Our travel partner has been taking visitors to the Copper Canyon for over 20 years and specializes in custom-made tours that take care of all the details and enable you, your family, and companions to get the most from your visit to this most remarkable region of Mexico.

Enjoy breathtaking scenery on a remarkable train journey

You can experience the Copper Canyon by hiking, biking, trekking, horseback, or four-wheeling; however, by far the most popular route is to take the Copper Canyon train line—that runs between Los Mochis and Chihuahua City.

The Copper Canyon railway is a stunning piece of engineering achievement. The railway line is over 390 miles in length, crosses 39 bridges (the longest bridge is over 1500 feet long) and 86 tunnels (the longest over a mile in length). The line crosses some of Mexico’s most rugged and wild natural terrain; hugging the edge of mountains and traversing deep ravines across its bridges. The scenery it travels through is truly breathtaking.

Choose a custom tour to get the most from your visit to the canyons

A custom tour of Copper Canyon can begin in Los Mochis (Airport: LMM), Mazatlán (Airport: MZT) (from where you will be provided with ground transportation to the beautifully picturesque town of El Fuerte where you’ll board the train); or Chihuahua City (Airport: CUU).

Expertly crafted tours. Our travel partner’s tours are underpinned by over two decades of experience, and provide guides and transportation exclusively assigned to your party. As part of your tour package, all your transportation, accommodations, food, and assistance services will be provided to ensure that your time is spent absorbing the experience and not concerning about the travel logistics.

Airport transfers. You will be met personally at the airport and swiftly transported to your comfortable accommodations in preparation for your copper canyon tour.  At the end of your tour, you’ll be transported back to the airport of your choice.

Accommodations. Hotels in the canyons are attractive colonial-style hotels, and all rooms have private baths.  They provide comfort amidst the natural scenic locations where they are situated; you can expect excellent service with friendly and attentive staff, and the water and food are safe.

Independent or fully guided. Our travel partner offers independent tours complemented by a detailed information packet that is tailored to your itinerary and that will assist you as you engage in your day-by-day activities. Optionally you can choose to have an English-speaking guide for an extra fee to accompany you on the entire trip and thus give you the most complete experience in Copper Canyon.

Flexible itineraries. Custom tours are offered with varying durations from five to eight days’ stay, to flex with your available schedule and budget.  Shorter itineraries of four nights’ stay focus primarily on the extraordinary train ride through the canyons, whereas the longer 6-night+ tours enable you to experience more of this outstanding region, interact with the tribes and communities who live locally, and take in additional day tours.

Copper Canyon tours starting in Los Mochis, Mazatlán, or Chihuahua City

We recommend you begin your tour in Los Mochis or Mazatlán, and you can end your tour where you began (complete a loop); or you can elect to begin and end your tour at one of the other start/end points.

If you begin the tour in Los Mochis or Mazatlán, you will be met at the airport and provided with comfortable ground transportation from there to El Fuerte, where you’ll be accommodated overnight at a charming colonial-style hotel, and board the train early in the morning.  Optionally, you can include side tours in and around El Fuerte.  It’s a 90-minute road trip from Los Mochis to El Fuerte, or a 6-hour road trip from Mazatlán that includes travel along a scenic oceanside highway.

If you begin the tour in Chihuahua City, you will board the train from there; optionally you can include side tours around Chihuahua before or after your canyon tour.

