13 Famous Landmarks In Mexico

Are you looking for the most popular landmarks to visit in Mexico?

Traveling to Mexico is safe and fun. There are so many must-see destinations that will tempt tourists to explore the whole country. People who enjoy food, art, and tranquility will definitely enjoy this expansive mountainous country. Mexico is also known for its famous tourist destinations around the world, not to mention its vibrant and colorful culture.

Mexico offers a wide variety of destinations and activities, including its white-sand beaches that are best for snorkeling, eccentric restaurants, and delectable cuisines. Various sports such as kayaking, sport fishing, hiking on the island’s trails, and stand-up paddleboarding are some of the best things to do in Mexico.

With its popular landmarks highlighting the country’s beauty and history, anyone will enjoy a simple life there away from the busy streets of mainstream society. No idea where to go? Below is the list of Mexican landmarks that will make it easier for travelers to locate the places they want to visit.

13 Famous Landmarks In Mexico

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Natural Landmarks In Mexico

Mexico is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including rainforests, mountains, reefs, cenotes, and waterfalls. Tourists are captivated by its abundance of biological and geological resources, which allows them to appreciate the natural beauty of the country. The following are the five famous natural landmarks in Mexico, listed in no particular order.

1. Marieta Islands, Nayarit

Marieta Island is a hidden beach located in the state of Nayarit,Mexico. It is a natural wonder formed due to volcanic activity and is now home to a diverse array of coral and reef fish, sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, eels and other marine life species. Humpback whales can be spotted cavorting around the island’s shores during the winter months.

The Hidden Beach is a secluded haven of crystal blue waves and white sand within a lush, tropical island paradise. The beach itself, which is only accessible when the tide is low, is a dreamer’s (or a lover’s) paradise.

To book this tour click here.

2. Espiritu Santo Island, Baja Peninsula

Espiritu Island is a magical place to visit in Mexico. It is located in the Baja California Peninsula, one of the states in Mexico that has a pure natural beauty.

Since 2005, Espiritu Santo Island has been acknowledged as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, and it has been recognized as a National Park since 2007.

It boasts breathtaking natural beauty, including the contrast between sea and desert, volcanic rock formations, several virgin beaches, and a large number of indigenous species of flora and wildlife.

To book this tour click here.

3. Rosario Sanctuary

The Rosario Sanctuary’s Monarch butterflies are one of the best things to see in Mexico, located in Michoacan. El Rosario is an easily accessible public monarch butterfly sanctuary drenched in orange and black butterflies.

The butterflies travel from the northeastern part of the United States and Canada to Mexico during the North American winter months. So, it is advisable to visit the sanctuary from mid-January to March.

When visiting the El Rosario, expect a two-to-three-hour hike due to its steep and rocky terrain. It is advisable to hire a local tour guide to help guests explore the sanctuary’s enticing beauty.

During the tour, travelers will have the chance to witness millions of butterflies clinging to oyamel trees and, at the same time, discover the amazing life cycle of Mexico’s monarch butterflies. Seeing monarch butterflies and witnessing the butterfly migration is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

4. Cenote Dos Ojos, Tulum

Cenote Dos Ojos is a beautiful sinkhole between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The name Dos Ojos, which means “two eyes,” derives from the cenote being split in two – one part is lighter and shallower, suitable for snorkeling, and the other is darker, deeper, and great for scuba divers.

Cenote Dos Ojos is a well-known cenote on the Yucatan Peninsula, with its beautiful turquoise water. Stairs lead down to the crystal-clear water, where limestone cliffs dangle low over the cenote.

Tourists can join a guided snorkeling tour through the caves or go on a dive excursion to thoroughly explore the huge network of underground passages. Dos Ojos has a variety of amenities, including lockers and changing rooms.

Swimming in this Mexico cenote can be a bit confined and claustrophobic, but seeing shafts of light cut through the pristine waters below is amazing.

Learn and be  amaze of the beautiful underwater rock formations of  Dos Ojos Cenote by booking this tour here.

5. Las Coloradas

Las Coloradas is located in the eastern coast of Mexico. In Spanish, Las Coloradas translates as ‘bright red.’ A unique color was created by red-colored algae, plankton, and brine shrimp that live in salty water and give the water a magenta pink hue, giving it its distinctive appearance.

The view is truly captivating, especially during the peak hours of 12 to 3 in the afternoon, when the sun is high, and the colors are more vibrant than usual.

Although Las Coloradas is a beautiful attraction that is tempting to swim over, the Mexican government has decided that swimming in the water is prohibited; the lakes are utilized for salt manufacturing that is why it was fenced off and inaccessible.

So, the best thing to do there is to take photos together with families and friends.

Explore the amazing and famous Las Coloradas , Mexico’s stunning lake from this tour.  To book , click here.

Historical Landmarks In Mexico

There are various institutions and infrastructures that have made significant contributions to a country’s history. They exemplify the significance of historical events that have influenced the development of the country.

The following are the historical landmarks in Mexico that can help visitors understand and appreciate the country’s rich and unique history.

