Have you been considering a trip to the Copper Canyon, Mexico?

This is a great idea. I promise you that you will not regret taking a trip to the Copper Canyon. I went with my family and we had the time of our lives and I know we will never forget visiting Mexico’s magical and enormous canyon region in the north of Mexico.

The Copper Canyon (Las Barrancas del Cobre) stretches across the northwestern Mexican state of Chihuahua and is truly one of the highlights of Northern Mexico. From the plunging canyons and astonishing views to the opportunity to fly on one of the world’s longest zip lines, this is a trip no one forgets.

It can feel overwhelming when you first sit down to figure out your plans for how to visit the Copper Canyon. I know. I certainly felt that way.

So, let’s break this down into bite-sized, manageable chunks and go from there. In this article about booking a trip to the Copper Canyon, you will learn how to travel through the Copper Canyon, when to visit, how to book the train, and where to fly in and out.

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What Is The Copper Canyon?

The Copper Canyon, so named for its distinctive greenish colouring, is actually six enormous canyons making up an area four times larger than the Grand Canyon in the USA. The canyons are, in many places, also far deeper than the Grand Canyon. The canyons were formed by rivers draining off from the Sierra Tarahumara. These rivers eventually merge to become the Rio Fuerte and then empty off into the Gulf of California.

The Sierra Tarahumara, of which the Copper Canyon is a part, was so named by the Spanish in the 17th century, creating the name from the word the local population for themselves – Raramuri. The Raramuri still live in the region today, moving between the highlands and lowlands as the seasons change. One of the reasons that the region has not become more touristy is that not all the Raramui are keen on developing their lands. While some areas, therefore, have decent infrastructure, others remain fairly inaccessible by local choice.

For many, the journey through the Copper Canyon on El Chepe, the train, is the point of the trip and it’s true, this is one of the most exciting and spectacular train journeys you can imagine. It’s up there with taking the Trans-Siberian Railway or the train across the Tibetan tundra (I’ve done that one).

Where is The Copper Canyon?

The Copper Canyon, Las Barrancas del Cobre in Spanish, is found in the state of Chihuahua in the north of Mexico. Notice that in English we refer to ONE canyon but in Spanish, it’s a plural – “las Barrancas” – that’s because this is actually a group of six canyons all located in the Sierre Madre Occidental.

How to Travel Through The Copper Canyon, Mexico

There are several different ways to travel along Las Barrancas del Cobre, Mexico. We chose the train and were very happy with the decision!

By Train

🛤 The most famous method of travel through the Copper Canyon is, of course, the train, El Chepe. In fact, the famous train journey is often part of what attracts people to the region. You can book the train directly through the website.

🚗 By Car

You can rent a car and drive through the Copper Canyon as well, though note that some of the roads aren’t in the best of condition and it can be a little nerve-wracking to drive along the edge of the canyon. It will provide more freedom to venture to other towns and partake in activities that require a bit of driving.

Organised Tours

I loved the freedom of planning this trip on our own but if you’re not up for the logistics of it, there are many organised tours available. They typically begin in Los Mochis or Creel and will take you through the canyon route over the course of a week or so.

🚂 Did you know that the Maya Train should be operational in early 2024, which offers yet more exciting experiences across Southern Mexico?

Where Does The Train Stop in the Copper Canyon?

🛤 The train, in Spanish, is affectionately known as El Chepe, because it used to run from Chihuahua to the Pacific Ocean (CH for Chihuahua and P for Pacifico) but its full name is Ferrocarril de Barrancas del Cobre. There are two trains running this route, the express and the regional. Trains run between Creel and the coastal town of Los Mochis in Sinaloa.

🛤 Today, El Chepe begins and ends in either Creel or Los Mochis.

🛤 You can book three stops on your journey at no additional cost. The options are Creel, Divisadero, Bahuichivo, El Fuerte, Los Mochis. Take a read about each location and see which works best for you and your expectations of a trip to the Copper Canyon.

How Many Days Do You Need In The Copper Canyon?

Honestly? As many as you want. We spent a month exploring and while we could’ve done with a day less in a stop or two, it really gave us a chance to learn about the region and do pretty much everything we wanted.

That said, I’d say most people need about 7 to 10 days for this journey. You can certainly do it in a shorter time frame, if your goal is just to experience the train ride and not explore each individual town.

I created a few Copper Canyon itinerary options for people who are interested in exploring alone. The options range from one day to three weeks.

