Cuatro Ciénegas
ÁRea De ProteccióN De Flora Y Fauna (CONANP) · Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila
Cuatro Cienegas is a basin in the Chihuahuan desert holding hundreds of spring-fed pools of startling blue, surrounded by gypsum dunes so white they look like snow. The pools contain living stromatolites, microbial reefs of the same kind that oxygenated the early Earth, and a list of endemic species found nowhere else, which is why researchers have studied the basin for decades as an analogue for early Earth and for Mars. It is also drying. Groundwater pumped from the basin to irrigate alfalfa has drawn down the aquifer for years, and some pools have already dried permanently. That is not a future risk but something that has happened. Poza Azul is for looking only; swimming is allowed at sites such as Rio Mezquites and Las Playitas. Each site charges separately and the basin is large, so you need a vehicle, cash and a guide to understand what you are seeing. Bring sun protection and carry water, since there is no shade and no services at the pools.
Poza Azul, Cuatro Ciénegas, Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, 27640, Mexico
⚠ THE SITES ARE SPREAD ACROSS A LARGE DESERT BASIN AND EACH CHARGES ITS OWN FEE - Poza Azul, Río Mezquites, Las Playitas and the gypsum dunes are four separate stops with real driving between them. A vehicle is required; bring cash. All keep daytime hours. ⚠ POZA AZUL IS VIEWING ONLY - NO SWIMMING AND NO ENTRY; Río Mezquites and Las Playitas are the swimming sites. ⚠ NO SUNSCREEN, REPELLENT OR OILS IN ANY OF THIS WATER - these are closed spring systems with endemic microbial life. ⚠ THE STROMATOLITES ARE LIVING AND SLOW-GROWING: DO NOT TOUCH OR STAND ON THEM. ⚠ THE BASIN IS DRYING FROM GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION AND SOME POOLS HAVE DRIED PERMANENTLY - ask a guide which ones. ⚠ SUMMER EXCEEDS 40 DEGREES WITH NO SHADE; visit October to April, and carry far more water than you expect. ⚠ HOURS AND PRICES NOT VERIFIED FOR THIS FILE.