Top 10 Unique Places in Mexico - Shelly Burks - Travel Blogger 2023

Mexico is renowned for its stunning beaches, welcoming people, vibrant towns, and breathtaking waterfalls. Here is a compiled list of the ten most captivating destinations in Mexico that you should consider for your trip.

1. Grutas de Tolantongo

Grutas de Tolantongo is a hidden paradise nestled in the mountains, where you will be greeted by ribbon-like streams of water flowing over rocks. 

This mountain pass cuts through the hills above Highway 27, about 86 miles north of Mexico City. The waterfalls emerge from deep cave systems and are powered by underground hot springs.

 Currently, there is a resort with a spa hotel on the premises, featuring natural hot spring pools cut into the hillside.

2. Huasteca Potosina

Huasteca Potosina is known by many travelers as a charming town near the city of San Luis Potosí. 

The milky blue waterfalls spill from the lush high mountain ranges, adorned with wild forests, making it an ideal place for kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, and exploring flower-filled trails.

 The waterfalls in this region surpass the famous Instagram-worthy waterfalls in Bali, especially Tamasopo waterfall.

3. Bacalar

Bacalar and the surrounding lagoon are a dream come true for adventurous travelers seeking a relaxing escape from the resort towns of Quintana Roo. 

Bacalar is an exciting destination in Mexico, known for being one of the enchanting pueblos mágicos and famous for its grand Fuerte de San Felipe - an ancient fortress that once guarded against pirates!

 The area boasts the Seven Color Lagoon, named for the stunning blend of emerald and turquoise hues in its waters, creating a mesmerizing sight.

4. Las Pozas

Las Pozas must be among the most surreal landscapes in the Americas, with its gardens featuring the most bizarre and unconventional scenery.

 Designed on a whimsical concept by the 19th-century British art patron Edward James, it is now overgrown with vines and moss, creating a surreal picture amidst the forest. 

With its twisted concrete sculptures, towering lookout points, and floating houses, the peculiar wonders continue to captivate visitors.

5. Sima de las Cotorras

The enormous sinkhole Sima de las Cotorras is one of the wonders of the El Ocote Biosphere Reserve in the state of Chiapas.

 Currently supported by the Ecotourism Center of Sima de Cotorras, it offers guided tours to the deep abyss below the ground.

Travelers can descend into the lush Sima, hike through various trails, and explore ancient cave art. However, the highlight for most visitors is encountering the vibrant emerald-colored long-tailed parakeet population.

6. Bahía de Loreto

Located on the eastern coastline of the Baja California Peninsula, the Bahía de Loreto National Park offers a peaceful retreat compared to the bustling oceanfront areas like Cabo San Lucas in this renowned region of Mexico. 

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it safeguards the rich marine world of the Sea of Cortez. Travelers can hop on a boat in the charming town of Loreto and sail across the waters to spot sea lions, humpback whales, and sea turtles.

7.Hierve del Agua

These stunning geological formations are the result of thousands of years of calcium carbonate deposition on the mountain ranges of Oaxaca, one of the most fascinating places in Mexico.

 They occupy an astonishing position atop the rugged plateau of San Lorenzo Albarradas. Both are quite dramatic as they cascade over the peaks in a spectacle of flowing calcium carbonate resembling classic H2O.

 Local residents have even built two artificial pools for visitors to swim on top of the "waterfalls" and admire the scenery.

8 Cenotes

There's no doubt that cenotes are among the most beautiful places in Mexico. There are around 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula, so it could take you many years to explore them all.

 Some are open-air, some are within caves, and some can only be seen if you are scuba diving. If you love adventure, venture beyond Dos Ojos or Azul and find some off-the-beaten-path cenotes.

9 Basaltico Los Prismas

Officially known as the Prismas Basalticos of Santa Maria Regla, the Basaltic Prisms will surely leave you amazed the first time you see them.

 Essentially, it's a waterfall, but this waterfall flows over a series of rock formations created by slowly cooling magma from beneath the Earth's surface.

 It appears as if the stream has carved a large fissure on the planet, leaving behind rock formations and columns on the left and right sides. There are platforms and excellent viewpoints to enjoy the sight on the spot.

10 Santiago de Querétaro

Santiago de Querétaro, or simply Querétaro, is the capital of the eponymous state. It is situated on hills in central Mexico, about 110 miles away from Mexico City. 

Most road-tripping tourists will pass through on their way to San Miguel de Allende. Make a stop, and you'll be treated to one of the most charming colonial cities in the country while enjoying some cheese and wine from the Ruta de Queso y Vino if you're coming from Mexico City. 

You should visit the alleyway at Mariano Matamoros 13, where Modelo beer bubbles up in the evening. To the west of there lies Plaza de Armas, where the sound of mariachi bands fills the air all day long.

There are countless beautiful places in Mexico that you should visit. Hopefully, this compiled list will be helpful for you in your upcoming travel journey!