ECOTOURISM

For nature lovers, Queretaro?s environs have some beautiful reserves where you can do ecotourism outings that allow you to appreciate a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Parque Nacional El Cimatario ? Located 12 km (7 mi) southeast of Queretaro. Covers an area of 2,450 hectares (6,051 acres); lowland brushwood vegetation predominates.

This quiet park offers beautiful landscapes that are optimal for observing small plant and animal species.

Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra Gorda ? Located north of Queretaro, off the San Juan del Rio-Xilitla Highway 120, in the direction of Sierra Gorda. This biosphere reserve, with 383,567 hectares (1.2 million acres), is perfect for exploring diverse ecosystems and observing a wide array of wildlife, as it covers 32% of the state?s territory. The reserve has a special area for bird-watching, allowing you to spy hummingbirds, buzzards and goldfinches. You can also visit the Sotano del Barro, in Arroyo Seco, a giant sinkhole 400 meters (1,320 feet) deep, where you?ll find the largest habitat in the world of the military macaw.

Vivero Quinta Schmoll ? Located 71 km (44 mi) from Queretaro off Highway 120, in Cadereyta, at Avenida Colegio Militar and Las Fuentes. Here you can see about 4,000 cactus species and other flora while learning about the efforts being made to conserve these species.