Travelling to Copper Canyon, Mexico - Safety Considerations

It’s a legitimate question and one that might render a variety of conflicting answers online. Especially when it comes to safety in northern Mexico.

The Copper Canyon is situated in the Sierra Madre Mountains in north-western Mexico. The Chihuahua Pacific Railway is a tourist and local commuter train that navigates the canyons and offers some absolutely spectacular views along the way. The train, El Chepe as it’s known in Mexico, runs between the city of Chihuahua, in the state of Chihuahua, and Los Mochis in Sinaloa.

Many countries’ travel advisories list the states of Chihuahua and Sinaloa as requiring extreme caution.

Drug-related violence is the primary reason the northern states of Chihuahua and Sinaloa are listed as high caution areas. Violent outbursts have occurred over the years but are generally confined to those involved in the drug trade.

Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is likely the only reason a tourist would be injured in the cartel-related violence.

The little towns of Creel, Areponapuchi, Cerocahui, Urique, El Fuerte and Topolobampo along the Chepe route all have a safe, small-town vibe. However, as these are such small towns, you can assume that everyone knows each other, and asking inappropriate questions (about drugs or cartels for example) may draw some unwanted attention. Best to avoid touchy subjects and stick to playing the part of the tourist.

In the larger cities, Chihuahua and Los Mochis, use the precautions you would in any big city, and read what the advisory says about each state.

We should always exercise caution when travelling outside our own country or comfort zone. Common sense is the best tool to have but taking a few precautions never hurts. Here are a few tips:

• Buy the right travel insurance. Not all insurance companies provide coverage in this region. To read more about finding the right insurance company click here.
• Don’t purchase anything illegal, especially drugs.
• Don’t take cash out of ATMs after dark.
• Don’t carry a lot of cash with you in bigger cities (Chihuahua, Los Mochis).
• Don’t make yourself a target by wearing flashy, expensive jewellery.
• If you’re inebriated take a taxi or Uber back to your hotel, don’t walk.
• If you have a purse or personal bag with you, keep it on your front side when in crowded areas.
• Many lower-end hotels don’t have safes so have some way to lock your luggage to safe keep your valuables or leave them at the reception desk.
• Lock your luggage if it’s going to be out of sight when you’re on a bus.
• Don’t travel alone to non-tourist destinations around the Copper Canyon. Stick to the towns and sites that the hotels and guides recommend.

Drug-related violence is often on the top of peoples' minds when they think of northern Mexico but what about other safety concerns, such as driving, the elements or bug bites?

Driving

The U.S. advisory says motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death of U.S. citizens in Mexico, and recommends driving between cities only during the day and using toll roads. Our guide to driving to the Copper Canyon has the details.

If renting a vehicle is part of the plan, take extra care in the bigger cities and especially around stop signs as people sometimes ignore them. Once on a highway or in small towns, it should be much easier. But beware, speed bumps are overused, often very poorly marked and seem to pop up out of nowhere.

Driving around in the Sierra Madre Mountain range can also be risky due to sharp turns, steep cliffs and rockslides. Sometimes a bus with an experienced driver is just a better option.

The Outdoors

Any outdoor activity anywhere in the world entails some risk, so take the usual precautions. Many viewpoints in the Copper Canyon will have areas without fences and just a sheer drop-off. It might make for a fantastic photo but people have fallen to their death doing this so be careful.

The train itself, El Chepe, can also pose a risk if one isn’t careful. If you take photos from an open window or from the space between the cars, do not lean out: branches and rock walls pass very close to the train. Hold tight to your camera or phone. On the Chepe Express, First class has its own terrace car for this.

Animals aren’t much of a safety risk in the Copper Canyon but some are more dangerous than others. Rattlesnakes, Mexican Beaded Lizards (venomous lizard) and scorpions live in the area but will almost always avoid humans when possible. If you plan to trek, it’s best to have a guide who knows the area and the wildlife.

Altitude

Altitude sickness is generally only a risk above 2500 m (8000 ft). The highest town along the Chepe route in the Copper Canyon is around 2350 m (7700 ft) so the risk is very low. If you have a heart or lung condition, ask your doctor before the trip.

At higher altitudes, the suns rays are stronger so sunburns are a greater risk. Always have sunblock on hand for outdoor activities. If planning to swim in any natural bodies of water use biodegradable sunscreen.

Disease, Infection and Parasites

Health notes checked on September 18, 2026 against the CDC's Traveler's Health page for Mexico (page last reviewed September 3, 2026). We are not doctors: this is what the CDC publishes, and the advice that matters is your own doctor's.

Before travelling, see a travel doctor, ideally a month or more ahead.

The deep canyons, such as Urique and Batopilas, are in the southern part of the state and are warmer than the rim, so tell your doctor exactly where you are going and at what time of year. In the winter most places along the rim are too cold for mosquitoes, but El Fuerte stays fairly warm year-round.

If you need a doctor or a lab in Mexico

Written on September 18, 2026 by our editor in Chihuahua, from local experience. The prices are typical ranges, not quotes, and none of this replaces emergency care: for anything serious, call 911.

For a minor problem, such as a cold, the flu or a stomach bug, you do not need a hospital. This is how most Mexicans handle it:

Researchers at Mexico's National Institute of Public Health have documented how quickly pharmacy doctor's offices spread between 2012 and 2018, and how many people use them instead of public clinics (Salud Pública de México, 2020).

Many of these doctors are young and a good number speak some English, but do not count on it: keep a translation app ready. You will find these services in the cities, such as Chihuahua, Cuauhtémoc and Los Mochis. In Creel and the small towns of the Sierra the options are far fewer: see our Creel emergency numbers. Keep every receipt if you plan to claim on your travel insurance.

Whether to go is your decision, and the place to start is the official advisory at the top of this page, read in full, followed by our own reading in “Where we stand on this”. If you do go:

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep an eye on your belongings.
• Keep up to date on new travel advisories.
• See a travel doctor before the trip, and mention the canyons by name.
• Take the steps mentioned above to avoid undesirable situations.
• Buy travel insurance that actually covers this region.

Answers checked on September 15, 2026 against the U.S. State Department travel advisory for Mexico (date issued: May 29, 2026).

What are your safety concerns? Have you had any safety issues in Mexico’s Copper Canyon?

We keep this page as up to date as we can, and we would rather hear it from you than publish something stale. New comments are paused, so send a message via the Contact page.