Río Frío’s origins as a cattle ranching station of Hacienda San José del Maguey connect it with the history of the Muralla de los Vaqueros. The patron saint festivities are another distinct cultural highlight. You can first plan your stay around local history and festive traditions, then consider whether to explore other themes in the associated municipality of Calera.

Local History Between the Hacienda and the Muralla

Río Frío first developed as a cattle ranching station of Hacienda San José del Maguey. A simple fortress stood at the Muralla de los Vaqueros, serving as accommodation for the cowhands of the former Hacienda. The first settlers also chose the Muralla as the place where they began building their homes. This means that two functions from local history come together at this named site: accommodation for the cowhands and the starting point for the first homebuilding. The Muralla is thus a specific intersection between the history of the Hacienda and the beginning of settlement.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

The state road directory lists the Calera–Río Frío–Nueva Alianza road as 26.4 kilometers long. In March 2024, the road was given the condition rating “fair.” Because this rating is time-specific, check the current condition before setting out. A historical urban transit plan also included a route from the city center through several neighborhoods to Río Frío. If you are considering this route as a travel option, check in advance whether it is still operating. The two pieces of information address different travel questions: the road is listed with its length and a dated condition rating; for the urban route, you should confirm whether it will actually be running on your travel day.

Festive Traditions in Río Frío

A report from January 2013 noted that local traditions and customs had been preserved and that the community fiesta was still being held at the time. Attendance at one patron saint festival was estimated at around 150 people; security and surveillance were provided during the festivities. A rodeo was also held as part of a patron saint festival. If you would like to plan your trip around the fiesta, check the dates for your travel period.

Cultural Connections in Calera

The associated municipality of Calera adds its own points of interest to this local history. Calera’s train station is considered historically significant because prominent figures of the Mexican Revolution arrived there before the capture of Zacatecas. The De Río Frío Library is located at Calle Gustavo Díaz Ordaz s/n, CP 98520, Calera, Zacatecas. In Calera, the Tour Cervecera Modelo includes a visit to the brewery, an explanation of the production process, and a beer tasting. Dates and availability may change; check in advance whether a visit is offered on your travel dates. The train station and brewery tour thus appeal to different interests: historical context on the one hand, and the production process and tasting on the other.

Discover more destinations: Juchipila, Jalpa, Villanueva, Jerez De García Salinas, Sombrerete, Pabellón, Plateros, La Cardona

For the overview of the wider region: Zacatecas.