Nahá-Metzabok Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere reserve in Chiapas, Mexico.
Nahá-Metzabok Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in southeastern Chiapas with montane rainforests, pine forests, oak woodlands, and natural lakes scattered throughout. The terrain sits on limestone hills with several enclosed lakes that have no visible outlets to the outside.
The area gained Ramsar Wetland status in 2004 and received UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation in 2009. These international recognitions marked its importance as a place that needs protection.
Lacandon, Tzeltal, and Ch'ol Maya people inhabit this place and shape how it functions through their long-standing relationship with the land. Their presence continues to influence how resources are managed and the reserve is cared for.
The reserve is best explored through guided tours that take visitors to the lakes and through the different forest types. Plan for hilly terrain and wet conditions, especially during the rainy season.
The reserve contains several closed lakes nestled in limestone basins with no visible outlets, leaving their water trapped in a self-contained system. This makes these lakes unusual places where the water and life within them evolved in complete isolation.
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