Chihuahua, although not known as a tourist center, receives quite a number of tourists.  Most are either on their way to, or from the Copper Canyon via the Chihuahua al Pacífico railway, northern México's ultimate thrill ride.  Chihuahua is the capital of the state with the same name and can boast of being of being the largest state in the country.   This city is the main commercial hub of northwestern México and has become quite prosperous because the cattle, timber and mining operations that operate nearby. Chihuahua has a colorful history in part because of once being the home revolutionary hero Francisco "Pancho" Villa and also for being the place where Miguel Hidalgo, a hero from México's struggle for independence, was executed. 

Although Chihuahua is not a typical tourist destination there are a few interesting sights to enjoy if you are spending the night, or visiting for a few days on business.  The cathedral, located adjacent to the main square, is a beautiful baroque structure that was started in 1725 and took over one hundred years to finish.  There are many other elegant buildings in the central district, you need not venture far from the plaza to find the Palacio de Gobierno, the Palacio Federal, Centro Cultural Universitario Quinta Gameros and the magnificent Centro Cultural Chihuahua, which was at one time one of the most elaborate private mansions in all of México. 

The fact remains that this city is one of the major stepping stones to the Copper Canyon and the various eco-tourism and adventure tourism activities that are a compliment to the nearby mountains, canyons, rivers, caves, desert and archeological sites.  The geographical diversity of the the state is pretty amazing and this is actually the biggest reason visitors are drawn to Chihuahua city. 

The Chihuahua Al Pacífico Railway

The Chihuahua al Pacífico railway is the train that takes tourists into the famous Copper Canyon and the natural wonders that are amassed there.  The train trip through the Copper Canyon leaves from Chihuahua or Los Mochis, near Mazatlán.  Most travel experts consider the train to be the best way to see the Copper Canyon.  The tracks cover over 400 miles, rise from sea level to over 8000 feet in elevation, pass through 86 tunnels and cross 38 bridges.  The route, which took over 90 years to build also crosses the continental divide three times.  Most of the tours, available in both Chihuahua and Los Mochis, break up the 12+ hour journey with overnight stops at some interesting villages and strategically located hotels.  This is a spectacular adventure that delivers some of the most incredible scenery you will ever see.  See our Copper Canyon section further down on this page.  The train offers both first and second class tickets, air conditioning and heating, has a dining car and a separate car that contains a smoking bar. You can call (614)  439-7212 (from the U.S. and Canada, first dial 011 52) for reservations and also limited information in English.  

Airport code for Chihuahua: CUU

Step back in time...just 40 minutes from Mazatlán.

Copala is one of those places that really does make you feel like you have just stepped back in time.  For years Copala was a virtual ghost town.  This village has been slowly restored and is once again thriving, now it is tourism that is bringing people to this charming foothill setting.  The impressive church was built in 1740.  This small ex-mining town, just 40 miles from Mazatlán, is well worth a visit if you want a little taste of what life was like in the past.  Spend a little time exploring the town and enjoy a gourmet lunch in one of the Mexican restaurants.  Copala is an easy 40 minute from Mazatlán on the main highway to Durango.  There are numerous companies that offer guided tours to Copala.

Airport code for Mazatlán: MAZ

For more information about Copala visit: AllAboutMazatlán.com , the complete travel guide to Mazatlán.

The Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre, in Spanish) is México's version of the Grand Canyon and is considered by many to be even more spectacular.  Copper Canyon is a giant network of six interconnected canyons, four of which are up to 1,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon.  This area of México is still considered pristine and the mass of visitors that threaten the Grand Canyon, have yet to materialize in this incredible wonder of nature.  Anyone who has an appreciation of nature should make it a point to see the Copper Canyon. 

This is a great "Get away from it all" destination that is a constant source of stunning scenery.  The area is subject to summer rains which give the canyons a deep green color.  The best way to see the canyons is definitely by train.   The Chihuahua al Pacífico Railway is an engineering marvel that makes the trip a comfortable adventure.  The best time to go is after the summer rains, October through January.  There are a number of lodges strategically located along the route of train and most of the tours break up the ride with overnight stops along the way.  Side trips and excursions further into the wilderness can be arranged at some of the six stops along the route.  Local Indian crafts are available at all stops along the railroad.  Always ask permission  before taking photos of Indians as many believe that photos are harmful to their souls. 

For a more detailed description of the Chihuahua al Pacífico train trip through the Copper Canyon see the Chihuahua section on this page.  Note:  We have plans to expand this section with more detail and more photos on a separate page.  Keep checking back.

The town of Concordia, a short distance off of the Durango highway (Mexico 40), is a side trip on the Copala tour route. Concordia is a town of furniture makers which sell their wares in small stands on the way into town.  Concordia also offers an abundance of locally made pottery in the pre-Columbian motif.  There is an old style town square, built in front of the church, which is a great place for photos of the family.  The church, is over 350 years old making it the oldest in the state of Sinaloa.  This area produces a lot of Mangos which are for sale everywhere along the road, and they are delicious.  If you are on a tour you will probably be taken to the nearby mineral springs where the local women do their laundry, just as they have been doing for many generations.

For more information about Concordia visit this web site: AllAboutMazatlán.com , the complete travel guide to Mazatlán.

México's largest island is also the scuba diving and snorkeling paradise of Mexico.  This kicked back island could be the perfect South Seas retreat, except that it is just 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatán peninsula.  If your a diver, this is where you will want to go.  But the island offers much more to the tourist than just being a divers paradise.  Great shops, selling almost everything, are everywhere. There are many open air bars offering up relaxing tropical drinks, Mayan ruins and endless miles of deserted beaches that all play a part in the mystique that is Isla Cozumel.  Many sportfishing charter operators are located in the small marina located just north of town. Accommodations range from very luxurious to very basic with a little of everything else thrown in.  All accommodations are located within a short distance of, or in San Miguel, the only town on the island.  The good beaches are just a short taxi ride from San Miguel, so it is easy to plan your time on this island.

Airport code for Cancun: CUN

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For more information about Cozumel visit: AllAboutCancun.com, the complete travel guide to Cancun.

Durango offers first time visitors quite a surprise, especially when you drive into the city, when arriving from the airport.  The outskirts of the city would lead you to believe that you were in a city that consisted of nothing but industrial parks, warehouses and truck stops.  A striking contrast awaits when you arrive in the pleasant town center with its blatant display of colonial architecture.  Durango is located in the northern central section of the country and is an important railway hub and trucking center, a major producer of cotton and textiles, México's leading iron producer, and the location of many movie sets, mostly for the production of cowboy movies.  Durango is also the jumping off point for many wilderness and adventure tours that take visitors into the rugged mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental.

Durango is most definitely cowboy country and home to many cattle ranches that produce much of México's beef.  This city likes it's cowboys and therefore the locals are also crazy about rodeos.  Durango is home to no less than 5 "charro" rings where rodeos are regularly scheduled.  This is a great city to purchase high quality leather items, especially boots, saddles and other cowboy related items.  Also look for the beautiful wool serapes, popular the world over, which are produced locally.

The beautiful city center is the pride of Durango, and rightfully so.  The stunning cathedral, located directly adjacent to Plaza de Armas, took over eighty years to build and is said to be the home of some very active ghosts.  A short walk around the city center will dazzle visitors, because of the sheer number of buildings with classic 17th and 18th century architecture.  The French style Teatro Ricardo Castro is known to be one of the nicest theatres in northern México.  The city also has many fine museums and most are within a short walk of the main plaza.

Airport code for Durango: DGO