HomeProtected Areas
El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar
Sonora
About El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar
El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve. This protected area, with a dimension of more than 700,000 hectares, is immersed within the Sonoran Desert; it is a magical place of unique ...
How to get there?
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Most important locality
Puerto Peñasco 28 km from the Visitor Center and 51 km from the Biological Station.
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Airport
Mexicali International Airport 'General Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada', Baja California
International Airport ¨Mar de Cortes ¨ - Puerto Peñasco, Son. (vuelos Tijuana-Puerto Peñasco)
References and Transportation
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Ways to get there
There are two areas you can visit: the Museum and Visitor Center and the crater route.
The Schuk Toak Museum and Visitor Center is loca... -
Transportation facilities
There is no public transportation from Puerto Peñasco. Private or rented cars, cabs and tours from authorized tourist service providers. Ca...
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Mobility within the protected area
The roads inside the reserve are dirt roads with rocky parts and fords, so you need a tall vehicle, (sprinter, suv, pick up) not necessarily...
How to get there?
References and Transportation
- Ways to get there
There are two areas you can visit: the Museum and Visitor Center and the crater route.
The Schuk Toak Museum and Visitor Center is located at Km. 72 on Highway No. 8 Sonoyta - Puerto Peñasco and is the registration point for the crater route. Here you must also pay the corresponding fee. It is 28 Km from Puerto Peñasco and 72 Km from Sonoyta. To visit the craters route you must access by Km 52 of highway 2 Sonoyta - San Luis Río Colorado. At 52 Km from Sonoyta and 152 Km from Puerto Peñasco. The interior route is 80 Km approximately, so you should be prepared with enough fuel. - Transportation facilities
There is no public transportation from Puerto Peñasco. Private or rented cars, cabs and tours from authorized tourist service providers. Cab fares can be high, ask for a quote first.
- Mobility within the protected area
The roads inside the reserve are dirt roads with rocky parts and fords, so you need a tall vehicle, (sprinter, suv, pick up) not necessarily 4×4. There is no access to low sedan type vehicles as they could damage their bodywork or get stuck. There is no access to motorcycles, ATVs, razors, buggies or buses. There are interpretive trails where you will find information about the area.
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Schedules
Every day of the year.
Field Station every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for registration and payment of fees. Carretera Fed. 8 Km 51, Ejido Los Norteños, Puerto Peñasco Sonora. Schuk Toak Museum and Visitor's Center and access to Dunes from Thursday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. Federal Highway 8 Km 72.3 west access road 7 Km. Subject to official holidays and staff availability.
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Entrance fee
$108.66 MXN
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Average weather in the area
Temperate to very warm
Spring is mild, 10-28°C. Summer very hot 28-50°C. Autumn mild, 16-30°C.
Protected Area map
View map
Activities and recommendations
Activities
- Bird watching
- Camping
- Environmental education and interpretation
Recommendations
- The best season to visit the Protected Area is from October to May, for hiking, astronomical observation and wildlife watching.
- Appropriate clothing and footwear is recommended. Take into account the date of your visit to choose the appropriate clothing and footwear f...
Services
Services within the PA
Handicrafts, sustainable products and souvenirs stores
Information Center at the Field Station
Internet connection (Visitor Center)<...
Lodging near the PA
Camping areas in Protected Area
Tecolote Campground in the crater zone
Dunes zone camping area
Hotels in the closest cities Puer...
Food service near the PA
None
Available services in the nearest locality to the PA
Bank ATMs
Banks
Hospital
Hotels
Market / Super Market
Pharmacy
Transportation services
Nearest locality to the PA
Puerto Peñasco 28 km from the Visitor Center and 51 km from the Biological Station.
Admission fee
Protected Area entrance fee
$108.66 MXN Entrance prices per person, per day, as collection of rights.
Senior citizens, pensioned and retired persons, disabled persons, and minors under 12 years of age will be exempt from the payment of fees, whose status will be accredited once they enter the Protected Area, if applicable, with the corresponding valid credential. A 50% discount will be applied to students and teachers with a valid credential, which must be presented upon entering the Protected Area.
More about El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar
Interesting facts
It is said that the Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar, owes its name to a beetle of intense black color that abounds in these lands. The ...
Attractions
The reserve has the largest concentration of maar type craters in the world, and its volcanic shield has more than 500 cinereous cones, lava...
Representative species of PA
Sonoran Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonorensis), Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis), Desert Pupfish (Cyprinodum eremus), Southern Long-nos...
You can see more representative species of El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar on the web site
Representative Species of PA
Representative Species of PA
Sonoran Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonorensis), Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis), Desert Pupfish (Cyprinodum eremus), Southern Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Desert ironwood (Olneya tesota), Sahuaro (Carnegiea Gigantea), Organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi), Fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni), Teddy-bear Cholla (Opuntia bigelovii)
Visitor regulations
Follow these indications to conserve the Protected Area
1. The reserve is open to the public. however, staff may deny access to visitors who represent a risk to the integrity of the reserve or to...
Visitor regulations
Protected Area Regulations
Visitor regulations in the Protected Area
1. The reserve is open to the public. however, staff may deny access to visitors who represent a risk to the integrity of the reserve or to other visitors (people who are intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs).
2. The introduction and use of firearms is prohibited.
3. DESCENDING INTO THE CRATERS IS NOT PERMITTED.
4. It is prohibited to collect or extract plants, animals, organic remains, firewood, sand, rocks, minerals, archeological remains, or any other natural resource or cultural element from the area. All garbage generated during your visit must be collected and taken back with you. Do not bury it even if it is organic.
5. In case of preparing food you need to bring your own firewood or charcoal. The use of portable gas stoves, alcohol or grills is permitted.
6. DO NOT CUT OR DESTROY ANY FOREST RESOURCES
7. We recommend you not to bring your pets, but in case you do bring them, you will only be allowed access on a leash and you must pick up their waste in a bag and take it with you.
8. Very large or heavy vehicles such as trailer cars or buses will not be allowed access.
9. Access to recreational vehicles such as ATVs, sandboxes, etc. is not permitted.
10. You must respect and follow the signs within the reserve, such as not entering closed roads, not leaving the marked trails, and respecting the speed limit (40 km/h).
11. The use of loud sound devices is not allowed.
12. The introduction of alcoholic beverages to the reserve is permitted, but their use should be in moderation. The use of any substance that can be used as a stimulant or narcotic is prohibited.
13. Any activity that could be a source of contamination (air, water or soil) such as dumping liquid or solid waste, burning or combustion of various materials is strictly prohibited.
14. If you defecate in the open air, you must bury the feces in an appropriately sized hole about 30 cm deep. do not bury the toilet paper or sanitary napkins. you must keep them in plastic bags and take them with you.
Contact
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PA office address
Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez and Rio Suchiate No, 389. Plaza 389. Local 8. Col. Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. C.P. 83553.
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Phone
+52 (638) 388 2277
