Waterfall 16 km south of Creel
A 30-meter waterfall reached by a pine-forest trail from the Rarámuri village of Cusárare and its 18th-century Jesuit mission.
The Cusárare waterfall drops about 30 meters over a wall of reddish rock into a pool framed by pines, and it is one of the most visited natural sights around Creel. It lies a short walk from Cusárare, a Rarámuri community south of Creel on the road to Guachochi, and the trail to it follows the river through quiet forest for two or three kilometers.
The village itself deserves time. Its mission church was built by the Jesuits in the mid-1700s; when it was restored in the 20th century, the interior was decorated with bold geometric patterns inspired by Rarámuri designs, which makes it unlike any other church in the sierra. A small museum next to it, the Museo Loyola, keeps colonial religious paintings from missions across the region.
The falls change with the seasons. After the summer rains, usually from July into the fall, the water is full and loud; in the dry spring it can shrink to a thin veil, and in very cold winters parts of it have been photographed frozen.
What to see and do
Hike the riverside trail through the pines to the foot of the falls and the viewpoint above it.
Visit the Cusárare mission church and its Rarámuri-patterned interior.
See the colonial paintings in the Museo Loyola next to the church.
Buy baskets and woven goods from Rarámuri families along the trail.
Getting there
Cusárare is roughly 20 to 25 kilometers south of Creel on the paved road to Guachochi, about half an hour by car. The trailhead is near the village, where the community charges a small entry fee; from there it is an easy walk of two to three kilometers each way. Tours from Creel often combine the falls with Lago de Arareko, and taxis in Creel will make the round trip and wait.
16 km south of Creel
Directions from Creel on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Cascada de Cusárare shares the climate of Creel, 16 km away. The best months to visit are Apr, May, Sep, Oct.
Make Creel your base
Cascada de Cusárare is an easy trip from Creel, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Creel
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San Ignacio de Arareko
· Town · 3 km away
The Rarámuri ejido next to Creel: an old stone mission church and the rock-filled Valle de las Ranas and Valle de los Hongos. -
Lago de Arareko
· Lake · 7 km away
A horseshoe-shaped lake in pine forest run by the Rarámuri ejido of San Ignacio, with rowboats, cabins and lakeside trails. -
Valle de los Monjes
· Nature reserve · 8 km away
Bisabírachi to the Rarámuri: a valley of tall, upright rock columns that legend says were monks turned to stone. Best with a local guide. -
Aguas Termales de Recowata
· Hot springs · 12 km away
Hot spring pools deep in the Tararecua canyon, run by the San Ignacio ejido; about 3 km down on foot, so save energy for the climb. -
Divisadero
· Viewpoint · 31 km away
The Chepe's famous canyon stop: rim views over three canyons, plus the cable car and zip lines of the Barrancas del Cobre park.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.