In the highest part of the Sierra Nevada de Tlaxcala, the municipalities of Calpulalpan and Nanacamilpa light up with the bioluminescent procession of thousands of fireflies, giving rise to one of the most enigmatic natural spectacles on Earth. Tlaxcala Brilla brings together various activities around the observation of the firefly so that visitors can witness such wonder.
endemic fireflies
The fireflies responsible for the show in the area of nanacamilpa they belong to a species that had been almost unknown to science until recently. In addition, they are an endemic species, that is, they are native to this region and therefore cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The name of this species is Photinus Palaciosi and belongs to the family of Coleoptera, called Lampyridae.
Tlaxcala Brilla, visit the Sanctuary of the Fireflies
The Sanctuary of the Fireflies is a nature reserve located in the municipality Nanacamilpa, in Tlaxcala. The best time to witness the courtship and mating of fireflies is in the months of June, July and beginning of August.
This sanctuary has been open to the public since 2011. It comprises 200 hectares of forest and is, along with the North Island sanctuary in New Zealand, the only one of its kind.
In the vicinity of the sanctuary there are various accommodation options, even next to the reserve there are some cabins which must be reserved in advance. Another recommended option is to stay in Val’Quirico, a tourist complex set in the Italian medieval style. It is only 18 kilometers from Tlaxcala.
Recommendations to see the fireflies
- Go to tourist guides certified by SECTUR in groups of 15 people maximum.
- Visit only the sighting centers registered with the Ministry of Tourism, which have the Golden Firefly seal.
- The tour in the forest is during the night, so you must take precautions.
- Do not eat wild mushrooms, if you are not advised by an expert.
- The unique time of appearance of fireflies is between 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
- Remember that it is a natural phenomenon and several factors intervene in which the human being does not influence.
- Wear warm and waterproof clothing, without reflections.
- The use of umbrellas is not allowed.
- It is essential to make a reservation.
- If there is a full moon, it is difficult to appreciate its appearance.
Tlaxcala Brilla, a considerable increase in the number of visitors
Every year there are more visitors who come to this area, so it has been necessary to implement a “Master Plan” that has strategies that allow the conservation of this species and its habitat. The state government of Tlaxcala, Through the Ministry of Tourism, since 2012 it has implemented actions regarding the care and protection of the forested area of Calpulalpan and Nanacamilpa, natural habitat of the firefly and other species. So if you visit the sanctuary, follow all the measures and contribute to this firefly protection plan!