El Triunfo Ghost Town
Atmospheric ghost mining town with allegedly Eiffel-designed smokestack, silver history, and British cemetery
Overview
El Triunfo offers a fascinating window into **Baja California Sur's silver mining history**—a semi-ghost town that once rivaled La Paz in importance, now home to atmospheric ruins, interactive museums, and intriguing legends. Located **45 minutes south of La Paz** in the Sierra de la Laguna foothills, this makes an excellent half-day trip often combined with La Ventana. **The centerpiece is the 35-meter La Ramona smokestack**, allegedly designed by **Gustave Eiffel** before he built his famous tower—though historians debate this claim. The brick chimney rises dramatically above the desert landscape, a remnant of the mining operations that extracted silver and gold from 1862 to 1926. **Must-visit attractions**: The **Museo de la Música** houses an incredible collection of antique pianos restored by a local family. The **Museo de los Mineros** offers interactive exhibits on silver extraction techniques. The **English Cemetery** contains white mausoleums of British mining engineers—a haunting reminder of the international scope of 19th-century mining operations. **Practical notes**: The town has a handful of restaurants serving regional cuisine, a coffee shop in a restored colonial building, and artisan workshops. Unlike many Mexican ghost towns, El Triunfo maintains a small living population—around 300 residents keep traditions alive. Combine with El Triunfo's sister town **San Antonio** (10 minutes further) for more mining ruins.
Highlights
Practical Information
Half day (often combined with La Ventana)
50 MXN
Museums charge small fees (30-50 pesos each). Town access free. Guided tours available through local operators from La Paz (~$50-80 USD including transport). Several restaurants for lunch. Cooler mountain temperatures—bring light jacket.
Year-round destination—mountain location offers relief from La Paz summer heat. October-May most pleasant. Combine with La Ventana visit for full day. Morning visits allow afternoon at beach. Museums typically open 9 AM-5 PM.
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