Copper Canyon tour itineraries

All tours are customized to your needs, schedule and budget and can include:

• Itineraries ranging from five to eight days, or longer, depending on your schedule and budget
• Overnight stay at a specially selected hotel in Los Mochis, El Fuerte, or Chihuahua City before the start of your journey into the canyon
• Train tickets with as a class of service to suit your preferences and budget. The copper canyon train offers three classes of service: First class, Executive class, and Standard class. Our travel partner will describe the features of each one so you can choose a class of service to suit your preferences and budget.
• Overnight stays at selected hotels on the ridge of the copper canyon, near Divisadero
• A choice of various activities and tours in the canyons (see below)
• Independent (self-guided) tour using a detailed information packet provided by our travel partner, or full guided tour with an English-speaking guide, as you prefer

Activities to take part in at Copper Canyon

Choose from a range of activities and experiences when you’re in the canyons. A modest additional fee per person, per activity, applies:

• Third longest cable car in the world
• Zip lines across ravines
• Aerial forest view
• Visit to the serene and remote Oteros canyon and cave
• 1-hour (easy/moderate) hike along the Tarahumara trail
• 3-hour (moderate/difficult) hike to visit the community of Wakajipare and the Tarahumara museum designed by the Rarámuri community
• Horseback ride (3.5 hours) into the canyon to discover the best view of the Urique River
• Around Creel and Cusarare: a cultural and spiritual tour that takes you to see the village of San Ignacio de Arareko, the lake of Ararek, and several picturesque valleys including the Valley of the Monks.

Additional activities and customized tour options

For travelers who can spend extra days on a highly customized itinerary, additional options include:

• Tour and enjoy the highly picturesque colonial town of El Fuerte and environs including a visit to the Mayo indigenous villages and dances; a gentle cruise on a raft down El Fuerte river; black bass fishing in the lake (seasonal); massage and hydro whirlpool therapies.
• Enjoy eco/adventure tours around Los Mochis including fishing, snorkeling, boat rides, bat caves, and taking-in the sunset on the island of Farallon;
• Visit Creel and reconnect with nature on outdoor activities in the surrounding area, including half-day or full-day hikes into the notably peaceful and serene wilderness around Creel; a day’s hike to bathe in natural hot springs; an outstanding 10-hour day hike that will take you to discover and experience the highest waterfall in Mexico at Basaseachi falls
• Visit the Cerocahui mission town and alpine village is situated in Urique Canyon (the deepest canyon in the region) in a valley dotted with fruit trees along the riverside—a destination characterized by extraordinary natural beauty and tranquility. Nearby is the Cerro del Gallego vantage point offering spectacular views of the canyons including the town of Urique, revealing the depth of the canyon and the river that winds along the valley floor.
• Complete your tour with a visit to the colonial city of Chihuahua, enjoying a guided tour of the historic quarters of this old city and a visit to local limestone caves.

Deepen your experience with a visit to Batopilas

For travelers who want to experience the Copper Canyon beyond the usual tourist sights, consider adding a custom visit to Batopilas to your itinerary.  This tour will have your feet traversing through three outstanding canyons that lead down to the beautifully picturesque rural town of Batopilas.

Your journey will take you through three different climate zones: beginning in the upper Sierra at over 7,000 feet, gradually descending to the base of Batopilas canyon, just above sea level.  This 85-mile trip will take most of the day and enables you to witness some the most magnificent natural scenery in Mexico—no other tour in the canyons matches the depth of visual stimulation offered by these places.  The optional tour includes:

• An overnight stay at a fabulously restored 15-room hacienda hotel; and
• A walk to the Lost Cathedral at Satevo and the ruins of the Batopilas Mining Career.
• Optionally, a walk to the aqueduct and Porfirio Diaz tunnel opening; and hiking in the picturesque Cerro Colorado can also be arranged by request.

Copper canyon custom tour prices

These carefully crafted tours of the Copper Canyon comprise a core offering with optional customizations to suit your schedule, preferences, and budget.

• Prices for 5-day core tour packages starting in Los Mochis or Chihuahua start from US$820 per person, and based on two people sharing a room.
• Prices for 7-day core tour packages starting in Los Mochis or Chihuahua start from US$955 per person, and based on two people sharing a room.
• Prices for 8-day core tour packages starting in Mazatlán start from US$1,060 per person, and based on two people sharing a room.

Families are welcome: Children (ages 3-11) accompanied by an adult(s) pay a discounted rate.

