12 Eco Parks and Nature Preserves in Mexico

Located in the state of Tamaulipas amidst the amazing Huasteca Tamaulipeca, the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve is among the most scenic eco-parks in northeastern Mexico, with a diverse territory that ranges from mountains to oasis in the middle of lush woods. Housing a large variety of endemic flora and fauna species, the area is also an archaeological zone and has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Nature enthusiasts and adventurers can enjoy, among the many activities, kayaking, biking, bird watching, abseiling, hiking, or mountain climbing and lose themselves in a fairy-like landscape made of thick forests, peaks, enchanting lagoons, and evoking waterfalls. The charming and somehow mysterious allure of the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve makes it a mystical place for environmentalists and even for UFO believers hoping for an alien encounter- the reserve is ironically nicknamed the “UFO Valley.” While exploring the reserve, make sure you visit the rural villages of Alta Cima and San José, where you can also join guided ecotourism tours and the Pueblo Mágico of Tula.

When thinking about ecotourism, Chiapas is certainly one of the first destinations coming to your mind. With its varied nature, unique ecosystems, and archaeological sites, Chiapas boasts several amazing eco-parks and nature preserves. Aside from the extensive Sumidero Canyon National Park, the territory offers plenty of chances to enjoy nature and outdoor activities such as hiking, rappelling, kayaking, climbing, mountain biking, and zip-lining. Our favorite ecotourism destinations in Chiapas include the scenic El Arcotete eco-park. Located a few miles from the Pueblo Mágico of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the park is ideal for a short getaway in contact with nature and, thanks to its impressive limestone grottos system, is popular among cavers and climbers. The Reserva de la Biósfera Selva El Ocote (“The Ocote Forest Biosphere Reserve”) occupies an extensive stretch of the Chiapas Highlands and is house to rich biodiversity, including amazing natural landscapes ranging from cave systems to medium/high altitude forests. Here you can venture into the Cañón Río La Venta, a scenic canyon system with an underground river, and admire the Cascada El Aguacero, whose waterfalls’ impact on the rocks create a peculiar and pleasant breeze. The reserve is within easy reach from both Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Chiapa de Corzo.

Nestled between the peaks and forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental in Michoacán, the quaint Pueblo Mágico of Angangueo boasts a rich mining and historical past but is largely popular for being home to one of the largest nature preserves in central México. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains most of the sanctuaries protecting the eastern population of the monarch butterfly during winter. To better explore the reserve without disturbing the delicate ecosystem, we suggest you rely on a local specialized guide and plan your itinerary upfront. Some of the most visited sanctuaries include El Rosario and the Sierra Chincua Sanctuary, offering also chances for hiking, climbing, and zip-lining. The Parque Nacional Barranca De Cupatitzio (Cupatitzio National Park) is another excellent choice for adventurous travelers seeking contact with nature. Located in Uruapan’s western area, the natural park includes evoking sceneries, with lush forests and waterfalls that will make you feel like a fairy tale. The Cupatitzio National Park is easily reachable from Uruapan and not too far from the archaeological site of Las Yacatas, in the municipality of Tzintzuntzan.

Located in the charming Pueblo Mágico of Tepotzotlán not too far from Mexico City, the Sierra de Tepotzotlán State Park is one of the most extensive eco-parks in the state. With an area of over 22 thousand acres ideal for outdoor activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking, the eco-park is home to diverse fauna and flora species that you can admire while venturing into the sierra. While in Tepotzotlán, we recommend you visit Xochitla Parque Ecológico (Xochitla Ecological Park). A short drive from Mexico City and other local attractions such as Teotihuacán archaeological zone, Xochitla eco-park includes elegantly decorated gardens, large paths ideal for skating and cycling, several restaurants, dedicated areas for camping, and recreational facilities suitable for all ages.

