Batopilas

The main connection to the outside world is a five-hour bus connection to Creel, half of which occurs on an unpaved mountain road.

The Satevo mission, featuring a large church built four centuries ago with a mysterious past, is 8 kilometers from Batopilas, along the Batopilas River.

Climate

The climate of Batopilas falls on the boundaries of three climatic types: tropical savanna; mediterranean sub-tropical with dry summers, and semi-arid steppe.

Batopilas was established by Spanish conquistadores starting in 1632 as a center for silver mining. Over the centuries scores of hugely productive silver mines have been dug in the area; one estimate (Wilson and Panczner) is that mines in the area have produced seven times as much silver as come from the famous silver mine of Kongsberg, Norway. Little mining is now done.

It was declared a Pueblo Mágico on October 19, 2012.

Batopilas was a prominent silver-mining center from the 17th to the early 20th century. Large fortunes were made in Batopilas, most visibly reflected in a castle-like home, called the Hacienda San Miguel, that Alexander Robey Shepherd, the last governor of Washington, D.C., had built after leaving the United States in 1875. It stands across the river from the center of the village and has long been in ruins.

As of 2006 it is occupied by a number of local families that give tours to visitors for a small fee.

Spend magical moments admiring its plazas, stone bridges, river and the beautiful nineteenth century aqueduct that once formed part of the Silver Route. Lose yourself as you listen to the tales of the legends around the time of Porfirio Diaz’s presidency which tell the story of the discovery in 1708 of the most important mines of the region.

There is a cool museum, a cathedral 7 km out of town (walk, bike or drive), and some silver mining history.

From Creel by taxi: $50-$65 (3:30 hours).
From Témoris by taxi: $90-$110 (6:00 hours).

The road from Creel is being upgraded, travel time currently is 3 hours 30 minutes (December 2014) and should decrease a bit. The descent at La Bufa is spectacular, drops from 2000m to 800m in about 10km. Delays due to road construction are likely. Parts of the road are still in bad condition, so a 4×4 is necessary.

There are supposedly roads going the other way, over to San Ignacio and Urique. A bridge along the road to San Ignacio was washed out in the summer of 2014 and is impassable. The road to Urique is in terrible condition according to locals, and the police do not recommend either route at this time due to security concerns.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

SNational Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700