This picturesque colonial village located on the north-west side of the Volcano of Tequila is famous for its production of semiprecious stones, in particular the mining of opal, turquoise and agate.

Numerous mines can be found in the hills surrounding villages such as San Simon, The Guajical, Cóbano and San Andres and welcomes visitors.

In the main square much socializing occurs- which in reality are friendly trading sessions involving local miners making small but substantial business arrangements.

Visitors to the area have the opportunity to buy locally mined stones in either a polished or raw state at a good price from kiosks located in the town centre.

The isolated Prehispanic village of Tlatoanazgo was later called Xochitepec, meaning ´place next to the hill of flowers´. The site can be found at the foot of a hill facing the north and in the past was covered with flowers during the rainy season.

The Coat of Arms was designed and made according to the history, origins and geography of the area and was accepted according and conforming to the rules, laws and art of science heraldry and heroism by Mr. Don Gabriel de Jesus Camarena and Gutierrez of Lariz.

The official approval of the municipal shield took place at the meeting of Cabildo held on October 10 1987 by the H. Municipality of Magdalena, Jalisco and by the municipal president C. Jose Rafael Ascencio C 1985-1987.

Geographically located between the coordinates 20°49' 00'' to 20°-58', 08'' north latitude and 103°53' 20'' to 104°-13' 15'' west longitude with an average height of 1.675 meters above sea level. The geographical data of the municipal are: 20°54' latitude, 103°59' longitude and 1,400 meters in height.

Territorial Extention

Its territory extends 445.36 square kilometers.

Boundaries

Magdalena is adjacent to the north of Hostotipaquillo, to the south of Etzatlán, San Marcos and San Juanito of Escobedo, to the east of Tequila and to the west of Nayarit state.

The climate of the municipality is semidry with winter and dry in spring. Due to the weather being warm throughout the year, the winter season is not clearly defined. The average annual temperature is 21.4°C, with an annual rainfall of 1,013 mm between the months of June to October. The winds blow in a southeastern direction. The average number of frosty days per year is 18.

The main highway runs from Guadalajara to Nogales and to Puerto Vallarta, with a diversion to Magdalena

The Pacific Railroad System operates a Guadalajara to Nogales line and connects two stations within the area. It maintains direct contact between the center of the state and the north of the country and the capital can be reached by a connecting train. The Pacific coastline and center of the country can be accessed via the Guadalajara- Manzanillo and Mexico- Guadalajara lines respectively.

There is a small airport located within the area with flights to the Nayarit mountain range and Jalisco state. Unfortunately it is as yet only accessible to the military.

Rural transportation runs a direct and indirect bus services.

Accessibility

The municipality is connected via the Guadalajara to Nogales highway, and by a toll road running from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta departing from Tequila and Magdalena- a popular choice for the significant number of visitors to tequila

Distance Chart

Typical food of the region: pozole, beef cooked in a special sauce and enchiladas. 
Beverages: tequila and mezcal

Produces fine jewelry and ornamentation specializing in opal mounted in gold, silver and nickel silver. The semi precious stone found as clusters is extracted in large quantities from local mines close to huajical or pata de gallo ´Leg of Rooster´, and San Simon. Magdalena has several opal and obsidian workshops in which beautiful objects from these minerals are crafted. Obsidian is characterized as a black, opaque rock and both obsidian and opal are mined from quarries.   The  municipal seat of Magdalena also has more than 5 obsidian and opal workshops as well  jewelry and crafts stores selling these minerals.

The main highway is the Mexico-Guadalajara-Nogales route.

Cattle, pigs and poultry is raised for meat, milk and also cattle for work. The development of tequila accounts for Industrial activity of the municipality. The manufacture of foodstuffs and pack meats is also economically important to the area. 

For those visiting the El Arenal municipality the temple is of particular interest and is located in the municipal area dating from 1925. The financial centres of Huaxtla are also worth visiting.

Nature attractions include the forests of Panchote Hill, Quitería Hill and salt water rivers of Arenal . Other highlights include beautiful landscapes, the Temporary Spa, The Jars and the Turtles Dams. Su nombre se deriva de las condiciones del terreno del primer asentamiento, ya que había gran cantidad de arena en el valle.

The name ´Arenal´ is derived from the sandy land conditions in the valley of the first settlement.

The design of the Coat of Arms was inspired by Lady Ana Elda Roses Jimenez, who signed it with her nickname "Anel Red".

