Teúl

Teúl de González Ortega is a small town in Zacatecasjust about 2.5 hours directly north from Guadalajara. Recognized as a Pueblo Mágico in 2011, Teúl is an ancient place name for the town but of a disputed and uncertain provenance. It's a great day trip from Guadalajara, and a favorite for those seeking a relaxed and inviting forest atmosphere. The honorific in the town name is for a former governor and ally of Benito Juarez, Jesús González Ortega (1822–1881).

Something of a Zacatecas extension of the Tequila region to the south, Teúl draws visitors with colonial architecture and it's most famous for the gargoyles, cobblestone walkways, quarry-stone walls, and the surrounding blue agave fields. The Cerro del Teúl archaeological area is extensive on the very south side of town. It's obvious to anyone who visits and easy to get to. Visitors are invited to the local trajinera boat rides on the lake above the Plan de Los Alamos Dam. There's a park and visitor center about eight minutes south east of the town center. 

Teúl is famous for the local workshops in and around the Historic Center. The Municipal Market Juan González Sanchez, on the west side of the town center, and the Portales Trinidad Cervantes are alive with merchants and visitors just about every day. The local food scene includes baked gorditas, and incredible local cheeses like queso de rancho, and fresh requesón (similar to cottage cheese). People also take to the Don Aurelio Mezcal Distillery and the San Juan Bautista Parish Church.  

But Teúl de González Ortega is a quiet town for romantic getaways, for exploring in a lush countryside of forests and agave fields. People arrive more and more from Guadalajara. Rojo de Los Altos buses make the four-hour trip multiple times daily. Side trips or tandem journeys to Nochistlán are often undertaken. It's about 3.5 hours to the east. Similarly, Tequila, in Jalisco, is about three hours south and west.