Discover 10 Secluded Natural Gems in Mexico for a Crowds-Free Experience

From secret waterfalls to under-the-radar jungles, these natural wonders in Mexico are true hidden gems.

Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan

There’s no denying the sheer beauty of a powder-soft Mexican beach. The vast, expansive stretches of sand backed by groves of languidly swaying palm trees are what put Mexico on the tourist map in the first place. Yes, Mexico’s beaches are truly among the best in the world. However, a closer look at its natural wonders will reveal that the country is home to so much more than its captivating coastline.

Mexico has some of the most diverse topography globally. Its mountains reach over 18,000 feet, and its canyons are wider and deeper than the most famous ones elsewhere. It’s a country of gushing waterfalls, raging rivers, cenotes, alpine villages, deserts, and hidden jungles. The natural beauty that many travelers fly halfway around the world to see can be found right here on this continent, just a short flight away. Therefore, here are 10 stunning natural wonders in Mexico that are truly hidden gems.

Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca

The city of Oaxaca checks all the boxes when it comes to a dream Mexico vacation: cuisine, culture, history, and design. Moreover, just outside of the city of Oaxaca is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the entire country: Hierve el Agua, a petrified rock formation that gives the illusion of a cliffside gushing waterfall, perfectly frozen in time. At the top of the cliff, you’ll find a series of natural mineral pools that overlook the green-carpeted mountains that undulate in every direction.

Hierve el Agua is the result of the calcification of natural springs pushed to the edge of a cliff. The result is a mesmerizing optical illusion that appears as if a waterfall is paused while tumbling down the towering cliff.

The best way to visit this site is to rent a car or hire a driver to take you. Tour buses are another option. Tip: Go as early as possible to experience it all to yourself. Small shops and vendors are open near the entrance, in case you’re craving a refreshing snack of fresh fruit dusted with tajin, a popsicle, or even an ice-cold beer. However, it’s the spectacular views you are coming for, and perhaps an enviable Instagram snap or two.

Copper Canyon, Chihuahua

America’s Grand Canyon is undoubtedly spectacular. However, Mexico has its own version, known as Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon), which many consider more profound. This massive system of plunging ravines is the culmination of six different canyons that run across the northwestern part of Mexico.

Spanning over 25,000 square miles, this canyon is larger even than the Grand Canyon in the U.S. Moreover, it has been carved by six different rivers that all empty into the Gulf of California. Its name derives from the rust-colored walls towering high above the river-carved ravines.

To visit the canyons, consider traveling via the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico railway, also known as El Chepe. This stunning rail route follows the main canyon, traversing suspended bridges and hugging cliffs that overlook sheer drops into the valleys. You can ride the route in its entirety or get off at stops along the way to hike or explore communities that have existed in this part of Mexico for centuries.

Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas

Mexico’s state of Chiapas is a natural wonder all on its own, with misty, cool mountains and thick, steamy jungles. Descending from the lofty peak that is the city of San Cristobal de las Casas, travelers zigzag down a mountain path to reach the plunging valley of the Sumidero Canyon.

This natural canyon was carved by the Grijalva River, featuring towering rock walls that rise 3,000 feet on either side. The site was declared a national park in the 1980s, and it’s evident why. Views from the six lookout points along the canyon’s rim are simply breathtaking.

Many travelers explore the canyon by taking a boat tour that meanders down the river, allowing them to gaze up at the imposing rock walls. Those who opt out of a boat tour can still enjoy hiking, kayaking, and rappelling. However, keep in mind that you’ll likely need a guide, as the park is home to precarious yet beautiful wildlife, including jaguars, crocodiles, and rattlesnakes.

Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja California Sur

Keep your ears to the ground in the next few years; you’ll start to hear more about the city of La Paz. Poised on the Sea of Cortez, the capital of Baja California Sur is gaining momentum to become one of the best destinations in Mexico. Therefore, while you’re there, you will want to schedule time to visit Isla Espiritu Santo.

The island resembles a setting from a sci-fi novel. Copper-colored mountainous spines rise out of a calm, turquoise sea. This UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and national park offer breathtaking views, where stark desert meets one of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems.

You won’t find hotels on Espiritu Santo— company would completely disrupt the vibe. Instead, you’ll discover dive sites, natural reefs, and sunken ships. Calm waters create the perfect backdrop for stand-up paddleboarding, while miles of hiking trails arch up and over rusty ridges for panoramic views.

Calakmul, Campeche

The state of Campeche is surrounded by both jungle and mystery. Away from the capital city located on the Gulf of Mexico, travelers find themselves immersed in a hot, steamy jungle. This protected jungle occupies most of the state, and within it are some of the region’s best-kept secrets.

