National park · Mexico
Paquime (Casas Grandes) Archaeological ZoneZona Arqueológica de Paquime
Visit Paquime for a half‑day walk: pay the entry ticket (check), drive from Nuevo Casas Grandes (≈15 km (9.3 mi)), go in spring or autumn to avoid extreme heat and cold.Visit Paquime for a half‑day walk: pay the entry ticket (check), drive from Nuevo Casas Grandes (≈9.3 mi (15 km)), go in spring or autumn to avoid extreme heat and cold.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- Approx. 2 km² of excavated and visible structures; exact boundaries may vary (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Paquime (Casas Grandes) is the largest pre‑Columbian adobe city in northern Mexico, showcasing a blend of Pueblo, Toltec and Mesoamerican architecture, with a central plaza, ballcourt, residential complexes and an unusual aviary, all set in a stark desert landscape.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2021Paquime (Casas Grandes) listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 2000
Approx. 2 km² of excavated and visible structures; exact boundaries may vary (check).
Why go
- Explore the largest pre‑Columbian adobe city in northern Mexico.
- See a rare mix of Pueblo, Toltec and Mesoamerican architecture.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanFreezing nights, daylight still cold.
- FebCold; possible frost.
- MarMild, dry, comfortable walking.
- AprWarm days, low rain risk.
- MayIncreasing heat, still walkable.
- JunExtreme heat, temps up to 48 °C (118 °F).Extreme heat, temps up to 118 °F (48 °C).
- JulVery hot, risk of dehydration.
- AugPeak summer heat.
- SepHeat recedes, still warm.
- OctMild, pleasant evenings.
- NovCool, dry, ideal for walking.
- DecCold nights, possible frost.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert birds (vultures, roadrunners)Mar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| RattlesnakesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nuevo Casas Grandes town
Drive 15 km (9.3 mi) north on Highway 10; parking available at the gate.Drive 9.3 mi (15 km) north on Highway 10; parking available at the gate.
20 min
From Chihuahua city
Bus (Futura) to Nuevo Casas Grandes, then taxi or rental car.
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main archaeological zone | All visible structures, ballcourt, residential complexes, aviary remains. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre of the archaeological zone; town centre approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry ticket (site gate) | MXN 100–150 (≈ US$6–9) | person | Official fee; confirm at gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed inside the archaeological zone.
- Camping
- No camping; stay in Nuevo Casas Grandes.
- Guides
- Optional; required for special access areas (none currently).
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Hacienda
Modern rooms, pool, restaurant in Nuevo Casas Grandes.
Near the park
Durazno Inn
Budget inn, US$35 per night.
Safety
Heat exhaustion high
Cold night hypothermia medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main paths are flat and suitable for walkers with moderate mobility.
- Some stone steps at the ballcourt may be challenging.
Visiting lightly
- Buy locally made Mata Ortiz pottery to support artisans.
- Stay in town hotels; avoid littering in the desert.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Paquime?
The entry ticket is about MXN 100–150 per person; confirm the exact price at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Paquime?
A short guided walk around the central plaza (1–2 h) and a self‑guided trail to the ballcourt and aviary (30 min each) are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Paquime?
Spring (Mar–Apr) and autumn (Oct–Nov) offer mild temperatures and dry conditions, ideal for walking.
Is camping allowed on site?
No. Camping is prohibited; stay in Nuevo Casas Grandes.
Can I visit Paquime without a guide?
Yes. The main area is open with a ticket; a guide is optional for deeper interpretation.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Paquime (Casas Grandes) Archaeological Zone
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