This quaint village, population 30,000, set along the banks of the Rio Fuerte and surrounded by large vegetable farms and orchards, does double duty as a tourist destination for Bass Fishermen and Copper Canyon visitors.

Located about an hour's drive northeast of Los Mochis (78kms), El Fuerte draws more and more visitors. The city has become a base for some of Mexico's best year 'round large mouth bass fishing as well as the more appealing departure point for Copper Canyon journeys. Three reasons for this are the fact that the train arrives 90 minutes after leaving Los Mochis (more sleep), the best rail scenery doesn't begin until you pass East of El Fuerte, and the towns history.

Founded in 1564, El Fuerte served as an important commercial and missionary center for most of the colonial era. Its history has been closely related to the area's rich silver mines and stationed on Spain's fabled Camino Real trade route. A Franciscan mission was built in 1590 and in 1610 a riverside fort was erected to protect the settlement from Indian attacks and guard the Crown's silver haul from local mines. The city's history is closely linked to nearby Alamos in neighboring Sonora State. Both towns shared administrative control over a vast region of northwest Mexico and are a mere 100 kms apart.

In the town's center, you'll find the colonial cathedral, Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Sacred Heart), and the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace). A stroll through the streets leads you past century old homes with carved stone facades, one of which has been restored and is now the "Hotel Villa Del Pescador". A few blocks away is the Rio Fuerte, overlooked by the original Spanish fort ruins.

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