El Fuerte
A Colonial Town Of Arcaded Plaza, A Replica Of Its Old Fort On The Hill, And A Pueblo Magico, With The Copper Canyon Railway (Chepe) Beginning Or Ending Its Run Nearby. Hot, Quiet And Slow, With Old Houses Turned Into Hotels And A Base For Bird Watching On The River. A Stop On The Way To Or From The Copper Canyon · El Fuerte, Sinaloa
El Fuerte is a quiet colonial town in northern Sinaloa, a Pueblo Magico set on the Rio Fuerte about 80 km north-east of Los Mochis. Its centre is a shaded plaza with a bandstand, the arcaded streets around it, and a small cathedral, with old mansions turned into hotels. On the hill stands a replica of the old fort, now a museum of local history. The town is the best-known starting point for the Chepe railway, which climbs from this lowland to Copper Canyon, so many travellers spend a night here before or after the train. Boat trips on the river offer bird watching in the early morning. Summer heat is severe, and the pace is slow. It suits train travellers, history lovers and anyone wanting a calm overnight stop. It is worth the detour if you are riding the Chepe or driving through; it is not a place for a week-long stay. Please check current state travel advice before you go, and drive between towns by day.
El Fuerte, a Pueblo Magico on the Rio Fuerte, about 80 km north-east of Los Mochis in northern Sinaloa; coordinates approximate, El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico
The plaza and the old streets are open at all hours, and walking the centre is FREE. The fort museum on the hill keeps daytime hours and is commonly CLOSED on Mondays or one weekday, so confirm locally. The cathedral opens for services and for some of the day, and is CLOSED outside those times. Boat trips on the river run in the early morning and late afternoon, while midday is too hot, and tours may be CLOSED in flood or very low water. Restaurants are busiest in the evening and often close early on weekdays. The Chepe train timetable is separate and should be checked in advance.