Planning a trip to Creel, Mexico? From what to do and where to eat to when to go and where to stay, this guide to Creel, Chihuahua offers everything you need to know to plan your trip.

If you’re thinking about visiting Creel then the chances are you are planning a trip through the Copper Canyon since Creel is a small town some 175km from Chihuahua City and is the first real stop of interest along the Copper Canyon train route, El Chepe.

We spent about a week here at the beginning of our Copper Canyon trip and truly loved the town. We spent our days adventuring locally and exploring the town, as well as checking out some popular nearby attractions like Lake Arateco and Valle de los Monjes. Not to mention we also tried out almost every restaurant in town!

Below you’ll find everything we learned about this pueblo magico, from how to get to Creel and the best things to do in Creel to where to eat and where to stay.

To read more about taking the train, why not check out my article about how to book the train, or my article about travelling by train through the Copper Canyon?

_{There may, be affiliate adverts in the article, which, if you click on and then make a purchase, would mean I may get a few pennies here and there, always appreciated!}

Everything You Need to Know About Creel, Chihuahua

Creel has a population of around 7,000 according to the owner of our AirBnB who also told me that there are always loads of tourists although they never outnumber the locals. The town was previously a logging town but now, because of its proximity to the Copper Canyon and its own surrounding natural beauty, it’s a popular tourist destination and a Pueblo Magico in its own right.

The area is also home to the Raramuri Indigenous tribe.

This isn’t the place for a lecture about the local indigenous people, mainly because I wouldn’t want to pretend to know more than I do about a whole group of people. What I know is that the Raramuri are an Indigenous people who are primarily known to the rest of the world for their long-distance running abilities.

While their own name for themselves is the Raramuri, they are also often known as the Tarahumara, which is what the Spanish named them when arriving in Mexico in the sixteenth century. Prior to the Spanish arrival, they had lived across much of the state of Chihuahua but they retreated to the canyons and hills rather than get too involved with the invaders.

Where is Creel, Mexico?

Creel is located in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico, about 260km from Chihuahua City. It’s one of the most popular stops when exploring the Copper Canyon and is either the start or end point for the famous El Chepe train route.

How Much Time Do You Need In Creel?

Most people just spend a couple of days here but if you can, I’d highly recommend taking the time and exploring Creel more fully as it’s a cute little place with enough day trip opportunities to keep you occupied for a week. One or two nights is definitely not enough.

How to Get to Creel, Chihuahua

There are no airports in Creel, so you’ll need to arrange transportation via train, car, or private transfer. The closest airport is in Chihuahua City (CUU).

By train

Most people visiting Creel, Mexico are doing so because they’re taking the Copper Canyon train, El Chepe. If you start your Copper Canyon route in Los Mochis, it will end in Creel.

You can also start your Chepe Copper Canyon adventure in Creel but you’ll first need to make your way to Creel. While the El Chepe Copper Canyon train does not run from Chihuahua City to Creel, the lesser-known El Chepe Regional does, so you can still take the train from Chihuahua City to Creel. View the schedule here.

By car

If you fly into Chihuahua, you can also rent a car and drive to Creel. It’s about 260km and takes around 3 and a half to 4 hours. Click here to find the best prices on rental cars in Chihuahua.

Private transfer

If you’re not up for public transportation or driving, you can also find private transfers from Chihuahua City to Creel. These are pricy if you’re travelling solo but if you’re travelling as a family or in a group. like we were, it may make sense.

The Best Things To Do In Creel, Chihuahua

Personally, I’d say part of Creel’s attraction is the day trips and tours you can take from here, whether under your own steam or with a guide. Some bits and pieces will definitely be doable on foot or on bikes but others require a vehicle for sure. We used a guide for two days, a taxi for two days and spent other days just pottering around town exploring walks nearby.

We spent seven days in Creel and wanted to get a chance to explore the town without feeling rushed. I’m so glad we did. Despite absolutely loving the tours we did and the things we saw, my favourite day was actually the day we had a leisurely breakfast and then ambled up to Chapultepec, the cliffs behind Creel.

