Major city · Mexico
Villanueva
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Villanueva; arrive by bus or taxi from Zacatecas and focus on the historic centre, La Quemada ruins and local market.
Villanueva is a small Pueblos Mágicos town of about 13,600 people in southern Zacatecas. Its colonial centre, nearby La Quemada archaeological site and lively market can be explored comfortably in one day, making it a good side‑trip from Zacatecas.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Oct–Nov (festival of San Judas Tadeo) and Feb–Mar (dry, mild weather)
- avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, hotter temperatures)
- Airport
- ZCL
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Villanueva911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Villanueva, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyVillanueva is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings in crowded market and use registered taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / general emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportZCL Zacatecas International Airport (40 km (25 mi) north, about 1 h taxi (≈ M$400)).ZCL Zacatecas International Airport (25 mi (40 km) north, about 1 h taxi (≈ M$400)).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; taxis or local buses for trips to La Quemada (15 km (9.3 mi) north) or market.Town is walkable; taxis or local buses for trips to La Quemada (9.3 mi (15 km) north) or market.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféM$30–50
- Street or quick mealTaco plateM$40–70
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (city centre, 5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (city centre, 3.1 mi (5 km))M$80–120
- Museum or sight ticketLa Quemada entryM$90
- Budget bedBasic hotel bed, a night, per personMX$250 (≈ US$14)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$350 (≈ US$19) · Mid MX$600 (≈ US$35) · High MX$900 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ZCL Zacatecas International Airport (40 km (25 mi) north, about 1 h taxi (≈ M$400))ZCL Zacatecas International Airport (25 mi (40 km) north, about 1 h taxi (≈ M$400))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Villanueva: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; taxis or local buses for trips to La Quemada (15 km north) or market. No public transit within town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
La Quemada
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min round trip
Taxi or local bus north on MEX‑54, 15 km (9.3 mi), ~30 minTaxi or local bus north on MEX‑54, 9.3 mi (15 km), ~30 min
Entry M$90 includes museum; open daily 08:00‑16:00.Entry M$90 includes museum; open daily 8:00 AM‑4:00 PM.
Mercado Municipal Villanueva
goDoor to door: ≈ 10 min
Walk from town centre, 5 min
Open daily 09:00‑16:00; great for local foods.Open daily 9:00 AM‑4:00 PM; great for local foods.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel San Judas Tadeo
Mid‑range, clean rooms, central location
Villa Florida
Basic, affordable, near main square
Hotel Fina
Small rooms, cable TV, extra‑fee Wi‑Fi
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$500–800 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel bed1 × 1 night × MX$250 | MX$250 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × MX$350 | MX$350 |
| Bus from Zacatecas to Villanueva (round‑trip)1 × MX$103 · check | MX$103 |
| Taxi from ZCL airport (one‑way)1 × MX$400 · check | MX$400 |
| La Quemada entry1 × MX$90 · check | MX$90 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$119 |
| Trip total≈ MX$1,312 per person per day, bed included | MX$1,312≈ US$75 |
2026 estimate in MXN; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | M$30–50 |
| Taco plate | M$40–70 |
| Taxi (city centre, 5 km) | M$80–120 |
| Bus ticket Zacatecas → Villanueva | M$103 |
| La Quemada entry | M$90 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last bus from Zacatecas arrives late evening; plan overnight stay if arriving after 22:00.Last bus from Zacatecas arrives late evening; plan overnight stay if arriving after 10:00 PM.
- Check La Quemada opening hours (08:00‑16:00) and ticket price (M$90) before visiting.Check La Quemada opening hours (8:00 AM‑4:00 PM) and ticket price (M$90) before visiting.
Emergency numbers
- Police / General emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance
- 078
Pocket card
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VillanuevaVillanueva
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / General emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
US consulate in Zacatecas (check address); other embassies in Mexico City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zacatecas → Villanueva bus: about M$103, 1 h (check)
- Taxi ZCL airport → Villanueva: about M$400, 1 h (check)
- La Quemada entry: M$90, includes museum (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑kool‑pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑to kwes‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pwe‑do pa‑gar con tar‑he‑ta)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Villanueva. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Nov (festival of San Judas Tadeo) and Feb–Mar (dry, mild weather) · avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, hotter temperatures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus from Zacatecas to Villanueva (≈ M$103, 1 h).
- Taxi from ZCL airport (≈ M$400, 1 h).
- Walking routes to main sights within town.
Sources
Ask about Villanueva
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