There’s no denying that the magnificent country of Mexico is home to many world-famous beaches, but given its immensely diverse topography, it offers much more than its captivating coastlines.
If you venture beyond the famous tourist hotspots, the best of Mexico tours will let you appreciate the country’s rare mezcals, towering mountains, lush forests, and ancient ruins. So, if you dare to experience something new, step onto the off-the-beaten track and ditch your usual spring break-style hotel for the following lesser-known hidden gems:
El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve, Sonora
El Pinacate is a biosphere reserve found in Sonora. It is home to various plants and animals rarely found anywhere else on Earth. Not only that, but El Pinacate is also noteworthy for its otherworldly landscapes, such as its vast sand dunes, stunning volcanic peaks, and rocky outcroppings that seem like something you would see on Mars.
Interestingly, El Pinacate is also an important site for scientific research and conservation efforts. After all, it serves as a haven for several endangered species, like the Sonoran pronghorn and the desert tortoise. Apart from admiring the beautiful landscapes and the rare animals here, you can also hike its stunning trails, as long as you bring some sunscreen and water with you. After all, the desert sun in El Pinacate is quite intense.
Las Coloradas, Yucatan
Perched atop the Yucatan Peninsula, where the land meets the Gulf of Mexico, you will see one of the most visually stunning cotton-candy pink lakes in the world. The picture-perfect Las Coloradas in Yucatan enchants tourists with its pink cotton candy-hued pools with a background of pastel blue skies and emerald green lush forests (the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve). The lagoon here is pink because the lake water is incredibly salty, which attracts brine shrimp, plankton, and red-coloured algae. The wetlands here are also home to flamingos, jaguars, crocodiles, and sea turtles.
Tamul Waterfall, San Luis Potosi
The Tamul Waterfalls have several falls gushing from a towering height of 340 feet which eventually cascades into the Tampaón River. Cascada de Tamul (Tamul Waterfalls) is known for its turquoise waters that dramatically plunge down the cliffs. This is all thanks to the combined water supply from the Gallinas River and Santa Maria River that, in turn, creates a breathtaking 1,000-foot-wide waterfall.
Something as enchanting as the Cascada de Tamul remains to be a hidden gem of Mexico because accessing it is not an easy feat. It would take lots of guts and planning for you to reach this sanctuary, but once you have laid eyes on its mesmerizing beauty, you’ll think that all the hard work of getting through the tedious terrain is well worth it. The waterfalls are accessible from the town of Tanchachin, which is about a two-hour ride upstream aboard a small panga boat.
Creel, Chihuahua
In Mexico, there are what they call “Pueblo Magico,” which translates to “magical towns.” Chosen villages are awarded this distinction for their exceptional natural beauty, mystical charms, and unique architecture, culture, and history that stood the test of time.
Creel in Chihuahua is among the 177 Pueblo Magicos declared by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism. While the village itself is pretty tiny, there are lots of incredible sights to see and things to do here, especially if you’re interested in learning about indigenous cultures and otherwordly beautiful landscapes.
Visiting Creel will allow you to dive deep into the ancient Raramuri culture while exploring breathtaking landscapes, such as the Valley of the Monks, filled with rugged rock formations, and the Valley of the Mushrooms, which features rocks shaped like enormous mushrooms!
Creel is also often the starting base if you want to explore Mexico’s very own Grand Canyon, which is referred to as the Copper Canyon. This moniker is due to the fact that the Copper Canyon has reddish-hued walls resembling the colour of copper. You will be fascinated by its sheer size because the Copper Canyon of Mexico is four times the size of the Grand Canyon! This is also where you will find hiking trails with stunning views, with small, quaint towns nearby, along with many of Mexico’s indigenous communities.
And if you’re already here, you absolutely cannot miss riding the El Chepe, which is a luxury train that traverses a considerable portion of Northern Mexico starting from Creel, Chihuahua, all the way to Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Doing so will allow you to witness some of the most breathtaking views of the canyon from your seat. Also, along the way, you will pass along mesmerizing destinations and villages that are considered hidden gems in Mexico, including the town of Batopilas and its colourful houses, as well as Cerocahui and its lush vineyards.
Cuitzeo, Michoacan
Cuitzeo in Michoacan is yet another Pueblo Magico designated in 2006. This charming town has a rich cultural history dating as far back as ancient times. The town’s culture was an amalgamation of various cultures, such as that of Teotihuacan, Chupicuaro, Purépecha, and Tolteca.
If you are a religious person, you will appreciate Cuitzeo’s many sacred sites. This includes historical sites such as the Ex-Convento Santa Maria Magdalena, which should be at the top of your must-visit list. This beautiful 16th-century convent features jaw-dropping architecture and artwork. After that, you can go to the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe as well as the capillas of La Concepción, San Pablito, and El Calvario.
But if you are more interested in the town’s history, head over to the Casa de la Cultura, which features exhibits of the town’s cultural heritage. Alternatively, you can also stroll along Cuitzeo’s cobbled streets and picturesque plazas to get a closer look at the magnificent colonial architecture of the surrounding buildings.
After exploring around, make sure to sit down at its various local restaurants to sample the delicious Cuitzeo cuisine. Do try the local speciality called Charales, which is a dish made of small, fried fish served with a dash of lime and salt. Also, be sure to try other traditional dishes like corundas and carnitas.
