Copper Canyon and Train Journey, Mexico

About 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 actually a series of 20 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 thousands of years. 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, four-wheeling or driving (although roads in some areas will require a 4x4), 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 650Km (390 miles) in length, crosses 39 bridges (the longest bridge is over 500m long) and 86 tunnels (the longest over 1,500 meters long).

The track starts at sea level in Los Mochis, and will rise to an altitude of around 2,500 meters (over 8,000ft) before descending into Chihuahua City which lies at around 800 meters (2,500ft) 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 13 hours. 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. The best time to experience the canyon is between October and March, when the temperatures are cooler. The late summer months are very hot, dry and dusty in the canyon. See Local Climate 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 - for details.

You may just take the train ride for the view and experience as part of your trip to Mexico, or you could spend a week in the region, using the train line as your main route through the canyons, 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 enthralling 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.

Also See: Travel Diaries for Copper Canyon for a personal perspective of the train journey through the canyon and links to the picture gallery.

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Key Attractions

About the Copper Canyon Train Journey

Class of Service

There are 2 classes of train you can take; the First Class Express and the Clase Economica (Economy).

First Class Train

Makes far fewer stops, and offers reclining seats in recently renovated, pristine carriages with clean washrooms and toilets, a restaurant and a club car.

The Economy Train

Leaves 2 hours later, is often delayed, and makes more stops, which means that you'll miss some of the scenery at the end, due to darkness. Both trains are air cooled/heated, depending on the time of year, although the Economy train doesn't have a restaurant car - only snacks are sold by ambulant vendors. Unless you're looking for a rustic holiday, are feeling adventurous and have lots of spare time flexibility, it's recommended that you take the First Class train, which offers better value for money.

Train Schedules, Stops, And The Crossover

The two start/finish points are in Los Mochis and Chihuahua City. Two trains, one at each end, begin their journey at the same time each morning - 6am. They meet in the middle, usually at the stop known as El Divisadero (the Divider), although there is also a crossover point at San Rafael and your train may wait there for the other one to pass. Most stops are quite brief - less than 5 minutes. The wait is longest - about 20-30 minutes - at Divisadero, allowing passengers to get off, and look down into the deep Copper Canyon itself from a viewing platform situated there.

It is generally accepted that is better to start the train Journey from Los Mochis (or the next stop at that end of the line: El Fuerte), and travel towards Chihuahua City, instead of the other way around. This is because the most dramatic scenery is closer to Los Mochis, so traveling from Chihuahua City will mean that you could end up traveling through the best parts of the canyon in darkness, instead of seeing them in the morning if you travel from Los Mochis or El Fuerte.

The only other consideration you will need to keep in mind when choosing where to start and end from, is that you will either end up on the coast (if you travel from Chihuahua all the way to Los Mochis) or inland northern Mexico  (if you travel from Los Mochis to Chihuahua) by the time you finish your journey. If subsequent travels include going to Baja California (La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Todos Santos, Loreto), then you may be interested to know that there is a regular ferry service (recently upgraded to a fast Catamaran) from Topolobampo (near Los Mochis) to La Paz, which gets you to the Baja California Peninsula.

You can start in Los Mochis, get off at Divisdadero and spend time in the canyon (which is what most people and tours do) and then take the train traveling back to Los Mochis when you leave the Canyon. This may be ideal if you are buying a round-trip air ticket to Los Mochis, or want to go onto Baja after visiting the copper Canyon.

Alternatively, if your plans involve traveling through Chihuahua City, you may take the train from Chihuahua to Divisadero and back to Chihuahua, but you will miss the best scenery proffered by the copper canyon train ride -- see note above about the importance of starting in Los Mochis or El Fuerte.

The First Class train makes seven stops, although only five of the seven will hold much interest to most travelers, so we've outlined those five plus the starting and ending points on this section.

Most stops only last a few minutes - not enough time to get off and wander around, except for the one at El Divisadero, where the train stops for 20-30 minutes. All stations have ambulant vendors, often Tarahumara indians selling their fine handicrafts.

Buying Your Tickets

Economy Tickets need to be bought at the station on the date of travel from the station at Los Mochis or Chihuahua City, one hour prior to departure.

First Class tickets, if any are left over after bookings, may also be bought this way. The ticket window is open 0500-0700 daily, although the station office is also open from 0900-1730, Monday through Friday for advance ticket purchases.

If you plan to make a stopover (see 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 agents, via telephone and 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. It's more effective to plan your visit to the Copper Canyon by letting people who know the area organize your journey for you.

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 lodgings 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!

Activities locally include horseback riding, helicopter trips, and a series of adventure holidays. 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 Guide Tours, below.

Terminus West: Los Mochis

Los Mochis (meaning "Place of Turtles") is situated on Mexico's Pacific Coast, about 500Km northwest of Mazatlan. From a tourist's viewpoint, there's little to see and do here: it is an important industrial port on the Pacific. 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. Some people use Los Mochis as a stop-over point, and enjoy some of the tastiest seafood available anywhere in Mexico during their stay -- however, the best option is to fly to Los Mochis and get a transfer from the airport to El Fuerte, a beautiful colonial setting just inland from Los Mochis.

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 and 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.

