Copper Canyon in Mexico is a place that gets under the skin; vast, ancient, and almost mythic in its scale. It is the kind of landscape that redefines perspective, reminding you how small you are and how extraordinary the world can be when you simply surrender to it. And nestled right on the edge of this dramatic natural wonder is Hotel Mirador, our sanctuary in the sky. Travelling with my bestie and fellow editor Rachel, this journey was equal parts adventure, indulgence and mild terror (more on that later). But most of all, it was unforgettable.
Arriving via the Chepe Express
We arrived courtesy of the iconic Chepe Express. This luxury train winds its way through the mountains of Chihuahua and deposits you almost theatrically at the doorstep of the canyon. From the moment we stepped off, everything felt cinematic: the crisp mountain air, the astonishing silence, and the sheer cliff faces plunging into the endless distance. Hotel Mirador is built right into the rock itself, with a sweeping terrace that seems to hover above the ravine. Even our room had its own continuous balcony, a private viewing platform for nature’s grand performance.
Lunch with a View
Once we had settled in, stomachs rumbling after hours aboard the train, lunch was very much in order. We made our way to the dining room, where we met Jorge, the most charming lunch host one could hope for. Warm, knowledgeable and clearly proud of the region, he guided us through a menu that seamlessly merged local flavours with comforting classics.
The star of the show was the tortilla soup, rich, deeply spiced and perfectly balanced. I would happily return to Mexico for that bowl alone. For our main, we enjoyed tilapia with pasta, delicate and fresh, followed by a peach tart, so simple yet so satisfying it felt like a hug on a plate. The experience was elevated further by Paris, the chef, a true gentleman and a wonderfully well-travelled soul. Speaking to him felt like speaking to an encyclopaedia of global kitchens, though his heart clearly belonged to the flavours of northern Mexico.
Exploring the Canyon
After lunch, with spirits restored, we set off to explore the local attractions. One of the great pleasures of staying at Hotel Mirador is the easy access to the surrounding viewpoints. You simply step outside and follow the trails carved into the hillside, each one leading to increasingly astonishing panoramas. The canyon shifts in colour and mood throughout the day: golden at noon, rosy by late afternoon, and deep indigo as the sun begins its descent. Watching the rock faces glow and fade is meditative, almost hypnotic.
Adrenaline at Parque Barrancas
Adventure was calling, and so we made our way to Parque Barrancas, the adrenaline-fuelled playground suspended high above Copper Canyon. Now, for context: I am not a fan of heights. Standing on a kitchen stool feels risky enough. So the idea of participating in the Bosque Aéreo, a treetop aerial adventure course, was ambitious. Encouraged by Rachel (and perhaps my own sense of journalistic duty), I strapped myself in, took a deep breath and stepped out onto a narrow hanging bridge that swayed in the breeze far above the canyon floor.
Terrifying does not begin to cover it. My legs shook, my heart galloped, and I may or may not have squealed. Loudly. But as I moved from element to element, something shifted. The fear gave way to focus, the adrenaline to exhilaration. When I finally reached the end, I felt an enormous sense of achievement, one that came with the unexpected realisation that sometimes the best experiences are found just beyond the edge of your comfort zone.
Sunset Cocktails and a Canyon Storm
Back at Hotel Mirador, still riding the emotional high of having survived the forest-in-the-air, we retreated to the terrace for the hotel’s true highlight: cocktails at sunset. There is something almost spiritual about watching Copper Canyon transition from day to night. The horizon ignites in shades of amber and fuchsia, shadows spill across the ravine like ink, and the air cools rapidly as the mountains exhale. That evening, a thunderstorm approached in the distance, illuminating the sky in flashes of silver. It was dramatic, wild and impossibly beautiful, a front-row seat to nature’s theatre.
Sipping our cocktails, because achievements deserve to be toasted, we reflected on the day: the laughter, the terror, the calories, the scenery and the simple joy of travelling with a friend who matches your sense of curiosity. There is a special magic in sharing a room with a balcony that opens onto a geological wonder. You wake up to birdsong echoing through the ravine and fall asleep to the gentle hum of wind rolling across the canyon.
A Perfect Stop on the Chepe Express
Hotel Mirador is a rare gem, a place built not to compete with its surroundings but to honour them. It offers comfort without diminishing authenticity, warmth without pretence and experiences you will talk about for years to come. If you are travelling on the Chepe Express, it is the perfect stopover, though the stopover feels far too casual for a place that leaves such a lasting impression.
Copper Canyon may not be as internationally famous as its American counterpart, but perhaps that is its strength. It feels unspoilt, unhurried and profoundly real. Much like our time at Hotel Mirador, a trip defined by food, friendship, fearless moments and sunsets that will stay with us long after we have returned home.
Hotel Mirador
Domicilio Conocido Areponapuchi Km. 623
33435 Areponapuchi
Chihuahua
Mexico
