Northern Mexico and Copper Canyon: what to do and what to visit in the desert region of Mexico

The north of Mexico is one of the least populated region in the country. It has a distinctive character.

This big and arid region, with its deserts, its lowlands and its mountains, is marked by a feeling of isolation, seemingly beyond time itself.

Its big canyons that rival the more renowned ones of the United States are not to be missed.

The rail line between Chihuahua and Los Mochis is a genuine invitation to explore the mountain.

Mazatlan, renowned sea resort, is located on the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its beaches, its big game fishing and its carnival, famous for being one of the best in the world. Other sea resorts like Sayulita or Bahia Kino, with their pleasant climate, attract tourists to their unspoilt beaches.

Those who have a big appetite for adventure will enjoy the less-explored regions of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas and Durango in the north east of Mexico. Many canyons can be found in these regions: climbers can abseil above waterfalls, speleology enthusiasts can crawl among extraordinary caves and elastic jumpers can swing between two vertical cliffs.

The Silent Zone (a region where meteorites are abundant) will captivate star observers. Geologists will love the frightening landscapes of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts or of the volcanic belt in El Pinacate National Park. El Potrero Chico near Monterrey is the perfect place for canyoning and climbing.

In Durango, Piaxtla Canyon is a perfect spot for climbing, abseiling and swimming in the multiple waterfalls of over 110 yards.

In Tamaulipas, El Cielo Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 200 hectares of protected tropical forest, and the whole Sierra Huasteca region resonates with joyful music and Mesoamerican traditions.