National park · Mexico
La Sepultura Biosphere ReserveReserva de la Biosfera La Sepultura
Enter La Sepultura for MXN 70 000 per person, hike the Pico de la Sepultura trail (≈3 h) in the dry season (Nov–Apr), avoid July–August crowds.
- 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
1,670 km² (645 sq mi)645 sq mi (1,670 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Mar–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
- 1,670 km² (645 sq mi)645 sq mi (1,670 km²)
- Area reported as about 1,670 km² (check for exact boundary revisions).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Mar–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve protects steep Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountain slopes, hosting jaguars, pumas, over 300 bird species and diverse cloud‑forest ecosystems; it is managed by CONANP with local community cooperation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2006Adopted by UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Size and age
1,670 km² (645 sq mi)645 sq mi (1,670 km²) · national park since 1995
Area reported as about 1,670 km² (check for exact boundary revisions).
Why go
- Large mountain‑forest reserve with jaguars, pumas and over 300 bird species.
- Multiple trail options from short day hikes to multi‑day treks.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, cool.
- MarDry, pleasant.
- AprDry, warm.
- MayStart of rains.
- JunRainy, hot.
- JulHeavy rain, trail mud.
- AugHeavy rain, trail mud.
- SepRainy, cooling.
- OctDry, cooler.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, puma, ocelot, jaguarundi, margayAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tapir, brocket deer, peccaryAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 300+ bird species, including quetzal and toucanAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport
Rent a 4WD vehicle and drive south on state route 133 to Villaflores, then follow the unpaved road to the reserve entrance.
2–3 h
From Villaflores town
Take a combi (shared van) to the reserve entrance; arrange a guide on arrival.
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance / visitor centre | Gate, information desk, basic facilities. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Pico de la Sepultura trailhead | Start of the most popular short hike to the summit. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Ecotourism centres (Sierra Morena, El Chinchorro, Tierra y Libertad) | Lodging, guide services, trail access. | Open to guests; booking required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entry (per person) | MXN 70,000 (≈ US$4,000) | person | Check at gate; fee may vary seasonally. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry permit or guide
Guided trek (multi‑day) no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Only at designated ecotourism sites; back‑country camping prohibited.
- Guides
- Required for multi‑day treks and off‑trail sections.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use provided stoves at camps.
- Pets
- Pets not permitted in the reserve.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Centro Ecoturistico Sierra Morena
Lodging, meals, guide services.
Near the park
Centro Turístico El Chinchorro
Lodging and trail access on the western side.
Safety
Steep, slippery trails during rain medium
Limited cell coverage high
Wild felid 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
- Visitor centre reachable by vehicle; short walks are on uneven ground.
- Summit trail has steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at locally‑run ecotourism centres; support community guides.
- Do not collect plants or wildlife; follow leave‑no‑trace principles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve?
The entry fee is MXN 70 000 per person; check at the gate for any seasonal adjustments.
What are the best hikes in La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve?
The most popular short hike is the Pico de la Sepultura summit (≈3 h). For longer treks, the multi‑day waterfall route from Sierra Morena is recommended with a guide.
When is the best time to visit La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve?
Dry season from November to April offers clear trails and cooler temperatures; avoid July–August when heavy rain makes trails muddy.
Can I camp anywhere in the reserve?
Camping is only allowed at designated ecotourism sites; back‑country camping is prohibited.
Do I need a guide for a day hike?
A guide is not required for the short summit hike, but is mandatory for any off‑trail or multi‑day trek.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve
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