Top 10 unusual places in Mexico

Speaking about the diversity and beauty of Mexico, we don’t try to embellish: this land really abounds in places of great beauty. But now we want to offer you to get acquainted with those of them that are, in fact, unique!

1. Underwater Museum of Cancun

Of course, the first image when thinking of Cancun is the endless partying and relaxation under the sun on the white sandy beach. However, there is the place in this resort town which is not like the other attractions. If you enjoy scuba diving and snorkelling, but get tired to watch the fish swimming in the natural background of the reef - you need to go here! Underwater Museum is located between Cancun, Isla Mujeres and the Island of Nizuk and it’s a place where you can see over 500 different sculptures under the water. Beginning in 2009, the project was aimed to create a harmonious interaction of the tourists and fragile underwater ecosystem. Today the statues are covered with algae and corals, giving them a unique view: the nature becomes an artist!

2. Hierve el Agua

Amazing place in the state of Oaxaca (70 km from its capital), where you can see the system of... petrified waterfalls! They were formed thousands of years ago of the water, highly saturated with minerals. It is still present here: there are two hot springs on the top of the waterfalls, and they are currently used as a spa resort. The only place in the world, which is similar to Hierve el Agua – geothermal springs of Pamukkale – is in Turkey.

3. Las Coloradas

Perhaps you even could not imagine the beach, framed by pink, blue, green and even orange waters? And in Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula, you can see it with your own eyes! The beach is three hours away from the city of Merida, the color of its waters due to the presence of different algae and a high level of salt. It practically is the same as the nature created it: the tourist infrastructure is not developed here. On the beach you can see pink flamingos strolling quietly, sometimes large turtles are seen here too.

4. Cave with the "sleeping" sharks

It may be called a place, where only the most brave and desperate ones can go on diving: the space is teeming with sharks, but they do not move. The cave located 7 km from the Isla Mujeres represents a strange phenomenon: as soon as the shark gets inside, it "falls asleep". However, no one knows when it "wakes up". The cave was discovered about 30 years ago by one of the local fishermen, who later invited the experts to explain the phenomenon: most likely, the flows entering the cave immobilize sharks, but they do not die (as we know, sharks have to move constantly to breathe) thanks to oxygen coming from the same flows.

5. Dolls Island

This eerie place is situated in the capital of Mexico, more precisely to its south, in the district of Xochimilco. It is unique among the other islands in the river because the trees growing on it instead of fruits have... hundreds of dolls. The island's history is not cheerful. Ones, Don Julian, the former superintendent of the island, could not save the drowning girl. A few days later he found a doll in the water, which most likely belonged to the unfortunate drowned girl. He hung it on the tree. Tormenting himself about remorse, the man began to go mad: he started to collect other dolls, hanging them around. It lasted for almost 50 years until the death of the old keeper in 2001. The locals claim that the dolls open their eyes, move their heads and even whisper to each other...

6. San Juan Parangaricutiro

This town in the state of Michoacan is unique because of its witnessing of the youngest volcano in the world birth. It is also called the Mexican Pompeii: the city was buried under Parícutin’s lava a year after its birth. The volcano, which got its name in honor of the nearby village of Parícutin, has started its activity on February 20, 1943: on that day the smoke and the fine ash-gray dust began to throw out of the hole in the ground at the one of the peasants parcel. Originating volcano started to grow, becoming a characteristic cone: by the end of the first week its height was 15 m, and by the end of the first year, it rose to 30 m. Finally, in June 1944 there was a strong eruption. Huge lava flow down to the village of Parícutin and the town of San Juan Parangaricutiro, and they were partially covered with dense ash. But the villagers raked the ashes from the roofs of their houses and streets hoping that they will continue to live in these places. Their hopes were dashed: the lava continued to flow and the army evacuated residents. San Juan Parangaricutiro was destroyed by lava flow. Today, all that remains of the town is the burned-out church, the bell tower of which stands alone on the field of lava.

7. Playa del Amor (Love Beach)

At some point, the loving people dream to find their selves in a place where they will be only two. There is such place in Mexico! The secluded beach is located on one of the Marietas Islands (today the islands have a National Park status), an hour's boat ride from Puerto Vallarta City. Its uniqueness is that it is located below ground level, and to get there, you need to swim through the tunnel, on your own or by kayaks but only at low tide. The hidden beach is located in a cave with a hole at the top. The sandy part of the beach is sunned through this oval hole, and the low arch of the cave leans as a dome above the water. You can’t reach the Love Beach alone: a special permit to access is needed as the beach is located in the National Park.

8. Real de Catorce

Mysterious mountain ghost town is located in the state of San Luis Potosi in northern Mexico. It was founded in 1772, when a silver mining actively developed. At first, this metal was mined here easily, and the town was filled with people, but the War for the Independence of Mexico, which has started, suspended the work until 1821. In the period from 1885 to 1905 the laws favored the silver mining, and the city came to life: rich people arrived here and the theater, churches, and even a tunnel to facilitate access to the city were built. But due to the Mexican Revolution of the work in the mines was stopped again, and the ore reserves in the mines significantly depleted, therefore people gradually left the city. Many citizens believe that the town was saved from complete desolation by St. Francis: somehow, when Real de Catorce was almost empty, the faithful began to come here to venerate Saint Francis in the parish church. Thus began the tradition of pilgrimage, which is maintained to the present day. Year by year the life returns to the town also thanks to tourists: there are many beautiful places and historic sites in the town. And every autumn the shamans come here. Huichol Indians still believe that the gods of cacti and maize live in the deserts surrounding the city.

9. Las Posas

Las Posas Park, located in the town Xilitla in the state of San Luis Potosi, is an ideal place for surrealism lovers. From the first sight it may seem that the park was created centuries ago by ancient Indians or even aliens. In fact, the creator of the park is a man, though not quite regular. His name is Edward James, and he was a British poet and philanthropist, known for his surrealism devotion in art and therefore he has created the bizarre park in the 60-70-ies of XX century. Las Posas gardens are located deep in the jungle on the territory of about 40 hectares and consist of fantastic streets formed by sculptures and seemed unfinished. Complex concrete structures and strange spiral staircases seem ruins, preserved from the past civilization, the garden is filled with huge flowers and a variety of concrete sculptures, made in surrealism style.

10. Biosphere Monarch butterflies Reserves

These places in the states of Michoacan and Mexico State impress even those who don’t like wildlife - from November to January, they are home to millions of Monarch butterflies, which transform the local landscape, "repainting" it in orange and black colors. Arriving in Mexico from Canada for the winter, these fragile creatures for a few months present an amazing spectacle whose name is a miracle of nature.

Based on materials tripedia.info