La Garita: Local History and Las Jaras

La Garita combines a layered local history with the Las Jaras Temazcal Spa. Its amenities include swimming pools and slides, as well as thermal-water pools, a sauna, and various treatments. This gives you different ways to plan your trip: you can explore the town’s history, learn about its patron saint festivities, or focus on Las Jaras.

There are specific amenities for families, too: Las Jaras offers swimming pools and slides for children and adults. If you’re traveling with children, you can take these activities, which are expressly intended for both groups, into account when choosing the focus of your vacation. The amenities also include more relaxing wellness options, including a natural steam bath and a mud bath.

Local History in Several Chapters

La Garita was founded around 1846. Even before then, it served as a resting place for traders from Michoacán on their way to Colima. The town’s name has its own, much later milestone: on November 12, 1934, its name was changed from Hacienda de San Lázaro to La Garita. The founding and the name change are therefore two separate chapters in the town’s history.

The history of the church can also be traced through several dates. Construction of the former chapel began with the laying of its cornerstone on April 15, 1883. Work on the present-day parish church began much later: its cornerstone was laid on June 12, 1956, and work on the foundations began in 1957.

The present-day parish church opened on May 12, 1963, even though its roof had not yet been completed. It was elevated to parish status on June 21, 1974. Before that, from 1930 onward, the chaplaincy of La Garita was under the parish of San Juan de la Montaña. Those interested in local history will find not only stages of construction here, but also changes in ecclesiastical affiliation.

Las Jaras: Thermal Waters and Treatments

Las Jaras is a Temazcal spa in La Garita that also attracts visitors from outside the region. Its amenities include a sauna, a natural steam bath, a mud bath, and thermal-water pools. Massages and body and facial treatments are also available. This makes Las Jaras a destination in its own right for travelers especially interested in thermal amenities and wellness.

The complex also includes a spa, a hotel, and a thermal park. Services listed include a restaurant, accommodation, a mini-market, and a snack bar. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in La Garita, you can first decide whether you’d like to focus your trip mainly on the town and its history or on Las Jaras.

Connections and Patron Saint Festivities

National Highway 110, Jiquilpan–Manzanillo, which was begun in 1940, passes through La Garita and connects the town with Tamazula and Mazamitla. This connection is a practical consideration if you choose La Garita as your destination and also want to include the places mentioned in your travel plans.

La Garita’s patron saint festivities take place from November 20 to 30. During this time, the image of the Virgen del Sagrario de Tamazula visits the town. The festivities also include a secular program organized by a festival committee. The combination of a religious occasion and an organized secular program gives the festivities their own character.

Discover More Places

If you’d like to explore more pages about local destinations: Ipala, La Manzanilla, San Juan De Los Lagos, Sayula, La Barra De Navidad, Ocotlán, Ajijic, and Municipio San Gabriel.

For the broader travel overview: Jalisco.