Enter Calakmul, an ancient Mayan city that’s the heart of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Interestingly, there remains so much that is still unknown. What we do know is that it once thrived as a powerhouse in the Mayan world, located just 22 miles from the modern Guatemalan border. At its peak, it rivaled Tikal, the most famous Mayan city today in Guatemala.

Calakmul translates to the “City of the Two Adjacent Pyramids” and reached its pinnacle between 600 and 900 A.D. It was home to over 50,000 residents, who lived among 6,700 structures. The site spans seven square miles, though only a small portion has been excavated and is open to visitors. The rest lies buried under thick jungle and time.

Las Coloradas, Yucatan

Mexico is not one to skimp on color, and if you’re in search of a mind-blowing palette, a visit to Las Coloradas is surely in order. Located at the top of the Yucatan Peninsula, where the land meets the Gulf of Mexico, lies one of the most visually stunning spots in the country.

Picture cotton candy-hued pools that touch pastel blues, edged by emerald green from the lush surrounding Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. This protected wetland is known as Las Coloradas, featuring bright pink lakes dispersed across the landscape alongside the Gulf of Mexico.

The wetlands host an array of wildlife, including jaguars, sea turtles, flamingos, and crocodiles, which inhabit the 150,000-acre protected area. While the reserve itself is fascinating, it’s the blush-colored pools that truly shine. The lagoons derive their pink hue from algae, plankton, and shrimp thriving in this super-saline solution. In fact, this region is renowned for its salt production.

Las Coloradas has evolved, with its bubble gum-pink pastels now stealing the spotlight on Instagram. A once-hidden gem, it has transformed into a popular spot for influencers and content creators looking for the perfect shot. You’ll encounter more tour buses than before, which might slightly dampen the experience. Nevertheless, the colors remain absolutely breathtaking.

Tamul Waterfall, San Luis Potosi

Gushing from a towering 340 feet, the Tamul Waterfall spectacularly crashes into the Tampaón River. The waterfalls of San Luis Potosi are renowned across Mexico, and the Tamul Waterfall stands as the most breathtaking of the bunch.

Cascada de Tamul is admired for its striking turquoise hues and the powerful force with which it cascades down the cliffs. It is formed by the confluence of the Gallinas River and Santa Maria River, resulting in a breathtaking 1,000-foot-wide waterfall.

Reaching the waterfall requires a bit of adventure and planning, but those who undertake the journey will find the reward well worth it. Access to the waterfalls begins from Tanchachin town, where a two-hour ride upstream in a small panga boat is required. Avoid visiting during summer when heavy rains complicate the experience. Additionally, steer clear of holidays, as these tend to attract large crowds.

Peña de Bernal, Querétaro

The town of San Sebastián Bernal benefits from a guardian. Towering over this colonial 17th-century village is the looming Peña de Bernal— a national treasure and one of the largest monoliths in the world.

Peña de Bernal rises over 8,000 feet above sea level and has long been a sacred site for the Indigenous Otomi-Chichimeca people. To this day, descendants of this group make pilgrimage to the summit in a glorious, painstaking procession, carrying a nearly 200-pound wooden cross.

At the summit of Peña de Bernal, visitors are treated to sweeping panoramic views of Querétaro. A designated hiking trail leads up one side; however, summiting the monolith poses a challenge— the last 150 feet consist of sheer, vertical rock face. Yet even for those who enjoy Peña de Bernal from the ground, it’s one of the most spectacular natural wonders in central Mexico.

Nanacamilpa Firefly Sanctuary, Tlaxcala

Central Mexico’s Piedra Canteada forests seem to leap from the pages of a fairy tale. As the sun sets and the sky turns inky blue, the thick, shadowy forests begin to hum with an ethereal glow. Every summer, from June through August, hundreds of thousands of fireflies come alive in the darkness, illuminating the wilderness with pure magic.

This is the Nanacamilpa Firefly Sanctuary, and it’s a setting straight out of a storybook. Nestled at the base of the Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl volcanoes, approximately 60 miles from Mexico City, the forests sparkle with celestial floating constellations of fireflies. During mating season, the village offers forest tours, and several eco-hotels permit guests to spend the night.

Pico de Orizaba, Veracruz

Mexico is known for many superlatives—best beaches, oldest ruins, and most delicious cuisine. However, it also happens to be home to one of the tallest dormant volcanoes in the world. Meet Pico de Orizaba, the third highest mountain in North America.

Standing at nearly 18,500 feet above sea level, this central Mexico landmark serves as a training ground for professional climbers preparing for Mount Everest. Located approximately 220 miles east of Mexico City, it’s one of Mexico’s most significant climbing mountains and a beacon that has withstood the test of time.

Orizaba derives from the Aztecan name Ahuilizapa, meaning “Place of the Playing Water.” Its last eruption occurred in 1846, and its slopes are crowned with nine glaciers.