The coat of arms was approved at the meeting of Cabildo on May 30th 1992 courtesy of an invitation from the town hall for the occasion. The winning design commemorates the 69 anniversary of the Constitution of the Municipality.

The Arenal municipality is located north-west of the state, the coordinates being 20º42´44¨ to 20º52´15¨ north latitude and 103º37´04¨ to 103º42´45¨west longitude, at a height of 1.450 meters above sea level.

Extention

The extension of the El Arenal municipality is 181.81 square kilometers².

Boundaries

Within the municipalities of north and west Amatitan, with Tala to the south and Linda plus Zapopan to the East.

The climate of the municipality is semidry with winter and dry in spring. Due to the weather being warm throughout the year, the winter season is not clearly defined. The average annual temperature is 20°C with an average annual rainfall 1,103 millimetres in the months of June and July. The strongest winds blow in a north-westerly direction. The average number of frosty days per year is 13.

El Arenal with its municipal offices and ranches are connected by a series of rural dirt roads and tracks which are affected during the rainy season.

Travelling is mainly via bus and has three separate lines.

Methods of Transportation

The main highway runs from Guadalajara to Nogales and also has a network of rural roads connecting local towns and villages.

The municipality is integrated into the rail network State, through the line Guadalajara-Nogales-Mexicali of the System the Pacific Railroad (company recently privatized).

Means of Transportation

Rural transportation has a direct line used for direct and non- direct buses; in addition you can also rent vehicles or drive your own.

Post, telegraph, telephone, radio and radio signal and television are forms of media available in the area.

Distance Chart

The traditional dish of the municipality is the white pozole and drink feature is the tequila and pulque.

Huaraches or sandals, kegs of wood. Products of saddlery as saddles, chaps and belts (plain and decorative) ceramics (pitcher and clay pots), sculptures, textiles (embroidery).

EIt is within the privileged zone of Hacienda de San Jose del Refugio, where the authentic “agave tequilero” (a plant similar to cactus from which Tequila is made) comes, and which produces one of the best tequilas since 1870.

VWhen visiting Amatitán is like going back in time because the old plants still remain where the drink was originally produced with a “tahona” a mill. Its dark taverns are known as tequila factories. Where “tinajas” (metal tubs) used to ferment the juices of the agave after roasting or baking it they are submerged on the floor for the fermentation process, the worn ovens and the old copper stills (apparatus for distilling liquids) take us back to the past. Another touristic site in this village is 18km, on the road going north. Where you can find the Santa Rosa dam, its main water resource is the flow of the Santiago River to generate electricity.

A lookout point affords wonderful views of the waterfall and spillways. The sheer amount of its flow is impressive and beautiful.

The Word “Amatitán” originates from small forest of “amates” fig trees. Its first inhabitants were indigenous nahuatlacas who settled on the Chiquihuitillo hill, they fought for their territory among other indigenous groups. According to the legend these indigenous worshipped a God named Titán, when the Spaniards arrived the indigenous would tell them they couldn’t worship other Gods and they expressed “indio ama Titán.” That is how this town was named “Amatitán".

The armor was created recently; it was made on a especial armor contest in February 1990 as part of the carnival’s festivities that year. It was made by the winner Mister Avelino Delgado Martínez.

The original version of the shield was officially approved by City Council in a board meeting in 1990. In 1993 the 9 stars on the shield were replaced with 9 agave plants. These changes were approved by the local City Hall in 1992-1995 in a council meeting.

Amatitán is located in the central región of the state of Jalisco in the following geographic coordinates 20º42’30’’ a t a 20º55’15” north latitude, at a 103º37’40’’ to 103º49’30’’ west latitude and at a height of 1,260 meters above sea level.

Extention

This municipality covers a land extension of 207.44 km².

Boundaries

It is located on the border of Tequila and Zapopan, on the south of Tala, Arenal and Teuchitlán, to the east of Zapopan and Arenal and to the west of Teuchitlán and Tequila.

Amatitán is considered semi dry with the spring and winter being warm and dry. Due to the temperature being a warm 26.1°Celsius throughout the year, the winter season is not defined. Annual rainfall is 951.7 millimeter falling in the months of June and July and an eastbound wind, with the number of frosty days being 5 per year.

Means of Transportation

Amatitán is linked to the international highway crossing from east to westbound. There are also a few asphalt roads as well as rural dirt tracks connecting local towns and villages with the Cabecera Municipality.

