Major city · Mexico
Madera
One day covers the main church, Huápoca archaeology (35 km (22 mi)) and, in March‑April, the Cabalgata horse ride.One day covers the main church, Huápoca archaeology (22 mi (35 km)) and, in March‑April, the Cabalgata horse ride.
Madera is a small high‑land town (2,112 m) in northern Chihuahua. Its compact centre is walkable; the key attractions – the stone church, the Huápoca archaeological zone and nearby Cuarenta Casas – are reachable by road in under two hours. A single day is sufficient unless you want to attend the seasonal Cabalgata (March‑April) or explore the surrounding caves in depth.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (heat, occasional storms)
- Airport
- CUU
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Madera911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Madera, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; keep an eye on mountain road conditions, especially after rain, and secure valuables in public places.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / general emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCUU General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport (Chihuahua) (About 4 h drive (280 km (174 mi)) to Madera).CUU General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport (Chihuahua) (About 4 h drive (174 mi (280 km)) to Madera).
- Getting aroundTown centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeMX$30–45 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealMeal (taco plate)MX$80–150 (≈ US$5–9)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))MX$200–300 (≈ US$11–17)
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per personMX$400 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedRivera's log cabin, a night, per personMX$750 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedRivera's log cabin, a night, per personMX$1,000 (≈ US$55)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$350 (≈ US$19) · Mid MX$600 (≈ US$35) · High MX$900 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CUU General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport (Chihuahua) (About 4 h drive (280 km (174 mi)) to Madera)CUU General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport (Chihuahua) (About 4 h drive (174 mi (280 km)) to Madera)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Madera: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
5 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town centre is walkable. Taxis are available near Plaza Principal; rent a car or hire a driver for Huápoca and Cuarenta Casas (mountain roads).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zona Arquelógica Huápoca
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min total
Drive west on Av Independencia, 35 km (22 mi) on mountain roadDrive west on Av Independencia, 22 mi (35 km) on mountain road
Full‑day visit; bring lunch, water, sunblock.
Cuarenta Casas
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Drive north 40 km (25 mi) on paved road, then walk to cliff dwellingsDrive north 25 mi (40 km) on paved road, then walk to cliff dwellings
Remote; best with a guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casa Grande Sierra
Basic rooms, off‑street parking, pool (often closed)
Parador de la Sierra
Spacious rooms, parking
Hotel Kii
Clean rooms, on‑site restaurant, MX$800
Rivera's Cabañas
Log cabins with stone fireplaces
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MX$350–500 (≈ US$19–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- MX$500–800 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- High
- MX$800 (≈ US$45)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room2 × 1 night × MX$600 | MX$1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$600 | MX$1,200 |
| Bus Chihuahua → Madera (round‑trip)2 × MX$600 · check | MX$1,200 |
| Taxi town‑center (short ride)2 × MX$200 · check | MX$400 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × MX$400 · check | MX$800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$480 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,640 per person per day, bed included | MX$5,280≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in MXN; flights and long‑distance bus excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | MX$30–45 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Meal (taco plate) | MX$80–150 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Bus Chihuahua → Maderacheck | MX$600–800 (≈ US$35–45) |
| Taxi (5 km) | MX$200–300 (≈ US$11–17) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Long, winding mountain roads to archaeological sites – allow extra travel time.
- Bus schedule from Chihuahua changes seasonally; confirm times before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police / general emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance
- 078
Pocket card
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MaderaMadera
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / general emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
US consulate in Chihuahua (check address); other nations use the US embassy in Mexico City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chihuahua → Madera bus (Rápidos Cuauhtémoc): about MX$600 (≈ US$35), 4 h, 5 departures daily (check)
- Town taxi (short ride): about MX$200–250 (≈ US$11–14)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑KUL‑pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN‑to KWEHS‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (DON‑de es‑TA el BAH‑nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Madera. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (heat, occasional storms) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Madera
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