Chipinque Ecological Park

The area has a semi-arid climate with warm temperatures throughout most of the year.

Summers can be hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C during the day. In contrast, winters are cooler, with temperatures sometimes falling below 10°C at night. Precipitation is more frequent during the summer.

The best time to visit Chipinque Ecological Park

The best time to visit Chipinque Ecological Park is usually from October to April. During this time, temperatures become milder, ranging from comfortable to slightly cool, making outdoor walks and walks more enjoyable.

The park is less crowded during these months compared to the peak summer season.

Chipinque Ecological Park boasts diverse ecosystems including dense forests, meandering streams, and rugged mountainous terrain. The park is home to an abundance of flora and fauna.

Chipinque Park is home to everything from black bears to butterflies. There are several species of birds, squirrels, a breed of wild cat that looks disconcertingly like a chubby house tabb, as well as pumas, coyotes, and grey foxes.

Visitors can even catch a glimpse of the excellent, native to Mexico coati, a raccoon-esque creature with a stripy tail, or a deer. Be on the lookout for the (non-venomous) black snakes though.

If you do see black bears, don’t try and get close to them. Just stay still and wait for them to pass you by or retreat slowly. Chipinque also has a butterfly house and an insect house and both are free to enter.

Visitors can explore the park along a network of groomed trails suitable for all ages and skill levels, from strolls to challenging hikes. Along the way, tourists enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The park offers an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The park also features educational exhibits and interpretation centers aimed at promoting environmental awareness and conservation efforts.

Rules state that lighting fires are prohibited, but you can still lug a coolbox of food and have a picnic. There are also a few water fountains at various points on the route so you could top up your bottle if need be.

• Entry costs vary if you enter on foot, bike, or drive into the park.
• Parque Chipinque is open 365 days a year from 06:00 to 20:00.
• The admin offices close at 18:00 and the park itself at 19:30.

It’s so much cooler than the rest of Monterrey. The average temperature in Chipinque is around 21 degrees, which, is much more bearable than the 40-something-degree heat four months of the year in Monterrey.

Dress appropriately – leggings, sneakers, a light T-shirt, and perhaps a thin jacket with a hood in case of rain, and shoes with good grip.

There’s a small café right near the entrance that takes both cash and card, so if you want to grab a quick drink or snack before or after your ascent then you’ll need some money on you in some form or another.

However, if you want to buy something during the walk you’ll need loose change.

Chipinque Ecological Park is located just 12 km from the center of Monterrey.

• around 20 minutes from the city center by car
• approx. an hour by public transport

You can take an Uber from Monterrey, which takes around 20 minutes, saving you the steep and windy walk up to the actual entrance. You also can take the Route 130 bus, get off in San Pedro, and then take a taxi.