Day Trips from Mazatlán
Should you make time to take a day trip to Copala, population 600, from Mazatlán? Photo credit: L. Tripoli.
Looking for excursions from Mazatlán? Consider the tiny little town of Copala, also in Sinaloa state like Mazatlán is. Travelers concerned about the little issue of overtourism—where historical monuments and other must-sees suffer greater wear-and-tear simply because so many people make them a destination—need have no such worries in Copala, Mexico. With a population of 600, the streets of this quiet town in the foothills of the Sierra Madre are mostly empty save for a stray dog or two and some young kids hawking souvenirs.
San José church in Copala, Mexico. Photo credit: L. Tripoli.
Step into the Past in Copala
Why bother stopping by such a small place if there’s not much going on? Because visitors step back in time when they enter this colonial town, founded in 1565 by Spanish conquistador Francisco de Ibarra. A one-time mining town named for a mythical golden city, Copala remains known for its colorful, centuries-old adobe homes topped with red-tiled roofs and often surrounded by bougainvillea plantings. Electricity supposedly did not arrive until 1979. Before that, residents used gas lights.
The altar in San José church in Copala, Mexico. Photo credit: L. Tripoli.
Must-Sees in Copala
Dusty, cobblestone streets lead to Copala’s plaza, or square. On a sunny day, my group explores the church, San Jose, which was built in 1748. The French came through in 1865, burning down the civil registry and destroying records. The invasion reminds visitors of today just how much Mexico went through to achieve independent nationhood.
Also notable is the Museo Minero, or Mining Museum, housed in what a stone building at times used as a jail. We do a little souvenir shopping at the showroom of artist Alejandro Rodriguez, who makes intriguing leather masks. He also owns Alexander’s Restaurant in the heart of the town.
It does not take long to walk Copala’s uneven streets. Imagine whether you could live in a small, dusty place like this, especially when it did not have running water or electricity. Imagine if you could live here today given how small and quiet the town is. At the very least, savor a taste of real, unadorned Mexico.
Copala is known for its adobe houses topped with red-tiled roofs. Photo credit: L. Tripoli.
When You Go to Copala
- Wear sensible shoes! Those cobblestones are not evenly placed.
- Be prepared to see free-range dogs about town.
- Dining options are limited, so bring refreshment.
—Lori Tripoli
Disclosure: The author’s trip was hosted by the Estrella del Mar resort in Mazatlán.
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Considering a vacation in Mexico? You might like these posts:
- Copala Memories Then and Now
- Chichen Itza, Top to Bottom
- Mayan Bloodletting at Chichen Itza
- Cancun for the Convenience
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Where is Copala, Mexico?
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What is your favorite day trip from Mazatlán?
Wow, Copala is really off the beaten path, isn’t it? I’ve not been to the Mazatlan area in Mexico but it looks like this would be the place to go to see authentic Mexico. It’s hard to imagine they didn’t have electricity before 1979! Did you eat at Alexander’s restaurant?
Copala is, indeed, a very small town–but, incredibly, it had a population of about 10,000 in the year 1900. I did not eat at Alexander’s restaurant, but Alexander (AKA Alejandro) also owns a gallery in Copala where he displays beautiful masks made of leather. I brought one of those home.
I love your off-the-beaten-path travels! You are a trail-blazer!
Thank you, Irene! I was inspired by–what else?–a book I read years ago by Deborah Copaken called Shutterbabe. In it, she describes landing on a grassy field somewhere in Africa in a small plane (there was no airport or anything like that), the plane departs after she disembarks, and she is just there, alone in field, somewhere in Africa trusting that the person who was supposed to meet her there would actually show up. I haven’t done anything that intense, but it did inspire me!
I really enjoyed reading about Copala and looking at your photos. It is always nice to get off the beaten path and explore places that are not full of too many tourists.
Thank you, Julie! I agree with your comment about going off the beaten path–I love to visit unlikely destinations. Happy travels! -Lori Tripoli
copola seemed like a nice way to step back in time. Photo as are great.
Thanks, Sue. Copala really was a throwback in time–it is hard to imagine that around the year 1900, its population was about 10,000 people. –Lori Tripoli
I just love the little colonial towns of Mexico. Great article and photos.
Thank you, Elizabeth! -Lori Tripoli