Northern Mexico

Region

The deserts and mountains of the border states. Monterrey is a modern industrial city ringed by mountains, the Copper Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon and crossed by the Chepe train, and Mazatlán is a Pacific beach town, while the deserts of Sonora and Chihuahua have cactus country and old mining towns. Check current travel advice for some areas.

Northern Mexico Copper Canyon RailwaySierra Madre OccidentalEstadio MonterreyCasas GrandesTiburón IslandEl Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere ReserveCerro PotosíCerro de la SillaCumbres de Majalca National ParkPinacate PeaksSuraya MosqueBasaseachic FallsCathedral of ChihuahuaCristo de las NoasQuinta GamerosMonterrey CathedralSan Esteban IslandSan Pedro Nolasco IslandMontague Island (Baja California)MacroplazaÁlvaro Obregón DamMaderas del CarmenLos Novillos National ParkEl Salto (climbing area)Santa Lucía riverwalkCañón La HuastecaCañón San LorenzoSan Bernardo, CoahuilaCentro HistóricoArchaeological Zone of Paquimé, Casas GrandesMonterreyChihuahua CityMazatlánHermosilloPuerto PeñascoSaltilloCumbres de Monterrey National ParkCopper CanyonCiudad JuárezCuliacánDurangoTorreónCiudad VictoriaTampicoReynosaNuevo LaredoLos MochisGuadalupe, Nuevo LeónMatamoros, TamaulipasSan Nicolás de los GarzaCiudad Obregón

Northern Mexico essentials

Country: Mexico
Driest months: Feb-Apr
Pay in: Peso ($)
Language: Spanish
Emergency: 060

Where to Go in Northern Mexico

City Monterrey MonterreyIndustrial city in northeastern Mexico City Ciudad Juárez Ciudad JuárezBorder city near the US-Mexico border City Chihuahua City Chihuahua CityCapital of Chihuahua state, near US border Island Tiburón Island Tiburón IslandMexico's largest island in the Gulf of California Island San Esteban Island San Esteban IslandRocky island in the Gulf of California Island Montague Island (Baja California) Montague Island (Baja California)Small gulf island in the Sea of Cortés History Casas Grandes Casas GrandesPrehistoric Mesoamerican archaeological site in Chihuahua History Cristo de las Noas Cristo de las NoasHilltop Christ statue and viewpoint in Torreón Nature Copper Canyon Copper CanyonVast network of canyons larger than Grand Canyon Nature Sierra Madre Occidental Sierra Madre OccidentalMajor Mexican mountain range with deep canyons Nature El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere ReserveSonoran desert biosphere reserve with volcanic craters Nature Cerro Potosí Cerro PotosíHighest peak of Nuevo León and alpine habitat
Regions & Cities
Monterrey Explore Monterrey Monterrey’s skyline meets Sierra Madre peaks and Cerro de la Silla; business and outdoors travelers converge for Macroplaza landmarks, cabrito restaurants, climbed ridgelines in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and museums of industrial history. Chihuahua City Explore Chihuahua City Baroque cathedrals and Quinta Gameros mansion anchor Chihuahua’s historic center; museums cover the Revolution, and regional carne asada fills taquerías. Mazatlán Explore Mazatlán Mazatlán fronts the Pacific with a long malecón, a restored Centro Histórico around Plaza Machado, fresh shrimp and ceviche stalls, sport fishing and surf breaks - plus a lively Carnival scene that fills the old streets with music and processions. Hermosillo Explore Hermosillo Desert heat shapes Hermosillo’s pace; plazas, the Cathedral and Museo de Sonora sit amid date palms and roadside carne asada grills. Puerto Peñasco Explore Puerto Peñasco Puerto Peñasco - Rocky Point - puts Sonoran beaches and Gulf fishing within reach of Arizona: anglers, off‑roaders and seafood hunters come for dorado, sandy dunes and long Sea of Cortez sunsets. Saltillo Explore Saltillo Saltillo mixes colonial plazas and desert foothills; silver workshops and textile factories follow before you hit the mountains. Cumbres de Monterrey National Park Explore Cumbres de Monterrey National Park East of Monterrey, Cumbres de Monterrey National Park protects steep Sierra Madre canyons and high peaks. Copper Canyon Explore Copper Canyon The Copper Canyon system in Chihuahua comprises several deep river-cut gorges across the Sierra Madre; the Chepe train runs scenic routes through them.

Northern Mexico at a Glance

Local Time
6:01 PM
GMT-6
Population
22,714,941

Best Things to Do in Northern Mexico