'''Northern Mexico''' is a vast desert region bordering the United States of America. The north is sometimes referred to as "unknown Mexico" or "lost Mexico" because it is ignored by the vast majority of tourists.

States

  • Chihuahua - The most overlooked travel destination in Mexico. A real gem.
  • Coahuila - Rugged mountains and desert with some surprising gems.
  • Durango - The last stand of the old wild west. Also contains La Quebrada a canyon deeper than either the Copper or Grand Canyons.
  • Nuevo Leon - Mexico's industrial heartland. This is a state that likes to work hard and play even harder.
  • Sinaloa - Mexico's Agriculture heartland. Its 3 Main Cities: Culiacan, Mazatlan and Los Mochis.
  • Sonora - You can enter the interior of Sonora without a visa or vehicle permit.
  • Tamaulipas - South Padre without the crowds.
  • Cities

  • Alamos - a fine colonial town. Like San Miguel de Allende, much of the town is owned and preserved by American and Canadian ex-pats.
  • Chihuahua- a fine modern city with a pleasant and historical centro, entry point for the Chihuahua al Pacifico train through the Copper Canyon.
  • Creel- the tourist center of NW Mexico and an area that is increasingly compared to Moab UT for its excellent biking opportunities.
  • Juarez - a practical entry point for Americans going to Copper Canyon.
  • Mazatlan - a popular beach resort, especially on spring break and Easter.
  • Monterrey - a large, vibrant young city, it is the center of industry in Mexico and the commercial and educational center of Northern Mexico. Its citizens are at once the wealthiest, most literate, and most independent minded of any in Mexico. Capital of the state of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey is possibly the most dynamic city in Mexico.
  • Puerto Penasco - originally called "Rocky Point" by the British (and still referred to a R.P. by gringos), it is the nearest beach resort to Arizona.
  • Saltillo - small city with colonial charm, capital of the state of Coahuila.
  • Tampico - busy port city on the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Torreon - the ninth-biggest metropolitan area in the country and is one of Mexico's most important economic and industrial centers
  • Other destinations

  • Copper Canyon- world famous for good reason.
  • Isla Tiburon- the largest Island in Mexico, located in the Sea of Cortez and a part of the state of Sonora.
  • Teacapan-- at the very bottom of Sinaloa. This is a rustic fishing village. There are conflicting plans to turn the area into a major resort (the idea of developers of course) or to turn the entire peninsula into a wildlife preserve (conservationists proposed this one). For now its just a really nice, quiet place.
  • Sierra del Carmen-- just across the river from Big Bend NP. This is the largest wilderness area in Latin America north of Patagonia. Owned and preserved by Monterrey's CeMex corporation (which has a strong tradition of conservation projects). No tourist infrastructure in place, but if you're self-sufficient this area is certainly worth exploring.
  • Paquime - archaelogical site at Casas Grandes in a remote area of Chihuahua. Related to Pueblo culture of southwestern United States.
  • Cuatro Cienegas - protected nature preserve with unique desert oasis ecosystem. Snorkling and swimming is allowed in some pools.
  • Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo - unusual subtropical rain forest in Tamaulipas, just a few hours drive south of U.S./Mexico border
  • Understand

    This is not the tourist Mexico of the Colonial altiplano or the southern beach resorts. Rather the Norte is the Mexico of popular imagination. A place of Vaqueros, Horses and small towns, soaring mountains and sweeping deserts. But at the same time with some of the more modern cities in the country. Truly this is a very rich and virgin region. Visit Chihuahua or Coahuila and you will be far off the well worn gringo path. In many ways traveling to the north is like traveling through an old Western movie.

    Talk

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    Get around

    Northern Mexico has the best highway system in the country. Additionally, the area's sparse population means heavy traffic congestion is seldom an issue (outside of the Monterrey area). As a result, taking the bus or finding a few friends to carpool with are probably the best option for getting around. If you are short on time there are many regional flights between the larger cities. If you have plenty of time buying a horse or bicycle would really allow one to slow down and absorb the region's unique scenery, culture and lifestyle; it could be the travel experience of a lifetime.

    See

    Do

    Explore a largely overlooked area that is several times the size of Spain.

    Eat

  • '''''Cabrito''''' - Young goat. Probably the specialty most associated with the north, popular throughout the region but especially synonymous with Monterrey.
  • '''''Asado de chile colorado''''' - Pork with ancho and guajillo chilies and cumin.
  • '''''Charro'' beans''' - Cowboy-style beans with bacon and chilies.
  • '''Coahuila sausage'''' - Made of pork seasoned with ancho chiles.
  • '''''Enchiladas de olla''''' - Ancho chili, tortillas, poblano and grated cheese.
  • '''''Menudo norteno''''' - Tripe soup with ancho and guajillo chilies.
  • '''''Cajeta de membrillo''''' - Carmelized milk candy flavored with quince.
  • '''Burritos''' with various fillings.
  • '''Caldo de oso''' - Spicy dish with chilies and fish.
  • '''Empanadas de Santa Rita''' - Stuffed with pork fried with onions, almonds, raisins.
  • '''Gorditas de cuajada''' - Small corn tortillas covered with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and egg and cooked in an orange leaf.
  • '''Machaca con huevo''' - Traditional scrambled beef and egg dish served with flour tortillas.
  • '''Quesadillas''' - Tortillas grilled with white cheese and salsa.
  • Drink

    You might wish to try '''Sotal''' a type of mescal that can be thought of as a northern variation on tequila. It is made in Chihuahua and is considered to be a workingman's tequila, but is really quite fine, though its sharp edge may put off unaccustomed palates.

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