Urique

Urique Review

At the bottom of the continent's deepest canyon—dropping 6,163 feet— Urique enjoys a semitropical climate. Orange, guava, sycamore, and fig trees dot the landscape. The Río Urique, which carved the great canyon, slides lazily along in the dry season but races briskly after the summer rains. Browse in the old general store, El Central, then have lunch at the town's best restaurant, La Plaza, on the main square.

The Tarahumara people eschew life in town, preferring to live in family enclaves scattered throughout the valley or in small communities such as Guadalupe, 7 km (4½ mi) from Urique. The most direct path to this town is across a 400-foot-long suspension bridge that rocks and sways above the river. It's not for the faint of heart.

You can visit Urique as a day trip from Cerocahui, two to three hours each way by car, or ride horses or hike down into the canyon. Tours are given through Paraíso del Oso Lodge and Hotel Misión in Cerocahui. The best lodgings in Urique are at Hotel Estrella del Río ($36 double), which has large rooms, hot water, and great river views.