With hundreds of shimmering cerulean pozas (pools) and streams in the middle of the Desierto Chihuahuense (Chihuahuan Desert), this 843-sq-km nature reserve is a surreal sight. Fed by a network of more than 500 underground springs, it's a desert habitat of extraordinary biological diversity. Cuatrociénegas is home to over 75 endemic species, including three kinds of turtles and 11 kinds of fish, as well as primative organisms called estromatolitos (stromatolites).
Some pools and the nearby river have been set aside for recreational activities, including swimming.
Even if you don't have your own transport, exploring the area alone is tricky, as the desert tracks are not always signposted. Using the services of a guide is wise. Though it is theoretically possible to visit the park without a car (buses to Torreón will drop you at the entrances to sites around the park, but usually won’t stop to pick people up), it's not advisable: distances are long, tracks are poorly marked and there is little shade.
