Talpa de Allende

Talpa de Allende,  commonly called “Talpa” ,has been designated as a Pueblo Magico  or historic colonial town, founded in 1599. This very active agricultural & farming town with cobble stone streets is at  4,084 ft. or 1,239 mts. It’s located 81 mi or 131 kls or 3.5 hours by car & 4 hours by bus on a paved road from PV. The average temperature is 22C or 72F. It has approximately 13,612 inhabitants . The town is known for its taffy & sweets made from locally grown guayaba & other fruits. It’s famous for the  religious pilgrimage called “La Ruta del Peregrino” usually during March & Easter Week.  People young & old travel by foot over the mountains from Puerto Vallarta & Guadalajara to reach the church in Talpa. They all receive a certificate for completing their journey & often hire a band to march to the church. Other attractions include  Aranjuez Waterfalls plus unique decorative flower arrangements made from the sap of the chilte or “chewing gum” tree. The town is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains, orchards, farmland & is located next to the Talpa River.http://www.TalpadeAllende.gob.mx for more details on Talpa.

SPECIAL TIP… if traveling to Talpa . Before you cross the long Main Bridge, just before San Sebastian ,stop at Panadoria Carmen’s Bakery  Their open 7 am- 3 pm weekdays( closed on Tuesdays ) On Fri, Sat. & Sun. 6 am- noon. They have great  freshly made muffins of all flavors plus coffee or hot chocolate. They’re  relaxed garden atmosphere is just a few feet to the spectacular bridge. Try their unique Mexican Caviar. If you have a group, best to call ahead to order your muffins ,since they often sell out. Ask for Carmen or Jesus Tel.322-132-0620

Getting There is easy by Public Transportation(See Bus Tips)

Just a quick stop at the church before the party !

WHERE TO STAY

Dona Francisca Boutique Hotel, our favorite hotel, is located on Calle Independencia #9, just a half block from the Plaza & famous Cathedral de Guadalupe. We love hearing the church bells. It’s a first class hotel with all the amenities. Telephone 388-385-0549 Rooms range from $80- $120. with full breakfast included. For photos & information go  to www.HotelDonaFrancisca.com

 

Hotel Real Posada is another of our  places to stay. It’s located just 3 blocks north of the Main Plaza  on Independencia #53.It has 21 rooms all overlooking a large patio that has a mango, avacado & lime tree. Our favorite room is 18. The managers Irma & Jessie both speak English. $20-30 US per night. Tel. 388-385-0616

 

Hotel Los Arcos, located just 4 cobble stone blocks from the Plaza, is another one of favorite place to stay in Talpa. It has a great family style restaurant plus a large inter courtyard, where you can mingle with other guests or have a quiet meal or beverage. The owner, Alfredo Garcia , has  proudly decorated the restaurant & 30 rooms with his original paintings.  The double rooms cost  between $20 to $30 US. Tel. 388-688-0187

 

WHERE TO EAT

El Patio Restaurant is located in Hotel Los Arcos on Independencia #82 is just 4 blocks from the Main Plaza & famous Church. They specialize in steaks, seafood & Mexican appetizers. They’re open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. You can also have your meal served in their open air inter courtyard. Efren, the very friendly & helpful waiter, speaks English. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with the original art of the owner Alfredo Garcia . They accept Pesos, $US &  & credit   cards. Phone # 388-688-0187.

 

El Molino Rojo Restaurant, is located on Independencia # 18 , just a half block from the Main Plaza. They serve typical Mexican food at tables with or without views of the cobble stone street. The busy kitchen with 3 to 4 cooks preparing your meal, is a show. my favorite dish is  media Cocktail  de camarones. They serve breakfast, lunch & dinner from 8 am -6 pm & on Saturday till 9 pm. They only take Pesos. A full meal for 2 persons  costs about 150 pesos. The owner, Lupita Castello Ramirez, speaks English. You’ve got to meet her! Our favorite waitress is Blanca, she only speaks Spanish. Phone # 388-385-0262.

La Burrita Bar & Restaurant is located on the 2nd floor at Independencia #14.  It’s got tables overlooking all the action in the Main Square & the Church. The modern Mexico atmosphere appeals to the more upbeat generation. The main dishes are about 80-200 pesos. Drinks 20-35 pesos . We recommend trying their tapas style appetizers & a Margarita at sunset.  Open from 1 pm – 10 pm & only take Pesos. Ask for Ivan  Becerra & David Sanchez, the managers, who  speak some English . No, we didn’t misspell the name. La Burrita in Spanish means walking stick that is used by those who walk to Talpa for the religious  pilgrimages. Phone #  388-385-1126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gaeta Pizzas has the best pizzas in Talpa.They’re located on Calle Hidalgo across from the Cathedral.Open daily from 11 am – 10 pm. They have indoor dining overlooking the Cathedral plus take out delivery to your home or hotel. Ask for Eloy Mesa the owner ,who speaks English. Tel. 388-385-1306.Pay in cash or credit card.

THINGS TO EXPERIENCE

Mercado Municipal is located on the main plaza next to the Cathdral. It’s a must to visit & the best place to buy your silvoners, religious artifacts,leather goods,etc. Open daily 8 am – 7 pm. Ask for Pancho in stall # 51.He speaks English and has some great leather holders for your smart phone. Tel. 388-105-1695

Fabrica de Rollo El Milagro is located on 23 de Junio & Juarez, just 2 blocks from the Main Plaza. Open Monday – Saturday from 8 am- 7 pm. See the entire taffy making process from the guayaba fruit to final taffy. Ask for Flavio Guzman or Ivan Garcia. Phone # 388-385-0614

Ocampo Sandal Factory is located on Calle Juarez near the Fabrica El Milagro, just one block from the San Jose Church. Arturo Ocampo is the master sandal maker.See how they make them from beginning to end . Open daily 9 am – 7 pm.Cash payments only. Tel.388-102-0733.

Herreria Gallegos is a family run iron shop that makes the horse shoes for the surrounding towns. Stop buy to see the entire 7 step process  to produce the horse shoes. The one machine that forms the different size shoes has a pressure of 8 tons. It’s located just across from the gas station as you enter town. Ask for Juan Antonio, Jose Antonio, Victor Pena or Gustavo . They produce the horse shoes from 9 pm to 2 am & best to call ahead to make sure their working. From 9 am to 7 pm they sell the shoes. For some Good Luck, buy a set of 4 shoes for 70 pesos. Phone # 388-385-0654.

Visencio Clay Brick Factory is located about 15 minutes from downtown Talpa on the road to Ocotes. Look for the piles of bricks & wood for their ovens on your right. Best to arrive between 9 am – 10 am when the horses are stomping the secret combination of clay, dried horse dong & shredded cane stalks. They can only make the bricks during the dry season, usually November to May. The rest of the year they plant & harvest corn. Use the second entrance & ask for Luis or Juan Visencio to show you where to park. Remember, this is a very labor intensive factory, so just observe the process. Tel.  388-113-3847

Shirts & Clothing  Souvenirs  is located on Calle  Anahuaca & Cinco de Mayo, just one block from the Cathedral. They have 100 % cotton T-Shirts for 25 pesos. Open daily 10 am-3 pm  &  5 pm- 8 pm. Ask for Bertha or Pablo. Tel. 388-102-8746

Laundry Service Burbujitos is located on Calle Panteon  & Independencia across from the San Rafael Church. Victoria, the  owner, charges per item. Open Monday – Saturday 9 am- 4 pm & 5 pm- 8 pm. Closed on Sundays Tel. 388-105-0564