Chihuahua

Understand

Chihuahua is a vast area, the largest state in Mexico. Its area of 245,000 km² makes it roughly half the size of Spain or about the size of the UK. Transport costs can add up quickly in such a large rugged region. Although Chihuahua is primarily identified with its namesake, the Chihuahuan Desert, it has more forests than any other state in Mexico, aside from Durango. Due to its variant climate, the state has a large variety of fauna and flora. The state is mostly characterized by rugged mountainous terrain and wide river valleys. The Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, part of the continental spine that also includes the Rocky Mountains, dominates the state's terrain, and is home to the state's greatest attraction, Las Barrancas del Cobre, or Copper Canyon, a canyon system larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. On the slope of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains (around the regions of Casas Grandes, Cuauhtémoc and Parral), there are vast prairies of short yellow grass, the source of the bulk of the state's agricultural production. Most of the inhabitants live along the Rio Grande Valley, and the Conchos River Valley.

Getting there

By plane Major airports are found in the cities of Chihuahua (CUU IATA) and Juarez (CJS IATA), and in El Paso (ELP IATA), just across the border from Juarez.

By car

From the United States Ports of entry from Texas are located at El Paso-Juarez and Presidio-Ojinaga. Entry from New Mexico is possible on NM Route 11 south of Columbus at Puerto Palomas.

By bus Long-distance buses from U.S. cities usually cross the border at El Paso and arrive at 1 Central de Autobuses Ciudad Juarez, located on Blvd. Oscar Flores 4010 in Juarez. Juarez is a major bus station with several first-class and smaller second-class bus lines serving the city of Chihuahua and other destinations in bordering states. See Bus travel in Mexico for further information.

Getting around

Chihuahua is a vast land of desert and wide open spaces. Distances between towns can be long and public transit more limited than in populated areas. A car is your best bet for getting around Chihuahua. The Chihuahenses bus line (part of Grupo Senda) operates throughout the state. The Chepe train is the best way to travel from the city of Chihuahua to Creel, Divisadero, or west to Los Mochis and the Gulf of California.

See

Ancient cave-dwellings, at Paquime (near Casas Grandes) — inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Mennonite colony around Cuahtemoc - The largest in the world. Well known for a variety of farm products, especially its cheeses and apples.

Do

Rock-climbing and rappelling in the states many canyons and rock formations.

Buy

Chihuahua is not as well known for its crafts and artisans as some of the southern states that are generally preferred by tourists. But western wear (boots, hats, and shirts) as well as saddles and tack are of high quality and fairly priced. Finding appropriate sizes may be a challenge for some visitors.

Pottery - Pottery made in the pueblo at Mata Ortiz is considered to be some of the best in the world. Cheese made by the Mennonites in the north of the state should also be tried and is famous throughout Mexico and the Southwest United States. Vanilla and tequila are good values and are worth taking home.

Eat

Burritos with various fillings. Caldo de oso - Spicy dish with chilies and fish. Empanadas de Santa Rita - Stuffed with pork fried with onions, almonds, raisins. Gorditas de cuajada - Small corn tortillas covered with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and egg and cooked in an orange leaf. Machaca con huevo - Traditional scrambled beef and egg dish served with flour tortillas. Quesadillas - Tortillas grilled with white cheese and salsa.

Drink & nightlife

Some travellers report that tap water here is safe, but still most tourists play it safe and buy bottled water. Beer is the most popular drink by far and is widely available throughout the state. Small artesanal craft breweries can be found in a few small towns, and there are several in the capital city of Chihuahua. Craft breweries include Casa Cervecera Bolívar, Cerveceria Local, and El Gardenia. Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from various types of agave. Tequila is the most famous type of mezcal, but there are other types often made using more complex processes and using agaves with distinctive flavors. In Chihuahua, a type of mezcal called sotol is made. There are various distilleries in the state, including some, like Los Magos, within the capital city of Chihuahua. Sotol distilleries in Chihuahua include Ocho Cientos, Hacienda Chihuahua, Sotol por Siempre, and Los Magos. Drinking sotol is similar to a light (silver) tequila. Both tend to be clear with a bright flavor. Sotol expresses itself with a pine like aroma and flavor. Sometimes, sotol is sold as reposado or anejo, which indicates that it has been aged and may have a more mellow, rounded character. Hacienda Chihuahua sells some cream sotol, including a coffee flavor. A drink called tesgüino is made and consumed in areas populated by Tarahamuri (Raramuri) indigenous people. Tesgüino is a fermented drink, similar in strength to beer, made from germinated corn. It is generally not sold but rather consumed locally in the community where it is made. It may be possible to find it in places with large Raramuri populations, such as Guachochi.

Go next

Take the time to continue south to Durango, another overlooked destination in the north of Mexico. Going east, you can explore the state of Coahuila. Further south is Zacatecas, one of Mexico's most attractive cities.