Planning a trip to Creel
Orientation -- The train station, around the corner from the Mission Store and the main plaza, is in the heart of the village and within walking distance of all lodgings except the Copper Canyon Sierra Lodge. Look for your hotel's van waiting at the station (unless you're staying at the Casa de Huéspedes Margarita, which is only 2 blocks away). There's one main street, López Mateos, and almost everything is within a couple of blocks.
Getting There
By Car -- From Chihuahua, follow the signs to La Junta until you see signs for Hermosillo. Follow those signs until you see signs to Creel (left). The trip takes about 4 hours on a paved road.
By Bus -- Estrella Blanca (tel. 614/429-0219 in Chihuahua) has five trips to Chihuahua per day. The trip takes 4 hours and costs 277 pesos. This is cheaper and faster than the train but less secure. In the past, the bus has been stopped.
Fast Facts
The area code is 635. Electricity is available 24 hours daily in all Creel hotels. (In other parts of the canyon, electricity is sporadic or not available.) Creel has one ATM, one bank, and one casa de cambio. The best sources of information are the Mission Store and the hotels. Several businesses and many of the hotels offer long-distance telephone service; look for LARGA DISTANCIA signs or ask at your hotel.