The Best Stops Along The Copper Canyon

We made a point to stop and explore as many towns as possible along the route and stayed for at least a few nights in each one. Here were our favourites and the ones I recommend you prioritise as well.

Creel

Creel is a wonderful small town on the edge of The Copper Canyon where there are many natural wonders to explore.

Divisadero

Divisadero is the main stop for the Adventure Park, one of the most incredible adventure parks you can imagine. The main draw of this park is the numerous zip lines over jaw-dropping canyons. If you’re not into adrenaline then the Copper Canyon cable car is the option for you.

Bahuichivo

Bahuichivo is not a stop on the radar of many tourists or travellers but if you wish to head down to Urique then this is a good option.

When Should You Visit The Copper Canyon?

My first reply to this question is, “whenever you like,” because each season has something to recommend it. My family and I visited in the summer and experienced pleasantly cool weather up high and uncomfortably hot temperatures when we went deep into the Urique Valley. My parents went at the end of November/early December and were regularly cold because they hadn’t believed me when I told them how chilly it could get.

✅ High season is when you’ll find the most moderate temperatures. This is March – April, and October – November.

☔️ Rainy season is July – September.

❌ Avoid late April – June because there can be severe water shortages in the region during these months.

El Chepe Express Train Tips:

📌 Book your tickets online and in advance. The Chepe website recommends booking at least four months in advance for high-season travel and two months in advance for low-season travel.

📌 There are different ticket tiers available. You can choose between First Class, Executive Class, and Standard Class, which all have varying amenities. However, note that if you choose First Class, it’s only guaranteed on the first leg of your trip.

📌 Plan the dates in advance. You do need to choose your dates for each leg of the journey when you purchase the tickets, to ensure they have enough space available. So you’ll want to plan out your trip prior to buying tickets.

📌 Luggage restrictions. Each passenger can take two bags of 25kg and one piece of hand luggage.

📌 It is not permitted to take your own food on the train (make what you will of this piece of information. Did we take snacks aboard? I want to say no but I really can’t) but there is a restaurant car and bar on the train. Many of the ticket options include a meal.

📌 Train schedule. During high season, trains run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Los Mochis to Creel (leaving 8 am and arriving 17.40 pm). The run in the other direction, from Creel to Los Mochis on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (same times). In low season, there are no trains on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday.

What Airport Is Near Copper Canyon Mexico?

El Chepe, the famous train through the Copper Canyon, as we saw above, starts in either Creel or Los Mochis.

✈️ If you want to begin in Creel, then I recommend flying into the fabulous city of Chihuahua and arranging a transfer to Creel to pick up the train (do not forget to book a few days in Creel though, it’s one of the most interesting places you’ll ever experience).

✈️ If you want to go from Los Mochis, then that’s the airport you’ll need. It’s small but perfectly serviceable. We chose to stay in El Fuerte for a few days and used Los Mochis only for the airport.

Travelling The Copper Canyon With Kids?

Kids under four go free on the train but you don’t get a seat for them. Children over 5 pay approximately half price. We opted to pay for our 4-year-old and get her a seat. She was just too big, wriggly and hot to sit on a lap for long and we always prefer to enjoy ourselves than struggle with a wriggly child.

Our kids had a fabulous time, loved exploring and adventuring with us and I absolutely recommend taking kids to the Copper Canyon.

Tips for Travelling the Copper Canyon With Kids

👦🏽 Be realistic about what children can manage, both in terms of walking and enduring.

👦🏽 Buy them their own kit (day-pack, hiking shoes, water bottle, flashlight, even a knife)

👦🏽 Take games or books for the train if you’re going with small kids. Ours couldn’t manage the views for more than a few minutes at a time. By having toys for them, we could enjoy the experience at our leisure. Because we didn’t force them, when the kids did come and look out the window with us, they were bowled over and genuinely enthusiastic. My four-year-old told me one sunset we saw from the train was ‘so beautiful I could cry, mummy’.

Read my article about travelling the Copper Canyon with kids now!

What to Pack for the Copper Canyon

I made a full Copper Canyon packing list that gives a full rundown of items you’ll need but please, don’t forget the following:

🎒 Gore-Tex jacket

🎒 Good hiking shoes

🎒 Thermals or a good underlayer if you’re going in winter

🎒 Water bottle

🎒 SPF Lip balm (trust me)

🎒 Good day pack

Copper Canyon Mexico FAQs

If you have any questions about booking a trip through the Copper Canyon feel free to get in touch or leave a comment below.

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