Protected Areas in Mexico

The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, a World Heritage site, is located on the Pacific Coast of the central part of the Baja California Peninsula and is embedded in the much larger El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, encompassing desert, mountain, coastal, and marine ecosystems.

Nestled off the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico lies a marine marvel that captivates the imagination and embodies the richness of biodiversity—the Arrecife Alacranes National Park and Biosphere Reserve. This protected area encompasses a sprawling reef complex and a group of small islands and stands as a beacon of conservation and ecological significance in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

Huatulco National Park, also known as Bahias de Huatulco National Park, is a National Park of Oaxaca, Mexico. Also a Biosphere Reserve, it is located in the Sierra Madre del Sur physiographic province, characterized by bays, cliffs, rocky escarpments, and lowland jungle.

Situated off the southeast coast of Mexico, the Isla Cozumel Biosphere Reserve incorporates two Ramsar sites: Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park and Manglares y Humedales del Norte de Isla Cozumel, encompassing richly diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

The Gulf of California in northwestern Mexico was once famously dubbed the "Aquarium of the World." The striking natural beauty of the Sea of Cortez, formed by rugged islands with high cliffs and sandy beaches, contrasts with the brilliant reflection from the desert and the surrounding turquoise waters.

Islas Marietas are a group of small uninhabited islands a few miles off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico, southwest of the peninsula known as Punta de Mita. The islands are characterized by their wealth of bird and fish fauna. The island archipelago is both a National Park and Biosphere Reserve.

The La Michilía Biosphere Reserve is a natural protected area in Mexico, located south of Durango between the two mountain ranges of the Sierra Michis and the Sierra Urica. The area between these two Sierras has several plateaus and small hills, separated by valleys and canyons of varying depths.

The Lagunas de Montebello National Park and Biosphere Reserve are located in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas physiographic province of Mexico, near the border with Guatemala. The protected area comprises a myriad of multi-colored lakes in a pine forest, along with the Maya ruins of Chinkultic.

Nestled within the heart of south-central Mexico, the Los Volcanes Biosphere Reserve encapsulates the iconic Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park and the majestic Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes. The area's diverse ecosystems consist of pine-oak forests and high mountain prairies.

The Mapimí Biosphere Reserve in northern Mexico is located in the Bolson de Mapimí of the central Chihuahuan Desert. It contains three core areas: Sierra de la Campana, Laguna de las Palomas (a salted lagoon), and a desert habitat called Dunas de la Soledad.