Probably a long shot, but anyone here ever take the train (Chepe) through the Copper Canyon?

We're planning an April trip to Cabo San Lucas for a few days and then do the train trip from Los Mochis to Chihuahua over a 2 day period and then fly home.......

Any suggestions/comments? TIA....

http://www.chepe.com.mx/ing_html/index.html

 

Yeah, Copper Canyon is impressive and it's a thrilling ride on a train....considering. Considering that Mexico does not maintain anything and they lose 2-3 trains a year. I didn't hear of one this year though but last year they lost one and over 230 people died. Depending on the train you get, you might be sharing the seat with chickens, goats, or whatever the locals are bringing with them. It's different but be ready to see people living out of cardboard boxes, begging for food, etc. It can be a shock to the system if you've never seen it before. And yes, they still have train robbers in Mexico so that's also a consideration. I wouldn't take anything along that can't be replaced. But the scenery is fabulous once you clear the towns and villages. Here's a vid I found on the Tube. It's mostly of the people in a caravan of RVs but you'll get an idea from it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VR6JQI8VCQ

 

MikeF150-
I live right across the border and hear crazy stories all the time. If you do decide to go, be very cautious and careful! I personally would never go across the border anymore. The violence is crazy right now with all the different drug cartel gangs fighting for territory. Mexico is beautiful but is also a third world counrty. The cops are just as bad as the gangs. I agree with labnerd. Do not take anything of value. If you travel with a female make sure she does not show a lot of skin. I know this sounds crazy but trust me its all true. God speed...

 

Thanks for the comments... from what I can gather, most of the serious violence is in the northern border towns (Juarez, etc)... we're flying direct to Cabo and then taking the ferry from La Paz to Los Mochis, hopping on the train to Chihuahua, flying out then next AM. We're always careful traveling so I think we'll be fine....

Have been to Mexico a couple times before as well as Honduras... poverty stricken areas are not new.

It appears they stopped the RV piggyback service in 2008 - the Copper Canyon train is now either a 1st class train ($198 per person, daily, less stops) or the economic class (3 x per week/more stops & 1/2 the price of 1st). From all the blogs, etc I've read, it doesn't appear they have chickens & goats..

Looked all over for info on a Copper Canyon train crash with 230 deaths...couldn't find anything - where/when/link?

 

Wrong...and yer ignorance may cost you your life. There is no safe place in Mexico including the police stations, banks, public places, hotels, no place. You're better off to travel in Iran with an I Love NY t shirt on than travel Mexico. The drug dealers have slaughtered innocent people in Acapulco, Monterrey (2nd largest and wealthiest city), or just pick a place. Even the police are on the payrolls of the drug dealers. You need to be aware if you have somebody watching you that has 2 lightning rods tattooed across the eyes, you are about to die. Your death raises them in stature in the cartel. Your life means nothing but gain to them. And the biggest age group of the worst murderers are early teens, meaning 14 and under. One of the boys that has over 24 assassinations under his belt is 11 years old. You folks that don't live near the border with Mexico are absolutely clueless as this is coming to your neighborhood and soon. And if you think our Guberment is going to do anything about it, think again. There's no money to be made from stopping it- they don't care.
Here's some of the stuff that has appeared in the LA Times, a US newspaper. There's tons of links out there if you want to know about the violence in Mexico. Oh yeah, and have a good trip.
http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/its-a-war

 

Don't listen to these guys.

The gloomers said the same crap to me a year ago when me and the lady were going to Cabo. Cabo is extremely friendly and safe. We rented a car, drove all over the place, did the shopping, eating and exploring. I always felt very comfortable and safe.

Enjoy your time. Like travelling anywhere just use your head and you'll have a blast.

We've been to Mexico twice now. Been very fun both times. Who knows. Maybe a Canadian carcus doesn't get you any points as a Mexican mule?

 

Labnerd - my wife & I are in our early 50's, she's from Guyana (South America, Jimmy Jones, etc just so you don't need to get your map out) ... we have both traveled several times outside the US.....

...and you don't really need you to tell me that the LA Times is a newspaper (I only lived in Southern CA for 5 years) btw.. for your enlightenment, the NY Times is also a newspaper.... as is the Washington Post (both cities filled with Muslim terrorist snipers killing thousands of innocent people each week..)

Thanks for all your advice... I think we're all set. You're absolutely right though about all the slaughtering of tourists in the resort areas ....how could I have missed it on the web?

Still waiting for your link on the Copper Canyon train crash last year that killed 230... or was that YER ignorance talking?

I'll make sure we pack full body armor...

 

Just be careful Mike. Hope you guys enjoy your trip. Post pics when you return.

 

Make sure your affairs are in order before you leave, and by the way, how do you say, "Reach for the stars, Gringo!" in Spanish?

 

Let's see.. there are 440,000 smoking related deaths each year in the US.... I bet some of you guys responding smoke....

Will post some pics if... oops... when... we return....

ddellwo.... you're now the primary @ 100% on my life insurance policy.... (had to put "ddellwo ddellwo" as first/last name with no address... hopefully the boatload of $$$ makes it to you....)

So I guess no one has any advice on which towns/hotels to stay in/activities along the Copper Canyon rail route? ie, Creel, Divisadero?

 

Walk 5 miles outside whatever town you find yourself in, and then walk 5 miles away from any roads, houses, hospitals, police stations, court houses, and military facilities. Camp there. You'll be safe.

 

Is it un-Christian to wish for a tragic event to befall someone you don't even know.....???