State Parks and National Parks

Covering 6.29 million acres, this is the biggest biosphere reserve in Mexico and has been designated a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site.

The park encompasses the Desert of Vizcaíno, San Sebastián Vizcaíno Bay, Bahía Tortugas (Turtle Bay) and Bahía Ballenas (Whale Bay), as well as many small islands.

You can find many species of cacti and reptiles, plus interesting wildlife including lynx and the endangered Cedros mule deer.

This is also a popular site for whale watching. The coastal lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio are very important reproduction and wintering sites for the gray whale, harbor seal, California sea lion, northern elephant seal and blue whale.

The lagoons also shelter four species of the endangered marine turtle. The best time to see whales in the lagoons is February through April.

Nearby towns are near San Ignacio and Guerrero Negro.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Corel.