A former silver, gold, lead and zinc mine worked from the 16th century until 1960, Mina El Edén now runs guided underground tours along electrically lit tunnels and shafts, with an internal train, a mineral museum and shop, and a nightclub operating deep inside the old workings on weekend evenings.
Mina El Edén was one of the richest silver deposits in colonial Zacatecas, worked continuously from the sixteenth century until flooding and falling ore grades finally closed it to mining in 1960. Rather than sealing the tunnels, the city opened them to tourism, and a guided visit now descends by an internal rail car and walking passages through galleries of exposed rock, timbered shafts, ore veins and pooled groundwater lit for safe passage. Guides, generally speaking Spanish with some English narration on larger tours, explain how ore was extracted and hauled to the surface by hand and mule power for centuries before mechanization, and point out the geological veins of silver, gold, lead and zinc that made Zacatecas one of the wealthiest mining centers in New Spain. A small museum near the entrance displays mineral specimens, mining tools and lamps, and a shop sells silver jewelry and polished stones. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, part of the mine converts into La Mina Club, a nightclub operating several stories underground, a novelty draw distinct from the daytime tour. A standard visit takes an hour to an hour and a half, at a constant cool temperature that makes it a comfortable stop regardless of the weather outside. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended, as some passages have uneven or damp footing.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily approx 10:00AM-6:00PM (tours run continuously in small groups)
- Best time
- Weekday mornings for smaller tour groups
- Best for
- Families, history and geology enthusiasts, visitors seeking an activity unaffected by weather
Location
Antonio Dovali Jaime s/n, Col. Nueva Cuauhtémoc (entrance near Cerro del Grillo), 98040 Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico
22.7845, -102.5775 View on map
Highlights
- Guided tour of colonial-era silver, gold, lead and zinc workings
- Internal rail car and walking passages through lit underground galleries
- Small mineral museum and jewelry shop near the entrance
- Constant cool underground temperature year-round
- La Mina Club, a nightclub operating deep inside the mine on weekend evenings
Tips for visiting
- Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip, as some tunnel floors are uneven or damp
- Bring a light jacket; the underground temperature stays cool year-round
- Weekday mornings have the smallest tour groups
- Combine the visit with the nearby Cerro del Grillo teleférico station
- Check ahead if visiting on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, when part of the mine becomes a nightclub
When to visit
Weekday mornings bring the smallest groups; the mine's constant underground temperature makes it a good option regardless of surface weather.
Accessibility
The mine involves stairs, uneven underground surfaces and a boarding step onto the internal rail car, making it difficult for wheelchair users or visitors with significant mobility limitations.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the tour take?
A standard guided visit runs about one hour to ninety minutes.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, children generally enjoy the internal train and the underground passages, though very young children may find some sections dark or damp.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, adult admission is around $100 MXN, with discounted rates for students, children and seniors.
Is English commentary available?
Tours are conducted primarily in Spanish; some guides offer partial English narration, and private English-language tours can sometimes be arranged in advance.