Ahualulco is a small town in San Luis Potosi, just north of the state capital.
Understand
[edit]Before the Spanish conquest, the area around Ahualulco was inhabited by the Chichimeca indigenous culture. The Chichimeca did not build a permanent settlement here, but relics, including arrowheads and flint pieces have been found in caves nearby.
The first Spanish settlers came to the area in 1542. They built ranches and a small town that grew slowly. Construction on the town's first church began in 1574. The Hacienda of San Francisco de la Parada also dates from the 16th century.
The town was not always part of San Luis Potosi. It was originally part of the state of Zacatecas, but in 1858, the two states agreed to exchange territory and Ahualulco went to San Luis Potosi while the town of Ojos Calientes became part of Zacatecas.
The town adopted the formal name "Ahualulco de Sonida 13" which acknowledges the work of local son, Julian Carillo who is known for theorizing that instead of there being 12 musical tones, as generations of musicians have learned, maybe there was another tone that nobody could hear. Carillo dubbed this the "13th sound". It was best heard on speakers from the band "Spinal Tap" that could be turned up to 11.
Get in
[edit]The nearest airport is San Luis Potosi International Airport (SLP IATA). From San Luis Potosi, a taxi will take as little as 30 minutes to reach Ahualulco. The cheapest way to get there is by bus.
By bus
[edit]Buses operated by Del Norte or by Transportes Frontera depart from the Central de Autobuses in San Luis Potosi for the 30-45 minute ride to Ahualulco. Tickets cost as little as M$50. Buses are very frequent with many departures throughout the day.
- 1 Autobuses Grupo Senda (Bus stop), Highway MEX-63. Small station stop on the main highway. Buses stop to let passengers on and off.
Get around
[edit]
It's a small town that is easily navigated by walking or by riding a bike, though there is a taxi sitio near the town plaza and there are usually taxis waiting near the Grupo Senda bus stop.
See
[edit]
- 1 Plaza Principal, Plaza Julian Carrillo. The beautifully manicured gardens contain a large number of cacti and similar plants that thrive in dry, desert-like conditions. Walkways and open spaces make it a pleasant place to relax and people watch, particularly on Sunday afternoons when families go out together.
- 2 Parroquia Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria, Plaza Julian Carrillo 3. Traditional colonial style church with a bright, open feeling inside with graceful arches and light pastel blue domes over the nave.
- 3 Hacienda Segunda Corte (Second Court Hacienda), MEX-63 (6 km south of Ahualulco). Historic 16th century hacienda that once grew and processed grains and livestock. Now, largely abandoned with many ruined, but still intact structures, very picturesque. Not generally open to the public, but if you stop and find the property owner, he is friendly and usually willing to show visitors the property.
- Hacienda La Parada, Ahualulco. About 15 km south of town is a former agricultural hacienda that is partially preserved (but partially in ruins). An on-site museum in the former chapel displays relics of the hacienda's past with exhibits that explain details about the region's history prior to the Mexican War of Independence in the early 19th century.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal Bicentenario (Town Market), Calle Refugio Centeno. Daily 07:00 - 19:00. Small traditional marketplace with a wide variety of fresh produce and several vendors serving prepared stews (gorditas) and other regional foods, including sopes, gorditas and huaraches. Run-down restrooms are best avoided.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Barbacoa Don Agustin, Calle Leopoldo Stokowski 52. Super casual open-air restaurant serving slow-cooked barbacoa that is tender and perfectly seasoned. Family friendly with cheery colors and always a friendly greeting from Don Agustin. Also serves menudo with all the fixings for those rough weekend mornings. Popular place so expect a wait for tables at peak meal times (especially early afternoon). M$250.
- 2 Mariscos la Unica, Calle Nabor Carrillo 25. Daily 09:00 - 20:30. Local seafood restaurant with open-air dining room. Serves a wide variety of fish, shrimp, and other seafood specialties including ceviche, seafood soup, and raw oysters on the half shell. Full bar with domestic beers and large cocktails. M$200.
- 3 La Hacienda, Calle Comité de los 13 Pro J.Carrillo 9, ☏ +52 444 194 1964. Daily 08:30 - 22:30. Traditional Mexican restaurant serving a large variety of foods including flautas, tacos, enchiladas, soups and grilled steaks and chicken. M$200.
- 4 Texoma, Calle Comité de los 13 Pro J.Carrillo 3. Su-F 10:30 - 19:00, closed Sa. Casual restaurant with take-out service. Food is Mexican antojitos as well as American style fried chicken and burgers. M$200.
- 5 Restaurante Don Pedrito, MEX-63, ☏ +52 444 854 8275. Casual, simple diner-style restaurant serving traditional Mexican dishes. Small parking lot. Accepts credit cards. M$150.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]There's really only one hotel is Ahualulco, so your best bet for a wide selection of lodging options is in San Luis Potosi.
- 1 Hotel Aurelius, Calle Baudelio García 20, ☏ +52 444 504 6042. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Traditional hotel with spacious, clean rooms with comfortable beds but limited furnishings ("minimal" as in the toilet seat didn't have a lid). Off-street parking is a bit limited, but free and safer than parking on the street.