Mexico's Biosphere Reserves

A biosphere reserve is an area representative of one or more ecosystems which have not been altered by human action or which need to be preserved or restored, hosting species representative of Mexico's bio-diversity, including those which are considered endemic (specific of the area), endangered, or at risk of extinction. This is a list of Mexico's biosphere reserves divided by area, with a brief description of their ecosystems and characteristics. Each area will be soon linked to its location on our map page.

To see the full list of the reserves' location click on the tree icon on our Ecotourism Interactive Map

Northern Mexico Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Mapimí	Durango, Chihuahua and Coahuila		Created in 2000, the reserve includes an area known as La Zona del Silencio (the Silence Zone) where strange phenomena due to an incredible magnetic force have awakened the interest of scientists, who are trying to preserve the regional flora and fauna, especially the desert tortoise, the largest in North America. Activities: camping, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife observation.
La Michilía	Suchil, Durango		Created in 1979, it covers the western part of the Sierra Madre. Its vegetation goes from pine and oak forest to swamps. The mountain areas host protected species like the grey wolf and the black bear. Activities: hiking, camping, wildlife observation.
El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar	Puerto Peñasco, Sonora		Created in 1993, it is located in the north-western desert of Sonora near the US border. It includes from volcanic cones from where you have fantastic views over the area to sand dunes along the coast. The climate is arid and hot. Fauna: deer, puma, wild boars, bighorn sheep and a local specie of beetle (pinacate). Activities: hiking, wildlife watching.
Isla San Pedro Mártir	Hermosillo, Sonora		This small island is located in the middle of the sea of Cortes between the coasts of Baja and Sonora, and it is a protected area since 2002. It hosts colonies of water birds, reptiles and seals and its waters are habitat to sea turtles, dolphis and whales. The predominant vegetation is a local type of cactus. Activities: boat trips, snorkeling, diving, and marine life observation.
El Cielo	Tamaulipas		North America's northernmost cloud forest, the reserve spans 360.000 acres in the Sierra de Cucharas range in an ecological transition zone between arid and tropical environments. There are four distinct eco-systems, with an incredible variety of flora and fauna. The reserve is home to half of Mexico's bird species, jaguars, bears, deer, amphibians, reptiles, over 30 orchid varieties, pine and oak forests, and tropical hard-woods. Activities: camping, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, wildlife watching.
Baja California Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Alto Golfo de California y Delta del Río Colorado	Mexicali, Baja California and Puerto Peñasco, Sonora		Created in 1993, the area includes 2 different ecosystems, marine and desert. In the whole territory, most lowlands, the climate is dry with scarce rain. On the coastal land the vegetation is typical of dunes and sandy areas. Fauna: rodents, reptiles, marine and migratory birds, foxes and coyotes.
Isla Guadalupe	Baja California		Created in 2005, this volcanic island is a refugee for colonies of seals and sea lions, and it is also been considered one of the best spots in the world for sightings the endangered Great White Shark. The vegetation includes palms, cypresses, pines, and lora of the coastal lowlands. It is a real marine life sanctuary.
Bahia de los Angeles, Canales de Ballenas y Salsipuedes	Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja California		Created in 2007, this area is located in front of Bahia LA and includes a few islands and the 'whale channel', an important refuge for many species of whales, sharks, seals and sea turtles. Numerous birds nest on the islands, included the blue footed boobies. Activities: boat trips, observation of marine life and bird watching.
El Vizcaíno	Baja California Sur		Created in 1988, it is one of the largest in the world and includes mountain regions, sand beaches, islands and desert. There are also important archaeological sites with rock paintings over 10,000 years old. Amongst its many protected species are gray whales and mountain pumas, Activities: hiking, archaeological sights, mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, boat trips, snorkeling, diving, wildlife watching.
Complejo Lagunar Ojo de Liebre	Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur		Created in 1972, the lagoon is a gray whale sanctuary on Baja's Pacific Coast. The whales migrate here from January to March to give birth and raise their young, providing visitors with a fascinating natural spectacle. The reserve protects also numerous marine and migratory birds. Activities: marine life and bird watching.
