The Ruta del Río Sonora (Sonora River Route) begins just below Cananea, a large and fairly prosperous mining town some 80 km. (50 miles) southeast of Douglas AZ. There Sonora highway 118 sets off to trace an easy day's drive through spectacularly varied countryside and a number of picturesque villages quite different from those encountered along the more frequented national route 15. Historical interest lies in the fact that several villages were founded in the 1600s by Spanish explorers and missionaries, as the river valley provided a convenient route for exploration to the north.
Bacoachi and Arizpe, both founded in 1646, are the first towns of note going south from Cananea. Arizpe has the historical importance of having been a provincial capital in the 1700s, and its colonial church dating from not long after the town's foundation was the first in Sonora to gain Cathedral status.
Due to its elevated situation overlooking the valley to the west and the mountains beyond, its former prosperity from agriculture and the nearby Santa Elena gold mine, and its well preserved historical center, many visitors find Banámichi, dating from 1639, to be the most attractive of the Río Sonora valley's settlements. The central plaza -- a green oasis with an attractive kiosk -- is surrounded by colonial architecture of government buildings and homes, punctuated by the brilliant white presence of the well maintained Temple dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Loreto.
Futher south is Huépac, a mission settlement dating from 1644. Of architectural interest is the imposing 18th-century church, and the Palacio Municipal displays a mammoth femur found in the area. Aconchi is the next town of note, known for production of the tiny fiery chiltepín chile. Visitors are attracted to its 18th-century Franciscan church containing a black Christ figure, and to the thermal hot springs 4 km. to the south, whose waters are thought to have medicinal qualities. Baviácora (1639), also a chiltepín center, is the last of the villages going south on the Ruta del Río Sonora, which can be said to end at the intersection of Sonora highways 118 and 21.
Bacoachi and Arizpe, both founded in 1646, are the first towns of note going south from Cananea. Arizpe has the historical importance of having been a provincial capital in the 1700s, and its colonial church dating from not long after the town's foundation was the first in Sonora to gain Cathedral status.
Due to its elevated situation overlooking the valley to the west and the mountains beyond, its former prosperity from agriculture and the nearby Santa Elena gold mine, and its well preserved historical center, many visitors find Banámichi, dating from 1639, to be the most attractive of the Río Sonora valley's settlements. The central plaza -- a green oasis with an attractive kiosk -- is surrounded by colonial architecture of government buildings and homes, punctuated by the brilliant white presence of the well maintained Temple dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Loreto.
Futher south is Huépac, a mission settlement dating from 1644. Of architectural interest is the imposing 18th-century church, and the Palacio Municipal displays a mammoth femur found in the area. Aconchi is the next town of note, known for production of the tiny fiery chiltepín chile. Visitors are attracted to its 18th-century Franciscan church containing a black Christ figure, and to the thermal hot springs 4 km. to the south, whose waters are thought to have medicinal qualities. Baviácora (1639), also a chiltepín center, is the last of the villages going south on the Ruta del Río Sonora, which can be said to end at the intersection of Sonora highways 118 and 21.
Driving the "River Road" from Bamori to Arizpe was a bit more adventure than Miss Trudi could handle after her second river crossing out in the middle of nowhere. I understand her trepidation because it wasn't a 4-wheel drive and we weren't prepared for any prolonged stays in the river canyons.....Still I was the designated wader and driver, when the water got up close to my knees, Trudi said "No, No, No". It was still alot of fun and made for a cool photo op. Just after deciding that we couldn't make another crossing, an old Ford Taurus did it with ease and local knowledge. But doing a little back tracking gave us a chance to see some things we missed the first time through.
More Photos (Here)
From one review on Bed n Breakfast.com
Won a bid at an auction that benefits people with HIV/AIDS, TIHAN, a non-profit group in Tucson,AZ. The return was ten-fold! I got to see a place where time stood still. I don't know why people are afraid of venturing to Mexico. The area is almost untouched by tourism. If you want to get away and contemplate about life, you are in the right place. No phones (except for the hotel use), and no television! The hotel is outstanding! The workmanship of the local workers are amazing! The decor is very eclectic! The owners, Bill and Irma are world travelers and picked up items on their trips that decorate the entire hotel. A lot of the local artisans work are also on display. The staff of the hotel who took care of us, Pati and Alba where wonderful! Between my broken Spanish and their limited English vocabulary, we somehow managed to convey what we need. The menu is limited BUT you can always make a request, even if you are a vegetarian! Make sure you request their Menudo! So good! They offer cooking classes and Spanish conversation classes if you are so inclined. The hotel is very clean and has it's own well.The other attractions are the people, their hospitality and the whole town itself! So clean. No panhandlers, trash bins in every corner and a daily morning sweep of the street! Imagine a store owner telling you to come back and pay for the battery (if it works) the next day or just being short of a peso and to be told it's o.k. AMAZING! People have their front doors open. They wave at you whether you're driving or walking or horseback riding! Other areas of interests are horseback riding, either guided or not, followed by a dip on a hot springs half an hour away! I came home completely re-energized and my faith restored on humanity!
and a Night time shot of the moon from the terrace....
