Mexico Attractions Worth Traveling For

Hidden Beach, also known as Playa del Amor (Love Beach), is located in the Marieta Islands off the Pacific coast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The islands of this archipelago were formed by volcanic eruptions underwater. Hidden Beach is inside an island cavern where visitors must swim from an offshore anchored tour boat through a tunnel to the beach that is hidden inside. It was opened to the public for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and kayaking when it was named a national park in 2005. However, excessive tourism began to damage the ecosystem, which was countered by conservation measures. Now, the beach receives a limited number of people on authorized boats per day. Map

At the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, two beaches meet. One is Playa del Amor, roughly translated as Love Beach. The other is Playa del Divorcio, translated as Divorce Beach. Between the two stands an organic archway carved out by the Pacific Ocean’s relentless winds and tenacious waves. It’s called simply, El Arco – The Arch. It’s also referred to locally as the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and Land’s End. The natural arch can’t be reached by land, so those who want to see it for themselves and take their own epic photos will need to go to the Cabo San Lucas Marina to get a boat taxi. Map

Plaza de las Tres Culturas is the intersection of 100 years of architecture in one place. Pre-Hispanic culture is represented by Tlatelolco, the archaeological ruins of the biggest market in all the Americas. In 1609, the conquering Spanish built Templo de Santiago at the site during the colonial period using materials from the ruins. The church includes the baptismal font of the first indigenous Catholic saint, Juan Diego. The third era is represented by the Tlatelolco Cultural Center, which has temporary and permanent exhibition halls. The most significant is an installation dedicated to the Memorial del 68, remembering 300+ victims of a government massacre of protesting students the eve of the Mexico Olympics in 1968. Map

Acuario Inbursa in Mexico City is the largest aquarium not only in the city but in the entire country. At five stories, four of which are underground, there is plenty for visitors to marvel at. The aquarium displays more than 14,000 examples of marine life from over 300 species in 48 exhibits. Guests will want to check out the five species of sharks at the Sunken Ship exhibit and the rays and manta rays from the Striped Lagoon exhibit. From mangroves to coral reefs to kelp forests and beyond, nearly every ocean habitat is available for examination. In fact, the entire fourth floor is a dedicated penguin habitat.

Acuario Inbursa , Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 386, Col. Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, MX, Phone: +52-55-53-95-45-86

Cascadas de Agua Azul and the Misol-Ha waterfall are located near the town of Palenque in the state of Chiapas in southwestern Mexico. The waterfalls are tucked away in mountainous jungles and can be reached from the Ocosingo-Palenque Road or on an organized tour from nearby Palenque or San Cristobal de las Casas. Agua Azul is a series of cascading waterfalls and tiny turquoise pools formed over limestone “steps” that make for stunning scenery. A web of easy paths along the cascades offers lots of photo opportunities. The Misol-Ha waterfall plunges 115 feet into a beautiful pool. Travelers taking the tour from San Cristobal should be aware that it is a 3.5-hour drive away.

Cascadas de Agua Azul, Xanil River, Chiapas, MX, Phone: +01-80-02-80-35-00

If you are interested in Mayan Ruins, watch this spectacular video of two archeological sites in the jungle.

MUSA Underwater Museum (Museo Subacuático de Arte), the Cancun Underwater Museum, is part art installation, part environmental project. The museum includes more than 500 permanent exhibits in the form of life-sized sculptures. They’re spread across three underwater locations near Isla Mujeres, Cancun, and Punta Nizuc. Travelers can visit the museum via glass-bottom boat, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Because the installations are at different depths, one method of observation will work better at one site than at the others. Salon Manchones, near Isla Mujeres, is the deepest at 26 feet and is best seen by scuba diving. The other two are at a depth of 13 feet and 11.5 feet and are perfect for snorkeling.

Kukulcan Boulevard, Hotel Zone, Cancun, MX, Phone: +52-1-99-82-06-01-82, Map

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

In Maya tradition, cenotes were regarded as gateways to the afterlife. To modern day geologists, they’re sink holes. However, travelers want to look at it, the cenotes of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula are nothing short of dazzling. Cenote Xkeken is among a number of naturally formed cenotes; it is the most popular and arguably the prettiest. This gorgeous cenote is easily accessible and waiting to be explored. Visitors can expect to swim in beautiful blue-green water that is crystal clear, floating under a domed canopy of ethereal stalactites and curious rock formations. Rays of sunlight peek through the dome, changing the ambience with the shifting light of day. Cenote Xkeken is a 20-minute taxi ride from Valladolid.

Cenote Xkeken , Dzitnup, Yucatan, MX, Phone: +52-99-88-81-90-00

Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City is a must-see attraction situated in the urban forested park of Bosque de Chapultepec. It is the only castle in North America where royalty have actually lived – in this case, Mexican Emperor Maximillian I and Empress Carlota. It is also home to the National History Museum. Visitors will notice a large mural of a boy wrapped in the Mexican flag painted on the ceiling above the staircase. It is in honor of six teens who defended the castle against U.S. troops during the Mexican-American War in 1847. There is also a memorial dedicated to the six cadets. Fans of the 1996 incarnation of the movie Romeo and Juliet may recognize the castle as the setting of the movie.

Chapultepec Castle , Chapultepec Park, Mexico City, MX, Phone: +01-55-40-40-52-15

Hacienda Chukum is one of the Yucatán's newest attractions, spanning 131 acres around the newly-discovered Chukum-Ha cenote sinkhole. The charming park, which is conveniently located near the colonial town of Valladolid and the famed ruins of Chichén Itzá, is operated by Aventuras Mayas and serves as a model of eco-tourism for its sustainability-focused natural adventures. Guests can enjoy ziplining, diving, and rope-swinging experiences within the cenote, along with a 50-foot rappelling experience traversing the cavern's opening. Three natural openings within the cenote flood the cavern's pristine turquoise waters with natural sunlight, making for gorgeous photo opportunities. After adventures, guests can dine at the attraction's open-air restaurant, which serves up local Yucatán cuisine, or browse local artwork at its gift shop.

Hacienda Chukum , Yalcobá, Yucatan, Mexico, Phone: +984 8032551

Coba is a Maya ruin on the Yucatan Peninsula near Tulum that is reputed to once have been the largest Mayan city, with around 100,000 inhabitants. The archaeological site represents a Mayan community from 600 to 900 AD. Experts estimate that the site originally consisted of 6,500 structures, although only a few are visible now.

The Nohoch Mul pyramid is 126 feet tall, making it the tallest in the area. Visitors willing to climb the 120 steps of the Grand Pyramid will be rewarded with views of unexcavated temples dotting miles of jungle canopy. There is a small temple atop the pyramid.

Km. 47, Carretera Federal, Tulum, Quintana Roo, MX, Phone: +01-98-42-06-71-66, Map