Cave of Crystals, Naica: Currently Closed, But Worth Understanding Why It Exists

The Cave of Crystals (Cueva de los Cristales) in the Naica Mine in Chihuahua, Mexico, was discovered in 2000 by miners drilling new tunnels. What they found was a horseshoe-shaped chamber about 300 metres below the surface, 30 metres long and 10 metres wide, filled with selenite gypsum crystals of a scale that had no known precedent. The largest crystals are 12 metres long, 4 metres in diameter, and weigh approximately 50 tonnes. They are the largest known natural crystals on earth.

The crystals grew because the chamber was filled with mineral-rich water at around 58 degrees Celsius for an estimated 500,000 years. When the mine pumped the water out in 2000 to allow access, the growth process stopped. The chamber temperature without the water remains at approximately 58 degrees with 90-99% humidity; without protection, humans can survive inside for only about 10 minutes.

Current Access: The Cave of Crystals is not open to tourist visits. The mine suspended pumping in 2015 when silver prices made deep mining unviable; the cave began reflooding. As of 2025-2026, only scientists with special equipment can access the lower caverns. The upper caverns are accessible to visitors with prior mine approval, but the main Crystal Cave remains off-limits to the general public due to both safety concerns and protection of the formations. Verify current status directly with Industrias Peñoles (the mine operator) or Chihuahua tour operators before planning any visit.

The Cave of Swords

The Cave of Swords (Cueva de las Espadas) at 120 metres depth has smaller crystals (up to 2 metres) and was periodically accessible to visitors during the mine’s operational period. Its status follows the mine’s.

Chihuahua City

The state capital is the obvious base for this region. The Palacio de Gobierno holds the cell where Father Miguel Hidalgo (who launched the Mexican War of Independence in 1810) was imprisoned before his execution in 1811 – preserved as a museum, free entry. The Quinta Luz Museum was the home of revolutionary general Pancho Villa; the bullet-riddled 1919 Dodge touring car in which he was assassinated is the centrepiece (entry around MXN 50).

Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre)

The Copper Canyon system in the Sierra Tarahumara mountains west of Chihuahua is the most compelling reason to visit this part of Mexico. The system is larger than the Grand Canyon in volume. The Chepe railway (Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico) runs 655 kilometres from Chihuahua to Los Mochis on the Pacific coast, crossing the canyon through 86 tunnels and 37 bridges. The Creel to El Fuerte section is the most dramatic. The Chepe Express (tourist service) runs twice weekly; standard Chepe Regional runs daily. Tickets for Creel to El Fuerte run around MXN 1,200-1,800 depending on class.

Creel at 2,338 metres is the main visitor base in the canyon country, with guesthouses at MXN 600-1,200 per night and day trips to the Divisadero canyon rim viewpoint and Tarahumara villages.

Where to Eat in Chihuahua

El Caminero on Calle Ocampo serves carne asada, caldillo de machaca (shredded dried beef stew), and green chile sauces (mains MXN 150-220). Street stand tacos near Mercado Central are both better and cheaper than most sit-down versions.