With its extensive, varied territory, the state of Hidalgo offers numerous entertainment and adventure chances. The alluring Lago Turquesa (Turquoise Lake) in San Miguel Regla is certainly among our favorite ecotourism destinations in the state. Tucked in the Eco Turistico del Lago Park, the lake boasts crystal-transparent waters and a beautiful green setting and is a just short drive from Pachuca and the Magical Town of Huasca de Ocampo. This historical pueblo is renowned for hosting one of the state’s main attractions, the Prismas Basálticos (Basaltic Prisms), impressive smooth rock formations of lava origin in the form of hexagonal pillars. Besides admiring the scenic waterfalls falling from the prisms, you can enjoy hiking and zip-lining. Huasca de Ocampo is also a gateway to the Reserva de la Biosfera de la Barranca de Metztitlán, a protected natural area hosting dramatic landscapes and the perfect setting for practicing outdoor sports. El Chico National Park, located in the proximity of the Pueblo Mágico of Mineral del Chico, is one of the oldest eco-parks in Mexico. Boasting lush vegetation, crystalline water bodies, and majestic rocky landscapes, it is the ideal destination for adventurers and nature lovers and can be easily reached both from Pachuca and Tula de Allende.

The vibrant state of Jalisco is certainly not sure on natural wonders. Renowned mostly for the wonderful beaches in Puerto Vallarta and for its eclectic capital city Guadalajara, Jalisco is an excellent destination if you seek an active, adventurous holiday. One of our favorite natural attractions is the baffling Valle de Los Enigmas (Enigmas Valley). Located at a short distance from the Pueblo Magico of Tapalpa, this mysterious site hosts imposing giant rock formations that seem to come from another world. The lunar landscape also includes meteorite fragments and monoliths and is an unusual and unique spot for enjoying horseback riding or hiking. At a short distance from both Guadalajara and Tequila you will find the amazing Cascada Los Azules and admire the dramatic scenery of the transparent waterfalls. To get to Los Azules from Tequila, you can take a scenic trail crossing agave fields and rocky paths. Although Puerto Vallarta is a a popular destination among tourists seeking relaxation on its posh beaches, it hosts one of the most beautiful eco-parks in northwestern Mexico. Surrounded by the jungle, the El Eden de Vallarta Ecotourism Park (EDENVA) is an extensive eco-park where you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, zip-lining, or simply appreciating its breathtaking landscape.

Nuevo León is one of the most loved ecotourism destinations in Mexico and is particularly popular among climbers and mountaineering enthusiasts. Boasting invaluable natural monuments such as the iconic Cerro de la Silla, Nuevo León’s rocky territory offers endless chances to practice outdoor activities and sports. When staying in the capital city Monterrey you can enjoy caving at the nearby Grutas de Garcia or explore the majestic Cañón del Chipitín (Chipitín Canyon). One of our favorite ecotourism destinations in Nuevo León is the Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey (Cumbres de Monterrey National Park), an extensive eco-park situated in the northern section of the Sierra Madre Oriental. The scenic landscape that awaits you here encompasses rugged peaks, deep canyons, waterfalls, and rivers surrounded by lush pine and oak forests and is ideal for camping, hiking, rappelling, kayaking, and zip-lining. The picturesque Pueblo Mágico of Santiago is a privileged gateway to the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park.

Renowned for the heavenly beaches, the and the sizzling nightlife and gastronomy in Mazatlán, the state of Sinaloa also conceals incredible ecotourism destinations. Not too far from the Magical Town El Fuerte you will come across the amusement and eco-park La Galera, a wide area on the banks of the Fuerte river dedicated to outdoor activities and sports. Here you can walk on suspended bridges, ride on mountain bikes, enjoy zip-lining, rappelling, or climbing and take a boat to reach the Cerro de la Máscara and admire its Mayos archeological site. The Reserva Ecológica del Mineral de Nuestra Señora (Mineral de Nuestra Señora Ecological Reserve) is close to the Pueblo Magico of Cosalá and is a true paradise for adventure tourists looking for rappelling, hiking, and caving opportunities. With its rich biodiversity, the preserve is one of the most visited natural areas in the state, housing an aviary and petroglyphs and cave paintings attesting to the culture of the area’s first inhabitants. The placid El Salto Lake is a fantastic choice for a quiet afternoon; the area is popular among fishing enthusiasts, but even if you are not into this sport, you can enjoy its green surroundings and relax while feeling in contact with nature.

