Safety

Can I feel safe in Barranca del Cobre?
The levels of insecurity in the rosary of towns in Barranca del Cobre are way lower than those in large cities; however, do not lower your guard, mostly at the train stations. Be very careful with your luggage in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

In order to narrow the chances of an incident, follow the recommendations below:

• Mind your suitcases and bags at the train stations, do not lose sight of them and preferable use padlocks or similar devices as a means of protection.
  
  
• Do not wear ostentatious jewels and do not neglect your purse; they could become a temptation for thieves.
  
  
• Be extremely careful with your photo or video camera; do not show it in places seemingly unsafe.
  
  
• Do not keep all of your money in one single place.

What should I do in case of an emergency?
The first thing is to remain calm, remember that the best decisions are made with a clear head; if you were to be involved in an incident in Barrancas del Cobre, look for the police officers assigned to the train stations.

Other tips

• Show consideration for the customs and traditions of the Tarahumara people, they are the descendents of one of the most numerous native groups in Mexico. Keep open minded and follow the courtesy rules of the local people.
  
  
• A good way of winning the hearts of the people is trying to say a few words in Spanish (hola, disculpe or gracias, for hello, excuse me and thank you respectively); this effort is viewed with sympathy regardless of the pronunciation. It is also advisable to give a smile; it opens more doors than an angry face.

Tips for the excursions

• It is recommendable to hire the service of a specialised guide for your excursions to the ravines.
  
  
• If you suffer any knee or ankle problem or any sort of illness, allergy or phobia, let the guide know about it before setting off on the excursion.
  
  
• Hikes in the ravines are pretty demanding, so try not to have a sleepless night or to drink too much alcohol on the night previous to your great adventure.
  
  
• Respect the environment and do not litter or disturb the plants and animals.
  
  
• The ravines are the habitat of dreadful serpents such as the rattlesnake; although, the chance of being attacked by one of them is rather remote. In any case, walk carefully and watch where you step on.

On the train

• Make your reservations with anticipation; if you are too confident you may end up without a seat in case a group shows up suddenly.
  
  
• Do not get upset if the train suffers any break down on the way; take the situation with humour, it is part of the adventure.
  
  
• Have always a jacket at hand, even in summer, because the weather changes drastically from one point of the way to the other.
  
  
• The train makes brief stops on several stations; if you get off to stretch your legs or to breathe pure air, return to the train after listening to the first train whistle because nobody verifies if there is a passenger missing before continuing the trip.
  
  
• There is a tourist stop at Divisadero; make use of the time to visit the vantage point, where you will enjoy a spectacular view of the ravines.