Batopilas

Introducing Batopilas

If you make it alive down the steep, twisting dirt road to Batopilas, a serene 19th-century silver-mining village 140km south of Creel, you can be satisfied that you have made your way deep into canyon country. The journey is a thrilling ride – from an altitude of 2338m, at Creel, to 495m at Batopilas – with dramatic descents and ascents through several canyons, climates and vegetative zones, ending in a warm little village.

The biggest activity once you arrive at Batopilas is enjoying the stuck-in-time feel of the place. Things shut up early here – last call 10pm on weekends – so don’t expect any big nights out. However, there’s plenty of history to explore (quirky fact: after Mexico City, Batopilas was the second town in Mexico to receive electricity). One of the most popular excursions is to the Catedral Perdida (Lost Cathedral) at Satevó, an elaborate cathedral that was discovered in a remote, uninhabited canyon. It’s a long 8km hike along the river, or a 20-minute drive. Any hotel can help arrange day trips; the three- to four-day trek to the canyon town of Urique is also a popular – and spectacular – journey.

Like Urique, Batopilas can be a little rough around the edges. The military recently razed the marijuana crops in the surrounding area, effectively bringing the local economy to a grinding halt. As a result, the town has seen an upsurge in robberies and kidnappings. Foreign tourists aren’t usually targeted, but do yourself a favor and be vigilant here.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009