Mexico

On the hilltop 1.5km northeast of town is the 220-acre Jardín Botánico El Charco del Ingenio. This wildlife and bird sanctuary, an ongoing project thanks to the efforts of local volunteers, was created to conserve a natural area around the town and to provide a recreational and ceremonial space for the community. Pathways head through magnificent areas of cacti and native plants, through wetlands and above a canyon where lies the namesake freshwater spring, the Charco del Ingenio.

A map with the pathways and explanations is provided upon entrance. The route incorporates the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, which houses a wonderful array of cacti and succulent species, some of which are endangered species. Excellent two-hour tours (in English) depart every Tuesday at 09:00 (around 50).

Getting to the garden can seem slightly prickly business, thanks to new urban development on the town's outskirts that blocks the original route, but it's worth persevering. Walk uphill from Mercado El Nigromante along Homobono and Cuesta de San José. Fork left up Montitlan past a housing development (known as Los Balcones). Continue for another 15 minutes to the main gate. Be sure to keep the garden boundary fence on your left as much as possible (Occasionally you may have to head around the new houses on sidewalks, after which you head back to the fence).