Train class options: Prices include the cost of a standard class train ticket; executive and first-class tickets carry a surcharge of between US$20 and US$250 each, depending on your travel choices.

There are surcharges for single-occupancy rooms and solo travelers. Optional add-on day tours and tour customizations around Los Mochis, Creel, and Chihuahua can be quoted and arranged by request. Prices are subject to change.

Prices illustrated are subject to change. Please request a personalized quote from our travel partner by completing the request form below.

What your copper canyon tour includes and excludes

Regardless of your tour’s start point or duration, your package always includes:

• being met personally with transfers to and from the airport;
• booking of your train tickets in the class you have chosen to travel in;
• lodging at hotels that have been carefully chosen by our travel partner;
• breakfast, lunch, and dinner (at Cerocahui and Divisadero only); and
• a detailed information packet to guide you on your independent tour, or a fully escorted tour with an English-speaking guide.

Tour package prices exclude:

• your flights (or other transportation) to the start point and end point;
• additional meals, drinks, and snacks, including alcoholic beverages
• costs of activities and local day tours you may choose to participate in in the canyon (prices range from US$15-$75 per person, per activity)
• tips for the guide, driver, hotel and restaurant staff; and
• trip insurance.

Make a Copper Canyon tour request

Complete the request form below and receive a quote for a customized tour to visit the magnificent Copper Canyon in Mexico.

Bigger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona

The ‘Copper Canyon’ is actually a series of twenty canyons, formed over the years by six rivers.  The area is about seven times the size of the Grand Canyon, and has distinct topography, flora and fauna to Arizona’s premier natural wonder.

The most popular —and best— way to travel into the canyon is by making use of the remarkable railway which traverses areas of this rugged wilderness.  Opened in 1961 following decades of construction, the line is an extraordinary feat of engineering in its own right.

Copper Canyon train line: an engineering marvel

The railway was originally devised to connect the commercial Pacific sea port at Los Mochis to the central colonial city of Chihuahua. A distinctive engineering feature of the line is that it begins at near-sea level on the Pacific coast, rises to an altitude of over 8,000 feet and then declines again to an altitude of around 2,500 feet.

The incline of a railway track cannot exceed fifteen degrees, so to accomplish the  ‘climb and descent’ the engineers needed to construct bridges, burrow many tunnels through the mountains, and use ‘switch-back’ stages in order to complete the route.

By the time the railway was finished, engineers had laid over 390 miles of track crossing thirty-nine bridges and traversing eighty-six tunnels: the longest bridge runs for a quarter mile and the longest tunnel for nearly a mile.

A remarkable train journey through the canyons

Two first-class trains begin the journey across the canyon: one starting in Chihuahua City and the other in Los Mochis.  They meet, roughly half-way, near Divisadero station, which is also a base for most of the canyon’s hotels, lodges, and tours which take visitors deeper into the canyons.

The most scenic and dramatic areas of the canyon are on the west side, so to take advantage of the daylight it’s generally accepted that the train traveling eastbound —from Los Mochis towards Chihuahua— is a better sight-seeing option than the one traveling east to west.

When to visit the Copper Canyon

Seasonally, May and June tend to be the driest months in the canyons.  July to November are months when the rains are most abundant and the canyons’ flora show-off their deepest colors.  Between December and May, the canyons’ colors pass through a transition between the wet and dry seasons.  Winter months (December to February) are the coldest and it can snow in some areas of the canyon.

El Fuerte is the most popular boarding point

Although the train journey begins in Los Mochis, many tour visitors board the train at its first main stop situated in the beautiful colonial town of El Fuerte, which is about an hour’s drive from Los Mochis—the city which most people fly into to take the train.  When you arrange your visit to the canyon using a tour service, there will be a driver and vehicle waiting to meet you at the airport.

