BATOPILAS

From La Bufa, the road continues to wind around on the side of the canyons for another 27km to complete this spectacular journey and arrive in this town situated “in the middle of nowhere”. Batopilas, boxed in by high canyon walls, has basically one major street that runs along parallel with the river. This was another old mining town of great significance and wealth at the turn of the 20 century (this was the second place in Mexico to have electricity) and there is still plenty of evidence with the beautiful colonial type buildings and the ruins of the great Shepherd hacienda.
Because of the sub-tropical climate here papayas, mangoes, oranges. bouganvillea and much more grow in abundance and if the heat is on you can always keep cool with a quick dip in the river.

What To Do:
There are a couple of day trips available here:

• Satevo mission built over 200 years ago - an amazing architectural feat considering where it is located. This is a gentle 7km hike from Batopilas downriver.
• Cerro Colorado, a small town to be found upriver and up a small side canyon from Batopilas - this really is a beautiful hike/bike and well worth the effort being rewarded by a picturesque town where you can buy refreshments and if hunger strikes there is one restaurant that provides basic but delicious cuisine.
• Continuing up from Cerro Colorado is the Tarahumara community of Munerachi with a church and school being the center with houses and ranches scattered around further away. You really need more than one day to make this hike from and back to Batopilas. These Tarahumara Indian still lead a semi-nomadic life and can not be found here in the summer to as they climb up the rim to escape the heat. It is advisable is going there to hire a guide and please respect the Tarahumara’s privacy.

Services
There is now a fair number of hotels (most with private bathroom) and restaurants here. It is possible to camp here along the river.
There are a couple of souvenir shops situated in the plaza and also an art shop with paintings of the canyons and a silver jewellry shop.

Hotels:

• Riverside Lodge
• Casa Real de Minas
• La Palmera
• Hotel Mary
• Hotel Batopilas
• Casa de Huespedes Monse
• Hotel Chula Vista
• Hotel Juanitas

• Dona Mica
• Quinto Patio
• Carolina
• Puente Colgante
• Clarita
• El Zaguan

Medical Services:
There is a doctor here and a small clinic but medical supplies are very limited.

URIQUE

An old mining town situated on the floor of the canyon Urique, similar to Batopilas, is a little smaller and certainly more peaceful. Still full of old colonial style buildings and provides numerous day hikes, plenty of beaches to relax on along the river, great swim holes and very friendly people in this exotic atmosphere.

What to do: There are various day hikes from Urique:

• To Guapalina - a smaller village located about 4km down-river from Urique - plenty of swimming available on the way - they grow some good coffee here.
• To Guadalupe y Coronado - roughly a 6km hike up-river from Urique - a pretty church here with the school right next to it and some lovely old adobe buildings. Good trails take you here.
• Other good trails take you up the canyons.

Services
There is one basic hotel “Canon de Urique” situated on the main street upon entering the town (rooms with private bathroom).
There is a camp ground here where they provide basic bathroom. Situated at the end of town upriver.
Camping is also possible on one of the beaches along the river.
There are a couple of basic but good, clean restaurants here situated on the main street.
Several stores in which you can buy drinking water and other groceries.

Phones:
There is one phone line here in a caseta located at the entrance of the town.

Medical Services:
There is a doctor here with a small clinic but the medical supplies are very limited.

The Train On the Rim Down the Canyons

Getting there and away Weather Travel