Sierra La Laguna	La Paz and Los Cabos, Baja California Sur		Created in 1994, it is located in a mountain range at the southern end of the peninsula and owes its name to a deep valley surrounded by pine and oak forests which was probably a lagoon in some remote era. The reserve is home to many endemic species of insects, reptiles, birds. Activities: hiking, wildlife watching.
Central Highlands Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Sierra de Abra Tanchipa	Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí		Created in 1994, it is located between Ciudad Valles and Tamuín. The warm winds coming from the low gulf region find some higher lands and cool in the area with consequent abundant rain, important for the local water supply. The reserve vegetation is a mix of mid and low forests, hosting endangered species like the jaguar, ocelot and puma. Activities: hiking, rafting, climbing, mountain biking.
Sierra Gorda	Arroyo Seco, Querétaro		Created in 1997, it includes a variety of ecosystems and its positioning from North to South along the Sierra Madre Oriental makes it an important barrier for the winds coming from the gulf, capturing their humidity and generating an essential water supply. For this biosphere there are also important reforestation and ecotourism programs. The vegetation goes from pine and oak to subtropical forests. Fauna: many endangered species like jaguars, black bears, spider monkeys, tucans, river crocodiles, butterflies. Activities: camping, hiking, wildlife watching, adventure sports.
Sierra Gorda de Guanajuato	Atarje, Guanajuato		Created in 2007, it shares with the nearby reserve in Queretaro an incredible variety of endemic species of flora and fauna, and several different climate zones thanks to its latitudinal location, at the meeting point between the North American neo-artic and neo-tropical regions. It hosts 130 species of mammals, 23 of amphibians, 71 of reptiles and 360 species of birds. Activities: camping, hiking, wildlife watching, adventure sports.
Sierra de Manantlán	Autlan de Navarro, Jalisco and Minatitlan, Colima		Created in 1987, also this reserve is located in the transition of the Neo-arctic and Neo-tropical areas, with a wide range of altitudes, climates and soils. The reserve addresses the challenges of conserving an endangered specie of wild corn and of implementing a diversification of agrarian communities in ecotourism and sustainable forest management. Activities: hiking, camping, wildlife observation.
Mariposa Monarca	Michoacán and México		Created in 2000, this hibernation sanctuary for the Monarch Butterfly is Mexico's most visited reserve. From November to March, visitors can follow trails where the butterflies cover the oak and pine trees and fly around flowers. the forests where the butterfly spends the winter months.
Central Pacific Coast Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Archipiélago de Revillagigedo	Colima		Created in 1994, the reserve is located in the tropical Mexican Pacific and includes the volcanic islands of Socorro o Santo Tomas, Clarisn o Santa Rosa, San Benedicto and Roca Partida. These islands host several endemic species of birds and reptiles and are sometimes called Mexico's 'little Galapagos'. There is also fish from different marine habitats like Indian-Pacific, Gulf of California and Mexican Pacific. Amongst the endangered fauna are various species of sea turtles. Activities: boat trips, sailing, snorkeling, marine life observation.
Chamela-Cuixmala	La Huerta, Jalisco		Created in 1993, the reserve is located on the Pacific coast,with a vegetation of dry tropical forest on rolling hills and coastal dunes and other aquatic plants on low lagoons. Its forests are characterized by a diversity of flora and fauna and a very high number of endemic species, like jaguars, pumas and ocelots. The climate is hot-humid. Activities: hiking, flora and fauna observation.
Islas Marías	San Blas, Nayarit		Created in 2000, the reserve protects a small chain of islands located in the eastern Pacific Ocean with rich bird and marine the life. The main vegetation is grasslands, scrub, deciduous and sub-deciduous tropical forest. The islands preserve 11 flora endemic and restricted-range species, as well as the endemic Tres Marías raccoon and cottontail rabbit Activities: boat trips, sailing, snorkeling, marine life and bird observation.
Mexico City and Surroundings Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Sierra de Huautla	Amacuzac, Morelos		Created in 1999 it is located in the south part of the state of Morelos, in the río Balsas valley. it includes the Cerro Piedra Desbarrancada area, which can be visited only by horse through the pine forests anf offers a good view on the surrounding Sierra. It is administered by CEAMISH (Environmental education centre) whose aim is the development of conservation conscience and ecotourism in the area. Activities: hiking, mountain biking, horse back riding, wildlife observation.