You can take the train straight through to Chihuahua City and simply see the canyon ‘in passing’ on the train.  However, to properly experience the canyons and get the most out of a visit to the region, we recommend you explore the various tours on offer and include a stay at one of the hotels or lodges in the canyon itself (the more adventurous can hike and camp in the canyon) and, from there, participate in some of the wonderful outdoor activities on offer.

For detailed information about the Copper Canyon, including local knowledge about the area, best times to travel, the train journey, the attractions and activities on offer, connect to our comprehensive Guide to Mexico’s Copper Canyon.

How to get to Copper Canyon using air travel

The train line has two termini: on the west side at Los Mochis, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast; and on the east side at Chihuahua City.

• The majority of visitors to the Copper Canyon fly to Los Mochis, and begin the train ride there, or at El Fuerte.
• Some travelers begin their journey in Chihuahua City
• Our travel associate also offers custom tours starting from Mazatlán.

How to get to Los Mochis, Mazatlán, and Chihuahua

If you have arranged an organized tour of the Copper Canyon, your tour operator will be at the airport to greet you and provide immediate transport to your local accommodations before your train journey begins.

Clicking on the links below will open the FlightConnections website that shows you flight routes to and from each location.

• You can take flights to/from Los Mochis from various Mexican cities
• Flights to/from Mazatlán are available from various Mexican cities as well as several international destinations (some international flights might be seasonal)
• You can get flights to/from Chihuahua City from various Mexican cities as well as some international destinations.

The train will run at 50% of its full capacity until further notice and implement a series of precautionary measures which include deep cleaning of the train’s passenger and dining cars.  Staff will wear protective equipment and passengers will be required to wear a face mask while on the train.

If you wish to book a custom tour to the Copper Canyon this year, our travel associates specialized in Copper Canyon visits will be pleased create a custom tour tailored to your requirements.

For detailed information about the Copper Canyon, including local knowledge about the area, best times to travel, the train journey, the attractions and activities on offer, connect to our comprehensive Guide to Mexico’s Copper Canyon.

Barranca del Cobre, Copper Canyon, is a region in the desert of northwest Mexico that hosts some of the most spectacular and stunning natural scenery in Mexico’s inland territory.

The area known as Copper Canyon is a series of twenty canyons, formed over the years by six rivers. The area is sometimes compared to Arizona’s Grand Canyon, although the Copper Canyon region is at least seven times the size, and has different topography, flora and fauna to the Grand Canyon.

The Copper Canyon is in Mexico’s wilderness. The Tarahumara people, descendants of the Aztecs, still live a simple life in these canyons, as they have done for centuries. Today, they also sell their crafts and food to visitors who take the Copper Canyon Train Ride.

You can see the Copper Canyon by hiking, biking, trekking, horseback, or four-wheeling; however, by far the most popular is to take the Copper Canyon Train Ride, which runs from Los Mochis to Chihuahua City and back again.

The Copper Canyon railway is a stunning piece of engineering achievement. Opened in 1961 after decades of construction, the railway was designed to connect the Pacific Ocean with Mexico’s central desert territory and Chihuahua. The route continues to be a major freight connection between Chihuahua and the Pacific coast.

The railway line is over 390 miles (650 km) in length, crosses 39 bridges (the longest bridge is over 500 meters long) and 86 tunnels (the longest over 1,500 meters long).

The track starts at sea level at Los Mochis, and will rise to an altitude of around 8,000 ft (2,500 m) before descending into Chihuahua City which lies at around 2,500 ft (800 m) altitude. The line crosses some of Mexico’s most rugged terrain; hugging the edge of mountains and crossing deep ravines on its bridges. The scenery it travels through is truly breathtaking.

The journey on the first-class express takes around thirteen hours if you ride straight through, although most people alight the train about half-way and stay at least one night in the heart of the canyons. It is a spectacular journey and well worth doing. You may buy your ticket in advance or buy a seat on the train on the morning that you intend to travel (subject to available space).

High Season: If you plan to take the train journey between October and March, during the Easter Holidays or over Christmas/New Year, it’s essential to book your ticket in advance.

