The San Isidro Lodge (also known as the Porochi Inn) is a charming inn run as part of a high country ranch in the Copper Canyon area. It is best suited for people who want to be out of an urban environment and who prefer nature to shopping opportunities. The rooms are surprisingly comfortable, the food was good and the people were great. They provide services such as pick-up from the train, birding and walking tours. Their relations with the Tarahumara are strong, providing insight into this culture.

Don't stay here if you want all mod cons i.e. TV, AC, internet etc, but make do without these, & you will enjoy the hospitality of a lovely Mestizo/Raramuri family and their efforts to give you a really special stay. Mario picked us up from the Chepe train at Bahuichivo and drove us the 45 minute journey through Cerocahui village and on another 20 minutes to the complete isolation of San Isidro (lucky they include all meals and drinks) We were treated to a homemade lunch after which Mario showed us the Cerro de Gallegos lookout at the rim of the Urique Canyon. Then the rain stopped us sitting around the campfire he made, but we got the effect. Supper was lovely, but don't expect nightlife.

The Cabins are very peaceful, no TV or internet & bring a torch if you want to read. They are beautifully decorated with murals by a local artist & we had a roaring log fire. We particularly enjoyed the fresh popcorn brought to us by Mario's young nephew. You will hear the howl of the Kyotes. Not necessarily a place to stay for a week, but a night to remember.

I wish Tres Amigos had put us in town at The Mission hotel. The weather was very bad and we were not able to do anything the day we arrived and were in the middle of nowhere. No TV, no phone, no internet. The next day we were supposed to go again to see the canyon but our driver said it was still very overcast so he took us to town for a ½ hour tour left us there and went to get gas. He took us to the train station 3 hours earlier and we met people there that had gone to the canyon that morning and had no problem seeing it. Somehow almost all other tourists were brought to the station an hour before the train came which was as late as the day before. But our driver insisted he did not have a way to know when the train will come. They had a stove only in the reception area. My 83 year old mother was in her room and they did not start her stove. I am not sure it even works. The breakfast was nice and so it was the margaritas, the soup for lunch was also good but the rest of the meals were not too good. This was a very beautiful but isolated place. We were taken to a supposedly taraumara family home, but it was just a very poor house with no Indian traditions to show us. The family was nice but not helpful.

When we arrived at the station in Bahuichivo, there was no one to meet us so someone else very kindly gave us a lift. On our arrival we weren't expected, although 3 Amigos had booked us in. At night it was freezing in spite of the wood burning stove in our cabin. Never the less, we enjoyed our stay and Mario and his family looked after us pretty well. They took us to the Canyon edge showed us around including a visit to the the village of Cerocahui. They fed us very well and were very hospitable hosts. We spent the evening sitting round their log fire knocking back the tequilas.

Our cabin was basic but comfortable and decorated with colourful murals. My God though it was freezing when we woke up! As with all the places we visited in Copper Canyon, it was quiet - but give San Isidro Lodge a try if you can. I'm sure you will have a most enjoyable experience.