TRAVEL
 
 
Planes, Trains and Automobiles

BY AIR/TRAIN: Fly to El Paso; connect to Chihuahua via AeroMexico (www.aeromexico.com) or AeroLitoral Airlines. Spend night taking in sights in Chihuahua. Rest in comfortable Class -A lodging. Take next day's 6:00 a.m. Chihuahua al Pacifico (see "Chepe") train to Creel.
Or…

Fly to Phoenix or Tucson; connect to Los Mochis; stay in beautiful lodging, transfer to Chihuahua al Pacifico 6:00 a.m. train the next morning for breathtaking train ride to Creel. (Note: This is by far the most beautiful train route. Even those riders traveling from the East coast should consider this option for a most memorable adjunct to their horseback riding vacation)

BY TRAIN/BUS: The Chihuahua al Pacifico ("Chepe") train ride from Los Mochis (or Chihuahua) to Creel is almost an adventure in itself for those who want to be inspired by the act of creation - both natural and man-made (Contact: chepe@ferromex.com.mx or tel: 011.52.439.7212 or 7210). While the most practical way of taking the Chepe is to fly to Los Mochis, (or Chihuahua) there are other ways to travel to this coastal town that will add a flavor of what is truly "mexicano" to your trip. For the adventurous traveler, reaching El Paso to the east, or Nogales, Arizona, to the west is the first step. From each of these cities, Mexican buses leave so regularly that one will marvel at the number of choices he has in finding the luxury bus that will take him (quite inexpensively!) to the train depot town of Los Mochis or Chihuahua. Check with us for more information at laquerencia@theriver.com.

BY BUS FROM PHOENIX, ARIZONA: There is a non-stop, direct bus that leaves Phoenix at 7:00 a.m.every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, arriving in Cuauhtemoc around 4:00 p.m. at which time transportation by van may be contracted with Norberto, your horseback riding guide, or by public bus, to Creel, approximately two hours away. The return bus leaves Cuauhtemoc at the same time, but on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Write to us for more details.

BY CAR: O.K. Now you're the bonafide adventurer - the curious, the seeker, the Mehitable cat who can't stand to see a road not taken . . . at least once in his lifetime. Taking the plunge by taking the car to Creel is your solution. And not so formidable as you might think. Depending on which port of entry through which you enter Mexico, your trip will be surprisingly smooth on well-maintained highways, and will satiate your curiosity about the enormous state of Chihuahua (and Sonora if you choose to drive through Nogales). If you are a private party of three or fewer, you may also choose to drive with or convoy with Susan.

  • Leaving El Paso: Drive through the new and easier border crossing of Santa Theresa, just west of the El Paso gate . . . to bypass the craziness of Juarez, stay on the new highway to Cuauhtemoc, avoiding the city of Chihuahua, where you will pick up highway . . . to La Junta. At La Junta, turn onto the road leading south to San Pedro, San Juanito and Creel.
  • Leaving Columbus, New Mexico: Drive through Palominas and continue south on Highway 16 to Casas Grandes, Buenaventura, Ignacio Zaragosa, Gomas Farias, and Guerrero. At Guerrero, take the "Hermosillo" bypass ( don't worry, it's supposed to be a dirt road ) to the yellow bridge that will take you out of town onto the new highway bypass meeting up with highway . . . to the San Pedro turn-off to San Juanito and Creel.
  • Leaving Douglas, Arizona: Drive across into Agua Prieta, following Highway 2 over the San Luis Mountains to Janos where you'll pick up the highway # . . . from Palominas. Follow the previous directions (from Columbus, New Mexico) to Creel.
  • Leaving Nogales, Arizona: Take the Mariposa Exit off I-15 to the Mariposa port of entry into Nogales, Sonora. This is a toll road to Hermosillo, but is two-laned and fast! Take the bypass around Hermosillo; at the end of the bypass is the road to the village of Colorado and on to Yecora, the village at the mountain pass from which you'll drive through Basaseachic to San Juanito. At San Juanito, follow the road signs to Creel.

NOTE: At the border, you will need to obtain a permiso for your car. I suggest you ask for a six-month permiso for your car and a six-month tourist visa for yourself. To secure the auto permit as expediently as possible, have both the original and a copy of: your passport, your car title and registration, your driver's license. Also, have a credit card on which you'll be charged a $15 fee for the hologram sticker on your car or the permiso papers if you decide against the six-month permit. Temporary papers must be relinquished at the end of your trip and at the same port of entry through which you entered Mexico. The six-month permiso must be relinquished (or renewed) at the end of six months at any border crossing. Mexico car insurance is an awfully good idea! Check with AAA or any agency at a border town.

Call Chihuahua Visitor Center at 1.800.654.0394 for more information on traveling in the state of Chihuahua. For general Mexico travel information, call SECTUR at 1.800.903.9200.