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Learn about Copper Canyon, Mexico, by reading Copper Canyon, Mexico – Adventure in the Wilderness by Sandy Zimmerman, Travel Writer. It features a mini, but thorough tour of the destination, plus all you'll need to know to plan your trip including getting there, objective information on places to stay and eat, and things to do. At the end of the article, we've provided a summary of the contact information for your easy reference. Enjoy!

Copper Canyon, Mexico - Adventure in the Wilderness!

by Sandy Zimmerman, Travel Writer

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Tarahumara Indian with baby

At Copper Canyon, Mexico, the train is not just transportation; it is “the stage” for nature’s extraordinary show! The drama unfolds as each turn of the tracks leads to new surprises. The train continues twisting and climbing as it moves deeper and deeper into the untamed wilderness. You are afraid to look away, trying not to miss a moment of this spectacle. Your journey travels from sea level to 8,000 feet, through 5 climatic zones, 86 tunnels, 37 bridges, 6 canyons, cascading waterfalls, rivers, and over 408 miles of rugged terrain. This is a ride like no other, one which you will never forget!

Here among the wilderness, Baldarrama’s Posada Barrancas Mirador Hotel is as exciting as it’s colorful name! Set within the mountainside, the Mirador is like a beautiful pink bird nesting on the rocks. We look at the views of the canyon and suddenly the scenery has changed. Are we in the Grand Canyon? The resemblance is uncanny and if their photos were compared, people would not be able to tell them apart. The Grand Canyon is around 1/4 the size of Mexico’s Copper Canyon and could figuratively fit into it. The canyon’s rainbow of blues, purples, pinks, and other hues are startling with every movement of the sun’s rays.  Everywhere you step, there is a scene to capture with your camera.

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Mirador Resort on the cliff, inside the Copper Canyon

The Mirador is built Mexican-style with influences from the Tarahumra Indians. These shy Indians have the ability to run long distances and even outrun deer. They are known as “people of the swiftly running feet.” The Indian women sit at the hotel’s entrance and around the village selling their woodcarvings, masks, baskets, jewelry, and other handcrafts.

Living as their ancestors did for the past 400 years, the Tarahumra Indians stay in caves and other primitive dwellings. Just walk the 200-step mountain path next to the hotel and you can actually see one of their inhabited cave homes. The Tarahumara Indians perform ceremonial dances and demonstrate their running skills for the hotel guests. You can ride a horse around the mountain trails, hike, or take a sightseeing bus to the balancing rock, Indian shops, and see some breathtaking vistas.

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Tarahumara Indian woman

The Gateway to the Copper Canyon Also Takes Us To Some Exciting Regions
Although Los Mochis is the first stop for the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad into the Copper Canyon, you can spend a day or two enjoying the fun at the nearby Sea of Cortez. Their 2-hour yacht cruise of Topolobampo Bay brings us close to playful dolphins and hundreds of birds. If you want more activity, the all day tour to El Farallon Rock Nature Sanctuary lets you thrill to the antics of sea lions and also gives you time to go swimming and snorkeling. For a side trip, the Grupo Sematur ferry travels from Topolobampo to Las Paz. Choose from several first class accommodations and continental restaurants.

Experience Life As It Was In The 1880s
The entire little town of El Fuerte is like a movie set with an 18th century church, fort, plaza, municipal palace, mansions, and other historic buildings. This colonial city, founded in 1564 along the El Fuerte River, was a major trading post for silver and gold miners. Just 1-1/2 hrs from Los Mochis, El Fuerte is a popular tourist destination.

You will be surprised how much there is to see in this small town! Try bird watching along the El Fuerte River on the guided rubber-style raft tour- holds 8 passengers. Most hotels will give you a map for the self-guided, 1-2 hour colonial walking tour of the city. The closest petroglyph site is a 9-mile taxi or car ride to see the 1,500-year old Nahuatl Petroglyphs. Near the Tehueco (blue sky) Mayo Indian Mission, build in 1650, is the ancient Indian village of Capomos- around 1 hour from El Fuerte. Travel into foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains to the silver mining town of Alamos- 110 miles, or a 3-hour drive each way.

