Sinaloa is one of the states in the country of Mexico.  It is situated on the Pacific ocean -- western side of the country, about halfway down the western Mexican border.  It is bordered on the west by the ocean and extends eastward to the Sierra Madre mountains.  The state is commonly called SIN, pronounced in English as "seen".

Sinaloa is a captivating mix of a thriving, modern-day business culture and a deep-rooted history.  The roots go back almost five centuries.  There is the well-known coastal resort and beachfront city known as Mazatlan, which is a principal destination for many visitors -- both foreign as well as Mexican nationals from the interior of the country.  Los Mochis in the northern end of the state and Culiacan, the capital in the center, are the other two large cities. 

I visited Sinaloa in June 2007 and found that a visitor must get out to the various colonial towns --called Sitios Coloniales.  These include El Quelite, Cosala, Copala, Panuco, El Rosario, Concordia, Teacapan, El Fuerte, and Imala.  There are, of course, many smaller villages tucked away in the mountains.    I visited Malpica, Concordia, and Copala on a one day tour.  Each village was unique and had something charming to offer. 

MALPICi is a very small pueblo with narrow cobblestone streets.  Two things make this a great place to stop.  First, there is a tile factory.  Actually, it's a one-man operation using a very old hand-operated sand press.   Across the street is the local Panaderia, a terrific old-style bakery that makes melt-in-your-mouth Pan Dulces.  In the mornings, the owner prepares all the bread for the community residents, since it is the only bakery in the little pueblo.  Afterwards, she prepares specialties for tourists and tour busses.  It is a very old, primitive oven in the back of their home.  She and her family live in the front part.

The town of CONCORDIA has many colonial homes and small shops that are situated around the town square.  Also on the square in the most important historical monument, the San Sebastian Church with its beautiful columns, buttresses, and stone gargoyles.   A unique feature of the angel statues surrounding the cathedral -- the Spaniards had originally built this church and when Mexico defeated Spain, the local townspeople cut the heads off all the statues at the church to show their victory over the Spaniards.   Also, it should be noticed that the alcoves around the church that typically hold statues of the saints -- these are all empty.  Since the saints were all European and placed there by the Spaniards, the Mexican townspeople removed them all.  Concordia is extremely well known for all the small factory businesses that handcraft colonial style wooden furniture.  Rocking chairs in all styles, shapes, and sizes can be found in abundance.  The town square even features a huge, over-size rocking chair as a sort of monument.

The village of COPALA sits about 300 feet above sea level and I think it is one of the most picturesque towns in the state of Sinaloa, although it is very, very small.    Many years ago, it was a very prosperous mining town and reminiscent of those affluent days of years gone by.  The streets ore very narrow, winding, and almost entirely cobblestoned.   The small square has a little bandstand that is overshadowed by the San Jose Church.  San Jose is a baroque style church built in 1765, perched on the edge of a mountain, as is the entire village.  The church is slowly being restored, and the mountain breezes blowing through the window and door openings are very refreshing. 

Another day, I visited the LAS LABRADAS, a petroglyph site on the ocean. This is an absolute national wonder of Mexico, which has just recently been protected and rescued.    It is just 45 minutes north of Mazatlan, and the creation of the first PETROGLYPH MUSEUM in Sinaloa has been created.   These black rocks on the ocean edge have recently been declared a national treasure.  Called LAS LABRADAS… petroglyphs….There are over 400 art works sitting out on the shoreline, being beaten by the tide – some much better than others., very ANCIENT, dated many, many years before Christ.  The National Institute of History and Anthropology has begun putting effort and energy into the project.  It proves to be an absolute plus for the state of Sinaloa and the hidden pueblo of LA CHICAYOTA community.  The symbols are beautiful but abstract in their expressions of the first inhabitants.  The meaning of the symbols and messages is unknown, although some of the symbols can be determined to be a male, female, or animal.  Perhaps it was a form of communication between those primitive people and their God or simply doodling by young and old alike.

After the tour and visit to the marvelous petroglyphs, we stopped at the small town of EL QUELITE.  What a terrific place to visit for a few days, to unwind and relax.  El Quelite is a very quaint town, located just above the Tropic of Cancer.  It's not on a major highway, and you must have clear directions to get there.  Overall, the pueblo presents a photo into the past.  The architecture of the town is marvelous, with tropical palm trees and red tiled buildings lining the streets.  The small church temple, located on the main square of the town, is full of lovely and historic paintings, many from the 17th century.

Mazatlan, the largest of the cities in Sinaloa, offers such a wide range of activities, it would be difficult to detail all of them.  The 15 miles of beaches are, of course, enjoyed by most visitors.  Sport fishing is extremely popular and there are many opportunities each day to join a group or charter a fishing boat.  Old Town, sometimes called Central Market or Mercado Central, includes the heart of the shopping area, as well as sidewalk cafes, historical sites, the town's cathedral, and much, much more.  The Mercado is up-to-date with the offerings, but maintains the old Mexican tradition of offering everything from sandals, belts, and souvenirs to fresh meat hanging in the stalls.

Mazatlan features the Malecon, known as "Ocean Drive", which is one of the longest ocean drives in all of Latin America.  It's a great place to simply sit and "people watch."  Golfing is popular, as is snorkeling.  Dining is always a treat, which usually features a great choice of fresh seafood.  Many call Mazatlan the "Pearl of the Pacific"  because of its dazzling variety of attractions, theatres, restaurants, white surf, blue ocean, and green islands. 

For those who might be interested, SINALOA is also the home of the real-live ZORRO, son of  Don Alejandro de la Vega.   Don Alejandro was born during the colonization of Alta California, about 1775.  He married a mestiza (Spanish-Indian) woman in El Fuerte.   Their son, Don Diego de la Vega, after having bad times in the mining industry in Sinaloa, ventured to California while it was still under Spanish rule.  The legends of a romantic and daring horseman called EL ZORRO made their way back home to El Fuerte.  There was no doubt among the locals as to whom the real-life legends should be attributed.  The original old fort and garrison was re-modeled after many several centuries as a mansion.  It is now a magnificent hotel serving tourists.  It is called "Hotel P:osada del Hidalgo."

There are many opportunities for those wishing to make this a second home or a retirement home -- or simply to move here on a permanent basis.  The real estate agents that I came in contact with are very knowledgeable and honest.  A major part of the real estate promotion is called "fractional property" or "co-ownership."  This is not a time-share, but is similar in some ways.  Buyers actually own a fraction of the property, including the grounds, club, and more.  There are, of course, numerous private residences in the form of individual homes, clubs, and condominiums. 

For more information on SINALOA, the Garden State of Mexico, visit www.Sinaloa-Travel.com You can also contact the Sinaloa Department of Tourism by email at tursina@pordigy.net.mx