El Fuerte Mexico a historic colonial town beatifully conserved- El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico

El Fuerte, Sinaloa

The Gateway to Copper Canyon

The Gateway to Copper Canyon. El Fuerte was founded in 1564 by Spanish conquistador Don Francisco de Ibarra, the first explorer in the treasures of the Western Sierra Madre mountains. In 1610 a fort was built to ward off the fierce Zuaque and Tehueco Indians, who constantly harassed the Spaniards. El Fuerte was the gateway to the last frontiers of northern Indian territories of Sonora, Arizona and California. After subduing the Sinaloa Zaque and Tahueco Indians, the settlement flourish. For the next three centuries it was the most important commercial and agricultural center of the vast northern region of Mexico. El Fuerte became a major trading post for silver miners and gold seekers from the Urique, Batopilas and Rain of gold mines in the nearby Sierra Madre. In 1824, El Fuerte became the capitol of what is now the states of Sonora, Sinaloa and a part of Arizona. It remained for several years. There is much rich history in and around El Fuerte. You can be sure that a historical walk around this picturesque colonial city of about 30,000 people is a very rewarding experience.



The Pueblos Magicos (Magic Towns) program was initiated by the Mexican government to help preserve towns that embodied the best of Mexican culture, history and tradition. Launched in 2001, the program provides financial assistance to places that "reflect the beauty of traditional Mexican culture" according to the Secretary or Tourism. The program has met with great success in terms of increasing tourism and bringing a much needed business into these areas. Currently, there are 34 towns that are officially listed as Pueblos Magicos. El Fuerte, Sinaloa is one of the "Pueblos Magicos" where you want to experience Mexico's rich history and colonial architectural past then these places are definitely worth visiting.


For the best accommodations in El Fuerte:

	Hotel Torres del Fuerte - Located on a side street near the Plaza de Armas the Hotel Torres del Fuerte is a labor of love. Owned and operated by the Torres family this 400 year old casona was home to this family for generations prior to being remodeled into a hotel in 2006. Enjoy your meals in the open air dining patio or in the dining room with it's colonial ambiance. Have happy-hour around the hut bar, sipping on your favorite local beverage enjoying the beautiful gardens. This special category, boutique hacienda hotel & spa, has excellent service, gourmet meals and a charm second to none. Take time to enjoy this colonial town....you will love it as well as the canyons.

For the best gourmet meals in El Fuerte:

	Bonifacio's Gourmet Restaurant - Eclectic fusion cuisine inspired in Mexico. The setting is an antique chapel built by the Jesuits, the first settlers in town along with the Spaniards about 400 years ago. Its thick brick-adobe paste walls have been carefully restored along with the wooden Amapa beam ceilings to give it a special "Old World" charm. The word eclectic comes into play again when dealing with its decor and glamour, exquisite paintings, elegant wall mirrors, discrete lighting, romantic candles, extravagant chandeliers all perfectly combine into an enchanting dining experience.

For all your Copper Canyon travel needs:

	Torres Travel Company - We are a tour company specializing in the Copper Canyon and Baja California's most popular destinations. Our family has been in this area for generations, we have a hotel, restaurants and shops in Copper Canyon area. Give us a call for an unforgettable Cooper Canyon experience. We offer fully escorted tours that are led by experienced bilingual guides and are limited in size to a maximum of 16 persons. Our Independent trips are customized and suitable for all ages. We make all the arrangements, including accommodations, transfers, transportation and guided local tours.

All Copper Canyon trips are on the historic Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad "El CHEPE". The train winds its way from the Pacific Ocean up to the heart of the canyon's scenic splendor. built over a 90 years period, this world-famous railroad is an engineering masterpiece. It has been called" the most dramatic train ride in the western hemisphere."

Slide show above courtesy of:

CopperCanyonExplorer.com - The most complete travel and tour guide to Copper Canyon Mexico. Composed of several large canyons boasting a grandeur four times larger then the Grand Canyon, in Arizona, although different in nature; narrower, deeper and more verdant.

El Fuerte Atractions