Álamos
Álamos is a town of 11,000 people (2020) in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Sonora. Alamos is the main historical attraction of Sonora, and one of Mexico's most splendid colonial cities. As the most northern of the colonial pueblos, Alamos has a rich history of conquistadors, mining barons, imperialists and revolutionaries. Upon entering the city, you'll experience a feeling of a different age, of Spanish romanticism, of Old Mexico.
Understand
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Historically an important center of silver mining, the town's economy is now dominated by the tourist sector. It has been designated a pueblo mágico due to its architecture.
Álamos today is known for its charming atmosphere and warm, friendly people, where one can leave the hurried life behind and relax into the serene lifestyle of this small colonial gem. The population hovers around 6,000 people in the city and another 4,000 inhabitants in outlying areas yet Álamos retains the grandeur of its colonial past.
Álamos is known as “La Ciudad de los Portales” (portales are tall, arched, covered verandas or walkways fronting many of the cobble-stoned streets or calles). Álamos boasts numerous buildings exhibiting classic Andalusian architecture from Mexico's Colonial period, including numerous mansions, the Plaza de Armas, the Church of La Purísima Concepción, La Capilla and the Palacio Municipal (“city hall”).
The great wealth created by the silver mines from the surrounding mining towns of La Aduana, Minas Nuevas, and others enabled the founders and residents of Álamos to build scores of colonial Spanish mansions throughout the town; most of them went into ruin in the early 20th century but in the late 1940s, a number of Americans and Canadians began buying and restoring the houses.
Climate
editThe climate, due to its position in the Sierras, retains cool, pleasant days in the winter, some hot days in the summer and spectacular rain storms in July & August. The area offers almost 360 days of sunshine. Álamos has three seasons: a hot, dry season from April to June, a hot, humid wet season from July to October, and a warm, generally dry “winter” from November to March.
Get in
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By bus
editFrom Hermosillo, ACN Autobuses has routes along the coast and can take you to Navajoa (a 3½-hour trip that costs M$350), where you can change to an Albatros bus for the 1-hour trip to Alamos. Tickets for the Albatros bus to Alamos cost M$50 and the bus runs 3 times per day.
From Los Mochis, it is about a 2-hour trip to Navajoa where you will change buses to Alamos. Elite buses run twice daily from Los Mochis to Navajoa and cost M$200.
- 1 Terminal de Autobuses (Bus station), J. Ma. Morelos, Centro. Small-town bus station with minimal services. Buses mostly just stop to let people on or off.
Get around
editSee
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The narrow and cobbled streets of the historic Centro are scenic and photogenic with latticed balconies, hallways, patios and backyards of the old houses, with dreamy gardens that surround the historic center. This pueblo is a Mexican Historical Monument and a Sonoran State Historical Site.
- 1 Parroquia de La Purísima Concepción (Church of the Immaculate Conception), Parroquia y Benito Juarez, Centro. The church built from 1757 to 1804, with three naves and a façade with classic and baroque elements, was the seat of the first Sonoran bishopric.
- 2 Plaza de Armas, Benito Juarez. The town's main square (zócalo) was built in 1904.
- 3 Museo Costumbrista de Sonora, Guadalupe Victoria 1, Centro, ☏ +52 647 428 0053, museocostumbrista@isc.gob.mx. W-Su 09:00 - 17:00, closed M Tu. The museum, in front of and to the east of the Plaza de Armas presents historical artifacts, paintings, maps, and documents from the 19th century and earlier. It contains an impressive exhibit of Ortiz Tirado. M$10 (adults).
- 4 Casa de las Delicias, De las Delicias 16, ☏ +52 667 118 6569. Daily 09:00 - 18:00. Cool old manor home that's been abandoned and that locals say is haunted. The house is in good condition with well-maintained lawn and gardens, but it feels musty and has an air of decay to it. The house is empty and tourists can walk through most areas of it. It takes on a gloomy, depressing atmosphere during late afternoons in the winter. The story that locals tell is that the daughter of the estate's owner fell in love with the gardener. When dad found out, he flipped his lid and killed the young man, burying his body in the gardens. When the daughter found out, she went crazy and killed herself. Locals say you can see the ghosts of the two lovers if you're on the property at night. M$20.
