Located 45 kilometres south of La Paz, El Triunfo is a historic mining town that feels frozen in time. Once a booming settlement with over 10,000 miners, it is home to just over 300 residents today. In the mid-19th century, prospectors from Mexico and the United States flooded El Triunfo searching for gold and silver hidden in the southern mountains. The town thrived as a cultural hub during its peak, attracting artists and musicians, including the renowned concert pianist Francisca Mendoza. It is said that at one time, El Triunfo had more pianos than people, with instruments imported from around the world. Today, visitors can explore this legacy at the town’s beloved piano museum.
El Triunfo’ colonial charm has been revived, thanks to “The Color of Memory,” a mural project that breathes life into the town’s historic buildings. These vibrant artworks tell the story of El Triunfo’s mining past and cultural heritage, making each street a visual journey through time.
Beyond its history, the town offers a growing number of cafes, shops, and restaurants. Bar El Minero, once a laboratory for the mines, now serves as a rustic eatery where visitors can enjoy local flavours. No visit is complete without a walk through the old mining grounds, where towering smokestacks are remnants of a bygone era. The most impressive is “La Romana,” a 35-meter-high chimney rumoured to have been designed by Gustav Eiffel, the architect behind the Eiffel Tower.
Outside town, the cactus sanctuary offers a glimpse into Baja’s unique desert ecosystem. Spanning six hectares, this botanical refuge protects some of the world’s rarest and most endangered cacti. Among them is the Pereskiopsis cactus, one of the oldest known species that still produces leaves. The best time to witness this phenomenon is after the rainy season in August when the desert comes to life.
El Triunfo is more than a historic town—it is a living testament to Baja’s rich past, offering visitors a chance to walk among echoes of history while embracing the natural beauty that surrounds it.