Town 25 km northwest of Guachochi
A Rarámuri community with the 1752 mission of San Juan Bautista and two waterfalls nearby, Salto Chico and Salto Grande.
Tónachi is a Rarámuri community on the high plateau northwest of Guachochi, set among pine-covered hills and the valley of the Tónachi river. Its centerpiece is the mission church of San Juan Bautista, founded in 1752, one of the old Jesuit missions that still anchor village life in the Sierra Tarahumara.
The river is the other draw. Near the village it drops over two waterfalls, a smaller one of about 10 meters and the Salto Grande, about 20 meters high, each with a pool at the bottom. Locals swim in them in warm weather and fish the river, which holds catfish and trout.
Tónachi is not set up for mass tourism, which is part of its charm. Treat it as a visit to a living community: ask before taking photos of people, and if there is a celebration at the church, watch from a respectful distance.
What to see and do
Visit the mission church of San Juan Bautista, founded in 1752.
Walk to the Salto Grande, a waterfall of about 20 meters, and the smaller fall nearby.
Swim in the river pools in warm weather.
Try fishing for catfish or trout in the Tónachi river.
Getting there
Tónachi is about 30 kilometers northwest of Guachochi. Roads in this part of the sierra can be unpaved and slow, so ask in Guachochi about current conditions, and consider hiring a local driver or guide who knows the community.
25 km northwest of Guachochi
Directions from Guachochi on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Tónachi
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Weather cool
Tónachi shares the climate of Guachochi, 25 km away. The best months to visit are Apr, May, Jun, Oct.
Make Guachochi your base
Tónachi is an easy trip from Guachochi, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Guachochi
-
Barranca de Sinforosa
· Viewpoint · 13 km away
The 'queen of the canyons': the Cumbres de Sinforosa lookout south of Guachochi peers down some 1,800 m to the Río Verde. -
Cascada Rosalinda
· Waterfall · 13 km away
An 80-meter free-falling waterfall inside the Sinforosa canyon, about two hours' hike down from the rim; go with a guide. -
Norogachi
· Town · 51 km away
A Jesuit mission town founded in 1690, famous for the Rarámuri Holy Week dances held in its churchyard.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.