For many people, Chihuahua is synonymous with the tiny dogs of the same name, but it’s also the name of the largest of Mexico’s 31 states, a massive region that borders the United States that offers an incredible range of attractions and experiences for the visitor. From the marvels of the world’s largest canyon and its fascinating Indigenous communities, to medical tourism opportunities and unforgettable food and drink, Chihuahua is waiting to be discovered. Here are 10 Chihuahua experiences I recommend:
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Ride one of the world’s most scenic trains
The signature experience for visitors to Chihuahua is a ride on the legendary El Chepe. Considered one of the most scenic railway journeys in North America, the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico passenger train connects Chihuahua city to the coastal town of Los Mochis in Sinaloa while traversing the spectacular Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre), a vast canyon system that is even larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon in the United States. The trip takes about 16 hours, but many visitors break up the journey with stops in Creel, a picturesque mountain town, or Divisadero, a popular viewpoint for admiring breathtaking mountain scenery.
Speed along the (formerly) world’s longest zipline
Ready for a thrill? Visitors to the Parque de Aventuras Barrancas del Cobre can ride a 2.5-kilometre zipline that takes them from the edge of a cliff deep into Copper Canyon at speeds reaching 135 km/h! Even though the record for the world’s longest zipline is now held by the United Arab Emirates, their scenery doesn’t compare to what is offered in Chihuahua. The adventure park also offers a course of seven ziplines if you want to spend the morning or afternoon flying through the canyon as well as an exciting via ferrata for those who like to live on the edge. If that’s too extreme for you, you can enjoy beautiful canyon views on a relaxing cable-car ride.
Visit one of Chihuahua’s magical towns
To encourage visitors to discover the cultural richness of Mexico’s smaller towns, the country’s Secretariat of Tourism has designated the most exemplary as Pueblos Mágicos, or Magical Towns. Chihuahua boasts five of them – Batopilas, Casas Grandes, Guachochi, Hidalgo del Parral and Creel. All are worth visiting, but the one that probably gets the most attention is Creel because it’s a stop along the Copper Canyon railway route. It’s a great base to explore the region’s beautiful landscapes and learn more about the indigenous Tarahumara communities that call this region home. Accommodation options are plentiful, but I really enjoyed my stay at The Lodge.
Eat cheese with the Mennonites
During my visit to Chihuahua, I was surprised to learn that there is a thriving community of Mennonites living there and many have roots in Canada. Worried that compulsory education would erode their way of life and the possibility of compulsory military service in a future war (the First World War had just ended), more than 5,000 peace-loving Mennonites left for Mexico in 1922 after the Mexican government offered them cheap land and religious freedom. Today, more than 75,000 of them thrive in Mexico, the majority of whom are in Chihuahua, primarily in and around Ciudad Cuauhtémoc. Mostly involved with agriculture, one of the most famous products the Mennonites from the region produce is a soft, white cheese known as queso Chihuahua or queso Menonita, a beloved staple in Mexican cuisine.
Dance with Anthony Quinn in Chihuahua City
To movie fans, Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca is better known as Anthony Quinn, a two-time Academy-award-winning actor who, after Pancho Villa, is possibly Chihuahua City’s most famous son. While the city’s historic centre is what attracts most visitors, those looking for something different, can venture to a park on the city’s outskirts that features a towering statue in Neon Palomar Park of a dancing Quinn that immortalizes him from one of his most beloved performances in the movie Zorba the Greek. Even if you’re not a Quinn fan, the skyline views from the park worth experiencing.
Travel back in time at Paquimé
In the northwestern corner of Chihuahua, close to the Pueblo Mágico of Casa Grandes, sits a unique archaeological site known as Paquimé. This sprawling maze-like collection of mud buildings was once a thriving Mesoamerican community that reached its zenith in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was originally part of the Mogollon culture which once thrived in northern Mexico and the American Southwest. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most fascinating historic sites you can visit in the state, if not all of Mexico.
Go beyond the Valley of the Monks
Not far from Creel in the heart of one of the region’s Indigenous communities sits a spectacular natural wonder named The Valley of the Monks. This stunning collection of towering stone monoliths was formed by natural volcanic means that have resulted in a unique landscape best experienced late in the afternoon as the shadows of the setting sun play among the rocks. En route, be sure to visit the San Ignacio de Arareko, a centuries-old Spanish mission that is still in use today by the Christian faithful.
Get medical work done in Ciudad Juarez
Not all tourists come to Mexico for the scenery and amazing culture. Many come to take advantage of its world-class medical facilities which offer health services at more affordable prices than back home. One of the most accessible places to do this is Ciudad Juarez, which sits just across the border from El Paso, Texas. Often patients come with their families in tow and play the part of tourist in the border town which offers no shortage of fun things for visitors to experience.
Visit a Sotol distillery
The spirit that is synonymous with Chihuahua is sotol, an alcoholic beverage which is produced from the fermentation of a desert plant known as the Desert Spoon. Similar in some ways to agave from which mezcal and tequila are derived, sotol has been produced here for more than 10,000 years. Sotol is having a moment as people from around the world discover this unique drink, but it isn’t always easy to find beyond Mexico’s borders. Visitors to Chihuahua can tour one of the dozens of distilleries in the state, learn about the tradition of sotol making and taste the drink for themselves. Leave room in your suitcase for the bottles you’ll inevitably want to take home as souvenirs.
- The author was a guest of Visit Chihuahua which did not read or approve this article before publication.
