Chihuahua

About Chihuahua

Chihuahua stretches from the Rio Grande border with Texas and New Mexico in the north to the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west, making it Mexico's largest state by area. Its centerpiece is the Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre), a system of six interconnected canyons in the Sierra Tarahumara that is larger and, in places, deeper than the Grand Canyon. The Chihuahua al Pacífico railway, known as El Chepe, threads through the canyon between Chihuahua City and Los Mochis on the Pacific coast, stopping at mountain towns such as Creel and Divisadero. The state is also home to the Rarámuri (Tarahumara) indigenous people, known for long-distance running, the Mennonite farming communities around Cuauhtémoc, and the archaeological site of Paquimé (Casas Grandes), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chihuahua City, the state capital, preserves sites tied to Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution. The lowlands are part of the Chihuahuan Desert, with hot summers and cold winters, while the Sierra Tarahumara sees snow at higher elevations.

Capital

Chihuahua City

Largest city

Ciudad Juárez

Population

~3.7 million

Languages

Spanish, Rárámuri (indigenous)

Currency

Mexican Peso

Time zone

MST/MDT (UTC-7/-6)

Explore Chihuahua by topic

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Best places to visit in Chihuahua

The 22 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.

Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre) - Divisadero Viewpoint

Parque de Aventura Barrancas del Cobre

El Chepe Railway - Chihuahua Station (Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico)

Zona Arqueológica de Paquimé (Casas Grandes)

Cuarenta Casas Cliff Dwellings

Quinta Luz (Museo Histórico de la Revolución)

Recommended itineraries

Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.

Where to stay in Chihuahua

Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.

Where to eat in Chihuahua

Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.

Getting around Chihuahua

Chihuahua is Mexico's largest state by area, so distances are considerable and a rental car or long-distance bus is essential for exploring beyond Chihuahua City. The Chepe Express and Chepe Regional trains cross the Sierra Tarahumara between Los Mochis (Sinaloa) and Chihuahua City via Creel and Divisadero, making the famous Copper Canyon rail journey the state's signature transport experience. Within Chihuahua City, buses, taxis, and rideshare apps cover daily needs, while first-class intercity buses link the capital with Ciudad Juárez, Creel, Cuauhtémoc, Parral, and other towns.

Budget breakdown

Daily spend by tier in MXN, broken out by category.

Best time to visit Chihuahua

Chihuahua's size means the calendar shifts by elevation: the low desert around Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juárez is most comfortable October-April, while the Sierra Tarahumara towns of Creel and Divisadero, sitting above 2,200 m, are cold enough for frost or light snow December-February and are best visited March-May or September-November for clear skies without summer's afternoon thunderstorms.

Essential travel tips

• Reserve El Chepe train seats well ahead of travel, especially for weekend and holiday departures
• Pack layers: canyon-rim towns like Creel and Divisadero can be cold at night even when the desert lowlands are hot
• Carry cash in small pesos denominations, as ATMs and card readers are scarce in mountain villages
• Hire local Rarámuri or licensed guides for canyon hikes, since trails are often unmarked
• Try machaca, discada, and Menonita cheese, three Chihuahua specialities, at a local restaurant or market

Hidden gems

Off-the-beaten-path corners most travellers miss.

Safety information

Frequently asked questions

Explore Chihuahua by city

The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.