AIR SERVICE

Aero California; Aero Mexico (www.aeromexico.com); TAESA (from Chicago) - To Los Mochis (western train ride); El Paso; Chihuahua. Flights leaving Los Angeles, Phoenix, Tucson, Chicago, Houston, New York and connecting with one of the above.

MAKING PLANS

AIR SERVICE

Aero California; Aero Mexico (www.aeromexico.com); TAESA (from Chicago) - To Los Mochis (western train ride); El Paso; Chihuahua. Flights leaving Los Angeles, Phoenix, Tucson, Chicago, Houston, New York and connecting with one of the above.

RAIL SERVICE

The Chihuahua al Pacifico passenger train ("Chepe") is an adventure in and of itself, as it winds through some of the most spectacular vistas in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. To contact el Chepe: chepe@ferromex.com.mx or tel. 011.52.439.7212 or 7210.

BUSES

Mexican buses are exceptional and inexpensive. Large terminals in Nogales, Sonora; Chihuahua; Casas Grandes; Agua Prieta (Douglas); Juarez. Best lines out of Nogales are Elite and Estrella Blanca. Passengers may take a 10-hour bus ride to Los Mochis and take the Chihuahua-Pacifico train from Mochis to Creel. Best lines out of Chihuahua are Omnibus, Estrella Blanca, and Chihuaenses. Transportes Del Norte has daily runs from Los Angeles, Denver, and Albuquerque to Juarez with connections to Chihuahua and on to Cuauhtemoc and Creel. There is a direct bus leaving Phoenix three days a week to Cuauhtemoc, and three days back to Phoenix. Contact Turisticos Internacionales Tarahumara (602.765.1863 OR 602.957.1596), Conexion Phoenix, or Transportes Tarahumara. From Chihuahua, Cuauhtemoc, or Los Mochis, travelers may pick up the "Chepe" train to Creel, take a bus, or engage your guide, Norberto Padilla, to pick you up by van for the two-hour drive to Creel.

HOTELS

LOS MOCHIS:

Deluxe Hotels: Hotel Santa Anita (Balderama family chain) has English speakers, transportation and tickets to train station - or its overflow hotel Plaza Inn (less expensive, I think) 1.800.876.3942. FAX 2.00.46

Mid-range Hotels: Hotel Lorena (fixes box lunches for train ride) FAX- 2.45.17. Phone 2.02.39; Hotel Fenix- 12.26..23(or 25); Hotel Montecarlo (nice sunny courtyard)- 12.18.18 . All have little restaurants.

CHIHUAHUA:

Deluxe Hotel: Hotel Casa Grande, 1.800.343.6344. FAX: 19.32.35

Mid-range Hotels: Hotel Victoria, a beautiful colonial-style building (might have changed names) tel:10.05.48. Motel Posada Tierra Blanca (tel 15.00.00). Hotel Parador San Miguel (tel: 17.03.03)

PRICES: Deluxe Hotels: $75-100); Mid range: $35-50. Chepe train: from Chihuahua to Creel - approx. $25. From Los Mochis to Creel (the spectacular ride) approx: $55.

TOURIST INFORMATION: Mexico Office of Tourism (SECTUR) located in many major U.S. cities: www.mexonline.com or 1.800.444MEXICO.

The Chihuahua al Pacifico passenger train ("Chepe") is an adventure in and of itself, as it winds through some of the most spectacular vistas in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. To contact el Chepe: chepe@ferromex.com.mx or tel. 011.52.439.7212 or 7210.

Mexican buses are exceptional and inexpensive. Large terminals in Nogales, Sonora; Chihuahua; Casas Grandes; Agua Prieta (Douglas); Juarez. Best lines out of Nogales are Elite and Estrella Blanca. Passengers may take a 10-hour bus ride to Los Mochis and take the Chihuahua-Pacifico train from Mochis to Creel. Best lines out of Chihuahua are Omnibus, Estrella Blanca, and Chihuaenses. Transportes Del Norte has daily runs from Los Angeles, Denver, and Albuquerque to Juarez with connections to Chihuahua and on to Cuauhtemoc and Creel. There is a direct bus leaving Phoenix three days a week to Cuauhtemoc, and three days back to Phoenix. Contact Turisticos Internacionales Tarahumara (602.765.1863 OR 602.957.1596), Conexion Phoenix, or Transportes Tarahumara. From Chihuahua, Cuauhtemoc, or Los Mochis, travelers may pick up the "Chepe" train to Creel, take a bus, or engage your guide, Norberto Padilla, to pick you up by van for the two-hour drive to Creel.

Deluxe Hotels: Hotel Santa Anita (Balderama family chain) has English speakers, transportation and tickets to train station - or its overflow hotel Plaza Inn (less expensive, I think) 1.800.876.3942. FAX 2.00.46

Mid-range Hotels: Hotel Lorena (fixes box lunches for train ride) FAX- 2.45.17. Phone 2.02.39; Hotel Fenix- 12.26..23(or 25); Hotel Montecarlo (nice sunny courtyard)- 12.18.18 . All have little restaurants.

Mid-range Hotels: Hotel Victoria, a beautiful colonial-style building (might have changed names) tel:10.05.48. Motel Posada Tierra Blanca (tel 15.00.00). Hotel Parador San Miguel (tel: 17.03.03)

PRICES: Deluxe Hotels: $75-100); Mid range: $35-50. Chepe train: from Chihuahua to Creel - approx. $25. From Los Mochis to Creel (the spectacular ride) approx: $55.

TOURIST INFORMATION: Mexico Office of Tourism (SECTUR) located in many major U.S. cities: www.mexonline.com or 1.800.444MEXICO.