Seasons in the Copper Canyon: Seasonally, May and June tend to be the driest months in the canyons. July to November are months when the rains are most abundant and the canyons’ flora show-off their deepest greens.  Between December and May, the flora’s colors are in transition between the wet and dry seasons.  See Local Climate information later in this guide for details about the weather and best months to travel.

The First Class Express train makes several stops before its final destination. You can stay at any of the places the train stops, and spend a night or two there while you explore the local area; and perhaps take a horseback ride into the Canyons for a closer look. See Key Attractions below.

You may just take the train ride for the view and experience as part of your trip to Mexico, or you could spend a few days to a week in the region, using the train line as your main route through the canyons and stopping overnight to explore and discover the local areas.

Whatever way you choose to experience Mexico’s Copper Canyon, the most important piece of advice is to book in advance. This is not a place you can just arrive at and expect to find a hotel room and a train ticket—especially during the busy periods.

A journey through Copper Canyon is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take in Mexico. The train ride itself is remarkable, the scenery is amazing, and the whole experience will become a lifetime memory for you and those traveling with you. This guide will give you an insight into what the Copper Canyon can offer and, hopefully, entice you to take this wonderful journey one day soon.

See Also: Flight Options to Reach Copper Canyon

Key Attractions

About the Copper Canyon Train Journey

Class of Service

There are three classes of service on the Copper Canyon train:

• First Class
• Executive Class
• Standard Class

First Class

A luxury option for travelers, with more comfortable seats and panoramic windows to ensure you get the best views of the passing scenery through the mountains and canyons.  The first class train includes a dining car with a glass dome, a bar-terrace with lounge and stools, 96 reclining seats with central tables, luxury restrooms, and on-board waiters serving beverages and snacks, as well as a bar with a panoramic view.

Executive Class

An ideal option to enjoy a comfortable and relaxed family trip, with good views of the passing scenery as you travel.  Executive class ticket holders have access to the glass domed restaurant (subject to space), and the bar with the panoramic views. 240 reclining seats and access to luxury restrooms.  A snack and beverage service is available.

Tourist/Standard Class

Choose the tourist/standard service when you want to experience the train journey at the lowest price. Tourist class offers regular seats (256 in total), a standard restroom, and access to the domed restaurant, subject to space. Regular windows to see the landscape passing by.  A snack and beverage service is available.

The other consideration you will need to keep in mind is choosing where to start and end from.  There are three logical choices:

• Los Mochis (or El Fuerte) to Chihuahua City
• Chihuahua City to Los Mochis (or El Fuerte)
• Travel half-way and return your original start point

Most of the dramatic scenery of the canyon is situated between Los Mochis and Creel.  It’s a long journey from Creel to Chihuahua City and the scenery is not nearly as dramatic on this stretch.

Many organized tours start and end in Los Mochis/El Fuerte – they provide stay-overs and other activities at and around El Divisadero, and then return to Los Mochis. If subsequent travels from Los Mochis include going to Baja California, in addition to regional flights there is a regular ferry service (now upgraded to a faster Catamaran) from Topolobampo (near Los Mochis) to La Paz, which gets you to the Baja California peninsula.

Onward to Chihuahua City – Alternatively, you could re-board the train after a stay in/around Divisadero and then travel onward to Chihuahua City.

See Also: Flight Options to Reach Copper Canyon

Buying your copper canyon train tickets

We highly recommend consulting one of the many tour operators in the Copper Canyon region for purchasing your first-class tickets. Not only will the tour operators procure your tickets, but they can also arrange a complete tour package, including meals and lodging.

There are ticket windows at the Los Mochis or Chihuahua City train stations, but they should be used only if you wish to purchase an Economy ticket, which can only be bought on the date of travel from the station one hour prior to departure. First Class tickets, if any are available, may also be bought this way.

