Difference between revisions of "Chihuahua"

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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, this is a large prosperous city located in the center of the state. Chihuahua is famous for norteno food (rather similar to Tex-Mex), a delicious if not particularly heart healthy cuisine that makes liberal use of beef, cheese, and chiles. The colonial center of Chihuahua is beautiful and pedestrian friendly. The outer areas of the city, while affluent by Latin American standards don't likely hold a lot of appeal for the average tourist. The centro has museums dedicated to Pancho Villa (a major folk hero in the north of mexico), another museum about the national mint, government palaces, and historic churches as well as luxurious mansions and villas. There are also good dining and lodging options for the visitor and a lot of fun cantinas for male travelers (sorry women usually aren't welcome in these). Chihuahua's natives are friendly and helpful and don't show any resentment towards visitors like you might expect to experience in Mexico's more southerly cities.

Understand

The city is at both high latitude and relatively high altitude, meaning it will get 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 is 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

Four hours south of Juarez/El Paso by expressway, it is an easy drive. There are no major towns between the two cities but there are roadside diners to break up the journey.

By Plane

Roberto Fierro Villalobos Airport, Chihuahua city airport is located 18 kilometers southeast of Chihuahua City. Taxi is the best option for getting there and away. Taxi to the city, Aprox. $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. One-way yickets are around 991 pesos in second class and 1980 pesos in first class. Advance booking is advisable for second class but essential for first class.

Get around

See

Chihuahua is hardly a major tourist destination; but if you can time your visit to coincide with a bullfight (note bullfighting still exists here, but is nowhere near as popular as it is in Juarez), concert, or art festival you will likely find the area 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 museum, and the jail cell of Fr Hidalgo
• Central Park El Palomar-Once one of the worst slums in the city, now the largest city 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) -Fronts on the Plaza de Armas
• Government Palace (The State House)
• City Hall of Chihuahua
• Dancing Fountains north of the Federal Palace
• Mansión Quinta Gameros (City Museum for the Decorative Arts)
• Church of Santa Rita (1731). St 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, [1]. A sample of the Baroque Art in northern Mexico.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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[2]: 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/oyo' to the grutas (4.5 Pesos), entrance fee 50 Pesos.

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