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Town in the Mexican state of Chihuahua
Photo: Miguel A Ochoa R, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Madera (known also as Ciudad Madera) is a small town in the Northern Mexico state of Chihuahua. With a highland location in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, the town's elevation of 2,112 meters gives it a pleasantly cool climate where dense pine forests thrive. These forests have been the source of the town's economic reliance on the lumber industry. A number of archaeological sites nearby contains remnants of the Anasazi (Mogollon culture).
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The town's main church is an amazingly cool looking building of rustic stone construction with wrought iron hardware. For a cathedral, it's shockingly small: smaller even than a typical parish church in most parts of Mexico. The building has a single nave, high stained glass windows, a single belfry and a single dome.
Large archaeological site with cliffside dwellings, a spa area features natural pools and a modern swimming pool for those who don't want to bathe in the river, and a large pre-historic cave with cave drawings called Cueva Grande. An interesting site museum is open daily. Other highlights include Cueva de Aguila, Cuevad de Serpiente caves, and the Huápoca bridge. This can be a full-day experience so pack a lunch and bring water and sunblock.
Home field for the Venados de Madera, the semi-pro team that plays in the Chihuahua League (Liga de Beisbol Estatal de Chihuahua) with regular season games against 9 teams from other cities in Chihuahua. Games regularly sell out and the 5,000 seat stadium is a lively place with a friendly, enthusiastic crowd. Games are played during the traditional summer season (spring through early fall).
Cool if somewhat campy restaurant with rustic decor made to look like you're in an old Indian cave, complete with indio figures. Traditional Mexican menu with an emphasis on seafood.
Casual family-style restaurant with generous portions and reasonable prices. Lots of burgers, fries, and similar light fare.
Casual Mexican seafood eatery with full breakfast available. Locals recommend the chipilona toast and the micheladas. Large portions.
Basic hotel with clean rooms and off-street parking. Weak WiFi. Has a pool and restaurant on-site but travelers report that they are closed.
Modest hotel with spacious rooms and ample off-street parking.
Modest hotel with clean, spacious rooms. On-site restaurant.
Rustic log cabins with stone fireplaces and wooded lots.
From Chihuahua, Rápidos Cuauhtémoc operates five buses per day directly to Ciudad Madera. The 4-hour trip (280 km) costs M$600 and up.
Read in the guideThe town is fairly compact and easily walkable, but it's a remote town and many natural attractions are some distance away via mountainous roads. Taxis are available in town and can be called by hotel staff.
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Chihuahua · International · CUU
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