There are so many reasons to head to this wonderful country just
south of the USA. And maybe you weren’t thinking that nature was
one of them. But Mexico has it all – from snow-capped, lofty peaks
to incredible beaches, lined with a hundred palm trees! This country
has just about every ecosystem you can imagine, and its national
parks are incredible. Don’t miss them – not if you make it to the land
“south of the border”!
Here are some of the best natural sites that you have to see if you
get down to Mexico!
● Lake Chapala, Jalisco: Come for the sunrise and scan the
panorama of local boats floating over the water of Mexico’s
largest freshwater lake. This is true tranquility.
● Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche: Or if you prefer the
jungle, try out some bird watching here on the border with
Guatemala. Calakmul is one of the country’s largest protected
natural areas. It’s also home to the Maya ruins of the same
name.
● Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: Petrified waterfalls? Yes, you heard
that right. These unique geologic formations are eerie and
unreal, and make for a wonderful spot for a hike and a picnic!
● Parque Nacional Grutas de Cacahuamilpa, Guerrero: I hope
you’re not claustrophobic! Because this site – one of the
largest cave systems in the world – is simply stunning!
● Las Coloradas, Yucatán: True to its name (translation: “the
colored ones”), the lake here almost seems painted an
unnatural red. Unnatural maybe, but eerily beautiful.
● Tepozteco Hill, Morelos: The bizarre thumb-shaped formations
here are mirrored in the ancient pyramid. Enjoy history and
nature all in one!
● Tamul Waterfall, San Luis Potosí: Nothing really says “nature”
like a waterfall. And this beauty – at over 100m high (almost
250ft) – is one of Mexico’s largest.
● Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas: Formed around the same time as
the Grand Canyon, this is Mexico’s response – and a wonderful,
lush one at that! Unlike in Arizona, here you’re surrounded by
water and vegetation.
● Rosario Sanctuary, Michoacán: Butterflies? Each year is
witness to a massive migration, where not thousands, but
millions, of Monarch butterflies head here, just begging for you
to capture them in a photo!
● Potrero Chico, Nuevo León: If you’re a rock climber, this is
probably what your heaven looks like! Even if you prefer to keep
your feet on the ground, the crazy, steep cliffs here will inspire
awe from any vantage point.
● Basaltic Prisms, Hidalgo: If you’ve never seen the “Devil’s
Postpile” in California, you’ve never seen the likes of this. Even
when you get there, you’ll have trouble believing these
hexagonal columns are really sculpted by nature – and not
aliens!
● Popocatépetl-Iztaccíhuatl National Park, Puebla: Come to the
site of two of Mexico’s most famous volcanoes, and walk the
unreal landscape of black lava and sometimes even snow!
● Cuatro Ciénegas Biosphere Reserve, Coahuila: A verdant
marsh right at the base of grey, barren mountains? Yep – that’s
Mexico for you!
● Firefly forests,Tlaxcala: Exactly what it sounds like. Come in
June, July, or August and prepare to be amazed.