If you plan to make a stopover (see Making Stopovers, below) then your seat (First Class) will only be guaranteed for the first leg of your journey. When you re-board the train, you will need to take pot-luck on seating.

You cannot buy an “open” ticket. You must specify what dates and times you intend to travel, and you will be issued with tickets accordingly. The sale of tickets is tightly controlled to ensure safety and comfort for all passengers, so work out your itinerary and stick with it, unless you’re on a very flexible holiday, and you are happy to take your chances with ticket availability on the days you feel like traveling.

First Class tickets may be bought up to 30 days in advance from tour agents, via telephone or on the Internet. It’s best to use the services of an agency when booking your journey and buying tickets, as you will also need to have transport and accommodation arranged at both ends of the journey.

Making Stop-overs

Lots of people like to spend a few days—some up to 10 days— exploring the Copper Canyon region, by riding the train through it, and stopping off at various points en route, taking up lodging for the night and spending the next day or two exploring the land before boarding the train to the next stop.

Getting off the train and adventuring into the valleys is a great way to see the Copper Canyon, as you’ll experience a lot of features and attractions that are not accessible from the train. The other advantage is that you’ll get time to take in the scenery around you. If you see something you like, you can stop to absorb it, instead of watching it disappear into the distance!

Local activities include horseback riding, helicopter trips, and canyon hikes. An agency can discuss the options with you and make arrangements according to your preferences and budget.

Most tour operators make use of the train coupled with detailed trips into the canyon and using a tour operator is the best way to get the most out of your journey to the Copper Canyon. See Guided Tours, below.

Terminus West: Los Mochis

Los Mochis (meaning “Place of Turtles”) is situated on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, about 310 miles (500 km) northwest of Mazatlán. It is an important industrial port on the Pacific. From a tourist’s viewpoint, there’s little to see and do here: Its primary tourist functions are to provide a ferry to La Paz and act as the Western Terminus for the famous Copper Canyon Train Journey.

Station: El Fuerte

This might be your starting point on the train journey if you didn’t start at Los Mochis. We recommend you begin your journey in El Fuerte, after one or two night’s stay here so that you may enjoy this beautiful place.

El Fuerte means “The Fort”, although only a replica of the fort that once stood here exists now; you can find it at the summit of the Mirador (lookout), which you’ll get to by climbing the hill there.  The view is well worth the climb.

El Fuerte was founded by Francisco de Ibarra, a Spanish conqueror back in 1564. The town was an important center in colonial times, and for some years it was the capital city of Sinaloa state.

The cobbled streets, colonial buildings (the plaza, palace, church) and colonial atmosphere make this one of the nicest towns on the train’s journey, and it’s well worth a stopover for a day.

Station: Bauhichivo

Bauhichivo isn’t a town, it’s a train depot. The place never existed before the train line was built. However, just 6 miles (10 km) from this stop is Cerocahui (pronounced “seh-roh-KAH-wee”), a small village with less than 1,000 inhabitants and three luxury hotels. Cerocauhui is the first village inside the canyon wilderness, and apart from being a quaint little place to see and explore (it’s an old colonial hamlet) it’s a great place from which to explore deeper into the canyon.

The hotels here offer spectacular views, and all of them arrange excursions into the canyons: Horseback rides that take you through stunning scenery, marvelous waterfalls and secluded areas of natural beauty. You can also arrange for excursions to Cerro Gallego, which surrenders spectacular views of Urique Canyon. Urique is an old silver mining town.

Station: Posada Barrancas and El Divisadero

These two stations have been grouped together, as they are less than 2.5 miles (4 km) apart. If you are just taking the train ride and not stopping en route, then this is your only chance to get out and see a spectacular view of the Copper Canyon, as the train stops long enough to get off and see the scenery standing still. This stop leaves you about 7,500 feet (2,400 m) above sea level, on par with Creel— and for this reason, the views are breathtaking.

