Tehuacán – Cuicatlán

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Tehuacán – Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, between the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. This is a vast protected area of approximately 500,000 hectares. It is a UNESCO designated site, recognized for its exceptional biodiversity columnar cacti that reach over 10 meters in height and live more than 200 years and for hosting more than 300 endemic species, including large biznagas (giant barrel cacti) and the so called “elephant foot” plants, which can live for centuries. The area stands out for its arid landscapes, marine fossils, and ancient salt production; pre-Hispanic remains of ethnic groups such as the Nahua, Popoloca, and Cuicatec have also been found.

In the Zapotitlán area is the botanical garden named for Dr. Helia Bravo, a pillar of Mexican botany and the first woman to graduate as a biologist in Mexico.

While touring the reserve we saw a wide variety of desert vegetation and many birds typical of this habitat. We spent the night there the night sky is incredible, and the sunrise truly feels like a communion with nature. I also recommend sampling the desert cuisine in the nearby town: eggs served with various edible flowers (such as cacallas, tetechas, palmitos, or cactus flowers), tostadas with chapulines (grasshoppers) or condoche worms, tostadas with ant salsa, or tacos of cocopaches, accompanied by refreshing drinks made from jitotilla or garambullo, and finished with pitaya sorbet.

Give yourself the chance to experience this remarkable place.

“Tehuacán – Cuicatlán” by Jerry Ham.