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Voykit pocket guide · Mexico
Temacapulín
Do Temacapulín as a day trip from Guadalajara: 2 h bus (≈ MX$150) or hire a taxi/uber for a day; hot springs cost MX$150 each.
Temacapulín is a tiny highland town in Jalisco known for its hot‑spring water park and historic plaza. With only ~300 residents, lodging and dining are limited, so most visitors treat it as a day‑trip from Guadalajara (2 h by bus, MX$150). The town is walkable; a short bike ride covers the main sights.
- Country
- Mexico
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MXN
- Money
- Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $). Cards work in hotels, chains and many restaurants; markets, street food, small shops and colectivos are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget MX$500–800 excl. bed · Mid MX$800–1,200 excl. bed · High MX$1,200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities. SIMs sell at OXXO shops and phone stores; registration with an ID may be requested — check.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Fire and ambulance 911 · Tourist assistance 078
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 127 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; many older sockets have no earth pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.; Bars: MXN 10–20 per drink or 10%.; Petrol station attendants: MXN 10–20; more for windscreen and tyres.; Guides and drivers: 10% or MXN 200–400 a day.; Supermarket baggers (often older volunteers): MXN 5–10.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus GDL → Temacapulín (one way) | MX$150 |
| Hot‑spring entry (Las Peñitas) | MX$150 per person |
| Meal at Lonchería Nelly | MX$100 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GDL · Guadalajara International Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Bus GDL → Temacapulín (round‑trip)
- about MX$150 each way, 2 h travel
- Hot‑spring Las Peñitas entry
- MX$150 per person
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is tiny; walk or rent a bicycle to reach the plaza, basilica, cemetery and hot‑spring entrance.
See and do
Known for
- Balneario Las Peñitas hot springs
- Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
- Plaza de Temacapulín
- Panteón Antiguo cemetery
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Temacapulín | Autotransportes Mezcala bus from Guadalajara Central Vieja, about 2 h; cost M$150 | ≈ 2 h each way |
Sleep
- Hotel Temaca
- Basic town hotel; rooms minimal, no TV. Off‑street parking. On‑site restaurant.
Language
Spanish everywhere, with a Mexican vocabulary; English is common in resorts and upscale Mexico City, much less elsewhere. Millions speak indigenous languages, especially in Oaxaca, Chiapas and the Yucatán.
- '¿Mande?' means 'pardon?'; 'ahorita' can mean now or much later.
- WhatsApp runs business: hotels, tours, drivers.
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; a kiss on the right cheek among friends; avoid: Skipping 'buenos días' when entering a shop
- Punctuality: Be on time for tours and buses; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Talking: Warm small talk, family, food, football; avoid: Jokes about cartels, the wall or migration
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Photos during mass
- Dining: Say 'provecho' to other diners when leaving; avoid: Rushing the waiter
Scams and watch-outs
- Limited food and lodging; plan a day trip or book the hotel early.
- Bus schedule may vary; confirm departure times at Central Vieja station.
- Hot‑spring price M$150 per person; bring cash.
Temacapulín is low‑risk; main concerns are limited services and road safety when driving; keep valuables secure and carry cash for small purchases.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Temacapulín yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Balneario Las Peñitas hot springs
- Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
- Plaza de Temacapulín
- Panteón Antiguo cemetery
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Temacapulín, revision 5294470 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5294470
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/temacapulin). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.