This picturesque colonial village located on the north-west side of the Volcano of Tequila is famous for its production of semiprecious stones, in particular the mining of opal, turquoise and agate.

Numerous mines can be found in the hills surrounding villages such as San Simon, The Guajical, Cóbano and San Andres and welcomes visitors.

In the main square much socializing occurs- which in reality are friendly trading sessions involving local miners making small but substantial business arrangements.

Visitors to the area have the opportunity to buy locally mined stones in either a polished or raw state at a good price from kiosks located in the town centre.

The isolated Prehispanic village of Tlatoanazgo was later called Xochitepec, meaning ´place next to the hill of flowers´. The site can be found at the foot of a hill facing the north and in the past was covered with flowers during the rainy season.

The Coat of Arms was designed and made according to the history, origins and geography of the area and was accepted according and conforming to the rules, laws and art of science heraldry and heroism by Mr. Don Gabriel de Jesus Camarena and Gutierrez of Lariz.

The official approval of the municipal shield took place at the meeting of Cabildo held on October 10 1987 by the H. Municipality of Magdalena, Jalisco and by the municipal president C. Jose Rafael Ascencio C 1985-1987.

Geographically located between the coordinates 20°49' 00'' to 20°-58', 08'' north latitude and 103°53' 20'' to 104°-13' 15'' west longitude with an average height of 1.675 meters above sea level. The geographical data of the municipal are: 20°54' latitude, 103°59' longitude and 1,400 meters in height.

Territorial Extention

Its territory extends 445.36 square kilometers.

Boundaries

Magdalena is adjacent to the north of Hostotipaquillo, to the south of Etzatlán, San Marcos and San Juanito of Escobedo, to the east of Tequila and to the west of Nayarit state.

The climate of the municipality is semidry with winter and dry in spring. Due to the weather being warm throughout the year, the winter season is not clearly defined. The average annual temperature is 21.4°C, with an annual rainfall of 1,013 mm between the months of June to October. The winds blow in a southeastern direction. The average number of frosty days per year is 18.

The main highway runs from Guadalajara to Nogales and to Puerto Vallarta, with a diversion to Magdalena

The Pacific Railroad System operates a Guadalajara to Nogales line and connects two stations within the area. It maintains direct contact between the center of the state and the north of the country and the capital can be reached by a connecting train. The Pacific coastline and center of the country can be accessed via the Guadalajara- Manzanillo and Mexico- Guadalajara lines respectively.

There is a small airport located within the area with flights to the Nayarit mountain range and Jalisco state. Unfortunately it is as yet only accessible to the military.

Rural transportation runs a direct and indirect bus services.

Accessibility

The municipality is connected via the Guadalajara to Nogales highway, and by a toll road running from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta departing from Tequila and Magdalena- a popular choice for the significant number of visitors to tequila

Distance Chart

Typical food of the region: pozole, beef cooked in a special sauce and enchiladas. 
Beverages: tequila and mezcal

Produces fine jewelry and ornamentation specializing in opal mounted in gold, silver and nickel silver. The semi precious stone found as clusters is extracted in large quantities from local mines close to huajical or pata de gallo ´Leg of Rooster´, and San Simon. Magdalena has several opal and obsidian workshops in which beautiful objects from these minerals are crafted. Obsidian is characterized as a black, opaque rock and both obsidian and opal are mined from quarries.   The  municipal seat of Magdalena also has more than 5 obsidian and opal workshops as well  jewelry and crafts stores selling these minerals.