During the Spanish Colonial epoch, the area's economy was relatively inactive to the outside world. The eco-system on the Eastern flank of the Sierra Madre towards the Gulf of Mexico presented many challenges at that time and now offer a wide variety of eco-adventures. Rafting on the Bobos River is very challenging and popular.

Immigrants from France, Germany, Italy and other European countries started arriving in the area in the mid-1800s paralleling migrations from Europe to the US. Being rich in water supply, they began to create crop plantations and developing commercialization systems. Economic flourishment followed, survived the Mexican Revolution and has grown to play a very important role in Mexico's Economy.