Explore the Copper Canyon

It’s impossible to talk about Creel without talking about the Copper Canyon, as that’s why most people visit. If you’re short on time, you can join a tour that takes you to several of the top Creel Copper Canyon highlights and even an adventure park. Check the availability and pricing here.

Museo Casa de las Artesanías – Museum of Handicrafts

Though small, the Museo Casa de las Artesanías is a great way to learn about the local Indigenous Tarahumara people and their art and handicrafts. The museum exhibits are in both English and Spanish and the entry fee is minimal (about $1 USD).

Cascada de Cusarare – Cusarare Waterfall

This is a stunningly beautiful waterfall, particularly if you go in the rainy season, which we did. We loved the drive there, the walk to it, the viewpoint and the chance to clamber all over the rocks at the bottom. You can buy snacks and souvenirs all along the walk. This was a completely magical day and probably the kids’ favourite thing to do in Creel. There were plenty of other visitors there when we went as July is the high season.

My parents visited in the dry season and found the waterfall much smaller. They still had a fabulous time and still thought it was worth a visit. They told me that it was possible to walk across the top of the waterfall at this time of year.

If you love water-based activities with your family (or without, obviously), then Mexico is a fabulous destination for a vacation. 

Cascada de Basaeachi – Basaseachi Waterfall

Located a short drive outside of Creel in the Parque Nacional Basaseachic is another epic waterfall, called Basaseachi. The name roughly translates to “place of waterfalls and coyotes” in the Rarámuri language and while I doubt you’ll see any coyotes, you’ll see why it deserves the first part of the name.

246 meters tall, the Basaeachi Waterfall is the second tallest in Mexico (Cascada de Piedra Volada is the tallest). There are hiking opportunities within the park, as well as a viewpoint called La Ventana, if you’re not up for a ton of hiking.

Valle de los Monjes – Nuns’ Valley

This is another valley, also stunningly beautiful and good for hiking around. It’s about 15km outside of Creel. We got here by hiring a cab to drive us there, wait an hour and drive us back. This trip cost $360 pesos. Quite honestly we wished we asked him to wait longer than one hour as we had so much fun exploring and climbing. You can also hire quad bikes to get here or go by a normal bike. The valley is accessed through the Valley of the Frogs and Mushrooms. It costs $15 pesos for an adult to enter. Don’t pay the $25 pesos to enter the other valleys as you don’t have to pay both entrance fees.

This area was apparently called ‘Penis Valley’ by the local people until the conquistadors arrived and decided this name wouldn’t do at all. They changed it to the much duller ‘Nuns’ Valley’. You could just sit and enjoy the very large ‘penis’ monoliths, or if you’re feeling adventurous keep walking up and up, following the white arrows.

Valle de Hongos y Ranas – Valley of Mushrooms and Frogs

This is basically a stunningly beautiful valley where the rock formations bear a striking resemblance to mushrooms and frogs…possibly, maybe, sort of. I’d forget the shapes and just marvel at the stunning beauty of the place. We had a wonderful time exploring here and picking up some fun souvenirs. There was a massive storm rolling around the edges of the valley when we were there. It was fascinating, especially as we were lucky that the rain only arrived as we were leaving! I’ve seen other blogs suggesting this isn’t an interesting place to check out and I’d disagree entirely. It might not be as spectacular as the scenery in the true Copper Canyon (remember, you’re still on the outskirts here) but it truly is beautiful in its own right.

Recowata Hot Springs

The Recowata Hot Springs (sometimes written as Recohuata Hot Springs) are located about 20 km from Creel in the Tararecua Canyon.

To get there, you can drive if you have a rental car, hire a taxi, or join a half-day tour. Depending on your group size, the half-day tour may be more economical. You can check pricing and availability here.

Note that your transportation likely can’t take you all of the way to the hot springs and you’ll need to walk 30-45 minutes down a steep path.

