Ojinaga

Ojinaga was founded around the year 1200 by Pueblo Indians. In 1535 it was visited by Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca with a party of four, the survivors of the 1528 shipwreck of a failed mission to explore Florida. It was later the site of the Battle of Ojinaga, as Pancho Villa was being chased all over the region during the Mexican Revolution.

• Mexico Highway 16 connects the city to Chihuahua.
• The border crossing connects the town with Presidio, in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.

Most places of interest are located within a block or two of the central plaza.

• Manuel Ojinaga MuseumHosts artifacts from the Mexican Revolution, Indian items, locally found fossils.

• Norteño bands - Many famous norteño musicians are from here, and Ojinaga has its own unique style, adding saxophones to the accordion-heavy mix.

• Fausto's Art Gallery

  address: Calle Juarez, 626
  453 0505. Artwork by regional artists, southwest furniture, and local Indian handicrafts.

• La Poblana, Calle Juarez, in front of Fausto's Gallery. Home-style Mexican cooking popular with the working class.
• Los Comales, Calle Zaragoza, a block off the main square. Surprisingly good seafood, given the city's location.
• Sanborn's, 453 1224. A favorite with locals of Ojinaga and Presidio. Try the chile verde con carne. No credit cards accepted.
• Tortas Raúl, 453 1544. Mexican sandwiches, burritos, and other light meals. Good for lunch.

• Hotel Armendariz

  phone: +52 626 453 1198

• Hotel Cañon del Peguis

  phone: +52 626 453 2950
  address: Blvd. Libre Comercio 1501
  A more upscale hotel with doubles from 644 pesos.

• Peguis Canyon, 40 km (25 miles) down highway 16, is a 1200 m (4000-foot) canyon, one of the most impressive sights of the Big Bend Region.