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6. Tepozteco Hill, Morelos

Tepozteco Hill or best known as El Tepozteco, is an ancient temple dedicated to the god of pulque, Tepozteco. Walking uphill to the pyramid, which is roughly an hour’s walk away, is a magnificent experience infused with energy from the surrounding area.

Although the climb is challenging and demands some physical fitness, anyone can go at their own pace. There is a beautiful view of Morelos Valley from the shrine dedicated to Mexica warriors, which is located on top of the hill.

During the hike, remember to bring water, comfortable clothes, and a camera during the trip.

7. Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato

Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato is a mummy museum located in Guanajuato, Mexico. The story began when a cholera outbreak hit the city of Guanajuato.

Between 1870 and 1958, human bodies were exhumed and reinterred. During that historical period, the town required the relatives of the deceased to pay a grave tax, for the bodies to be buried ‘perpetually.’

But the bodies which were not paid were disinterred. While others, apparently those in the best condition, were kept in a nearby building.

However, the building’s extremely dry soil led the bodies to a type of natural mummification. According to local belief, mummification is a divine punishment for sins committed while alive.

For travelers who are both into horror and history, the Museo de las Momias is an ideal place to visit.

Located inside the museum is a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase sugar skulls and effigies of the mummies, as well as hideous postcards featuring images of the mummies and lowbrow jokes written in Spanish.

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8. Teotihuacan: Ancient City of Pyramids

Teotihuacan is one of the most significant urban centers in the ancient world, which is located about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of modern-day Mexico City. But nobody has any idea who built it.

The city is home to the world-famous pyramids, the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which was named by the Aztecs.

The Pyramid of the Sun is located less than a half-mile south of the Pyramid of the Moon. It is one of the largest structures built in the pre-Columbian New World.

The latter, which is The Pyramid of the Moon, is located near the northernmost part of the Avenue of the Dead. The elevated platforms were utilized for rituals, which were visible to tourists on the ground.

To book this tour click here.

Read More: A Guide To Visiting Teotihuacan 

9. Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza, which means “at the mouth of the well of Itza,” is one of the famous landmarks in Mexico. It is a sacred city of pyramids and temples located in Yucatan peninsula. It is around 120 miles (200 kilometers) from the popular tourist destination of Cancun.

The Mayans built their temples in Chichén Itzá so that they could use them as calendars and for their religious ceremonies.

In 2007, the archeological site is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World because of its one-of-a-kind features.

But aside from being part of the world’s seven wonders, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, proving how Maya people are dedicated to their craft. Therefore, it is certainly a must-see destination when traveling to Mexico.

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10. Monte Alban

Monte Alban has been inhabited for more than 1500 years by ancient people such as the Olmecs, Zapotecs, and Mixtecs. But the city flourished when it served as the capital of the Zapotec civilization, which lasted between 500 B.C. and 850 A.D.

Monte Alban is one of the world’s most important archaeological sites located on a 1,300-foot-high mountaintop in the Valley of Oaxaca, a depression between the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Sierra Madre del Sur in the state of Oaxaca.

In 1987, the landmark was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which gives tourists more reasons to visit the place, for them to be able to appreciate the outstanding beauty of Monte Alban and its contribution to the history of Mexico.

It is a worth visiting site because walking there will make anyone wonder how the ancients built them to withstand centuries in an earthquake-prone area.

Mexican Architectural Landmarks

Many man-made sites and infrastructures in Mexico highlight its historical, aesthetic and cultural importance.

11. Torre Latinoamericana

The Torre Latinoamericana, often known as the Latin American Tower, is a skyscraper located in the heart of Mexico City. It is a 44-story skyscraper built in 1956 and stood as Mexico’s tallest building for over 27 years, from its construction in 1956 until 1982.

Withstanding the 8.1-magnitude earthquake in 1985 as well as the 7.1-magnitude earthquake in September 2017, the tower has proven to be an extraordinary engineering achievement.

Like the Empire State Building in New York, the Torre Latinoamericana characterizes Mexico City’s cityscape and is a great tool for orienting oneself in the downtown area. Going there will provide tourists a new perspective on the city’s enormous size.

12. Casa Barragán

Casa Barragan was built by Architect Luis Barragan. It is the second residence that he designed for himself in the Tacubaya district of Mexico City. It is located at No. 14 Ramirez Street, and the house is defined by its simple, geometric spaces, colored surfaces, and vast interiors.

The exterior is represented by a wholly unremarkable facade made of materials that have been kept in a near-natural state. The use of bright colors on the walls and in the furniture demonstrates Barragán’s admiration for Mexican culture and tradition that will make tourists feel homey and at the same time be exposed by Mexico’s culture.

13. Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral is located in Zocalo City, Mexico. It combines three colonial architectural styles: Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical. It was inspired by Spanish Gothic architecture, and it took over three centuries to build.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is undeniably one of Mexico City’s most notable historical structures. It is a national treasure because of its rich history and exquisite art and architecture.

The interior has five naves, 14 chapels, a sacristy, a choir, and crypts. Beautiful paintings in the cathedral include Juan Correa’s 1689 Assumption of the Virgin and Cristobal de Villalpando’s 1685 Woman of the Apocalypse.

Mexico is a stunning and fascinating destination, full of ancient temples and pyramids, great art, and natural wonders.

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