Be warned, it is extremely steep. Our kids managed it but the little one didn’t enjoy the walking that much.

There is nothing except the small pools and a changing room here so be sure to take supplies of water and snacks. We saw Mexican families with full picnics down there.

Cueva de Tarahumara – Tarahumara Cave

Traditionally, the Tarahumara lived in caves – and some of them still do today. Some families have opened up their homes (caves) to visitors, to offer a glimpse inside their culture. I’m not sure that it’s 100% authentic but it was still interesting. Be prepared to see plenty of souvenirs for purchase too.

You can visit the Tarahumara cave on a tour, which also includes a few other stops. Check pricing and availability here.

Mision San Ignacio – San Ignacio Church

It’s a small, old church. We didn’t go in because it was full of other tourists, the guide didn’t think it was particularly worth our time and we aren’t that fussed by small, old churches.

However, it is located near many of the other attractions on the list and if you take any Creel tours, they’ll likely include a quick stop here. We didn’t visit but apparently, there is a museum of sacred art next door, if that’s more your thing.

Piedra del Elefante – Elephant Rock

A fun, quick photo stop that you’ll likely pass on your way to other attractions. You’ll only need a few minutes here to snap a photo or two, and possibly check out the souvenir tables.

Lago de Arareko – Lake Arareko

Lake Arareko is known for being calm and beautiful. We first stopped by for about twenty minutes on a tour and quickly decided that wasn’t enough, so we arranged to return with a taxi later.

You can just relax by the water or do some hiking. There are places to grab a bite to eat as well. It would make a lovely picnic location!

Chapultepec

To get here, walk down the small road beside restaurant Tio Molcas and take the first small road on your left, follow it around to the right and then walk straight until you hit the base of the cliffs. Find a path up! We followed a path up that took us to a water tower and then we just headed off on paths until we were stopped for snacks. Honestly, we spent the morning climbing rocks, teaching the kids to use penknives and generally having a wild adventure letting the kids run and explore. We had the sun on our backs, could hear no human noise (except our pesky kids who cannot keep quiet for even one second!) and just enjoyed the sounds of nature.

Parador Cristo Rey

This is a big old statue of Jesus on a hill. If you look up, behind the train station you should see it. We spent a lovely few hours in the forest up here although the walk itself from Creel was less enjoyable than Chapultepec and the Cristo Rey isn’t in a great state.

Train Tracks

Our kids also loved just being allowed to walk on the train tracks. Of course, this is a complete novelty to them as even in Merida where some of the tracks are dead, we don’t tend to just hang out and walk on them as they’re in busy parts of town. Here, everything is so sleepy, the kids really can ‘play on the tracks’. We walked a good thirty minutes along the tracks in one direction and could have easily done more in either direction. Fingers crossed we remember to unteach this at some point!

If, like me, you’re a lot in love with small Mexican towns, then I highly recommend you put Tequila, Jalisco on your list of places to visit. 

Restaurants In Creel

For such a small town, there are plenty of restaurants to pick from. Obviously, we couldn’t try them all but we had a damn good time working through as many as possible…in the name of research for my readers, obviously. Here, I’ll list the places we tried, tell you anything notable and give an indication of the price. Unless I specifically mention it, assume my bigger kid ate a hamburger and the littler one chicken or nothing at all.

We were in Airbnb so ate breakfast at home every day and took snacks out with us so we only needed to eat out once a day.

Pollo Gordito

Basically a chicken restaurant. Here we definitely felt we were the only tourists eating given the surprised looks we got when we went in. We ate tasty chicken, a good burger, average fries and a very milky tres leches cake. It was cheap, cheerful and tasty. No arguments from any of us.

Simple Bistro

We had drinks here just after arriving and they were delicious (fresh hot chocolate and fresh smoothies). Just before leaving Creel, I had a sneaky crepe (you know, in the name of research) and it was AMAZING.

