The most beautiful natural sites to discover Mexico

There are 3 cenotes on the lands of the community of San Antonio Mulix. We can choose to visit the 3 cenotes, or 1 only if time is limited. The X-Batún cenote is a fully open, shallow water cenote located in a larger park managed by a local cooperative, which can also rent you a bike to ride the three kilometres from the entrance. The landscape is very beautiful, as the roots of the surrounding trees extend over several metres to absorb the water. There are also guides here to visit other cenotes in the area. The Dzonbakal cenote is a semi-open cenote, partially covered by a cave. The water is shallow, but completely transparent, and some bats fly over it. More wild and rarely visited, the Yax-há cenote is an underground cenote, which is illuminated by an entrance of light. The water is quite deep and it is possible to dive in. A rope is stretched in the middle of the water and serves as a support for the swimmers.

The destination of surfers. We are looking for the wave. A very international and festive atmosphere. Bungalows and cabins on the beach.

Green spaces, playgrounds, waterfalls. The Museo del desierto is located inside the park.

This area houses an artificial lake, an aquarium, a museum of wildlife and natural sciences, a botanical garden.

Aktun Chen is located 107 km south of Cancun, 16 km before Tulum, between Akumal and Xel-Há. His name means in Maya "cave with a cenote inside". It is a park of "virgin" tropical forest where three caves were found with cenotes inside, with thousands of stalactites, stalagmites, and natural sculptures made with water and calcium carbonate for 5 million years. Visits are within the reach of everyone, no special physical conditions are required. A guide explains during the visit that lasts 1 hour 15 the geological formation of the cave, the cenote and what was the use of these places by the Maya.

Unfortunately, this beautiful natural site has recently been transformed into an adventure park. The caves are of course still beautiful, but in addition to the visit of caves and cenotes, the park managers now propose a whole range of activities: Suspension bridge, zoo, Tyrolean,… As if the beauty of the site was not in itself sufficient.

Manzanillo: Since Bahía Manzanillo hosts large cargo ships, a shipyard, a refinery and several pipelines, the beaches of Bahía Santiago are cleaner and preferable. The beaches are magnificent here, a pity that the port industry is not a little more careful about the environment.

Southward: for more wild beaches, take the road along the coast towards the south towards Michoacán. Mention Cuyutlán and his famous Ola Verde (in spring and summer) and Paraíso, very popular surfers but also host a turtle protection centre (and some accommodation options). A little further and even more virgins, with an ever-present current: Pascuales, El Real, Tecuanillo, Ahijadero and Playa Boca de Apiza.

" El Tecuán "is a green park frequented by the inhabitants of the city of Durango, who come to rest in the middle of the conifers. Possibility to rent cabins to spend at night.

Further on the road, you will meet the small town of El Salto, which focuses mainly on wood production. It is a good starting point to discover the impressive landscape of Western Madre.

First treat stomach conditions, second skin disease.

In 1808, Don Manuel María Tello, owner of the Hacienda hacienda, asked for permission for the construction of thermal baths, but due to the war of Independence, it was necessary to wait until 1831 for them to be built. They have a little retro charm (French neo-classical style) and are nicer than the new baths built a few hundred meters further. Water is recommended for rheumatism and arteriosclerosis.

It is surprising to see that in a region such as the sea, there were hundreds of millions of years of marine fauna and flora. It is easy to realize this through the numerous fossils of shells, sea snails and algae that populate the rocky walls of the cave, and whose different rooms are connected by a tunnel. It is 22 ° C permanently.

A few kilometres south of Loreto, this source is an oasis in the implacable climate of the peninsula. It was known to the Spanish from the time of the missionaries.

Santa María, 1 km north of the city, where the El Morro hotel-restaurant is located. However, to take full advantage of beach tourism, it is advisable to go further south, to Mulegé, which is only 60 kilometres away. This is where you will find the most beautiful beaches in the region (see Mulegé section).

This nature reserve has an interesting biodiversity for naturalists. Several species of mammals and birds can be observed there. It gives lectures to the environment.

It is the great and beautiful beach open on the ocean. The area where the hotel area is concentrated and goes from the funicular to the south to the marina in the north. Many powerful rolls (attention!) that make surfers joy.

The port of San Blas is surrounded by several beautiful, more or less wild beaches. The closest to San Blas is Playa Borrego, very popular by surfers. There is a surf school and (unfortunately) many bric restaurants and broc. For a solitary and solitary pleasure, try the Isla del Rey, accessible from the pier. Along the road that runs along the coast to the south, you enter the nearby bay of Matanchén, equipped with some hotels and restaurants: Playa Las Islitas, Aticama, Playa Los Cocos and Playa Miramar.

Isla Ixtapa or Isla Grande is located west of Ixtapa after Ixtapa Point. Boats departing from Playa Linda's pier. Isla Ixtapa is very interesting for snorkeling. This island is a little taken by the restaurants. However, you will find the Paraíso Escondido ("the Hidden Paradise") which was the first to settle. It's a good restaurant where you can bring your own drink. The owner, fisherman on the island, was offered money for having cooked a fish to a tourist. That is how the case started.

Built in 1821, these baths were mainly frequented by the popular classes. That is why they were known as «Baños de abajo» in opposition to «Grandes Grande Baños». Water was transported in the baths through an underground aqueduct over a kilometre. Declared a historic monument in the 1990 s, the Balneario Los Arquitos was restored and transformed into a cultural centre that hosts theatrical performances, concerts and conferences.

It is a small lake that is worth visiting in week, when it is not invaded by the families of the town of Colima. You can hire boats, fish and grill fish. Camping and rooms for rent.