Watch a Hollywood movie about the "Old West" and most likely the Mexican State of Durango is in the background. The filming location for more than 130 movies, primarily during the 1950s, Durango is known for its scenic canyons, forests, valleys, rivers, lagoons, mountains, deserts, and, yes, scorpions (alacranes). The capital city, also named Durango, is 150 miles inland from the Pacific coast, to the northeast of Mazatlan, and is home to roughly 500,000 people. A mild climate, historic 17th and 18th century architecture, colorful festivals, a diversity of flora and fauna and fun and preserved movie sets are reasons to plan a Durango vacation.
The city of Durango was founded in 1563, and much of its history remains intact. In fact, the entire center of the city was declared a Zone of Historical Monuments in 1982.
The house of General Guadalupe Victoria (the first president of Mexico), the old Ferry Building and the Navacoyan Hacienda are perhaps the most interesting sites, although the Ricardo Castro Theater and the Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology (exhibits showcasing the indigenous cultures of Mexico) should be on any itinerary as well. The Plaza de Armas and Plaza del Centenario are important gathering spots.
Churches that mark the arrival of Catholicism in this part of the New World are found throughout the city. The Durango Cathedral, the Temple of Purísima Concepción, the Lesser Basilica Cathedral and the Parish of San Antonio de Papua are just a few places of worship worth visiting.
Visitors enjoy shopping for handicrafts produced by the Tepehuano Indians, an indigenous group still living in Durango. Products include folkloric pottery, textiles and woolen fabric. Marketplaces, shops and bazaars are plentiful, as are Durango eateries, and the cuisine is delicious. Dishes include caldillo (green chili stew), quince jelly, chile rellenos, habas en salsa, entomatadas (enchiladas with tomatoes), chorizo, pinole and cajeta. Delicious dried meats, beans, peaches, nuts and cheese are all staples.
Hotels and resorts in Durango are on the European plan, meaning that the only item included in the price is the room itself - everything else is an extra cost. The Best Western Posada del Rio is a comfortable property just four miles from downtown and offers a swimming pool, airport shuttle, dataports, cable satellite TV and air conditioning.
The Holiday Inn is a Durango hotel that has 95 rooms and is a clean, modern property with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, massage and whirlpool.
The Hotel Gobenator is a welcoming Durango hotel located downtown and offers a swimming pool, a business center, wifi Internet and 99 rooms with air conditioning, ample space and satellite TV.
Outside of the city, the Puente de Ojuela is one of the highest suspension bridges in Latin America. Built in 1898, it spans 1,030 feet, is open to foot traffic and is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights. The State of Durango also boasts a number of small temples and pyramids, and the Sierra Madre Mountains are a great spot for camping and hiking.
