Durango, Durango
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean · Mexico
Did you know?
- Caldillo and asado rojo share regional menus with gorditas.
- Western film sets at Chupaderos and Villa del Oeste preserve a cinematic frontier landscape.
- Local buses use colors to signal their routes across the city.
See also
Mazatlan
Mexico23.18°N 106.42°W · 139 m
Overview
Durango combines a historic center on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro with a longstanding connection to Western filmmaking. Colonial streets and nearby film sets give a visit distinct architectural and cinematic themes.
Languages: Spanish
Why go?
Durango is the capital of the state of Durango in Northern Mexico. It is a very friendly city. The Historic Center contains the largest number of historic buildings catalogued in the north of the country, and is part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Founded in 1563, the city has a rich history and is known for its filmmaking industry related to westerns.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
Durango can be reached by air via Durango International Airport (DGO) with flights from Mexico City and Chicago. The main bus station, Central de Autobuses, connects the city with the rest of the state and country.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
The city center is walkable. The bus station is 4-5 km northeast; local buses cost M$10. A network of buses covers the city with a color-coded system indicating direction: blue/yellow south, green southwest, yellow east-west, orange east/northeast, red northeast, golden southeast, white southwest-northeast, brown north.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Durango has a temperate semi-dry climate, with summer rains from June to August and cool winters. Summers can reach 37°C. The rainy season averages 400 mm precipitation. The Durango National Fair is a major event.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Hotels in Durango include the colonial-style Hotel Posada San Agustin (M$925) and the modern Fiesta Inn (M$1300) attached to a mall. No hostel or dormitory options are mentioned in the article.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Local dishes include caldillo Duranguense, asado rojo, and gorditas. Scorpions are also associated with Durango cuisine but may be folklore. Restaurants like La Victoria and Mendoza serve authentic meals for M$200-400.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
The Historic Center has over a thousand colonial buildings. Key sights include the Basilica of Durango, Regional Museum, Ganot-Peschard Museum, Museo Francisco Villa, and the Paseo Túnel Mineria (M$40). The city is famous for the Durango National Fair. Activities include visiting Western film sets at Chupaderos and Villa del Oeste, taking the teleférico cable car, and exploring parks like Parque Ecológico El Tecuán (M$25).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Durango has 4G from all Mexican carriers. Telcel provides 5G coverage.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
A daily budget for a backpacker might be around M$1000-1500, including accommodation (M$925-1300), meals (M$200-400 each), and entry fees (M$10-40). Local bus rides cost M$10.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Day trips include the Western film sets at Chupaderos and Villa del Oeste, and natural attractions like Parque Ecológico El Tecuán and Parque Nacional Mexiquillo. Further afield, Mazatlán and Zacatecas are reachable via toll highway 40D.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Try sightseeing in the Sierra Occidental: Parque Ecologico El Tecuan or Parque Nacional Mexiquillo with waterfalls and mountain scenery. Head to Mazatlán via the scenic toll highway 40D with 68 tunnels and 115 bridges, or visit the historic mining city of Zacatecas.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Fiesta Inn Durango
Should be a fairly fun stay given that it's attached to a mall with a movie theater and such things. Also has a restaurant of its own.
Recorded price: M$1300
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Gobernador
It's kind of spendy, but you get the Durango hacienda flavor here with the architecture and persona. Plus has a pool and nice dining room experience.
Recorded price: M$1300
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Posada San Agustin
A hotel with a very old-world feel. And you can walk to all the historical sites in town.
Recorded price: M$925
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Jardín de los Canarios
Good breakfast place with coffee and Nahuatl chilaquiles.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Restaurante La Victoria
A place to try some local fare in the historical downtown center. Here you can get some gorditas or enchiladas, huevos rancheros, sopas, etc at a decent price.
Recorded price: M$200-400
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Restaurante Mendoza
Bit of a testament to Durango's movie production and colonial theme here. And offering of authentic dishes with a finely attuned nuance for turning out delicious flavors.
Recorded price: M$200-400
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Basilica of Durango
Founded around 1695 and finished in 1844, its design includes Byzantine vaults and a cupola with angels painted inside. Don't miss the Museo de Arto Secro while checking out the structure. Also, fronting the basilica is the Plaza de Armas around which the city of Durango is centered.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Fundidora de Ferreria Parque
Old mining ruins (iron foundry) that has some real eye appeal. In this case, last does not mean least in this list of attractions.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
4G from all carriers; Telcel offers 5G.
Food
Try caldillo Duranguense, asado rojo, and gorditas.
Money
MXN is used. Hotel prices M$925-1300, meals M$200-400, museum entries M$10-40.
Transport
Local bus fare is M$10. Color-coded buses cover the city.