Founded in 1594 as Real de Nuestra Señora de Sierra de Pinos on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, this remote hillside mining town in southern Zacatecas keeps a well-preserved colonial layout of narrow streets, haciendas and a large parish church, with far fewer visitors than the state capital.
Pinos was founded in 1594 as Real de Nuestra Señora de Sierra de Pinos by mestizo captain Miguel Caldera, established as a silver-mining outpost along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro linking the northern mines to central Mexico. Several haciendas built in the surrounding countryside during the seventeenth century supported the town's mining and agricultural economy, and Pinos received Pueblo Mágico designation in 2012 in recognition of its well-preserved colonial character. Set at higher elevation in the Bajío borderlands of southern Zacatecas, the town retains narrow, winding streets that follow the hillside terrain rather than a regular colonial grid, along with a large parish church and a scattering of period civic buildings. Because Pinos receives far fewer visitors than Zacatecas City or even Jerez, its historic streets feel considerably quieter and less adapted for tourism, which appeals to travelers seeking an unpolished colonial town rather than a curated visitor experience. A visit runs two to three hours on foot through the center and surrounding blocks. Given the distance and limited public transit options, a car or an organized day tour from Zacatecas City is the most practical way to reach the town.
Good to know
- Hours
- Always open (town center); parish church and local sights keep daytime hours
- Best time
- A dry-season weekend day trip, October through May
- Best for
- Independent travelers seeking an unpolished colonial mining town, road-trippers with extra time
Location
Centro Histórico de Pinos, 99850 Pinos, Zac., Mexico
22.2972, -101.5750 View on map
Highlights
- Founded in 1594 along the historic Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
- Narrow, hillside streets following a non-grid colonial layout
- A large parish church and surrounding colonial civic buildings
- 17th-century haciendas in the surrounding countryside
- A quieter, less tourism-adapted alternative to Jerez or the capital
Tips for visiting
- A car or organized tour is recommended, as public transit options are limited
- Visit during the dry season, October through May, for the most comfortable travel
- Carry cash, as few businesses accept cards in this smaller town
- Allow extra travel time given the town's distance and rural access roads
- Combine with other southern Zacatecas stops if traveling by car
When to visit
October through May, the dry season, gives the most comfortable conditions for exploring the hillside streets.
Accessibility
The town's hillside streets are steep, cobbled and often without continuous sidewalks, making it difficult for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Two to three hours covers the historic center and its main church and civic buildings.
How far is Pinos from Zacatecas City?
Roughly 110 kilometers, generally a drive of about two hours depending on road conditions.
Is there an entrance fee?
Walking the town is free; any local museum or church donation boxes are optional.
Is Pinos as developed for tourism as Jerez or Zacatecas City?
No, Pinos receives considerably fewer visitors and has fewer restored facades and visitor services, giving it a more unpolished, lived-in colonial character.