The Mexican state of Chihuahua offers a wide range of highlights: Paquimé is known for its adobe buildings and T-shaped doorways, while the Barranca de Candameña is associated with striking waterfalls. Cave architecture, mining history and nature experiences round out the picture. If you are looking for accommodation for your trip, choosing among these themes can be a useful starting point when deciding where to go.

Archaeology: Buildings, Caves and Settlements

Paquimé was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. Its adobe buildings and T-shaped doorways define the character of the site. Another archaeological group lies in the Valle de las Cuevas and includes Cueva de la Olla. The group is located about 47 kilometers southwest of Paquimé and the present-day town of Casas Grandes. A large communal granary has been preserved in Cueva de la Olla: it is vase-shaped and made of twisted dry leaves covered with clay.

At Cuarenta Casas, 19 caves are known as dwelling structures. Cueva de las Ventanas stands out for its size, strategic location and the largest architectural complex. Cuarenta Casas also includes Cueva de la Ventana, Cueva del Puente, Cueva del Gato and Cueva de las Ratas. The different names refer to features of the site; Cueva de las Ventanas is distinguished by its particularly large size and location.

Huapoca in the municipality of Madera comprises four complexes: Cueva Nido del Águila, Cueva de la Serpiente, Cueva del Mirador and La Atalaya. The residential complexes of Huapoca have remained almost undamaged because the site's geography made access difficult. At the approximately eight-century-old archaeological site of Cueva Grande, at least nine rooms are arranged around a small plaza. It lies in a bend of the mountain covered by a waterfall. Traces of a lookout post link the site to the important settlement of Huápoca. It is believed that Huapoca's settlements originated with north-south migrations of groups from the Mogollón culture, who gradually settled large parts of the Sierra de Chihuahua, including what is now the municipality of Madera.

The Museo de las Culturas del Norte in Casas Grandes also offers an architectural point of reference: each of its three exhibition halls is arranged around a courtyard of a different shape. In this theme, archaeological structures and museum spaces complement one another, though the sites need not tell the same story.

Landscapes and Protected Nature

The Barranca de Candameña lies within Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi. The park's attractions also include the monolith El Gigante and the Basaseachi and Piedra Volada waterfalls. Piedra Volada reaches 453 meters, while Basaseachi reaches 246 meters. The two heights give each waterfall its own scale within this landscape.

Other protected areas represent different aspects of nature. Parque Nacional Cumbres de Majalca protects pine and oak forests, piñon pine forests and grasslands. Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Cañón de Santa Elena is a protected area near the border in the state of Chihuahua and is among the places with a particularly high concentration of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). The vegetation of Cumbres de Majalca and the eagles of Cañón de Santa Elena illustrate two different aspects of the natural region.

Activities with Clear Conditions

At Cerro Mohinora, an interpretive trail leads to the summit. Rafting on the Río Urique is possible provided participants are specialists in the sport. This restriction is part of the activity: it should not be understood as a general rafting option for people of any experience level. Batopilas is suitable for hiking, camping by the Río Batopilas and birdwatching. For trip planning, this means there is a summit trail, a river activity explicitly limited to specialists, and several nature activities in Batopilas.

Mining and Revolutionary History in Parral

Hidalgo del Parral is associated with a rich mining history and is known as La Capital del Mundo, as well as the place where General Francisco Villa was assassinated in 1923. The Museo Francisco Villa is directly opposite the place where Francisco Villa was assassinated in 1923 and tells the story of the revolutionary leader's life and final moments. At Mina La Prieta, visitors can descend to the levels and learn about the historic silver mining that sustained the region for centuries. Check current visitor access to the mine before planning your visit.

The Palacio Alvarado belonged to mining entrepreneur Pedro Alvarado. Its eclectic architecture and original furnishings represent the luxury of the early 20th century. Alongside the mining history and the Museo Francisco Villa, the Palacio Alvarado reveals another facet of Parral: the connection between architecture, mining and regional history.

Discover more destinations: Chihuahua, Cerocahuí, Juarez, Creel, Café, Urique, San Juanito, Los Plátanos, El Gallego, Camargo, Juan Aldama, El Divisadero, Meoqui, Mesa Colorada, Las Galeras, Beatriz, Ojinaga, Concepción, Chihuahua, Municipaltiy of Riva Palacio, Parral, Batopilas, Santa Bárbara, Guerrero, Juárez Municipality.

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