Tio Molcas

Mexican. Tasty Sopa De Aztecas. Reasonably priced. None of the food was piping hot but it was fine.

Pizza Del Rey

Pizza clearly hasn’t been cooked in a pizza oven and didn’t really taste made from scratch (think pre-bought base taste even if it wasn’t). We had been warned that the pizza in the Best Western Hotel is better but it was raining and we were starving. It was fine.

Veronica

We liked it here because the loos are open to everyone. The food was ok. The guacamole was exceptional and the staff was friendly. The hamburger was disgusting but the Mexican food was nice enough.

Cabaña

The place was recommended to us as pricey but good. My parents ate here in November and really enjoyed their meal.

Street Food

We also ate on the small square in front of the tourist information office and although the food was surprisingly not cheap for street food, it was also far and away the best food we had in Creel. We ate barbacoa tacos, carne de res tacos, esquites and fresh mango. It was all delicious and the kids absolutely inhaled everything. We kept having to order more! I highly recommend eating on the square. It’s also a good way to find people to chat with.

I also heard good things about Hospital Para Crudos (Drunks’ Hospital) and their tasty tacos but it didn’t feel as if it would have been particularly family-friendly. Maybe I was wrong and we should have checked it out as the tacos are meant to be pretty good.

Hotels in Creel

There are many different hotels in Creel – a surprising number, truly, for such a small town. If you show up without a reservation, you’ll likely be able to find one with no problem.

We actually chose to stay in a vacation rental, which we booked in advance. We like the option of providing for ourselves and of having space so we don’t have to go to sleep at the same time as the kids…only, it turns out we needed to sleep at the same time after such a busy time exploring! If you’re also the vacation rental type, you can check out options for Creel rentals here.

That said, here are a few of the top hotels in Creel that you may want to consider for your trip:

Hotel La Estacion

My parents chose to stay in Hotel La Estación right on the main square, next to the train station. They told me that it was clean and nice with a fabulous breakfast. The hotel is made to look like a train. They particularly liked that coffee was available all day long. While there wasn’t much noise from the train station (since trains are infrequent), they did tell me that the walls were pretty thin.

Hotel María del Tío Molcas

Hotel María del Tío Molcas is one of the top-rated hotels in Creel and one of the higher end options. (But still budget friendly, with prices around $70 per night.) Most rooms feature a mountain view, which is nice, and they do offer free wifi. There’s a restaurant on-site so you won’t have to go far for lunch or dinner. Breakfast is included too.

Hotel Ecológico Temazcal

For a budget option, check out Hotel Ecológico Temazcal. Rooms average under $40 per night and though basic, the rooms are clean. There is free wifi and a coffee house on site. Note that the hotel is about a 15 minute walk from the center of Creel, though they do offer a shuttle at certain times.

Check pricing and availability of all hotels in Creel here.

Practicalities Of Visiting Creel

📌 Creel is almost 2500m above sea level so the sun is fierce. Thankfully I’m really good at remembering to put lotion on the kids. Sadly, I’m less good about myself so I suffered from pink skin and very chapped lips. The air is much drier than my body is used to in hot and humid Merida.

📌 There are a few small supermarkets in town but don’t expect much in the way of choice. This is a small town and the shops show that. If there is anything you truly can’t live without, bring it with you. We found enough to make a decent breakfast every day (eggs, hotcake mix, bread and spreads).

📌 I spotted two pharmacies here and one laundry although I suspect there is more than one. We paid $100 for two bags of laundry to be done in two hours.

📌 There is a Santander in town with two cash machines. Be sure to stock up on cash as this is the last bank machine you’ll see for a while if you’re heading into the Copper Canyon.

Don’t be like my parents and not believe me when I say the air is dry and you’ll need a chapstick! Honestly, take one!

Creel Mexico Packing List

We went with very practical clothes and I don’t regret it. We all had walking boots, sensible shorts and tops. While we may not have looked super cool, we didn’t struggle in the hills.

