Teleférico de Zacatecas: Mexico's First Cable Car

The Teleférico de Zacatecas crosses 650 meters of sky above the historic center at a height of 85 meters, linking Cerro del Grillo with Cerro de la Bufa in about 7 minutes. Inaugurated on October 3, 1979, it was Mexico's first tourist cable car and remains the fastest way to reach La Bufa's summit without the steep climb. The ride delivers a straight-down view of the cathedral, the Palacio de Gobierno, and the dense grid of pink quarry-stone streets below.

Practical Information for Your Ride

Location and How to Get There

The cable car has two stations. The lower station sits at the base of Cerro del Grillo, next to the Mina El Edén and the Hotel Baruk Teleférico y Mina. The upper station is on Cerro de la Bufa. From the historic center, walking to the Grillo station takes about 25 minutes, though most visitors combine the ride with a mine tour and arrive by taxi or tour bus.

By car, take Mex. 45 to Paseo Díaz Ordaz and follow the signs for the cable car. Parking is available at both ends of the line, which makes a one-way ride and a drive back a practical option. The address for navigation is Del Grillo S/N, Bancomer, 98140 Zacatecas. If you are staying downtown, the walk to the Grillo station is uphill but manageable; the La Bufa end is the steeper approach.

Hours, Tickets, and Booking

The teleférico operates daily from 10:00 to 18:00. During high season, evening rides run from 19:00 to 22:00. Tickets are sold only at the two stations — there is no online booking system — and prices vary by one-way versus round-trip and adult versus child. Recent fares have been around 150 MXN one-way and 260 MXN round-trip, with the glass-floor cabin carrying a small surcharge. Fodor's listed MX$50 in an older review, but that figure is long out of date; expect to pay closer to the 150–260 MXN range. Fees are subject to change — check the official site or ask at the ticket window for current rates.

Ride Details and Cabin Options

The system has seven cabins. Six hold eight passengers each and have panoramic windows; the seventh has a transparent acrylic floor and holds four people. The glass-floor cabin is the one to request if you want the sensation of floating over the rooftops — the upward view of the cable and the downward view of the streets are both unobstructed. Queues for it are longer, so arrive early or ride it on the return leg.

The line covers 675 meters at a speed of roughly 19 km/h, giving a capacity of about 470 passengers per hour. A one-way crossing takes 7 to 8 minutes. The full round trip, including waiting time and the walk between stations, runs about 25 minutes. The system was modernized by the French company POMA after a closure of nearly two years, and it reopened with the current cabins.

What You See and How to Plan the Ride

The View from the Cabin

The cable car crosses the narrowest point of the valley, so the historic center unfolds directly beneath you rather than off to one side. Look for the twin towers of the cathedral, the long facade of the Palacio de Gobierno, and the domes of Santo Domingo and San Francisco. The pink cantera stone that gives Zacatecas its nickname — the city of pink stone — reads clearly from this height, especially in mid-morning light when the sun is high enough to illuminate the streets below.

The most photogenic crossing is the last one before sunset, when low light rakes across the rooftops and picks out the cathedral towers in warm tones. Mid-morning is better for straight-down street photography, when the light reaches into the alleys. The ride is suspended in high wind or lightning, which matters during the June-to-September rainy season when afternoon storms are common.

Pairing the Ride with La Bufa and Mina El Edén

The upper station puts you at the summit of Cerro de la Bufa, about 200 meters above the historic center. The Plaza de la Revolución, three equestrian statues, the Museo de la Toma de Zacatecas (dedicated to the 1914 battle), and a small chapel are all within a short walk. The summit is windy and cold well beyond what the city below suggests, so bring a layer even on a warm day.

A natural half-day route runs from the Mina El Edén through the Grillo station, across the cable car to La Bufa, and back down on foot or by taxi. The mine tour takes about an hour, and the cable car adds 25 minutes round trip. This combination — sometimes marketed as the Circuito del Subsuelo al Cielo — is the most efficient way to see both of Zacatecas's signature attractions in one morning.

Best Time to Visit and How Long to Allow

October through March brings the clearest skies and the most comfortable temperatures for walking between stations. The city sits at high altitude, so mornings are cool and afternoons mild, with frequent wind on the summit. Weekends bring longer queues at the Grillo station, and the glass-floor cabin can add 15 to 20 minutes of waiting. Budget 1 to 2 hours for the round trip including time at La Bufa, or about 45 minutes if you ride one way and leave from the other end.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Teleférico de Zacatecas cost?

Fares run roughly 150 MXN one-way and 260 MXN round-trip per adult, with the glass-floor cabin carrying a small surcharge. Children's tickets are cheaper, and group discounts are available through the state DIF system. Prices change — confirm at the ticket window before boarding.

Can I buy tickets online in advance?

No. Tickets are sold only in person at the La Bufa and El Grillo stations. There is no reservation system, so arrive early on weekends and holidays to avoid the longest queues.

Is the cable car suitable for children and older visitors?

The ride is smooth and enclosed, and the stations are step-free, making it manageable for most ages and mobility levels. The glass-floor cabin holds only four people, so families with young children may prefer one of the standard eight-passenger cabins.

What happens if it is windy or stormy?

The crossing is suspended in high wind or lightning. Afternoon storms from June to September are the most common cause of closures, so morning rides are the safer bet in rainy season. Operations are weather permitting, and staff at either station can confirm whether the line is running.