Find Out why Mexico is a Nature Lover’s Dream
Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries on earth, with 24 million hectares of protected land, and the highest number of UNESCO biosphere reserves in the whole of Latin America. Here we map our favourite UNESCO sites in Mexico.
When you are ready to go, Brightsun Travel has Mexico flights offer all year round, flying you direct into some of the country’s hot spots.
Mexico City
- Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
About 100 kilometres northwest of Mexico City is the Monarch Butterfly Reserve, where each year millions of butterflies appear on migration from the USA, taking refuge in Mexico’s warm jungle habitats. The biosphere reserve is a World Heritage property, containing mountainous landscapes, valleys, plains and forests.
- Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve
A 4 hour drive north from Mexico City is the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, containing diverse tropical and mountainous landscapes, with altitudes ranging from 260 to over 3000 metres above sea level. Here you could spot the Mexican black bear, jaguar, toucan and crocodile, and surround yourself with almost a third of all butterfly species in Mexico.
- El Cielo
Continue 300 kilometres north from Sierra Gorda and you will reach El Cielo, one of the most ecologically rich and diverse parts of Mexico, with jaguars and ocelots, plus beautiful cloud forests, which now cover only 1% of Mexico’s land area. The reserve is situated in the Sierra de Cucharas mountain system, and has incredible landscapes to explore.
Cancun
- Sian Ka’an
Head to Cancun on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, and a short 2 hour drive south is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The reserve contains part of Mexico’s extensive barrier reef system, plus forests that provide sanctuary to jaguar, puma, tapir and manatee. The reserve boasts 23 archaeological sites, and Tulum, the county’s most visited archaeological site, is just north of the reserve.
- Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
Northwest of Cancun is a globally unique wetland covering over 60,000 hectares, where you can spot American Flamingos in their thousands. You can also spot dolphins in the oceans, jaguars in lush forests, and hawksbill sea turtles taking refuge on pristine beaches. Life here dates back to 300 years BC, and important archaeological sites are dotted around the reserve.
- Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, located at the base of the Yucatan Peninsula, is the largest forest reserve in Mexico, and the second largest after the Amazon in Latin America. Here you can spot jaguar, puma and hundreds of species of birds. The forest has been occupied by local communities for centuries and has important Maya sites dating back to 900 AD.
Chiapas
- The Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve
The Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve was established in 1978 as Mexico’s first biosphere reserve in the state of Chiapas in southeast Mexico. It is one of the largest areas of humid tropical forest in Central America, with hundreds of species of trees, 20% of the country’s plant diversity, and over a quarter of its mammal population.
- Naha-Metzabok
The Naha-Metzabok Biosphere Reserve occupies the northern section of the Lacandon tropical forest, and is an important part of the Mayan forest biological corridor. It contains protected RAMSAR wetland sites, is home to several members of the cat family and is thought to be home to one of the oldest ethnic tribes in Mexico.
Getting there
Brightsun Travel has Mexico flights from UK, flying direct into Mexico City from London with British Airways, and into Cancun with Virgin Atlantic, plus holiday and hotel packages across the country.