'''Chimayo''' is a small town in North Central New Mexico.

Get in

Albuquerque is the nearest city with a major airport, although Santa Fe has off-again, on-again commercial jet service as well. Chimayo is reachable from Santa Fe on good and scenic 2-lane roads, but be a bit careful driving on them in the winter, as this is high country and mountain snowstorms can make a nasty mess out of a good road in remarkably short order.

Get around

See

  • '''Santuario de Chimayo''', more completely "El Santuario de Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas," is a church that dates to the Spanish mission period with a remarkable reputation for miracles, including healing the sick and lame. It is on the outskirts of the small town and can be visited for free during daylight hours, although donations are appreciated. The Santuario is quite famous among the towns of the mountains and is the destination for a unique pilgrimage during the week before Easter (see under '''Do''').
  • '''Chimayo Museum''', 13 Plaza De Cerro, 505 351 0945, [http://chimayomuseum.org/].
  • Do

  • '''Santuario de Chimayo''' is the destination for pilgrims who hike (sometimes for several days and many tens of miles) along the highways from the surrounding area as a gesture of faith and also in the hopes of taking advantage of the church's reputation for miraculous cures. If you're Catholic and have some time leading up to Easter, consider joining the throng; if you're just driving in the area then, be extra careful of pedestrians.
  • Buy

  • '''Chimayo blankets''', textiles superficially similar to Navajo rugs but woven by descendants of Spanish settlers and much less complex; $50 will buy a good example. Weavers of the Cordova family are considered particularly proficient, and their work can be a little more expensive, but you get what you pay for.
  • Eat

  • '''Rancho de Chimayo''', ''+1 505'' 984-2100 (reservations advised), [http://www.ranchodechimayo.com]. Definitive "New Mexican" cuisine (stuffed sopapillas, red and green chile, etc.) in a gorgeous setting. Dinner entrees average around $10. Hours vary seasonally; call or visit their web site. '''Closed as of October 2008''' due to fire; expected to re-open in January 2009, and worth waiting for.
  • Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Casa Escondida''', [http://casaescondida.com/].
  • '''Rancho Manzana''', 888 505 2227, [http://ranchomanzana.com/].
  • Contact

    Stay safe

    Get out