If you are in Creel just for a few days and only plan on doing organised tours before heading off for a whistle stop tour of the Canyon then I’m sure you don’t need walking shoes. We could easily have visited the waterfall or thermal baths in trainers or good sandals but we would have struggled up in the hills on the occasions we took ourselves off to explore and run wild with the kids.

If you’re not sure what to pack for your trip to the Copper Canyon, check out my helpful (and sensible) packing list here. 

📌 Our kids were kitted out from the brand new Decathalon store in Merida just before we left home. Both were bought Quechua walking shoes and light raincoats. The kids both declared the shoes to be super comfortable and both were able to leap around the rocks and hills like the mountain goats they profess to be.

📌 If you plan on hitting the thermal baths then don’t forget your swimming stuff and remember that Mexican women don’t tend to be in regular bikinis or costumes. I find that a bikini with shorts and a t-shirt over the top is perfectly adequate and stops me feeling uncomfortable. If you don’t care about blending in then no one will tell you off for wearing a bikini, just know you may be stared at and may mark yourself even more obviously as a foreigner.

📌 Even in the middle of the wet and hot season (we were here in July), evenings are chilly (and wet). We were glad of our thin sweaters. You can purchase sweaters in some of the local stores, which suggests people regularly show up without one and are then surprised by how cool it gets when the sun isn’t shining.

📌 Later in the year it is cold enough for sweaters all day long.

Is Creel Chihuahua Worth Visiting?

Yes! As you probably gathered throughout this blog post, we had a fantastic time in Creel. It was one of our favourite stops along the Copper Canyon and I’m glad we gave ourselves a week here instead of just a day or two.

What I love about Creel is that it offers a little something for everyone. There are stunning waterfalls and lots of places to get out in nature plus opportunities to learn more about the history, culture, and art of the area.

When Is The Best Time to Visit Creel?

Creel can be visited year-round but the most popular times are March to April and October to November, when temperatures are more moderate. We visited in July, which is the rainy season, and had no issues, though it was wet most evenings.

Keep in mind that while it can be quite hot during the day, temperatures do drop at night so be prepared with layers!

Is Creel Chihuahua Safe?

Safety is always a topic that comes up when discussing travel to the Chihuahua region, so I wanted to address that here. The reality is, most of the issues in Chihuahua are cartel-related and unless you’re doing something that puts you in the middle of that, you’re likely not going to have any issues.

Creel in particular is a very safe town, as it draws in a lot of tourists via the Copper Canyon. You’ll want to take regular precautions, like not wandering down random streets in the dark. Don’t flash wads of cash around and use the ATMs inside the bank – just basic common sense things.

If you plan to go off hiking on your own, I recommend always checking with the locals to make sure the route you’re planning to hike is safe. In fact, if you’re ever in doubt – ask the locals.

That said, I always recommend buying travel insurance when travelling, particularly one that covers incidentals like lost luggage and cancelled flights, as well as medical coverage. While you hopefully won’t need it, if you accidentally trip down some stairs and break an ankle – you’ll be glad you had it! I recommend SafetyWing, which offers pretty extensive coverage at an affordable price.

More Copper Canyon Towns

If you’re continuing your journey on the El Chepe Express, you’ll want to check out these other Copper Canyon towns!

🌎 Chihuahua City. Consider adding a night or two in Chihuahua City at the start or end of your Copper Canyon trip. It’s the capital of the state and home to a surprising number of things to do!

🌎 Bahuichivo and Cerochaui. Bahuichivo is the town where the train stops but most accommodation can be found in Cerochaui. If you want to check out some miradors or waterfalls or go on long walks, this is a destination you’re going to want to love.

🌎 Urique. Urique is one of the smaller Copper Canyon towns and the perfect place to spend a day or two doing absolutely nothing.

I always try to write super useful articles, answering the questions I think people might have about exploring Mexico. MexicoCassie is a labour of love. If you find my site useful and have a few spare coins to help with the exploring and writing, I would never forget your kindness.