festivals over the course of a year, including one celebrating the Day of the Dead, which has people pay tribute to their ancestors. Among other festivals are ones revolving around jazz and folklore.
City lodging options include a Quinta Real hotel that actually began life as a bull ring and now falls under the umbrella of Mexico’s Camino Real chain.
Zacatecas’ somewhat lofty altitude gives it a generally temperate climate, with temperatures throughout most of the year being between 20 and 25 degrees. Those temperatures may fall to 10 to 15 degrees in December and January.
Barragan said his state is a safe one for visitors, adding it has tourist police.
Zacatecas doesn’t have the beaches that attract many tourists to Mexico but the popular Pacific Ocean destination of Mazatlan is 5 to 6 hours away by car, enabling people to divide their vacation time between the Mexican interior and the Pacific coast.
The city has air links to the likes of Chicago and Los Angeles, and bus service is available from Mexico City.
More information is available at zacacatecastravel.com.