- The Zapopan chapel, dating from 1841
- Monument to Juárez in Paseo la Alameda de Álamos, Sonora
- The Municipal Palace , built in 1899
- The old municipal pantheon, inaugurated in 1791 and containing interesting tombs and mausoleums
- The old municipal jail
Do
editÁlamos offers the visitor many attractions, festivals and activities.
The town is host to several arts festivals, most notably the annual Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado. is a nine-day event that takes places in Álamos annually in late January. The annual film festival is usually held in March.
The Sierra de Álamos Ecological Reserve offers serious birding opportunities. The creek of Cuchujaqui, which is in the ecological reserve is the most species-rich subtropical area in the Northern Hemisphere.[citation needed] Cuchujaqui is the subject of international scientific study and the southern migration destination of hundreds of different species of birds.
Buy
edit- 1 Mercado de Artesanias, Francisco I. Madero 6, Indeur. Daily 09:00 - 18:00. Typical of Mexican artesanias in regions without strong local craft traditions. Most items for sale are from outside the state of Sonora with a large proportion of cheap Chinese-made fakes. Stop and look: you may find a bargain on a great piece, but the odds favor paying too much for mass-produced junk. Caveat emptor.
Eat
edit- 1 Mexico Lindo, Calle sin nombre, La Capilla. Daily 06:00 - 20:00. Moderate colonial-style Mexican restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine. Tables on the covered porch are the best.
- 2 Las Palmeras, Francisco I. Madero 44-S, Centro, ☏ +52 647 428 0065. W-M 07:00 - 21:00, closed Tu. Inviting colonial-style restaurant with traditional Mexican cuisine. Locals recommend the queso fundido and the enchiladas. Good breakfast.
- 3 Teresita's Panaderia y Bistro, Ignacio Allende 46-B, La Colorada, ☏ +52 647 428 0142. W-M 08:00 - 19:00, closed Tu. French-style cafe bistro that does their own in-house baking. Desserts are a winner, particularly the cheesecake brulee, and the lemon pie. Peaceful outdoor seating area available (and is dog friendly).
- 4 Reyna, Obregón 8, Centro, ☏ +52 647 428 1407. Daily 07:30 - 20:00. Cozy, long-established restaurant serving traditional regional cuisine.
- 5 Doña Lola, Ignacio Soto 8, El Volantin, ☏ +52 647 428 1109. Daily 05:00 - 21:00. Home-cooked traditional Mexican cuisine at affordable prices. M$150.
Drink
editSleep
edit- 1 Hotel Real de los Alamos, Francisco I. Madero 310, Real de Álamos, ☏ +52 647 114 2568. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Traditional hotel with colonial-style architecture, verandas and arched porticos. Rooms are spacious, clean, and well furnished. On-site restaurant serves 3 meals daily and includes a full bar. Breakfash entrees start at M$100. Outdoor swimming pool. Off-street parking available in secured courtyard. M$2200.
- 2 Hacienda de los Santos, Molina Galeana 8, Centro, ☏ +52 647 428 0222. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. A colonial-era historic hacienda has been repurposed to a small upscale boutique hotel. The property features stone walls, rustic wood beam ceilings and wood-burning fireplaces in all rooms. Upscale amenities in very well furnished rooms. Guest reviews rave about the top-notch service. M$4000.
- 3 El Pedregal, Chalaton, ☏ +52 647 428 1509. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Guest ranch on edge of town at the edge of Parque la Colorada. Guest rooms are in individual casitas (small cabins) that feature well furnished rooms and excellent privacy. Free WiFi available. Cool salt-water swimming pool on-site. Barbecue grills available (with grilling implements). Steps away from hiking trails and birdwatching spots.
- 4 Casa Loma de Guadalupe, Del Volantin #3, Loma de Guadalupe, Centro, ☏ +52 647 126 8726. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Upscale small hotel in a colonial mansion with Saltillo tile floors, rustic furniture in the spacious, clean rooms, stone walkways and driveways, and an outdoor swimming pool with fantastic views of the hills and valleys. No restaurant on-site, but food and drink options are nearby. M$2000.
- 5 La Puerta Roja, Hermenegildo Galeana #46, La Colorada, ☏ +52 647 428 0142. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Upscale boutique hotel in a restored colonial mansion. Large rooms with high ceilings, rustic furniture and saltillo tile floors. Lovely garden with an outdoor pavilion. On-site restaurant. Friendly, attentive service. M$1200.