Our host Eduardo here at the Balneario San Juan (24.054335, 104.545167) has been really helpful, bending over backwards to make sure that we have everything we need. He organized a 14 passenger van to take us into the city and back for 1,000 pesos ($69 CAD, $52 USD). Divided by 14 people, that's a good deal for the convenience alone.
We were dropped off right by the central plaza at 10:30am, and the driver would meet us back there at 3:30pm.
Durango is a clean, modern city.
Plaza Fundadores.
Just off the Plaza Fundadores is a pedestrian street called the Walk of Stars. Over 50 Hollywood movies were made in Durango, mostly old westerns. John Wayne made a lot of films here. They have stars embedded in the road, as well as statues lining the sidewalks.
The Walk of Stars.
Mona and Roger with The Duke himself!
They have a good market in Durango.
Once again, we stand out like a sore thumb because the city doesn't get many Gringo tourists. Had one guy greet us by the market and ask where we are from. He welcomed us and said "enjoy your stay, Durango is a very safe city".
Need new boots?
Near the market.
The central plaza.
Lunch for under a buck each!
4 delicious tacos (Ruth is eating one) for 28 pesos ($1.95 CAD, $1.50 USD).
It was a busy taco stand,
Here's Denise and Bob getting their fill.
The Cathedral.
The city is getting decorated for Christmas.
Scenery along the way.
More scenery.
We walked from the downtown over to the teleferico (gondola). For 15 pesos ($1.05 CAD, $0.78 USD) we took the one way trip to the top of a nearby hill for a view of the city.
Garth, Jim, Owenita, Aron, Ruth, Sue, Roy, Denise, Bob.
Some of the others had gone off to do their own thing.
Zoomed in on a colorful neighborhood.
Then we took the steps back down to the park.
Art display of musical instruments.
But look closer! The entire display is made from guns and parts of guns.
Seems like a good use of guns to me!
Further on in the park is a display of miniature attractions from around the world...
Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Taj Mahal.
Eiffel Tower.
Christ the Redeemer.
Statue of Liberty.
Ruth petting a horse.
Kids playing in a small fountain.
Our driver picked us all up at 3:30pm. We made arrangements to have him stop at a Walmart on the way back and we all picked up supplies for the next few days. We will be in Parque Natural Mexiquillo, hopefully for 3 nights if it all works out. Ruth and I have never been there, so it's a new stop for us to break up the drive to Mazatlan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dash 3 Quart Air Fryer. Record low deal.
And in Canada...
Great deal on the complete collection of M*A*S*H
Awesome city. Love street tacos too. My daughter is traveling in Europe now and sending beautiful photos too. She covered London, Amsterdam, and heading to Brussels and hopefully to Paris. With the strike in France, she's not sure if she'll make it in/out. Friends of friends might drive them..don't know yet. Anyway, I'm traveling all over the world via computer. Friends from Phoenix are also traveling to Croatia and that area and looking at photos. Of course I'm reading RV blogs too. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteYes, Durango is a nice city, very pretty with some great history. The street tacos were delicious.
DeleteIt is nice that you are able to travel the world right from your armchair. We are glad that you are enjoying our pictures and posts.
Christmas in Mexico is always an experience.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is! They always do things up big for Christmas, with lots of lights. It would have been really pretty in the centro area at night when they had it all lite up.
DeleteDurango is truly a beautiful city. All I hear of is the drug gangs murdering people. Glad to see that not all of Mexico is so dangerous.
ReplyDeleteIt really is and you only saw a small part of it with our pictures. There are lots of old historical buildings in the central area and the people were all very friendly. We like visiting this city.
DeleteIt is unfortunate that the media only tells you about the cartels and violence between them with the authorities because it really is only in a very small part of Mexico that is affected, yet Mexico is a very BIG country where we feel it is as safe as Canada or the US, especially if you are a tourist.
Durango is a pretty place. Hopefully tourism will pick-up with your recommendations...
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a pretty city, I doubt that our one post on Durango will cause tourism to pickup, but maybe it will make at least a few people think of visiting it. :-)
DeleteNow I see what the “fuss” is all about in Durango. Lots of very interesting highlights to see... loved the walk of stars and the impressive park with the miniature attractions. Thanks for the brief city tour! Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteWe have never really heard about a "fuss" over Durango as most tourists never ever see it but yes, it is a beautiful city with some interesting history. They have the walk of stars here because it was a big movie making area way back when for old westerns. The park here is very big and lots of things for families to do, especially for the children. It is a nice, clean city with friendly people. More people need to visit it. :-)
Delete