Cosalá is a small town in the northern state of Sinaloa, Mexico. Surrounded by mountainous terrain, the area boasts two man-made lakes, a spectacular cavern system, and an impressive waterfall. The town itself is very picturesque with cobblestone streets and adobe buildings painted in a rainbow of pastel colors. It has been designated as one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos.
Understand
[edit]Historically occupied by the Yaqui indigenous people, Cosala was founded in the early 19th century as a stronghold for Mexican/Spanish settlers. The town has less than 6,600 residents (2010). Like other towns in Mexico, Cosala has a ridiculously pompous long name that nobody ever uses, and this one is really a doozy! The town's official name is Real de Minas de Nuestra Señora de las Once Mil Vírgenes de Cosalá. I like to think that they had to change it when it was pointed out that there weren't any virgins to be found in Cosala, let alone 11,000.
Get in
[edit]
By car
[edit]Cosala is 2-1/2 hours by car from Mazatlan, it is about 165 km. From Mazatlan, drive north on federal highway MEX-15 for about 100 km, then turn northeast on Sinaloa state highway 1 and continue another 65 km until you reach Cosala.
Get around
[edit]It's a small town that is easily explored by walking. Taxis are available for getting to outlying areas, such as the lakes.
See
[edit]- Gruta México, a giant cave with stalactites and stalagmites, located about 15 km northeast of town
- 1 Parroquia Santa Ursula, the town's historic main church was built in the 18th century and features a large belfry
- 2 The Museum of Mining and History, Gabriel Leyva Solano 99, chronicles Cosala's history as a mining town with displays of minerals, mining equipment, historical documents, and period tools and weapons. Small museum. M$10
Do
[edit]- visit the Vado Honda waterfall
- fish at the two lakes: Comedero and El Salto are both stocked with largemouth bass
Festivals
[edit]- Festival of Candles - held annually in December
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal, Antonio Rosales. Daily 05:00 - 19:00. Small traditional town market, lots of stands selling homemade regional cuisine. Second-class buses and combis to/from nearby towns depart from this market.
Eat
[edit]- 1 El Pueblito, Esq. Antonio Rosales y Gabriel Leyva Solano, ☏ +52 696 965 1039. Daily 08:00 - 22:00. Casual restaurant serving traditional regional cuisine with a spacious dining area and a second floor terrace offering views of the historic centro. The black corn tortillas are a house specialty. Cash only (no credit cards). M$200.
- 2 El Nuevo Rincon, 5 de Mayo, ☏ +52 696 965 0703. Daily 08:00 - 16:00. Bright, cheery casual restaurant serving regional cuisine and typical Mexican seafood dishes, including ceviche. M$200.
- 3 Campestre el Encanto, Guadalupe Victoria 43, ☏ +52 696 965 0913. Casual open-air restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine. Blue corn tortillas. Service can be slow.
- 4 El Guamuchilito, Leopoldo Sanchez Celiz, ☏ +52 696 107 9303. Casual taqueria serving tacos, quesadillas and blue corn gorditas. Locals recommend the quesadillas which are very large. M$150.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel Quinta Minera, Miguel Hidalgo 92, Centro, ☏ +52 696 965 0222. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Traditional colonial style hotel with beautiful gardens and two swimming pools. Clean, comfortable rooms and off-street parking. M$1600 (Nov 2023).
- 2 Hotel Regina "El Llano", Francisco I. Madero. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic budget hotel with minimal amenities. M$1000 (Nov 2023).
- 3 Hotel Ray 4 Hermanos, Arteaga, ☏ +52 696 965 0303. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with good, clean rooms and affordable rates. Swimming pool and off-street parking. Cash only (no credit cards). M$850.
- 4 Hotel Real de Conde, Antonio Rosales 6, ☏ +52 696 965 0006. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with small but tidy rooms. Swimming pool and off-street parking M$950.