Paso De Cuarenta

Paso de Cuarenta brings together cultural attractions, the history of an important trade route and a social gathering place at a dam. These different aspects give your trip planning clear points of focus: you can explore art and events, follow the history of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro or get to know the Presa de Cuarenta as a well-known sight. When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first consider which of these aspects you want to shape your time in the area.

Culture in Paso de Cuarenta

The Casa de la Cultura San Miguel del Cuarenta hosts talks, film screenings and fine art exhibitions. Its programme therefore covers different forms of cultural life: talks focus on listening, film screenings offer a different perspective, and exhibitions draw attention to fine art. If you are travelling with your family, these subjects can appeal to different interests without everyone having to experience the same thing. The three formats also give you a specific reason to consider cultural activities when planning your stay.

The parish of San Miguel de Cuarenta is also part of the town’s history: it was established on 12 May 1920. This precise date adds a historical connection to the present-day cultural activities. If you are interested in the development of religious institutions, you can regard this as another cultural focus alongside talks, film and art.

The Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

The Camino Real de Tierra Adentro passes through Paso de Cuarenta, giving the town a broader historical context. The route began in New Mexico, passed through places including Villa de Santa María de los Lagos, and ended in Mexico City. This route makes Paso de Cuarenta part of a far-reaching connection, rather than limiting the history to a single place. The locations mentioned help put its course in a wider context, without presenting them as a present-day route or a specific excursion suggestion.

One historical interpretation describes Paso de Cuarenta as a necessary footpath and thoroughfare: it attributes this importance to the meeting of two mountain ranges and the river’s entry into this area. The town’s history therefore encompasses both the course of the Camino Real and an explanation of the route’s significance. The historical perspective can be complemented by the account of Puerto del Cuarenta. There were stalls selling various goods and inns for travellers journeying on foot or horseback along the Camino Real between Lagos, San Luis and Zacatecas.

Presa de Cuarenta as a gathering place

The Presa de Cuarenta dam is one of the best-known sights in Paso de Cuarenta. It also serves as a social gathering place: residents of Lagos de Moreno go there on weekends. The Presa therefore has a community role as well as being a sight. If you are interested in a place’s social life, this offers a different perspective from the historic route or cultural activities. The three areas of interest appeal to different interests, without implying that they form a single sightseeing route.

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore use the overall character of your trip as a guide: do you want culture to take centre stage, are you mainly interested in the history of the Camino Real, or would you like to get to know the Presa as a well-known gathering place?

More destinations

For more travel ideas: Yelapa, Mazamitla, Tepatitlán De Morelos, Tequila, Tonalá, El Jacal, Arandas and La Laja.

Back to the main travel overview: Jalisco.