
Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve – Ultimate Travel Guide
Last Updated on November 10, 2022
Exploring the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in Queretaro is a unique experience. The spectacular scenery, the stunning landscape, and the lush vegetation make it one of the best destinations in Mexico for nature-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Canyons, waterfalls, and UNESCO sites await only to wake up the adventurer within you. Most sights are pretty remote and are hard to reach via public transportation so I recommend renting a car to fully enjoy all that the Sierra Gorda has to offer. Read one to discover all the best places to visit there, the recommended itinerary and useful travel tips. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on any links and make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission, at no cost to you.Must-see places in Queretaro’s Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve
San Joaquin

Cañon del Paraiso (Paradise Canyon)

Pinal de Amoles
Pinal de Amoles is a small village and a convenient location to stay at to explore parts of the Sierra Gorda. Located along the main road and in one of the highest points, Pinal is often foggy and cold, especially in winter.Cuatro Palos Viewpoint

Puente de Dios

El Chuveje Waterfall

Sotano de Barro

Jalpan de Serra

Conca

Visiting the Sierra Gorda’s Franciscan Missions

- Santiago de Jalpan, in Jalpan de Serra (the first one to have been built);
- Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol, in Tancoyol (hard to reach without a car);
- Santa Maria del Agua de Landa, in Landa de Matamoros (reachable by bus);
- San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco, in Tilaco (also hard to reach without a car);
- San Miguel Concá, in Conca (reachable by bus);
Useful things to know before visiting the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve
- The easiest way to visit the Sierra Gorda is by renting a car, alternatively, you can book tours to most of the destination listed above or you can do a mix of buses and hitchhiking;
- If you rent a car, pick a 4-wheelers, most roads are dirt-roads;
- I would say it’s safe to hitchhike, I did it as a solo female traveler and it was fine. When you go to the attractions, there’s only this at the end of the road so people driving by are mostly families on vacations/weekends.
- Even with a car, you’ll need to walk a bit to reach the points of interest, usually around 30 minutes. Pack good shoes.
- The way places look can hugely change with the weather, for instance, the water will be muddy and not crystal clear if it has been raining a lot, or during the dry season, waterfalls can reduce to a trickle.
- The weather is usually cold during the night or when it’s cloudy, and hot during the day. Pack a good jacket and a pair of pants, but also clothes for warm weather, without forgetting sunscreen (biodegradable so you don’t contaminate the water) and a hat or cap.
- As most of the things to do in the Sierra Gorda are water activities, pack a GoPro or a waterproof case for your phone, water shoes, and a dry bag.

Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve itinerary
If you have a car, you can fit everything into 4D/4N nights as follow:- Day 1: Leave early morning from Queretaro, heading to Joaquin, spend the day visiting the waterfall, the cave, and the ruins. Spend your first night there.
- Day 2: visit the Cañon del Paraiso, spend this night and the next in Pinal (check accommodations).
- Day 3: watch the sunrise from 4 Palos, then visit the Chujeve Waterfall and the Puente de Dios.
- Day 4: watch the sunrise at the Sotano de Barro then head to Conca. Spend the night in Jalpan (check accommodations), where you can visit the mission.
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3 Comments
Read it! It’s a masterpiece!
Hi Julie!
Thank you so much for this guide as it is extremely comprehensive and covers lots of places that I have not known about during my planning phase until now. Will be here next month for a few days based in Jalpan de Serra and cannot wait! Thanks again!
Hey! I’m glad it could help! If you have time, I recommend spending a few days exploring the Huasteca Potosina as well, it’s right next to the Sierra Gorda, and it’s amazing, one of my favorite destination in Mexico. Have a nice trip!