It is located in the state of Chiapas, covering portions of the municipalities of Cintalapa, Ocozocoautla, Jiquipilas, and Tecpatán.

The dominant plant communities are tropical evergreen and semi-deciduous forests growing on limestone substrates.

The reserves's large size makes it an important refuge for the region's birds, including the limited-range Nava's wren (Hylorchilus navai).

Other native bird species include emerald-chinned hummingbird (Abeillia abeillei), sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus), roadside hawk (Buteo magnirostris), gray-lined hawk (Buteo nitidus), singing quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus), bat falcon (Falco rufigularis), Montezuma oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma), chestnut-headed oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri, and plain xenops (Xenops minutus).

[1] In 2006 UNESCO designated Selva El Ocote as an international biosphere reserve, including both the core area and a larger buffer zone totaling 1012.88 km2.