Tours usually stop for breakfast before catching the train, or stay overnight at the historic Posada del Hidalgo Hotel. The Hotel Posada del Hidalgo was built in 1890 by Senor Rafael Almada, a wealthy “alcalde” (mayor). The construction took 5 yrs and cost 100,000 gold pesos. The wooden trim, made from 285 Canadian red pine beams, was shipped by boat from San Francisco. His ironwork was brought from Mazatlan. Known as the largest and most beautiful mansion in El Fuerte, its VIP guest list includes Presidents Venustiano Carranza (1913) and Carlos Salinas de Gortari (1991). If you have time, see the 380-year old historic mansion, El Fuerte Lodge, restored by hunting guide Robert Brand. Its courtyard, waterfall, and architecture are enchanting.

Discover Hermosillo
 Travelers should be aware of this little known Mexican city because of its interesting attractions, business facilities, entertainment and gourmet restaurants. When you visit Hermosillo, don’t miss the exciting Museo Regional de Sonora. This museum served as a penitentiary for 70 years and dates back to 1907. While walking through the penitentiary, imagine the people who were incarcerated in these cells and underground dungeons. The building is well preserved. One section of the building is a museum featuring the geography, history, and culture of the region.

There are three historic 18th century buildings in Hermosillo - Cathedral de la Asuncion, Palacio Municipal (city hall), and Palacio de Gobierno (governor’s palace). Stroll around the governor’s palace to see the murals in its tree-shaded inner courtyard.

Kino Bay, called the pearl of the Sea of Cortez, offers fun in the sun- beaches, swimming, diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, water skiing, kayaking, sports fishing, shell hunting, and building sand castles. Just 65 miles west of Hermosillo, the ride should take around 45 minutes.

Museo Regional de la Universidad de Sonora (Regional museum of the University of Sonora) has exhibits relating to the Yaqui, Mayo, Pima, Papago and Seri Indian tribes.

Just 2 miles south of the city, the Centro Ecologico de Sonora (Sonora Ecological Center) is a zoological park with more than 500 species of plants and animals of the region. This is modeled after the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson.

How Thick Do You Want Your Steak?
Dine at a steak-by-the-ounce restaurant or any of the other fine restaurants featuring regional, international, Chinese, Argentinan, and Japanese cuisine. The city awakens at night with mariachi bands and other entertainment.

The Best Route Into The Copper Canyon
Choose the route from Los Mochis or El Fuerte for wild, breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Because the scenery changes at the central point inside the Canyon, many people return to Los Mochis to experience the thrills again and catch their flights back to the U.S. We arrived in Chihuahua late and left the next morning so there is no information to add about Chihuahua.

This trip is a thrilling eco-adventure with reasonable, first class accommodations, delicious food, and unforgettable tours. See the Details section for specifics that will help you plan your trip.

Details

Getting There


Where to Stay and Eat and Other Attractions

Reminder: Check rates and book your reservations – car and hotel – with WTA's Online Travel Service.

In Los Mochis (pronounced los MO-chees), Sinaloa

Ferry
 The Grupo Sematur Ferry travels from Topolobampo to Las Paz. 9 hours. Cafeteria on board (68)-62-0141.

In El Fuerte

Inside the Copper Canyon (Barranca de Cobre)

In Hermosillo (pronounced ehr-moh-ss-yo)

Museums

In Chihuahua

Transportation

Car Rental

Reminder: Check rates with WTA's Travel Discount Program. Savings can be significant.

Chihuahua Al Pacifico Railroad
 Daily schedule: Catch the train in Los Mochis at 6 a.m. or in El Fuerte at 7:26 a.m. Arrive in Chihuahua 15 hours later. It’s advisable to schedule stopovers inside the canyon along the way. First class $110 and second class tickets $56 each way. The second-class train leaves 1 hour later.

Driving
 You can drive to Chihuahua via Mexico Highway 45 from the El Paso - Ciudad Juarez border, around 233 miles. Paved roads connect Chihuahua City to Creel and Divisadero inside the Copper Canyon. Take Mexico Highway 16 west to San Pedro, then State Highway 127 south to Creel. If you drive to Los Mochis, leave your car there because the first part of the Copper Canyon can only be traveled by train.

Tour Operators

Optional Tours

If you are not traveling on a package tour, the hotels usually can arrange tours at each stop. Since this is an “off the beaten path” vacation, check to see whether the tours are being offered during the time of your stay.

Tourism Information

Mexican Tourism Board - Copper Canyon information. www.go-mexico.com.

Entry Requirements - U.S. citizens are required to have a passport to enter Mexico.

Notice: This information is current as of August 2003. It is recommended that you contact the numbers, and/or visit the above to determine any changes to the information.