2-Day Batopilas Tour from Creel: Magic Town & Colonial Ruins

A lost Jesuit mission sits hidden in the canyon, reachable only on this route.

A 2-day tour from Creel to Batopilas covers the canyon's caves, waterfalls, Jesuit missions and colonial aqueduct in an air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide in English or Spanish and hotel pickup. Day one moves through Arareko Lake, five named caves inhabited by Tarahumaras, Casarare waterfall where you can descend to the base, and the Mission of Cusarare with its museum. Day two visits the magical town of Batopilas itself, the lost mission of Satevo, ruins of a colonial hacienda, and returns through Cañon del Cobre and three more mission sites. A free afternoon in Batopilas lets you wander on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and explore Batopilas surroundings

• Visit Arareko Lake and boat ride
• Explore caves and valleys: Tarahumaras, Mushrooms, Frogs, Monks, Sebastian
• Visit Casarare waterfall and descend to bottom
• Tour Mission of Cusarare Jesuit and Museum of Loyola
• Free afternoon in Batopilas town

Day 2: Discover Batopilas and return to Creel

• Visit Batopilas town, Aqueduct Colonial, and Museum Batopilas
• Explore Lost mission of Satevo and Hacienda ruins of San Miguel
• Return to Creel and visit Cañon del Cobre, Mision of Basihuare, Bufa, Hill 7 floors, and Humira bridge

The experience

The route strings together five caves (Doña Petra, the valley of the Mushrooms, the valley of the Frogs, the valley of the Monks, and Sebastian) each one a stop where the guide tells the history and the Tarahumara people who live there. Arareko Lake opens the first day with a boat ride and photo time. Casarare waterfall comes next, and the descent to its base is optional but the whole site sits between forest and open air. The Mission of Cusarare and its Museum of Loyola anchor the afternoon, with the guide walking you through the story of five Jesuit saints and the colonial reach into these canyons.

Day two centers on Batopilas town itself (the magical town the tour is named for), where you get a free afternoon to walk, eat, or sit in the plaza before the return journey. The lost mission of Satevo and the ruined hacienda of San Miguel come on the way out, both tied to a single Jesuit temple story the guide tells as you move through them. The return to Creel passes Cañon del Cobre, the Mission of Basihuare, Bufa lookout, the seven-floor hill, and the bridge of Humira, each one a named landmark the guide points out rather than a long stop.

An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group for two days. Pickup from your Creel hotel is included. The guide speaks English or Spanish, chosen at booking. Children from age one travel with you, though infants sit on an adult's lap or in a specialized seat if you request one in advance.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for both days.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup from Creel.
• entry to Arareko Lake and boat ride.
• access to five caves and two Jesuit missions with museums.
• descent to Casarare waterfall.
• free afternoon in Batopilas town on day two.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 18 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by De Viaje por Chihuahua

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to reach Batopilas itself rather than stay in Creel, and need two days to get there and have breathing room once you arrive.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Arareko Lake like, and do I have to take the boat ride?

Arareko Lake is the first stop on day one, known for its clear water and mountain views. The tour includes time there for photos and a boat ride, but you choose whether to get on the water or stay on shore.

Can I actually walk down to the bottom of Casarare waterfall?

Casarare waterfall sits on day one, and yes. The descent to the base is part of the tour. You walk down into the canyon floor where the water falls, and the guide notes it as a chance to breathe clean air and stand close to the cascade.

What happens during the free afternoon in Batopilas on day two?

Day two includes a free afternoon in Batopilas town itself, the destination the tour is built around. You have time to explore the town, eat at a local restaurant, visit shops, or simply rest before the return drive to Creel begins.

Are the Jesuit missions and colonial sites still standing, or are they ruins?

The Mission of Cusarare and the Mission of Basihuare are still standing structures with museums and active sites. The hacienda of San Miguel and the mission of Satevo are in ruins. The guide tells the history of how they were built and abandoned over centuries.

How many caves does the tour visit, and who lives in them?

The tour visits five caves: Doña Petra, the valley of the Mushrooms, the valley of the Frogs, the valley of the Monks, and Sebastian. Doña Petra is inhabited by Tarahumara people, and the guide shares stories about the communities and the canyon's indigenous history at each stop.