I’d heard the name “Aguascalientes” before, but I always pictured it as just a quick stop on the way to somewhere else. Maybe it was the name—”hot waters”—that made me think it was just a spa town. I was so wrong. This place is… chill. The first thing you notice is the weather. It’s perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. It’s like the city’s climate is on permanent vacation. And the people are the same way—just calm. No one’s rushing. It’s a place that teaches you to just slow down and breathe.

Plaza de la Patria: Where I Learned to Sit Still

The heart of the city is Plaza de la Patria, a huge, open square with a gorgeous fountain and the state government palace on one side. I just sat on a bench and watched life happen. Kids were chasing pigeons. Old men were debating politics. Couples were walking hand-in-hand. The whole thing was just… lovely. It felt so much more relaxed than the frantic pace of other big cities.

The Cathedral of Aguascalientes stands right there, too. It’s a beautiful building, all golden stone. And there’s a clock on the government palace that plays a little tune and has figures move on the hour. It’s a simple thing, but everyone stops to watch. It’s a testament to the city’s vibe: they celebrate the small moments. I wasn’t looking at a travel guide, or checking my phone. I was just there. And that, I realized, is what makes Aguascalientes special.

[My photo of the Plaza de la Patria fountain, blurred in the foreground with the sun hitting the Cathedral just right.]

Calvillo and the Guayaba That Changed My Life

Okay, so I got a tip from a local cafe owner that I had to go to Calvillo, a little town about an hour from Aguascalientes. It’s the “guayaba capital of the world,” and I was promised the best guayaba candy I’d ever tasted. I took a bus from the main station—it was about MX$70 (per a recent TripAdvisor review, the bus ride is inexpensive) and the ride was easy. The town is super cute, with a beautiful little church and a main plaza.

But the real reason to go is the sweets. I went to a little store and bought a few kilos of ate de guayaba, a paste made from the fruit. It’s dense, sweet, and tangy. I’d never tasted anything like it. It was like the fruit in its purest form. They also had chamoy, dried fruit, and a thousand other sweets. I also saw some of the orchards where they grow the guavas. The air was thick with the scent of the fruit. My backpack was full of guayaba candy on the way back. It was a stupid, spontaneous trip, and it was the highlight of my whole week.

A Museum That Made Me Think

I had to see the Museo Nacional de la Muerte, the National Museum of Death. Yeah, I know, it sounds a little morbid. But it’s not. It’s a fascinating, respectful, and beautiful look at how Mexico views death, from pre-Hispanic times to modern-day folk art. It’s not spooky; it’s just full of life. It’s a very Mexican thing: celebrating death as a part of life. The entry fee was MX$35, a total steal, and the exhibits were thought-provoking. I spent a couple of hours in there, and it made me rethink a lot of my own cultural views on… well, on everything.

The Food: Tacos and Beyond

You can’t go to Mexico and not talk about the food. Aguascalientes has its own specialty, birria (made with goat meat) and tacos de lechón (suckling pig). I found a taco stand near my hostel (a place I found a cheap deal on at travelgui.com) and just ordered what everyone else was having. No English on the menu, just pointing and smiling. The tacos were tiny, maybe four or five bites, but so flavorful. The meat was crispy and the salsa was spicy, but not so hot it killed your tastebuds. A few pesos a pop, and I probably ate ten of them. Total budget win.

Money-Saving Hacks and Spontaneous Splurges

• Money Hack: The local buses are crazy cheap. The city is very walkable, especially the center, but if you want to go farther, it’s the way to go.
• Splurge: The hot springs. I never actually made it to one of the famous balnearios but I heard they’re worth the trip. A full-day pass can be about MX$200-$400, but it’s a total relaxation experience. Maybe next time. I ended up just getting a really good cup of coffee at a local cafe instead.
• Feria de San Marcos: This city is famous for its huge annual fair in April and May, one of the biggest in Latin America. I wasn’t there during the fair, but the locals told me it’s absolutely wild—music, bullfights, food stalls, and just a ton of people. It’s the city’s heart and soul. A 2025 news report from a local outlet, El Heraldo de Aguascalientes, noted that this year’s fair was expected to draw millions. So if you want the quiet, come any other time. If you want the party, come then.
• Safety: I felt incredibly safe in Aguascalientes. People were friendly, and it didn’t feel touristy at all. Just be smart, like you would anywhere, and you’ll be fine. A 2025 post on a Mexico travel forum noted that the city center is generally considered safe.

Aguascalientes isn’t a city that screams at you. It’s a city that whispers. It tells you to slow down, to enjoy the sun, and to appreciate a good guayaba. It’s a place where you don’t need a map because getting lost is the whole point. And when you do, you just might find a little slice of heaven, one that smells like fresh fruit and tastes like a quiet afternoon.

By Mateo González, a wanderer with 10+ years diving into Mexico’s hidden corners, sharing stories from real visits and verified sources.