The rocky peak overlooking Zacatecas City holds the Museo Toma de Zacatecas, an equestrian monument to revolutionary generals, and a chapel to the Virgen del Patrocinio; a cable car strung between La Bufa and Cerro del Grillo, Mexico's first, carries riders 650 meters across the city center below.
Cerro de la Bufa rises over the eastern edge of downtown Zacatecas and has been the city's symbolic high point since the Spanish first spotted the silver-bearing hills from its slopes in 1546. The summit holds several linked sights: the Museo Toma de Zacatecas, a small military museum recounting the decisive June 1914 battle in which Pancho Villa's División del Norte captured the city from federal forces; a bronze equestrian monument to revolutionary generals Villa, Felipe Ángeles and Pánfilo Natera; the Capilla de la Virgen del Patrocinio, the city's patron saint; and wide stone terraces that give a full panorama over the cathedral, the grid of colonial rooftops and the surrounding sierra. The Teleférico, inaugurated in 1979 as the first cable car built in Mexico for tourism, links La Bufa to Cerro del Grillo on the opposite side of the city center, a roughly 650-meter crossing suspended up to 100 meters above the rooftops below; a glass-floor cabin is available for an additional fee. Riding one way and walking or driving back (or vice versa) is the usual way to see both hills without repeating the same trip. A full visit, combining the cable-car crossing with time on the summit at La Bufa, runs 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The hilltop is exposed and can be windy and cool even when the city below is warm, so a light jacket is worth carrying regardless of season.
Good to know
- Hours
- Cable car daily approx 10:00AM-6:00PM; hilltop grounds and chapel open similar hours
- Best time
- Late afternoon for warm light over the city and cooler air on the exposed summit
- Best for
- Photographers, families, first-time visitors wanting a citywide overview
Location
Cerro de la Bufa s/n, Col. La Bufa, 98069 Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico
22.7840, -102.5665 View on map
Highlights
- Mexico's first tourist cable car, crossing 650 meters above the historic center
- Museo Toma de Zacatecas on the 1914 revolutionary battle
- Equestrian monument to Pancho Villa, Felipe Ángeles and Pánfilo Natera
- Capilla de la Virgen del Patrocinio, the city's patron chapel
- Panoramic terraces overlooking the cathedral and colonial center
Tips for visiting
- Buy a round-trip teleférico ticket if planning to return to the same side
- The glass-floor cabin costs extra and sells out on weekends; arrive early
- Bring a light jacket even in warm weather, as the exposed summit is breezy
- Combine the ride with the Museo Toma de Zacatecas, included in the hilltop visit
- Sunset departures give the best light over the city, though lines lengthen
When to visit
Late afternoon into early evening gives the warmest light over the city and the most comfortable temperatures on the exposed summit.
Accessibility
The teleférico cabins require boarding at a slightly raised platform and are not wheelchair accessible; the hilltop terraces are paved but include some uneven stone sections and moderate inclines.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a full visit take?
1.5 to 2.5 hours covers the cable-car crossing, the museum and time on the viewing terraces.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes, the cable-car ride and the panoramic overlook are popular with children and rarely feel rushed.
Is there an entrance fee?
The teleférico charges a fare (around $100 MXN one-way for adults); the hilltop grounds and chapel are free to enter.
Can visitors walk up instead of riding the cable car?
Yes, a marked pedestrian route climbs from the historic center, though it is steep and takes 30 to 45 minutes each way.