Chihuahua

Chihuahua is the capital of the state of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico. It has a population of about 748,551. The predominant activity is light industry. The capital of the state of Chihuahua and a large, prosperous city in the center of the state. Chihuahua is famous for norteno food (rather similar to Tex-Mex), a delicious if healthy cuisine that makes liberal use of beef, cheese, and chiles. The colonial center is beautiful and pedestrian-friendly. The outer areas of the city are affluent by Latin American standards but uninteresting for the average tourist. The center has museums dedicated to Pancho Villa (a major folk hero in the north), another museum about the national mint, government palaces, and historic churches as well as luxurious mansions and villas. There are also good dining spots and cantinas for males and it's very rare that a female is not welcome. The city's natives are friendly and helpful, unlike Mexico's more southern cities. Climate In the north and in the hills, it can be cold here during the winter. It even snows once or twice a year. During the summer, temperatures can reach 40°C. Wear light, fresh, and comfortable clothes. Autumn is a particularly pleasant time of the year to visit the area. Talk Spanish is the official language of Mexico. In academic and professional level, English and French are also spoken. Additionally, because this is north Mexico and a lot of the people living here have worked and lived in the US at some point in their lives, it is usually quite easy to find someone who can speak English to you. Get in By car Being 4 h south of Juarez/El Paso by expressway, the city is an easy drive to reach; there is no major city on the way, but there are roadside diners. By plane Roberto Fierro Airport is 18 km from the city; a taxi is about $7.00. By bus Chihuahua's bus terminal is located quite a distance out of town. There are buses to all major cities in Mexico. The Chihuahuense bus line will take you to central Mexico or to Tijuana from the main terminal in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. By train Chihuahua is the start of the famous Copper Canyon railway linking Chihuahua with Los Mochis, called "Chepe" [1] One-way tickets cost around 99 pesos (75 dollars) in second class and 1980 pesos (140 dollars) in first class. Advance booking is advisable for second class but essential for first class. Get around See Chihuahua is a great tourist destination; a PBR championship, concerts, art and international festivals take place all year-round, but mostly on mid-October, you will find the city and its people very charming and down to earth. Even though Chihuahua suffered a massive destruction of colonial buildings (During the 1970s) in order to widen the main streets and avenues in the downtown, it stills preserves some valuable monuments from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the more interesting sites in the city are listed below: Temple of San Francisco - The original burial place of Fr Miguel Hidalgo. Federal Palace of Chihuahua - Now a modern art museum, and the former jail cell of Fr Hidalgo. El Palomar Central Park - Once one of the worst neighborhoods in the city, now the largest city park. Art, concerts and masive events are held in this modern park. Mansión Creel Mansión Terrazas Mansión Quinta Carolina - Former summer estate of Don Luis Terrazas. Now in semi-ruined condition, in process of restoration. Torre Legislativa de Chihuahua - Legislative tower of Chihuahua-state legislators office building) Located in front of the Plaza de Armas. Government Palace - The State House. City Hall of Chihuahua - Historical City Hall. Dancing Fountains - Lights and water show located besides the Federal Palace. Mansión Quinta Gameros - City Museum for the Decorative Arts, Art Noveau style mansion. Church of Santa Rita - Saint Rita of Cascia is the patroness of the city. Ave. Zarco Residential Area - Some of the most impressive pre-revolutionary residences in the city are situated along this street. Chihuahua Cathedral, Libertad street #814, Centro, ☎ +01 52 614-4103877, [2]. A sample of the Baroque Art in northern Mexico.  edit Museum of Contemporary Art Casa Redonda (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Casa Redonda), Colon avenue and Escudero street, ☎ 01 52 614-449061. Tuesday to Sunday 10AM-7PM hrs.. What was once the National Railways of Mexico (Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México) workshops is now this museum, known as Casa Redonda (Round House) by its building structure dating from the early XIX century. $1.50.  edit Museum of Religous Art (Museo de Arte Sacro), Libertad street #814. Monday to Friday: 9AM-1PM and 3PM-5PM. A large hall in the basement of the Chihuahua Cathedral, located at the rear of the Capilla del Rosario, was conditioned to install the Religious Art Museum. $1.00.  edit Museum of the Revolution Former home of Pancho Villa, hero of the revolution. learn the story of Mexico's fight for freedom and view many artifacts including the car that Pancho Villa was killed in. Do Grutas de Nombre de Dios[3]: a huge system of caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Easy going as everything has concrete floors and handrailings. To get there, by bus 'Nombre de Dios/Ojo' to the grutas ($6 Pesos, $.50 dollar), entrance fee 50 Pesos ($4 dollars). Buy Cowboy boots, yee-haw! You will never in your life find a place with higher density of shops selling cowboy boots, and you'll find them in colors you hardly knew existed. Go nuts, you know you want them! Eat Be careful! The best chiles rellenos in the world, served on a flour tortilla. The seeds are not removed, making for a fire in your mouth that is unsurpassed. Sleep Budget The cheap sleeps in Chihuahua are all found east of the cathedral, between Calle Libertad and Victoria. Casa de Huespedes Flores, Calle 12 No. 218 btwn Victoria and Libertad, rooms from 100 Pesos, including bathroom, TV, probably the best value in town. Hotel Plaza, Calle 4 No. 206, not-too-clean place right behind the cathedral. Rooms from 130 Pesos (singles), 200 pesos(4 people). Hotel-ito, Calle 4 Cnr Trias, filthy rooms without windows, (cold) water usually out of order, 100 Pesos (singles). Hotel Trias, Calle Trias cnr Independencia, as filthy as the others, singles from 120 Pesos. Casa de Chihuahua, Calle Mendez 2203, a brand new hostel conveniently located across the train station. Dorms from 150 Pesos per night. Advance booking essential. Hotel San Juan, Calle Victoria cnr Decima, central location rooms from about 145 Pesos single/155 Pesos double/165 Pesos triple per night. This is the old backpacker favorite, though some say there are better choices these days. Hotel Roma, Calle Libertad cnr Calle 12, singles from 125 Pesos Posada Aida, near the downtown honk tonk district rooms from about $9 per night. Friendly staff. Midrange Microtel Inn & Suites Enjoy consistency, quality, reasonable prices and great service. Hampton Inn Very nice business class hotel. As good or better than any Hampton in the USA. Best Western Mirador Very nice business class hotel. As good or better than any Best Western in the USA. It is located in Ave. Universidad, close to downtown Chihuahua. Stay safe Northern Mexico, especially the state of Chihuahua, has experienced a sharp increase in violent drug-related crime since 2007. Chihuahua is much safer than Ciudad Juárez but still has had its share of cartel killings in the last two years. Most killings have specifically targeted drug dealers and their families, and tourists have rarely been affected by violent crime. Avoid bars and nightclubs that cater to a criminal element. Military checkpoints may be set up in the city and the roads around the city. Always stop at these checkpoints. Contact Cibercafe Canaco, Av. Cuauhtemoc 1800 3th floor, 1416 0000. Dialing code for Chihuahua City: 01+52+(614)+Phone Number Emergency phone numbers Radio Patrols: 060 Red Cross: 065 General emergencies: 066 International Operator: 090 Tourist Security: 01 800 201 55 89 Get out This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!