If you buy a package tour across the region, it’s going to include a stop-over from here, as the hotels offer great views and horse-back excursions into the canyon, which are very popular and come highly recommended by all who have experienced them.

If you’re traveling from Los Mochis, you’ll arrive at Barrancas first. If you are traveling from Chihuahua, then you’ll stop first at Divisadero. This is where the train stops for 20-30 minutes, and the place where you’ll get the views described above.

The Tarahumara Indians will be here selling their fine handicrafts, wood carvings, pine baskets and dolls—and much more besides. Don’t miss the opportunity to buy something really unique and special from these people. Cash only, in Mexican pesos.

All of the main hotels at Barrancas & Divisadero have mini-buses that pick up guests from the train station.

A tour operator can advise you further on this location and make arrangements for transport and accommodation on your behalf.

Station: Creel

With a population of less than 4,000, Creel is a small town at a high elevation, at the heart of the Copper Canyon train journey. The town is surrounded by pine forests, and is, in fact, a lumber town; the town’s mill is still there today, and during the summer months, the sweet, natural aroma of pine fills the air around you.

Enjoy Awesome Nature Tours Near Creel

The town is worth a stop-over in order to be able to take advantage of the excursions available from here. They include a day trip to Cascada de Basaseachi (waterfalls), claimed to be the tallest falls in North America; Recohuata Hot Springs Excursion; and Batopilas—an old silver mining town about 87 miles (140 km) away from Creel, so an overnight stay will be required there. Many of these tours will be very long days and could involve hiking.

Creel will afford you the opportunity to do a bit of shopping at some of the craft shops there, as well as to replenish your cash supply at the ATM in town.

A tour operator can make arrangements for an excursion, transport and accommodation on your behalf.

Terminus East: Chihuahua City

Chihuahua (pronounced “chee-WAH-wah” – the ‘h’ is silent in Spanish) is Mexico’s largest state, and Chihuahua City, its capital, is Mexico’s most prosperous city.

Its wealth is built on mining, livestock, timber and more recently, the modern assembly plants known as maquiladoras. When you arrive here, you’ll see lots of men in boots and hats— this is Mexico’s cowboy country.

The historical center has some handsome colonial architecture, wide roads and fine colonial buildings, and its cathedral, completed in 1789, is admirable. Pancho Villa, the famous revolutionary, lived here; you can visit the house which is also a museum about the Mexican Revolution.

Discover Chihuahua and connect to hotels and local services there using the Mexperience guide to Chihuahua City.

Horse riding

Most of the hotels inside the Copper Canyon region can arrange for you to take a horse ride into parts of the canyon. Some of the hotels are actually ranches, and the horses are provided by the hotel itself. Regardless of your horseback riding experience, you’ll have the opportunity to experience this great region on horseback, an eco-friendly and exciting way to see the Copper Canyon wilderness! A tour operator can make arrangements for transport and accommodation on your behalf.

Helicopter Rides and Adventure Tours

Helicopter rides above the canyon wilderness are available from certain places.

Getting There & Around

By Air to Los Mochis – You can fly to Los Mochis from various airports in northern Mexico and from Mexico City, as well as a small number of US cities. Los Mochis Airport is about 12 miles north of the city; ground transportation and taxis are available into town; most tour operators arrange for you to be picked up from here and transferred directly to El Fuerte. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Ferry to/from Los Mochis – There is a ferry service that crosses the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California) to and from La Paz to the port cities of Mazatlan and Los Mochis (Topolobambo). The ferry trip to/from Mazatlan takes 18 hours and does not run daily; sleeping cabins are available with advance bookings. The ferry to/from Los Mochis (Topolobambo) takes around 8 hours and does not sail daily either. A catamaran ferry service is available on some dates and routes which cuts down the journey time considerably. Check the Ferry’s web site at: http://www.ferrytmc.com/ for details of routes, schedules, prices and contact details.