Rural and urban transportation are through rental and privately owned vehicles. Railway transportation is through a railway of the pacific, it goes across the municipality from east to westbound.

Access

The communication channel takes you through highway Guadalajara to Nogales and the toll road Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta with direct exits to Tequila and Magdalena. These roads make it easier for visitors to move around the Tequila zones. Tourists will certainly be more motivated to get acquainted with Amatitán in more depth.

Distance Charts

The main dish is “birria” (goat meat, prepared a certain way) pozole, enchiladas, sopes, and tacos de cabeza. The tipical drinks are Tequila and tejuino, tipical candy; honey-dipped yams mermelade and seasonal fruits such as mangoes, guabas and “ahuilotes” (a typical candy made in that Amatitán).

Cabinets, small wooden barrels made for Tequila, bottles covered with cowchide, embroidery, ornamental work, pressed shirt, plastic gourd figurines, etc are made in this region.

Tequila’s history is strongly linked to “aguardiente” known worldwide as rum. It is perhaps the most popular Mexican brand abroad. Tequila’s climate is very warm with rain showers in the summer and autumn.

It is situated on the slope of Tequila’s volcano, 3,000 meters above sea level. Tequila is very warm mostly all year round; it rains in the summer and autumn seasons.

ts main attractions are the many distilleries which can be visited once you make a reservation to witness the process and elaboration of Tequila.

Another place to visit is Tequila Sauza’s small museum that shows the history of this distillery

In old times it was called “Tequillan” or Tecuila which means a place to shop or a place to pay tributes. Its first settlers were the Chichimecas, Otomíes, Toltecas and Nahuatlacas. The village was first situated in a place called Teochichán or Techinchán: A Place of the Almighty God where ropes and traps are abundant.

It is unknown who designed the original shield. The coat-of –arms became official on December 31^st 1983 during the City Council meeting in which the President of this municipality, Mister J. Trinidad Cervantes Nájar, reported his first year in government office according to the triennial from 1983 to 1985.

Tequila is located almost located in the core of the state of Jalisco, slightly to the west in the geographic coordinates 20 25' 00'' a 21º 12' 30'' latitude to the north and103º 36' 00'' at a length of 104º 03' 30'' east length with a height of between 700 to 2,900 meters above sea level.

Extention

There is a land extension of 1,364.14 km² in this municipality.

Boundaries 

It is on the north borderline of the state of Zacatecas and San Martín Bolaños, to the south of Ahualulco de Mercado, Teuchitlán and Amatitán, to the east of San Cristóbal de la Barranca, Zapopan and Amatitán and to the west of Hostotipaquillo, Magdalena and San Juanito de Escobedo.

In this municipality the climate is semi arid, the winter season is not well-defined as the year round temperature is 23.2°C and there is an annual mild rainfall of 1,073.1 millimeters of rain from June to October. The main wind storms go from north east to south east. On average there are 0.4. days of frosts each year.

Land transportation is through the Guadalajara – Nogales highway. There are a few rural and paved roads that communicate the municipalities.

Railway transportation is through the Guadalajara to Nogales, México to Guadalajara, and Guadalajara to Manzanillo railway line system of the pacific. Our commuting methods are linked to the center of the state. The northern part of the country is indirectly linked to the pacific coast and the center.

Air transportation is through the landing strips in Jalpilla, El Tuitan. San Pedro, Analco, Tapezco and El Coban located in this municipality. Small aircraft is able to land on the strips as well. Foreign land transportation is through direct and indirect. Rural and urban transportation are through rental and privately owned vehicles.

Accessibility Conditions

There are many dirt roads which link Tequila to all its police station and,Municipal Head offices. There are also two urban and semi-urban bus lines that meet the rural communities’ needs by operating on a regular basis. Alternatively rental car agencies area available in Tequila Jalisco.

Distance Charts

When it comes to typical dishes, it is the same in the entire state of Jalisco; pozole, enchiladas, “sopes”(similar to a tortilla but thicker), tacos, taquitos, seafood, birria and tostadas. Ice cream made out Tequila is also very popular as well as various fruits; cononuts, anonas, aguilotes and guanabanas (fruits native to Mexico), tamarind, plums, and jicamas grown on the cliff.

“Castañas” (dry nuts) and small barrels of “palo colorado” a type of oak, are made. This oak is decorated with allusive figurines. Pork leathered two handled jar.