Mexico’s largest state, Chihuahua, doesn’t have quite the flourishing tourist industry that nearby destinations such as Baja California enjoy. However, it is home to the world’s largest canyon system, the Barrancas del Cobre, as well as numerous museums and natural attractions. Here’s our pick of the top experiences around.
As mentioned above, the Barrancas del Cobre – known as the Copper Canyon in English – is easily the biggest and best attraction in Chihuahua, and can be accessed via Mexico’s only commercial passenger train, El Chepe, which departs from Los Mochis in Sinaloa. Splurge for the first-class ticket so you can hop on and off at various stops along the route and take advantage of the canyons and surroundings.
Valle de los Monjes is one of the Copper Canyon’s best attractions, and therefore, one of the coolest things to see in Chihuahua as a whole. Also known as the Valle de Bisabírachi, the Valley of the Monks contains a number of towering – up to 197ft (60m) tall! – natural sculptures, shaped by a combination of strong winds, sun and rain, as well as abrupt geological shifts. It’s known as the Valley of the Monks because some of the figures resemble monks.
Sometimes people forget that Chihuahua is a vast desert state, but it is – and that means there are plenty of opportunities to venture out into the sand dunes while you’re in the area. The Dunas de Samalayuca are one of Chihuahua’s most underrated attractions, where adventure sports are all the rage – sandboarding, motocross and ATV activities are perhaps the most popular options. However, don’t even think about going in spring, summer or before the sun begins to set – it is a desert after all.
Jo Fernandez-Corugedo contributed additional reporting to this article.
We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK"