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    Batopilas

    Mexico

    Batopilas

    VillageCulture

    Batopilas is located at just 580m altitude at the bottom of the gorge of the Río Batopilas, about five bus hours from Creel. From the 18th to the early 20th century, the town was a center of silver mining.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Mexico
    7. Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon)
    9. Batopilas
    Batopilas is located at just 580m altitude at the bottom of the gorge of the Río Batopilas, about five bus hours from Creel. From the 18th to the early 20th century, the town was a center of silver mining. Since 2012, the village has been a Pueblo Mágico.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Attraction

    1El Divisadero - La Mesa

    Viewpoint on the plateau east of Batopilas, overlooking the canyon of the Río Batopilas.
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    Attraction

    2El Potrero

    Location in the Río Batopilas valley, approx. 10 km north of the village, on the access road from Creel. A stop with a view into the canyon on the way into the valley.
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    Misión de Satevó
    Historic Landmark

    3Misión de Satevó

    The Jesuits built the Mission Church of Ángel Custodio de Satevó between 1760 and 1764, isolated in the river valley, about 8 km southeast of Batopilas. The domed church stands freely amidst fields and mountains and is reachable via a dirt track or on foot along the river.
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    City walks in Batopilas

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Batopilas: A Walk Through the Heart of the Silver Empire

    Immerse yourself in the rich history of the former silver-mining town of Batopilas on this charming 2-hour city walk. Explore colonial lanes, majestic hacienda ruins and enjoy breathtaking views of the Río Batopilas and the surrounding canyons. A journey into the past that awakens all the senses.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Callejon Del Beso

    Small restaurant in Batopilas' town center.
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    2

    Restaurant Carolina

    Simple restaurant with home-style Mexican cooking in the town center.
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    3

    María Meche Cocina de Autor

    Restaurant with auteur cuisine in Batopilas town center.
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    4

    Doña Mica

    Family-run restaurant with Mexican cuisine in the town center.
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    5

    Mangos

    Restaurant at the southern end of Batopilas.
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    Food and Beverages

    The few eateries in the village cook simple Mexican home cooking.

    Gorditas and Burritos

    Stuffed corn flatbreads and tortillas with stews, as everywhere in the Sierra.

    Fruits from the Valley

    In the warm valley floor grow mangoes, oranges and other fruits which are sold in the village.

    History and Culture

    Silver City in the CanyonIn 1708, Pedro de la Cruz registered a mine here, after which Batopilas became one of the region's most important silver towns. In 1879, a group led by Alexander Shepherd bought the mines; under his leadership, the town grew to around 6,500 inhabitants. His hydroelectric power plant made Batopilas the country's second place with electricity, after Mexico City. 1921 saw the mines close, 1940 a flood destroy the plant, and power finally return to the village in 1989.ExcursionsMisión de Satevó: Mission church in the river valley, 8 km southeast.Viewpoints along the Access Road: Stops with canyon views on the way from Creel.

    Exploring on site

    Everything in the village is within walking distance. You can reach Satevó via a dirt road by taxi or pickup, or on foot along the river.From Creel, a bus takes about five hours via Samachique; alternatively, hotels and agencies in Creel organize trips. Drive the winding mountain road only during daylight and check the current UK FCDO Travel Advice for Mexico beforehand.

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    Nearby

    Divisadero / Posada Barrancas

    Divisadero / Posada Barrancas

    Divisadero and the nearby Posada Barrancas are on the edge of the Copper Canyon, 2,400 m high on the Chepe railway line. From the viewpoint at the station, you see into several of the main canyons. Next to it: the Parque de Aventura with cable car, ZipRider, and zip lines.
    Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon)

    Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon)

    The Barrancas del Cobre are a system of deep canyons in the Sierra Tarahumara in the southwest of the state of Chihuahua; the deepest, the Barranca de Urique, drops more than 1,800 m. You travel there for the Chepe train ride through the Sierra, the views from the rim at Divisadero, and hikes to waterfalls, rock valleys, and down into the warm valley of Batopilas. The region is home to the Rarámuri, and gateway towns are Creel and Divisadero along the Chihuahua al Pacífico railway line.
    Creel

    Creel

    Creel, at over 2,200 m in the Sierra Tarahumara, is the main gateway to the Barrancas del Cobre. The town began in 1907 as a rail station on the Chihuahua al Pacífico line, and is now the Chepe Express terminus. Nearby are rock valleys, Lago Arareko, and the Cusárare waterfall.
    Loreto

    Loreto

    Located on the Gulf Coast of Baja California Sur, Loreto was founded in 1697 as the peninsula's first permanent Spanish settlement. The Mission Church and Mission Museum form the heart of its small downtown. Off the coast is the Bahía de Loreto National Park, home to five larger islands.
    Baja California Sur

    Baja California Sur

    Baja California Sur encompasses the southern half of the Baja California peninsula, a desert land between the Pacific and the Gulf of California. You go for the resorts of Los Cabos on the southern tip, for boat trips from La Paz to Espíritu Santo Island with the sea lion colony of Los Islotes, and for the artist town Todos Santos near the Pacific coast. Further north lies the mission town Loreto on the Gulf. The islands and protected areas in the Gulf of California have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI