The Dunas de Yeso (Gypsum Dunes) in Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila, are one of Mexico’s most ethereal and scientifically significant natural wonders. They are often described as a "white desert" that looks more like a lunar landscape than a typical northern Mexican scrubland.

• Type of Place: A rare protected area consisting of roughly 800 hectares of brilliant white sand made of calcium sulfate (gypsum). It is one of only three such sites in the world.

• Environment: A stark, blindingly white desert surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental. The ground is cool to the touch because gypsum does not absorb heat like silica sand.

• History & Origin: Millions of years ago, this area was part of the Tethys Sea. When the sea receded, it left behind lagoons that eventually evaporated, leaving these massive gypsum deposits. It is a "living laboratory" where NASA has conducted studies due to its similarities to the surface of Mars.

• Altitude: Approximately 740 meters (2,427 feet) above sea level.

• Distance from Nearest Airport: The closest major airport is Venustiano Carranza International Airport (LOV) in Monclova, about 85 km (53 miles) away. The drive takes roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes via Federal Highway 30.