Tabasco’s evoking landscapes offer you the chance to enjoy many kinds of open-air activities. When staying in Villahermosa we recommend you pay a visit to the Center for Interpretation and Coexistence with Nature, commonly known as Yumka’ Ecological Park. In this amazing eco-park, you can learn about the ecosystems of the jungle, savanna, wetlands, and lagoons and observe animals in their natural environment. One of our other favorite destinations in Tabasco is the splendid Villa Luz Ecological Reserve, located only a few miles from the Pueblo Mágico of Tapijulapa . The eco-park is one of the wealthiest in southern Mexico in terms of biodiversity and includes natural attractions and sports facilities suitable for all ages and levels. We suggest you try camping in Villa Luz’s jungle and explore the mysterious landscape of caves, rivers, waterfalls, and lagoons. Near Tapijulapa, you will also come across the Kolem-Jaa Ecotourism Park, a 27.5 hectares eco-park set in the middle of the jungle where you can camp in lush tropical landscapes and practice many outdoors activities.

If you are looking for adventure and adrenaline in Aguascalientes, the Parque Aventura Boca de Túnel (Adventure Park Boca De Túnel) is the perfect destination for you. Located in the Pueblo Mágico of San José de Gracia, the eco-park’s territory is characterized by deep canyons used as dams. You will start your tour by crossing several hanging bridges and zip-lining above the canyons, then keep descending the canyon walls until you reach the lake. Here you can decide to return to the park’s entrance or dare further and try to climb some of the highest points.

Thanks to its proximity to the American border, the state of Baja California is a popular destination for. Besides the renowned El Salto Canyon and Waterfall and the Cuervitos Dunes, one of our favorite eco-parks is the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park, a vast nature preserve with lush conifer woods located a few miles from Ensenada. The park’s most notable attractions are the Picacho del Diablo, the highest peak of the reserve at 10,157 feet high, and the National Astronomical Observatory, from which you can appreciate spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortés. Another destination we recommend is the Laguna Salada, near Mexicali. Although its name means ‘’Salty Lagoon”, the area, once covered by the Sea of Cortés’ waters, is now a dried depression a few meters below sea level. By the Laguna Salada, you can practice mountain biking and hiking, or, if you are up to more challenging activities, put yourself to a test by joining the “Ultramaratón en el Desierto de la Laguna Salada” (Ultramarathon in the desert of Laguna Salada).

Although largely covered by the Sonoran Desert, the extensive state of Sonora encompasses different ecosystems, with territories ranging from the mountain landscapes of the Sierra Madre Occidental to the beautiful beaches in Bahía de Kino and Puerto Peñasco. Its geographical diversity makes Sonora an exceptional ecotourism destination offering many opportunities to practice aquatic sports and sandboarding. The Reserva de la Biósfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar (Natural Reserve of El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar) is among the most remarkable ecological preserves in the country, with an almost mystical allure permeating its lunar landscape. Craters are one of the most prominent and fascinating elements of this desert environment that also features golden dunes high hundreds of meters, lava fields, and unique cacti species.

Baja California Sur is undoubtfully one of the most loved holiday destinations in Mexico, renowned for the exclusive beaches and luxurious venues in Los Cabos. Its large and heterogeneous geography allow numerous chances for practicing ecoturism and open-air activities such as snorkeling, diving, and sportfishing. If you seek true contact with nature in an almost untouched environment, we recommend a visit to the Sierra La Giganta Biosphere Reserve, extending for over 360 km and encompassing the Loreto and La Paz municipalities. With its diverse ecosystems that include the rugged peaks of the Sierra, part of the Baja California Desert, and evoking oases, canyons, and waterfalls, the preserve is a superb place for bird watchers and nature lovers, who can observe autochthone fauna species like the weemsi bighorn sheep and the peregrine falcon. You can explore the Sierra La Giganta Biosphere Reserve on foot or on horseback and discover the ancient cave paintings and petroglyphs that attest to the ancestral Guaycura population, whose descendants still inhabit the area.