Looking Beyond The Views and Enjoying Copper Canyon Food, Drink, and Culture

Beyond the incredible local culture, history, and stunning landscapes, Copper Canyon’s food and drink remain plentiful, where local tradition meets authentic Mexican flavors. 

In fact, the best way to experience a new culture is through food! That is why there is so much food to taste and experience throughout Caravan tours. This is why we have curated a long list of trusted food options and restaurants to ensure you get a taste of the local culture and cuisine during your trip.

Food, culture, and drink are all on full display throughout Caravan’s tour of the Copper Canyon. Learn about some of the best dishes, including the culture and history that you can experience while adventuring through Mexico’s Copper Canyon alongside Caravan!

What You Will Learn From This Article

• Details about the rich culture and history of the Rarámuri people who live in the Copper Canyon.
• Notes about the food, drink, and handicrafts of the Rarámuri people.
• The types of foods you can expect on a Caravan tour of the Copper Canyon.
• Cultural intersections of indigenous people and the El Chepe.
• Why group travel in the Copper Canyon is safe and enjoyable.

Local Culture of The Rarámuri People

Deep within the heart of Mexico’s Copper Canyon lives the local Rarámuri people. These people have called the Copper Canyon their home for centuries, living directly off the land, but also navigating the many different climates and terrains known throughout the Copper Canyon. They are dedicated runners, often welcoming guests to partake in endurance runs right through the center of the canyon system. 

Throughout the hills, these people have carefully maintained their way of life, including their close ties with nature, remaining free from the influence of modern society. Visitors who book with Caravan have the unique opportunity to connect directly with these people, sharing in their traditional values, and even sharing food and drink with them. 

It is truly incredible that these people have remained resilient to climate change, but also the challenging and ever-shifting climates known throughout the Copper Canyon. Further, deforestation and over-farming threaten these landscapes that have been carefully preserved by the Rarámuri people for hundreds of years.

History of the Rarámuri People

Originally pushed deep into Mexico’s Copper Canyon due to Spanish colonial efforts, these people have called this rugged landscape their home for hundreds of years, preserving cultural traditions and living in harmony with nature. These canyons have provided protection from Spanish colonization, but have still used these lands as a means of staying far from modern society.

Their natural athletic abilities have afforded them incredible running skills, suitable for endurance races but also hunting. Today, they maintain one-of-a-kind spiritual values blending elements of their indigenous heritage and influences from Catholicism.

Even after hundreds of years of Spanish and French conquest, they still remain resilient to influence, ensuring their way of life is preserved through their food, culture, and religious practices.

Food of The Rarámuri People

Many of the basics of the Rarámuri diet include fresh corn (including tortillas) and vegetables, as well as beans, squash, and greens. Their sustainable farming practices and foraging skills also see their diet include fruit, such as peaches and apples, but also wild game meat. They have been known to grow corn and pumpkin, but also make a variety of stews infused with locally grown beans and vegetables.

Iskiate is a core dish of their diet, which includes chia seeds soaked in water, often paired with lime or honey, making for a delicious and energizing dish perfect for any time of day. Tónare is another popular dish among the indigenous locals, which is a slow-cooked meat stew full of rich vegetables and spices. Oftentimes, their diet consists entirely of fruit and vegetables, reserving large portions of meat for special occasions and religious festivals. Their many stews include large amounts of organic beans, offering them an exceptional source of protein all year long.

Rarámuri Handicrafts and Wears

The Rarámuri are also incredible craftspeople, where their many wears remain vibrant and unique. They maintain incredible weaving skills, capable of crafting baskets directly from pine needles, even crafting hand-coiled pottery. Much of their clothing uses geometric patterns, using materials sourced directly from nature. All of their clothing remains woven by hand, where cotton is painstakingly woven into incredible designs that reflect their own unique cultural stylings.

Local Foods You Can Expect on Your Caravan Tour of The Copper Canyon

Keep in mind that the entire Copper Canyon remains incredibly vast, spanning thousands of acres of land, including many small towns and indigenous communities. There is an incredible amount of Mexican dishes available to our guests on a Caravan Copper Canyon Tour.

Guests will enjoy a variety of foods, including Mexican carne asada, various cheeses, hand-crafted tortillas, burritos, chile, and other traditional Rarámuri dishes, including stews and Pinole. As for drinks, bottled water remains the norm, but visitors can explore a number of Mexican craft beers, mixed drinks that include tequila, but also fresh juices, and a Mexican beverage known as sotol, usually served for dessert.

History and Culture Meet Along The El Chepe

Mexico’s Copper Canyon railway system, sometimes referred to as just the El Chepe, offers deep historical lessons of the area, but also acts as a tourist magnet in recent years. Originally built to connect America and Mexico, it has now grown to bring visitors across the landscape, visiting small towns for the sake of tourism. It maintains notoriously steep inclines, endless tunnels, and many different bridges, which were once an important transit system for miners. 

Now, it brings together visitors for an epic panorama view of the Copper Canyon landscape, helping anyone appreciate the incredible natural beauty entirely from the comfort of a train car. Tourists from across the world can also visit the many towns and stations, interacting directly with indigenous communities.

How a Guided Tour Makes These Experiences All The More Enjoyable

Exploring the Copper Canyon on your own can be a daunting and stressful experience. Having a fully guided tour guide lead the way is the best way to focus on the full enjoyment of the trip, instead of stressing about the details. Navigating these travel experiences discussed earlier without a working knowledge of Spanish can also be challenging. As such, our guides are readily prepared to assist you every step of the way, carefully planning activities and making travel adjustments to ensure your safety throughout every detail.

Caravan takes away these complexities with fully planned offerings that include hotel and accommodations. Instead of trying to figure out the next best step of your trip, have our experience guide show you the way. We have carefully curated every detail of the trip, ensuring you only interact with trusted vendors, restaurants, and shops. Traveling with an entire group is also remarkably safe, where you can enjoy the trip without ever having to worry about safety.

Have Caravan Take You There and Tour The Copper Canyon

Caravan remains your trusted provider of remarkably safe and exciting travel opportunities throughout the Copper Canyon. Our group tours of the Copper Canyon continue to receive rave reviews, offering unique outdoor adventure activities, stunning natural views, and the chance to interact with unique indigenous communities. This includes chances to eat, drink, and shop for entirely handmade souvenirs!

Many of these adventurous activities are only available alongside the trusted travel specialists at Caravan. Book your dream trip to Mexico and explore all that this stunning country has to offer. The food and dining experiences are truly unique and are worth the price of admission alone. Now you can experience all of the very best activities the Copper Canyon has to offer with a carefully planned trip that has every activity waiting for you!

Ready to get started?

Reach out now to speak with a Caravan travel agent and inquire about available upcoming tours of the Copper Canyon. Book today by calling 1 (312)-321-9800, or 1-800-CARAVAN to speak with one of our representatives. Spaces tend to fill up fast, so don’t delay. Reach out now and learn more about our offerings. 

Learn more about the tour groups of the Copper Canyon.