Top Travel Tip! As mentioned earlier, most people choose El Fuerte as their boarding point for the train, as the town is very accessible and much more picturesque than Los Mochis. Taking this option also means that you don't have to get up excruciatingly early to catch a 6 am train from Los Mochis. The train from El Fuerte departs at 7am giving you extra time to rise and enjoy breakfast before your train journey. Most tour operators begin their itineraries from El Fuerte and arrange for their clients to be transferred from Los Mochis airport direct to El Fuerte, by-passing Los Mochis terminal completely.

Station: Bauhichivo

Bauhichivo isn't a town, it's a train depot. The place never existed before the train line was built. However, just 10Km 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.

An tour operator can advise on this and make arrangements for transport and accommodation on your behalf.

Station: Posada Barrancas / El Divisadero

These two stations have been grouped together, as they are less than 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 and see the scenery standing still. This stop leaves you about 2,400 meters (approx 7,500 feet) 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 - much more besides - don't miss the opportunity to buy something really unique, and really 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 with 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.

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 140Km away from Creel, so an overnight stay will be required there. Many of these tours will be very long days, and could involve hiking. See the section on Excursions, below.

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 also make arrangements for 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 Travel 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. See the Excursions and Tours section below for details of these.

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Getting There & Around

Getting There

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 transfered directly to El Fuerte.

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. See the Mexperience Travel Center for Airlines and more information about getting to Chihuahua City by plane.

By Bus to Los Mochis - Los Mochis is not well 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 night before, stay overnight, and take a cab to the train depot for the early departure.

By Bus to Chihuahua - Chihuahua is very well served by buses from all major routes in northern Mexico as well as from Mexico City. See the Mexperience Travel Center for National Buses.

Bus Through the Copper Canyon - As an alternative to the train, you can take a local bus through the Copper Canyon - but only from Chihuahua to Divisadero - Divisadero is roughly the mid-point on the train line route. The bus journey is faster than the train and some people take the bus to Divisadero to take the train from Divisadero to Los Mochis (traveling east-west).

Important Note: To see the best parts of the canyon (between Divisadero and Los Mochis), you need take to take the train and START at Los Mochis (i.e. travel direction west-east) as nightfall will obscure some of the best views once the train reaches the western side of the canyon.

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 on Toll Roads and Toll Fees.

Getting Around

From the Airport - Airports at Los Mochis and Chihuahua are a few miles from each respective city center and the copper canyon train terminus. Ground transportation and taxis are readily available at Los Mochis and Chihuahua.

Taxis - Los Mochis / Chihuahua's Taxis are NOT metered, so agree your price before you get in. Hotels often post taxi rates on a board, and depending on how far you're going to travel (defined by zones), the price will vary. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a better price! Another good reason to Learn Spanish!

Rent a Car - There is a road that virtually follows the train line across the Copper Canyon from Divisadero to Chihuahua (Divisadero is roughly the half-way stop between Los Mochis and Chihuahua). However, the best parts of the canyon are to be seen from Los Mochis to Divisadero - and they can only be experienced by train (or on foot/horseback) -- there is no road acces in this part of the canyon. You can take the car you may have rented from elsewhere, or rent one locally. Note that if you return your rental car to a different location from where you rented it, you will pay a hefty surcharge. Make sure that the car you rent has heating and cooling, and is in excellent mechanical order. It's also recommended that an experienced driver take the wheel across this route. Take plenty of water with you.

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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: 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 some people 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 programed through a tried-and-tested itinerary and local guidance given by experienced tour guides.

You can find a selection of experienced and well-established Copper Canyon tour operators advertised on this guide -- see the green boxes to the right of the guide text throughout this page.

Tour operators offer different angles and 'selling points'. You can make an informed choice by browsing the tour operator's web sites, checking the itineraries and activities their offer and match these to your personal preferences. There is a lot on offer and you should be able to find at least one operator who is offering a package that is offering a travel program that appeals to your tastes and budget.

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Practical Information

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico Page on Mexperience for full information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

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. During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler's cheques and cash from you as well. 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 checkss: in other words - everywhere except good quality hotels.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical cover and/or travel assistance cover 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 more expensive hotels located inside the canyon may have a dial-up connection on 1 or 2 computers for guests' use.

Local Tourist Office: The local tourist office will provide you with further information about the local attractions, including seasonal and temporary events being held locally. Local Tourist Office in Los Mochis and Chihuahua

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Accommodation

• Find Hotels in Copper Canyon with Mexperience

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Restaurants

We have no specific restaurant recommendations at this time; however, most tour operators provide a program whereby all of your meals and drinks are included at the hotels, cabins or lodges where you stay as part of your travel itinerary.

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When Night Falls

Nightlife in the Copper Canyon revolves around resting, relaxing and reflecting upon the day's activities - with friends, around a fire, with good food and drink; out in the night sky, gazing at stars and absorbing the immense natural beauty of this magnificent area.

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What to Buy in Copper Canyon

Don't miss the opportunity to buy fine art and craftwork 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.

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Local Climate

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

March & April, and October & November are the two busiest times at the Canyon. This is because its the time of the year when the temperatures are at their equinox; at other times the Canyon sears in sweltering heat, or freezes under ice and snow. If you plan to travel through the Canyons during the early spring and early fall you MUST book in advance - it's the time when most people travel through this location.

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 - it's vegetation is lush and green, its rivers deep and rushing.

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 been before and want to see a contrast.

Live Weather Reports:

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