Barranca de Metztitlán	Metztitlan, Hidalgo		Created in 2000, it includes and protects a part of Hidalgo's mountain range, orientated from the south-eastern to the north-western part of the state. It is cut by a deep canyon, forming a green valley with corn fields and orchards. The main vegetation above the canyon is oak, pine and juniper forests, changing to tropical forests down the canyon. It hosts several species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals, with 21 species of bats and 19 species of rodents. Activities: hiking, mountain biking, flora and fauna observation.
Oaxaca Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Tehuacan-Cuicatlán	Oaxaca y Puebla		Created in 1998, this reserve is an excepcional 'showcase' of the Mexican tropical semi-arid ecosystems. The vegetation is mainly desert bush and maguey in the low areas, with pine, oak and juniper forests in the highlands. Fauna: 16 endemic species of reptiles - including green iguanas - peregrin hawks, deer, pumas, coyotes, armadillos. The area is also important from a cultural and social point of view, as there are archaeological excavations and 8 different indigenous communities. Activities: camping, hiking, flora and fauna observation.
Central Gulf Coast Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Los Tuxtlas	Catemaco, Veracruz		Created in 1998, the reserve is located near the sea and also includes a volcanic mountain range, which means it has an incredible diversity of soil and climate, and several endemic species. It is one of the last areas with humid-tropical jungle in Mexico with a high number of protected species, for both flora and fauna. To promote and protect the area's beautiful lakes, lagoons, waterfalls and green lush vegetation an association of 8 local communities (RECT) is developing important ecotourism and conservation projects.
Tabasco and Chiapas Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Pantanos de Centla	Centla, Tabasco		Created in 1992, the reserve is located in the Grijalva-Usumacinta hydrological region and contains almost 12% of all of Mexico's aquatic and sub-aquatic vegetation and many species of migratory birds. The area is one of the most important watersheds of Mesoamerica and its marshes, wetlands and lagoons are home to flora and fauna protected species, like red mangroves, manatees and river turtles. Activities: boat trips, bird and wildlife watching.
Selva El Ocote	Ocozocuautla de Espinosa, Chiapas		Created in 2000, the reserve protects an area which is considered amongst the most important in the country for its biological bio-diversity. The incredible number of caves and canyons formed by an underground net of streams has attracted speleologists and hydro-geologists from all over the world. The main vegetation is high, mid and low jungle. Fauna: many species of birds, amphibians and reptiles, bats, rodents, jaguars and monkeys. The area includes also several archaeological ruins of the Zoque culture. Activities: camping, hiking, kayaking and rafting, caving, wildlife observation.
La Encrucijada	Mazatan, Chiapas		The reserve was created in 1995 for the protection of the Chiapas wetlands, a natural barrier against hurricanes and saline intrusion. The vegetation is typical of the low coastal lands, including mangroves, palms, sand dunes bushes and low jungle. Amongst the protected fauna there are spider monkeys, anteaters, jaguars, and ocelots, together with several bird and marine species, including the fishing eagle and the shark. The reserve is also the only breeding area in Mexico for caymans. Activities: boat trips, bird and wildlife watching.
Lacan-tun	Selva Lacandona, Chiapas		Created in 1992, the reserve is located in Chiapas Lacandon jungle and its tropical moist rainforest is in a pristine, almost entirely intact state, home to many protected species like harp eagles, scarlet macaws, jaguars, tapirs, spider and howler monkeys, river turtles and crocodiles. The development of ecotourism has been important for the jungle's conservation. Activities: camping, hiking, kayaking, wildlife observation.
Montes Azules	Selva Lacandona, Chiapas		Created in 1978, it is one of the largest areas of humid tropical forest in Mexico and Central America with areas of pine forest in higher altitudes. It is home to several indigenous tribes such as the Lacandones, Choles, Tzetzales and the challenge is to protect their native environment and to improve the communities' life conditions. Amongst the fauna are many endemic and endangered species, like howler and spider monkeys, jaguars, crocodiles, tucans... Activities: camping, hiking, kayaking, wildlife watching.
