Mexico City Nature Tourism Guide

Mexico City, besides being one of the largest cities in the world, is also a place full of beauty and natural resources. 59% of the city's territory is considered conservation land, equivalent to more than 88 thousand hectares, which is the reservoir of 12% of the national biodiversity and 2% of the world's biodiversity. The city has 25 Natural Protected Areas and 7 Community Ecological Conservation Areas.

The physical and natural characteristics of Mexico City, allow it to position itself in this segment with a wide diversity of attractions, services, and tourist experiences of adventure, ecotourism, and rural tourism.

The mountainous area of the city, in addition to offering beautiful landscapes and environmental benefits, is also one of the most outstanding areas for the development of nature tourism.

The Cumbres del Ajusco National Park stands out, a protected natural area made up of 920 hectares of coniferous forest that at its highest point reaches an altitude of 3,970 meters above sea level. This area is ideal for adventure tourism sports such as hiking, and mid-mountain climbing (trekking) to reach the Cruz del Marqués, the highest point.

You can also practice biking and downhill mountain biking and camping on the slopes of the park, or flora and fauna observation, highlighting endemic species. Birds: beryl hummingbird, Mexican thrush, trans volcanic woodpecker, dull hummingbird, trans volcanic quail. Reptiles: mountain chameleon, mountain horned lizard, rattlesnake. Mammals: volcano rabbit.

Very close to this forested area, there is also a wide variety of adventure sports such as gotcha, camping, rock climbing, trail running, lodging in cabins, and traditional food services, such as quesadillas del Ajusco, where visitors come every weekend for breakfast.

Another area with a similar offer is Los Dinamos, an area that shelters some bodies of water that come from high in the mountains and where visitors can try dishes made with trout grown in ponds and various food services. You can enjoy experiences such as rappelling, zip-lining, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and lodging in cabins.

The city is also crossed by the Transversal Neovolcanic Axis, where the Xitle, a Hawaiian-type volcano on the slopes of Ajusco, stands out; there you can do activities such as speleology in the caves formed by solidified volcanic lava in the form of subway rivers, rappel, and interpretive hiking. These activities can also be done at the Teuhtli Volcano, in the Tláhuac district.

Another important resource is the Sierra de Santa Catarina, where a series of volcanoes are concentrated in the Tláhuac and Iztapalapa municipalities: the Yohualixqui, Tetecón, Xaltepec, Guadalupe, and Tecuauhtzin volcanoes. In addition to the Yecahuizotl Park, where you can take walks, environmental education workshops, sidereal observation, and recreation in rustic games and open spaces.

In the lake area of the city, corresponding to Xochimilco and Tláhuac, you can find a wide range of agrotourism and gastronomic experiences since this area has been the center of production of vegetables, fruits, and vegetables in Mexico City since pre-Hispanic times, thanks to the efficient and sustainable system of production in chinampas, a system that is recognized worldwide.

It is also possible to take trips in traditional boats, such as cayucos, and trajineras, and, kayaking has also been incorporated.

Cerro de la Estrella is one of the most outstanding places in the middle of the city, as it is one of the places where residents and visitors go to do outdoor activities, enjoy walks, visit its archaeological site, explore its caves and even perform ceremonies for the renewal of calendar cycles such as the Ceremony of the New Fire, which has been performed since pre-Hispanic times.

To the north of the city is one of the main urban lungs, the Aragon Zoo and Forest, an area of environmental value that aims to preserve the local ecosystem and in which it is possible to observe migratory birds seasonally, thanks to its bodies of water and pine trees. Among other activities, it is also possible to practice cycling, sports races, and some urban sports such as skating, skateboarding, and boat rides.

Finally, the Sierra de Guadalupe and Tepeyac National Park, to the north of the city, are part of a mountainous system, where activities such as trail running, mountain biking, flora, and fauna observation, and hiking take place.