Guachochi

Guachochi is in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Understand

Guachochi (meaning "Place of Herons" in the Tarahumara language) is in the Sierra Madre Occidental. It is the main urban settlement and seat of the municipality of the same name, one of the most important in the territory of the Tarahumara or Raramuri nation in the center of the Sierra Tarahumara.

Get in

By bus

There are daily departures to/from Chihuahua (7hrs) via Creel (2.5 hrs) and to/from Hidalgo del Parral (3.5hrs). These services are provided by comfortable modern coaches, but considered local service, so not listed on the internet site nor accepts reservation. So, for detailed schedule you need to inquire locally. (as of July 2014, two departure from Creel, 11:45am and 4:45pm continued from Chihuahua, M$150 (pesos))

By car

All-paved, smooth Highway 20 connects Guachochi to Hidalgo del Parral. The Highway 25 to Creel is also all-paved, spectacular trip going up and down into deep canyon.

By air

Guachochi has an airport with paved runway and modern terminal, but has no scheduled service. There is an air-taxi service for the sightseeing flight to the spectacular Sinforosa Canyon.

Get around

The town is small enough to walk around. The sitio taxis are available in town centre to get to the viewpoint of Sinforosa, 18 km south of town. But better yet, make friends with nice town people who love to show you around.

See

• Lago las Garzas - Urban park centered in a lake. Boat rentals.
• Cascada el Salto - Series of waterfalls within easy 10 minutes walk from downtown.
• Sinforosa Canyon - Known as "The Queen of the Canyon" is located 18 km south of Guachochi, with a depth of 1830 meters. One of the most spectacular canyons in the Sierra Tarahumara, with its many waterfalls. Sinforosa Canyon can be explored by walking its bottom following the more rugged and spectacular part. This is one of the most impressive runs of the Sierra Tarahumara.

Do

• Zipline - Spanning over Salto waterfall. (out of service as of June 2014)
• Hike down Sinforosa - considering there is no tourist facilities in the canyon, this is challenging overnight trip. Hiring a local guide is recommended.
• Run down the canyon - Every year in the months of July or August, Ultramarathon Guachochi Canyons, with 100 km route that includes the descent and ascent Sinforosa Canyon, takes place. This annual event brings hundreds of athletes and spectators.

Buy

Several small stores around the town square sell local handicrafts. Scotiabank is the only bank in the city.

Eat

• Gorditas Charras, Calle 20 de Noviembre and Francisco M. Plancarte, ☎ [phone]. Place for Gorditas, Burritos, Burgers and Breakfast. Popular with locals.
• Restaurant La Casona, Calle Allende #4 (in front of Lago las Garzas). Good atmosphere and location. Steaks, tacos, salads, and breakfast for reasonable price.
• Los Adobes, 20 de Noviembre and Pascual Orozco, ☎ (649) 54 3 06 29. Upscale restaurant. Good place for locally grown trouts and steaks.

Drink

Sleep

• Casa de Huespedes El Meson (Dona Lucha), Calle Agustin Melgar 306 (one block north-east of Scotiabank), ☎ [phone]. Small and homely guesthouse run by friendly lady, Lucha, will welcome you like you are a part of her family. From M$180.
• Motel Jardín, Calle 20 de Noviembre #46 Col. Centro., ☎ [phone]. Economical motel. Restaurant on-site.
• Hotel La Mansion, Luis Echeverria #141 (corner of 20 Noviembre), ☎ [phone]. Economical choice. Restaurant on-site.
• Hotel la Roca, Abraham Gonzalez and 20 de Nov, Centro, ☎ [phone]. Motel style accommodation. Clean rooms. M$300.
• Hotel Melina, Belisario Domínguez No. 14 (in downtown), ☎ [phone]. The most upscale hotel. Well appointed. On-site restaurant. They also have cabins just outside of the city. From M$450.

Connect

Go next

There are many small Tarahumara or Raramuri communities scattered around the area. One of them is the town of Tónachi, about 30 km northwest of the Guachochi, for its old mission of San Juan Bautista built in 1752, and nearby waterfalls of Salto Chico and Salto Grande.