Discover Terreros

When planning a trip to Terreros, it is worth distinguishing between the Municipality of Tomatlán and the wider Costa Alegre region. In the municipality, the focus is on wetlands, archaeological remains and water activities; Costa Alegre adds coastal and lagoon ecosystems to the picture. When looking for a holiday rental in Terreros, you can first decide whether culture, water or nature is your main priority.

Wetlands in the Municipality of Tomatlán

Five Ramsar sites give the municipality’s landscape a distinct character: Estero El Chorro covers 267.06 hectares, Laguna Xola-Paramán 775 hectares, and Estero Majahuas 786.13 hectares. Laguna Chalacatepec covers 1,093.35 hectares; at 1,281.44 hectares, Sistema Lagunar Estuarino Agua Dulce - El Ermitaño is the largest of the five sites mentioned. All were designated on February 2, 2008. Their names and areas show the diversity of protected wetlands at the municipal level.

Water, coast and activities

Cajón de Peñas Dam is considered the largest dam in the state of Jalisco. Activities mentioned at the dam include boating, diving and sport fishing; windsurfing and skiing are also featured in descriptions. The range therefore extends from activities on the water to other forms of recreation. If a particular activity is essential to your stay, check in advance whether it will be available at your planned time.

Costa Majahuas is a different attraction: its waves are considered suitable for surfing. The municipality thus offers different kinds of water experiences, from the activities mentioned at the dam to the surf along the coast. In the wider Costa Alegre travel region, the landscape extends beyond this to include cliffs and coastal dunes, as well as estuaries, lagoons, mangroves and jungle. Seven protected areas are part of this regional setting, including the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve, which covers more than 150,000 hectares.

Rock art and history

There are numerous petroglyphs along the banks of the Río Tomatlán. Among them is a Patolli game, of which there are said to be only two in western Mexico. Peña Pintada is another notable archaeological site: this rock painting is located on the banks of the Río Tomatlán, north of Cajón de Peñas Dam, and is considered unique in Mesoamerica. The red-pigmented rock is about 40 metres high, approximately 8 metres long and 2 metres wide; it lies 12 metres above the riverbed and is considered inaccessible.

The Templo de Santo Santiago dates from the second third of the 18th century and was later altered. Nahuapa was an important settlement, as evidenced by its rich pottery. In Peñitas, rocks bearing petroglyphs from the Nahua culture have been described. Together, these sites offer different ways to explore the municipality’s history: through rock paintings and engravings, as well as pottery and a later-altered building.

Planning your visit and choosing accommodation

The chapel and Hacienda Santa Gertrudis are near the border with Talpa. They are considered worth visiting, but access is difficult. Take this into account if you plan to include the complex in your itinerary. The traditional Charro-Taurina festivities take place from April 26 to May 10. If you want to plan your trip around the festival days, check the dates for the year in question.

For getting around the municipality: land transport in the Municipality of Tomatlán uses the Carretera Internacional, which crosses the municipality. A network of gravel and dirt roads connects the settlements. When choosing a holiday rental in Terreros, you can first decide based on the kind of trip you want: rock art and history, water activities, or the broader landscapes of Costa Alegre each offer a different focus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Tapalpa, Etzatlán, San Luis Soyatlán, Mazamitla, Tlaquepaque, La Tijera, Unión de Guadalupe, El Tuito.

For the broader travel overview: Jalisco.