Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve Voyage Tips and guide

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The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve is in the Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca and a mixed world heritage site. It is a sprawling area of more than 490,000 hectares of dry, mountainous terrain where forests of tall cacti stand tall against the rocky terrain. The reserve is home to snakes, lizards and several other types of animals equipped to survive in a hot, dry climate.

The area belongs and is located in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. It is characterized by its rugged terrain around the broad valleys of Tehuacán and Zapotitlán and the Glen of Cuicatlán.

The importance of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán lies in the great floristic diversity of the area. The predominant flora in this Biosphere Reserve is the xerófita, (which people who speak English call cactus) comprising more than a third of the species detected in the place. It has importance in the presence of one of the few areas of cloud forest that are located in Mexico.

Although designated as a Biosphere Reserve, the area is also of great historical importance. The reason that UNESCO classifies it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site rather than listing it only as a biosphere is because several archaeological finds revealed evidence of early crop domestication dating to around 9000 BC as well as having evidence of canals and irrigation improvements to support domesticated agriculture. The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has no established archaeological sites within the reserve and does not encourage archaeological tourism to the area, though development of such facilities is likely.

It is possible to visit the pre-Hispanic archaeological ruins by hiring a local guides at the Jardin Botoanico visitor center. The ruins are about a 2-hour hike (each way) and the guides charge about M$400 for the trip. (Be sure to have hiking boots, sun protection, and drinking water). The ruins were built by the Popoloca indigenous culture.

For being a desert, this mountainous area is very biodiverse, especially when it comes to different cacti. The biosphere reserve boasts one of the highest concentrations of columnar cacti in the world. There are also more than 300 different bird species and about 85 different reptile species, many of which are endemic to the region. Due to its endemic species, endangered species, and its rare floristic species, the site is an IUCN world biodiversity hotspot.

The climate of the region is warm semi-dry and warm semi-tropical in the region of the Glen Cuicatec with moderate rains scarce in the summer. In the high parts of the mountains it is common to see that the mountains are topped by a thick fog that rarely comes to condense in the form a modest drizzle.

The reserve is very large and spans an area along the border of the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. The reserve can be accessed from either the northern end via Tehuacán in Puebla or the southern end via Cuicatlán in Oaxaca.

The nearest city with a major commercial airport is Puebla (PBC ^IATA).

From Puebla's main bus terminal (CAPU), several bus lines offer frequent service to Tehuacán, including ADO and its subsidiary AU. Tickets on ADO will cost about M$200 for the 2-hour trip. The second-class bus line Autobuses Valles operates buses departing every few minutes throughout the day for as little as M$100.

Once in Tehuacan, there are peseros (small regional buses or vans) that go from the downtown area to the Biosphere Reserve for M$17 one-way (exact change strongly preferred). Ask locals which pesero to catch and where it stops. When you get on, tell the driver you want to get off at the Jardin Botanico. There is a covered bus stop there, which is also where you will catch a bus going back to town. The ride takes about 40 minutes each way.

M$95 per person per day, M$150 per person to stay overnight.

Hike. There are no marked, improved trails in the reserve once you get past the Jardin Botanico. There are also no roads through the reserve and motorized vehicles are prohibited in all areas.

• 18.332556-97.4578451 Jardín Botánico Helia Bravo Hollis (Botanical Garden), Zapotitlan Salinas, ☏ +52 237 114 4423. Daily 09:00 - 17:00. Desert landscape botanical garden featuring most of the 90 cactus species found in Mexico as well as more than 100 other plant species. A walking trail will take about 1 hour to complete. Early morning visits are best before the heat of the day sets in. The garden consists of a "lower" and an "upper" part. The lower part is a manicured garden with plaques that tell you the species name. The upper garden is wild. Guides are available to accompany you and explain the life and ecology of a cactus, but most guides speak only Spanish. M$95. (updated Oct 2024)

• Hike
• Explore archaeological ruins
• Birdwatch - more than 100 types of birds make their home in the reserve and hawks and vultures can frequently be seen riding the thermal air currents

There are no stores in the biosphere reserve.

No restaurants or food vendors are available on site. Bring what you want to eat or drink. Water is available at the cabins and camping area, but most travelers would be wise to carry their own bottled water or to bring a filtration or means of chemical treatment.

• 18.328173-97.4544841 Cabañas Jardin Botánico Zapotitlan Salinas, Zapotitlan Salinas, ☏ +52 238 389 4471. Small brick cabins are available for rent next to the Jardin Botanico. Tent camping permitted under shelters to either side of the cabin area. Cold showers and flush toilets are available. Camping costs M$150 per person. 

This is a desert-like area with hot, arid conditions. Carry drinking water and protect yourself from the sun. Wear a hat and cover exposed skin or use SPF-50+ sunblock, particularly in the afternoon when the sun is hottest. Wear sturdy walking shoes and beware of lifting rocks or putting hands or fingers in holes or crevices. Many venomous snakes, particularly rattlesnakes, live in the area as to scorpions and other venomous insects.

• Tehuacán
• Puebla
• Pico de Orizaba National Park