Getting There: Getting to El Cielo from the United States is a very easy process-- good roads run from Texas all the way to El Cielo (but you will need a truck to drive beyond Gomez Farias). There is also reliable bus service from Texas to El Cielo. You should have a passport with you.  If you are not comfortable traveling in Mexico, there is a great shuttle service which can get groups and individuals to and from El Cielo by way of Harlingen/Brownsville/McAllen-- call Vieh's Bed and Breakfast, and ask for Charlie Vieh (956)425-4651 or email: clvieh@aol.com (please tell Charlie where you heard about his services) Travel within El Cielo is very difficult due to road conditions-- the main road through the reserve is very steep and rocky and requires a sturdy truck to navigate.  Fortunately there are several drivers who offer their services for this purpose. They congregate at the main plaza in Gomez Farias, or you can go to either of two hotels in Gomez Farias and they will set you up.  Other options include walking (if you are very fit), and renting of burros/horses.  If you walk from Gomez Faris, it will take about three hours to hike to Alta Cima (about 6 km from the plaza in Gomez). If you are going to arrange for transportation in El Cielo, we always encourage you to find drivers from the local communities in El Cielo (see Services section).  Even if you arrange transportation through another business, switch to local guides in Alta Cima or San José.  In general renting of 4x4 transportation is the most expensive cost when visiting El Cielo. Transportation fees:  From Gomez Farias to Alta Cima        Approximately US$40.00-50.00 per truck  From Alta Cima to San José                Approximately US$40.00-50.00 per truck   Driving yourself: From Harlingen, Texas: Once you are in Mexico you need to get your car “Mexicanized,” see http://www.mexonline.com/drivemex.htm for details.  You also need a tourist visa which you obtain at the border crossing, but you need to specifically ask for one. ·        Exit expressway 77-83 at Paso Real just south of Harlingen (Hwy 509 or the Mexico free-trade bridge hwy). ·        Continue south about 10 miles to the International bridge (Hwy 101). This hwy goes all the way to Ciudad Victoria which is approximately 275 miles, just follow the Ciudad Victoria arrows. ·        You will come to a fork in the hwy about 25 km north of San Fernando, to the right goes back to Reynosa, to the left goes to Victoria.  Follow Ciudad Victoria arrows to take the bypass around San Fernando. ·        At km 128 hwy will turn off to the left, follow arrows to Ciudad Victoria. ·        Ciudad Victoria is where the km marking begins at #1. ·        Just north of Ciudad. Victoria at the first traffic signal turn left, the loop around the city and turns to hwy 85 Ciudad Mante. ·        Continue about 75 miles and look for the turn off to El Cielo or Gomez Farias, about 10 miles. This turn off is just past the Sabino River bridge (you will see the giant blue sign). Bus transportation: Buses from the US-Mexican border are a safe, inexpensive, and relatively fast way to get to El Cielo.   Round-trip prices from the border to Gomez Farias are well under US$100.00. From McAllen/Reynosa:   ·        Cross the border and take a taxi to the bus station in Reynosa (Centro de Autobus). There are several bus companies that can get to El Cielo.  Transpias is a good way to go because they have nice buses with leaving about every hour between Reynoa/Matamoras and Ciudad Victoria.  From Reynosa, take a bus to Ciudad Victoria (about 4- 5 hours). ·        Once in Ciudad Victoria, purchase another ticket to Gomez Farias.  Note: as you get on the bus, tell the bus driver where you are going, so he remembers to stop at the turnoff to Gomez Farias. ·        Once at the turnoff (also called the "Y to Gomez Farias") you have two options to get to the town. 1.         Hitchhike. This is pretty common and people often give rides from the Y to Gomez Farias. You should be willing to pay them for gas or help, but they will often decline payment. 2.        Wait for the Gomez Farias 'bus'- a 1980's beat-up blue van that shuttles people to and from Gomez and the bus stop for about 10 pesos.   (You may have to wait a bit, but it is reliable.) Directions from Brownsville/Matamoras are similar – take a taxi to the bus station and buy a bus ticket from there.   You will arrive in Ciudad. Victoria and follow the previous directions.