La Sepultura	Tonala, Chiapas		Created in 1995, the reserve is located in the north-eastern part of Chiapas' Sierra Madre. Thanks to its gradient humidity and altitude, it contains a mix of ecosystems proper of the arid, humid, tropical and temperate areas with 121 protected fauna species, like jaguars, pumas, spider monkeys, tapirs and quetzales. Activities: camping, hiking, wildlife watching.
El Triunfo	Acacoyagua, Chiapas		Created in 1990, the reserve is located in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, on a generally steep and mountainous terrain. On the limit between the Pacific coast and the Grijalva-Usumacinta River, El Triunfo is the most diverse evergreen cloud forest in Mexico, and one of the most important sites for bird migration and endangered species like spider monkeys, jaguars and quetzals. Activities: camping, hiking, wildlife watching.
Volcán Tacaná	Tapachula, Chiapas		Created in 2003, the reserve protects the area around the Tacaná (House of Fire), the highest active volcano in South East Mexico, in the Chiapas' Sierra Madre. From the top to the bottom of the volcano, the vegetation goes from mountain to cloud forests to tropical jungle. Activities: hiking
Yucatan Peninsula Biosphere Reserves	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Calakmul	Calakmul, Campeche		Created in 1989, is the largest protected forestal area in Mexico and consists of Tropical humid forest ecosystem type. The main reserve project is reforestation, to balance the past extensive logging and to protect endemic species like jaguars and tapirs, crocodiles and snakes. It includes several Mayan ruins, including the ancient city of Calakmul, second in importance only to Tikal in Guatemala. Activities: camping, hiking, visit to archaeological sites, wildlife watching.
Los Petenes	Calkini, Campeche		Created in 1999, it is a long, narrow and flat coastal area protecting both terrestrial and marine flora and fauna. The climate is hot-humid and the vegetation is low jungle, mangroves and coastal grass. It includes several cenotes and a few archaeological Mayan sites. It is home to several species if migratory birds, 47 species of fish and to endangered mammals, like jaguars, ocelots, and spider monkeys. Activities: boat trips, bird and marine life watching, visit to archaeological sites.
Ría Celestún	Calkini, Campeche and Celestún, Yucatán		Created in 2000 is located in a coastal strip between the Campeche and Yucatán states and it includes several ecosystems like coastal dunes, mangroves, lagoons, and marshlands. These are critical habitats for a great diversity of migratory birds, especially flamingoes, nesting in the area and for endangered species of crocodiles and sea turtles. Activities: boat trips amongst the mangroves, bird and marine life watching.
Ría Lagartos	Río Lagartos, Yucatán		Created in 1999, it shares the same ecosystems with the nearby Ría Celestún. Its high biological productivity, due to conditions of marine to hyper-salinity in the environment, is the reason why the area is considered a unique wetland, home to endangered animal and plant species, like the peregrin falcon and the flamingo. The area also includes an important Mayan zone. Activities: boat trips, bird and wildlife watching.
Sian Ka'an	Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo		Created in 1986, Sian Ka'an, a Mayan phrase for "Where The Sky Is Born," is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site. Consisting of lowland forest, flooded savannas, mangroves, and a portion of coastal barrier reef the Reserve is home to 800 plant species and provides habitat for 350 species of birds, as well as jaguar, puma, ocelot, spider and howler monkeys, crocodiles, and many types of turtles. Additionally, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is home to 23 different archaeological sites of pre-Columbian culture. Activities: hiking, boat trips through the mangroves, bird and wildlife watching.
Arrecifes de Sian Ka'an	Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo		Created in 1998, it is an extension of Sian Ka'an in the Caribbean Sea, protecting a portion of the world's second largest coastal barrier reef. Due to the great diversity of aquatic habitats, marine and wading birds are well represented. The reef provides shelter to tropical fish and crustaceans, which feed larger fish. Activities: boat trips, snorkeling, diving.
Banco Chinchorro	Mahahual, Quintana Roo		Created in 1996, Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve protects a mosaic of mangroves, sand beaches, coral reefs and sea grass beds, reproduction and breeding refuges of ecologically important species like the Caribbean lobster and the conch. The area is characterized by a circular strip made up of coral islets. Activities: diving and snorkeling.