Cuatro Ciénegas by bus: turquoise pools in the Coahuila desert
Hundreds of turquoise springs, white gypsum dunes and a Pueblo Mágico in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. Take a Senda bus to Monclova, the gateway.
Top things to see and do
Our pick of the places to visit in and around Cuatro Ciénegas:
Poza Azul
Río Mezquites
Dunas de Yeso
Las Playitas
Stromatolites
Casa Museo Venustiano Carranza
Desert wineries
Stargazing
Sierra de San Marcos
Best time
March to May and October to November
How long
2 nights
Senda to
Monclova
Plan your trip to Cuatro Ciénegas
Senda takes you to Monclova. Search your date, choose your seat and pay online; your e-ticket arrives by email.
Getting to Cuatro Ciénegas with Senda
Senda bus to Monclova
about 12 a day from Monterrey
From 4 cities
Monterrey, Saltillo, San Luis Potosí, Matehuala
From Monterrey: about 3h 15min
fares from MX$400
How to get to Cuatro Ciénegas by bus
Senda buses arrive at Monclova Central Bus Station. Departures in the next 30 days, as shown in the booking flow:
- Monterrey: about 12 buses a day, around 3h 15min, from MX$400
- Saltillo: about 4.1 buses a day, around 3h 25min, from MX$330
- San Luis Potosí: about 2 buses a day, around 9h 55min, from MX$1,089
- Matehuala: about 2 buses a day, around 7h 20min, from MX$758
Schedules and fares change by date and season; search your date to see live times and prices.
The last stretch
Cuatro Ciénegas is about 80 km west of Monclova, around an hour and a half by regional bus or car. Most visitors explore the pools and dunes with a local guide or by car.
Related guides
Monclova Central Bus Station guide · Monterrey to Monclova bus
Travel tips
Arrive at the bus station at least 30 minutes before departure with your e-ticket and an official photo ID.
Senda allows up to 2 bags of up to 25 kg each in the hold, plus a small carry-on.
About Cuatro Ciénegas
The Cuatro Ciénegas valley is a protected area for flora and fauna, with around 200 spring-fed pools in the desert. Scientists study it because many of its fish, turtles and microorganisms live nowhere else on Earth. The town is a Pueblo Mágico and the birthplace of Venustiano Carranza. Swim only in the places where it is allowed, use biodegradable sunscreen, and expect strong heat in summer.