Real de Catorce is filled with historic sites, such as the La Parroquia de la Purisima Concepcion, the tiny Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Church, the Casa de Moneda, the Lavin Theatre, among others.
There are several means to see all that Real de Catorce has to offer. You can hire a guide to walk with you through the town, hire a Jeep with driver, or travel on horseback with the cowboys or look for the Real de Catorce Guide Book, which is in the final stages of production. The Guide Book presents a walking tour of the town of Real de Catorce and outlying areas complete with maps, photos, and lots of details. We suggest that you do all four. The Guide Book will assist you in planning your trip, booking the very best hotel for your money, and present a good way to be sure not to miss any of the details so that your visit will be both enjoyable and complete.
| Walking Guides |
| Most walking guides speak only Spanish, although a few speak understandable English and a good guide can be found for about $20 for the day. They will escort you around the center of town and down to the cementary telling you stories about the various sites as you pass by. Each of the guides have their own stories about the town and will embellish quite easily as they attempt to entertain and appease their charges. As you will be in a group, you may be rushed from place to place, but you can return later for a more indepth, private tour and to take photos on your own. You can hire both Spanish and English speaking guides at the entrance to the Parish Church. Simply ask for Arturo or look for the gentleman with camera equipment. He speaks Spanish and is very knowledgable about the village. His son, also named Arturo speaks both Spanish and English and gives tours when he is otherwise busy with his duties as Assistant to the Mayor. If Arturo is not available, stop by the Muncipal Building on the other side of the Town Fountain from Parish Church and ask for a guide. They will be glad to assist you. |
| Jeep Operators |
 There are Willy's Jeeps with drivers available in town to take you down to the old Catorce Railway Station. The road down is narrow, pocked with holes and littered with rocks. It is best traveled by the experienced Jeep operators or by horseback. Only the most adventureous driver with 4-wheel drive and stout standard transmission would dare attempt the excursion. Prices vary with the driver and with the number of passengers. Unless you specifiy that you want a private tour, they will fill the jeep inside and on top with passenger to create the maximum amount of revenue for the trip. They also act as taxis for the locals, so you can expect to stop
occasionally
to pick up additional passengers and their groceries and small animals. Riding on the top of the Jeep will afford you the best view and ultimate experience. Sit near a railing and hold on in order to not be jostled too much. If rain is in sight, take a raincoat as the tour continues - rain or shine. |
| Horseback Tours |
 This is a very good way to tour the outlying areas of Real de Catorce. You will find horseback tour operators, reconizable by their cowboy hats, in front of the Abundancia Hotel and near the giant grindstone at the corner of the plaza. Their horses are kept penned at the top of the hill for safety reasons while awaiting riders. Once you have made your deal the cowboys will dispatch another cowboy to bring the horses down from the hill. You can hire them to take you to the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Church at the town cemetary, to the mines, Quemada, the Catorce Railway Station or other points of interest. |
Real de Catorce Guidebook
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The Guide Book is in the final stages of development and should be going to press soon. Keep tuned to this site for more information on the publication date. The Guide Book was developed because there was a need for such a guide. It is produced, not by a visitor or newcomer, but by people who have over 15 years experience in the village of Real de Catorce. There is no embellishment and the information presented is fact based on extensive research. Even the previous visitor to Real de Catorce will find interesting information that will save time and money on the next visit to Real.
We give directions for flying into Mexico from the North America or Abroad, driving into Mexico, or simply taking the bus to Real de Catorce with extensive information not found on this website. Once in Real, we give information on visiting nearby sites by bus or car. If you truly want to see Real and the area, the Real de Catorce Guidebook is ideal.
The walking guide begins at the entrance to the village, the Ogarrio Tunnel with a walking map of the village. We present you with extensive information as you walk through the vendors stalls down past the Parrish Church and into town. The route is well marked and easily followed and we even prevent you from walking up the steep cobblestone streets by showing you the less inclined shortcuts learned by spending many years in the village.
The Real de Catorce Guidebook doesn't stop in the village. We take you on a tour of the Estacion, Wadley, La Luz, Potero and much more. We give recommendations on all the hotels and restaurants in the guidebook with prices and menus. The guidebook can be ordered as an eBook here online and studied in advance in order to make your upcoming visit a true pleasure. |
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