Jalpan is the centre of the Sierra Gorda, a biosphere reserve that climbs from tropical lowland to pine forest in a few hours of road. The five Franciscan missions — Jalpan itself, Landa, Tilaco, Tancoyol and Concá — can be seen with a car alone; the reserve's waterfalls, sinkholes and viewpoints are where a guide earns their fee.
Check before you go: Puente de Dios, near Pinal de Amoles, was reported closed to the public in 2026.