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Biosphere reserve in Jalisco, Mexico
Photo: Aedrake09, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve is a protected natural area on the Pacific coast of Jalisco, Mexico. The reserve spans 13,142 hectares of mountainous terrain with dry tropical forests. It provides habitat to a wide range of plant and animals species including a number that are endemic to the area. It is a good spot for birdwatching with more than 200 species making permanent homes here, plus a number of migratory species that can be spotted seasonally.
Exclusive luxury resort built as a private retreat by James Goldsmith, a flamboyant British tycoon. It now operates as a luxury hotel with 43 rooms in the main casa as well as 10 villas and several dozen casitas. Resort amenities include outdoor swimming pools, restaurants, access to secluded beaches, spa services, and horseback tours of the adjacent biosphere reserve.
By car
From Puerto Vallarta, drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway (MEX-200) for about 160 km. The entrance to the biosphere reserve is about midway between the towns of Chamela and Costa Careyes.
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