Arandas

Arandas is the administrative center of Arandas Municipality in Jalisco, located at elevations between 2069 and 2262 meters (6,788 and 7,421 feet) in the Los Altos Sur region. The town sits in a highland area with a temperate climate and serves as the central hub for surrounding communities.

The area originated from a settlement called Santa María de Guadalupe de los Aranda founded in 1761, named after one of the founding families of the region. This long history shaped the local identity and structure of the present-day administrative center.

The town has deep roots in mezcal production, with distilleries and small producers throughout the region creating this traditional Mexican spirit using local agave plants. Walking through the streets, you notice the craft and pride locals take in this ancestral trade.

The best time to visit is during drier months when roads are easily accessible and the weather remains mild. The town center is walkable, with most services located close together in the central area.

In 1976, the International Astronomical Union named a Martian crater after the town, recognizing its scientific and cultural significance. This rare honor connects a small Mexican village permanently with the cosmos.