State of Durango

The state of Durango is nestled in the Sierra Madre Occidental. Its beautiful landscape, reminiscent of the Wild West, features lush forests and stunning canyons, valleys, rivers, lagoons and deserts that have served as the setting for several Hollywood films. During the 1950s, a total of 116 Wild West movies were filmed in the area and some of the preserved sets are now open to the public.

Durango was founded on July 8, 1563, by Captain Francisco de Ibarra. Today, it owes its charm to the well-preserved 17th and 18th-century buildings, wonderful climate and unique biodiversity. Its ecosystem is extremely fragile – many of its areas are still considered virgin sites – with temperatures ranging from below zero to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. August rains in the valleys and mountains are a wonderful sight.

As a result of its diverse natural landscape, Durango offers a variety of attractions. It houses two biosphere reserves, over 250 species of migratory and endemic birds, impressive archeological sites with cave paintings and stunning architectural relics left by the missionaries and colonizers.

The city of Durango, the state’s capital, is surrounded by semi-arid desert and serves as a link between Mazatlán on the Pacific coast and inland cities such as Monterrey and Saltillo. A large part of the area has been transformed into one of the two Biosphere Reserves in the state, featuring various species of vegetation, cacti, reptiles, mammals and birds. It is also a great city for walking because attractions are within close proximity, including the main squares Plaza de Armas and Plaza del Centenario located within a few blocks from each other.

Durango’s Historic Center was declared a Zone of Historical Monuments in 1982. It houses magnificent structures including the Lesser Basilica Cathedral, with a baroque facade, the Ricardo Castro Theater, celebrating more than one hundred years of existence, and the Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology, displaying archeological records of indigenous cultures in the region, from prehistoric times to the Conquest period.

The Wild West state of Durango offers spectacular natural formations perfect for adventure travelers and ecotourists. Its breathtaking backdrop of multicolored sunsets that highlight the impressive mountain and rock formations in the area are like scenes straight out of a movie. No other place offers a dreamlike panorama like Durango – an almost surreal destination.