By Air to Chihuahua – Chihuahua City’s airport is well served by all main airports in Mexico as well as a good number of cities in the USA. Ground transportation and taxis are available from the airport into the city center – which is about a 30-40 minute journey. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus to Los Mochis – Los Mochis is not as well served by buses as Chihuahua City, but you can get there by bus and then either take a short cab ride or a local bus connection to the train depot which is on the outskirts of town. Note: the train leaves early in the morning from Los Mochis so it’s advisable to arrive the day before.

By Bus to Chihuahua – Chihuahua is very well served by buses from all major routes in northern Mexico as well as from Mexico City. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – Highway 15, which runs along the coast connecting the US border, from Los Mochis and then all the way down to Guadalajara is a fast, well maintained toll road. Chihuahua is well served by good roads from all four compass points. Try to do your driving during daylight hours and where possible, stay on the toll roads to speed your journey. Click the links for more information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads.

Guided Tours and Excursions

Most people who travel to and through the Copper Canyon will use the services of a specialist agent or tour company; they are run by people who know the canyon intimately, and who have many local contacts that provide the necessary transport and accommodation services as well as a wealth of local knowledge and experience.

Getting the Most from Your Visit to Copper Canyon

Although it’s possible to arrange your train and hotels directly and visit the canyon independently, by using the services of a professional tour company, you are likely to get the most out of your visit here.

The canyon region really is vast and the local knowledge that specialist tour operators have will ensure that the limited time you have available will be well programmed through a tried-and-tested itinerary and local guidance given by experienced tour guides.

Practical Information

Telephone: Connect to the guide about Communications in Mexico on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch while you’re in Mexico.

Exchanging Currency: Plan your currency requirements carefully if you’re traveling in the Copper Canyon. Banks with ATM machines can be found in Los Mochis, Chihuahua City and Creel (inside the canyon area), but very few places besides. Read about currency exchange in Mexperience’s Money Section. Be sure to carry sufficient cash to cover the cost of buying things from people and places unlikely to accept cards or traveler’s checks in the Copper Canyon—in other words, everywhere except good quality hotels.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: You’ll find Internet cafes quite easily downtown in Chihuahua and Los Mochis. Inside the Copper Canyon, access to the internet is scarce; some of the hotels located inside the canyon may offer internet services.

What to buy in Copper Canyon

Don’t miss the opportunity to buy fine art and craft work from the local Tarahumara Indians in the canyon.

Their specialized works include pine baskets, dolls, violins, rugs and blankets, flutes, drums, pottery and traditional clothing and wood carvings.

Everything is unique and hand-made. Stock up with plenty of pesos in cash before you set out on your journey: traveler’s checks and plastic are no good for purchases made from the indigenous traders living in the canyon.

Remember to take cash with you — in Mexican Pesos — as the local artisan traders will not have credit card facilities and prefer local currency.

Local Climate

The climate in this region changes with the seasons and heavily influences the times when most people travel through the canyon.

Seasonally, May and June tend to be the driest months in the canyon. July to November are months when the rains are most abundant and the canyons’ flora show-off their deepest greens.  Between December and May, the flora’s colors are in transition between the wet and dry seasons.

March & April and October & November are the two busiest times at the canyon. This is because they are times of the year when the climate is at its most temperate.

During the high summer months, temperatures in Los Mochis and El Fuerte are hot and humid.  In the winter, some snow may fall in higher areas of the Canyons, although that does not impede tours and activities.

If you don’t want to be among the high number of visitors here, then you should travel July through September. This is the rainy season, but the rains will be monsoon-like: thunder, lighting, drenching downpours, and then it’s gone. They cool down the hot days perfectly. The other big advantage of these rainy months is that the abundance of water makes the canyon come alive—its flora become lush with hues of deep emerald green, and its rivers deep and gushing.

May and June are generally dry months: Water shortages are common, the land is arid, dry, dusty, and less inspiring. It’s best to avoid the area in these months, unless you have no other choice, or have been before and want to see the contrast.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico