National park · Mexico
Chamela‑Cuixmala Biosphere ReserveReserva de Biosfera Chamela‑Cuixmala
Enter Chamela‑Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve: drive 3 h from Puerto Vallarta on MEX‑200, pay entry fee at the gate (amount check), hike the coastal trail in dry season (trail access check); avoid July‑Oct rains.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
131 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (131 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 131 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (131 km²)
- Reserve covers roughly 131 km² (13,142 ha); exact boundaries differ between sources.
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Puerto Vallarta
Chamela‑Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve protects dry tropical forest, coastal wetlands and diverse wildlife on Jalisco’s Pacific coast; it offers birdwatching, jaguar sightings and a 5 km coastal trail, with limited facilities and a modest entrance fee.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2006Joined UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2006.
Size and age
131 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (131 km²) · national park since 1994
Reserve covers roughly 131 km² (13,142 ha); exact boundaries differ between sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Puerto Vallarta.
Why go
- Dry tropical forest and coastal wetlands with abundant birdlife.
- Chance to see jaguar, ocelot and sea turtles in their habitats.
- Remote beaches and hiking trails away from mass tourism.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarDry, warming.
- AprDry, warm.
- MayStart of rains.
- JunIncreasing rain.
- JulRainy, humid.
- AugRainy, possible storms.
- SepRainy, heat.
- OctRain tapering, still warm.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, comfortable.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (hawks, vultures, woodpeckers, migratory warblers)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguars, ocelots, pumasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sea turtles (nesting)May–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
Rent a car and drive south on Highway 200 for about 160 km (99 mi).Rent a car and drive south on Highway 200 for about 99 mi (160 km).
≈3 h
Open the page →
From Manzanillo
Drive north on Highway 200 (distance and time check).
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance gate (midway Chamela‑Costa Careyes) | Main access point, visitor information, fee collection. | Open daily; vehicle entry allowed (check). |
| Coastal trail | Marked path along the shoreline, birdwatching spots. | Open with entrance fee; stay on trail (check). |
| Wetland area | Seasonal mangroves and turtle nesting beaches. | Restricted; guided tours only (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Chamela town · Town≈19.550, -105.050Nearest settlement with services.Map ↗
- 2Entrance gate · Gate≈19.488, -104.996Midway between Chamela and Costa Careyes.Map ↗
- 3Casa Cuixmala · Sleep≈19.374, -105.009Luxury eco‑resort within the reserve.Map ↗
- 4Costa Careyes · Village≈19.400, -105.050Coastal village near the reserve.Map ↗
- 5Coastal trail viewpoint · Viewpoint≈19.420, -105.020Panoramic sea view along the trail.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the reserve; exact trail points may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee | Free | person | 2026 estimate unknown; pay at the gate near Chamela/Costa Careyes (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entrance permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from reserve authorities (check).check
- Camping
- Only in designated areas; otherwise prohibited (check).check
- Fires
- Open fires are forbidden; use camp stoves only (check).check
- Stay on trails
- Off‑trail walking can damage fragile habitats (check).check
- Pets
- Dogs must be leashed and are not allowed in wildlife zones (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Casa Cuixmala
Luxury eco‑resort 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Costa Careyes; rooms and villas.Luxury eco‑resort 9.3 mi (15 km) south of Costa Careyes; rooms and villas.
Near the park
Chamela town
Budget hotels and guesthouses a few km from the gate.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Remote terrain high
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access to gate is paved; short walks are on flat terrain.
- Steep sections of coastal trail may be difficult for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in eco‑friendly lodging and support local guides.
- Do not collect plants or disturb wildlife.
- Use refillable water bottles; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chamela‑Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve?
Entrance fee is MXN 30‑50 per person at the gate; exact amount may vary by season.
What are the best hikes in Chamela‑Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve?
The 5 km coastal trail offers sea views and birdwatching; a guided horseback trek explores the interior; night walks to turtle nesting sites are seasonal.
When is the best time to visit Chamela‑Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve?
Dry season November to May provides comfortable hiking and abundant wildlife; avoid July‑October when rains make trails muddy.
Can I camp inside the reserve?
Camping is allowed only in designated zones; otherwise prohibited to protect habitats.
Is a guide required for the coastal trail?
A guide is not mandatory for the main coastal trail, but recommended for wildlife spotting and safety on longer routes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Chamela‑Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve
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