Mexico is one of the most visited countries in the world because of its beaches, cuisine, and culture. It is a favorite honeymoon and culinary destination. Everybody wants to have some Vitamin T in the Land of Enchantment: tacos, tequila, tostadas, tamales, and tortas.
The North American country is also famous for its soap opera and wrestling. This country covering almost 2,000,000 square kilometers (494 billion acres) of land also has a unique culture, which includes celebrating the dead through the Dia de Los Muertos, which is colorful and fun with lots of music and dancing, opposite from the gloom that usually clouds over death in other cultures.
Aside from culture and cuisine, there are other Cs Mexico known for Catholicism, Chichen Itza, Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, and Cancun. But there should be another letter Mexico should be known for: P—for parks. This country with 129 million people has at least 67 national parks. Most of the parks are small as all these protected natural resources only cover less than one percent of Mexico’s total land area.
While soaking in the culture and pigging out on the famous Mexican cuisine, tourists should also drop by the nation’s parks. This list covers the best-unexplored parks in Mexico:
1. Archipelago Espiritu Santo National Park
It is quite an anomaly why this park in Baja California Sur is not one of the country’s most visited areas when the biodiversity in this region is so rich. It forms part of the Gulf of California also known as the “world’s aquarium”, which separates Baja California from mainland Mexico. The Gulf of California is also one of the most visited marine resources in the world. But for those who want a more organic experience, the Archipelago Espiritu Santo National Park is a great way to experience the underwater gems housed in the gulf.
There are at least 20 beaches that tourists can enjoy in the park. Each beach looks virginal, and authorities want to keep it that way as its purity is part of its natural beauty. But more than just soaking in the sun, tourists visit this area to drive and snorkel and enjoy marine diversity at its finest. Some visitors also do some sailing, canoeing, and some fishing. There are also some unique rock formations that tourists can marvel at while at the park.
The park also has some 200 species of plants and around 70 species of animals. There are even more species of marine life underwater. Among the more common marine creatures found in the park’s waters are hammerhead sharks, manta rays and seals.
2. Basaseachic Falls National Park
Tourists easily fall in love with Mexico’s beaches, but the other water bodies in the country are just as wonderful. One such body of water is the Basaseachic Falls, which is the centerpiece of this national park in Chihuahua. The majestic waterfall is 246 meters high, the second tallest waterfall in the country. The waterfall was carved by the Basaseachic River and empties into the Candameña Canyon.
Aside from reveling in the majestic waterfall, tourists will also enjoy scenic views of the park from its high cliffs. Some cliffs go as high as 1,640 meters. There are also some rock formations that visitors can appreciate and take photos of.
The park also enjoys different kinds of ecosystems because there are various microclimates in the area, based on elevation. In general, vegetation in the park includes some 92 species of conifers, 76 species of oaks, and several species of pines, among others. Among the animals in the park are the antelope jackrabbits, collared peccaries, cougars, hooded skunks, Mexican fox squirrels, raccoons, rattlesnakes, Texas-horned lizards, white-tailed deer, and wild boars. Birders will also enjoy the wide variety of colorful birds that nest in the park.
3. Cañon del Rio Blanco National Park
This is one of the undiscovered gems in Mexico. Located in Veracruz, the park was established as early as 1938, yet a lot of Mexicans are not even aware of this beautiful protected area. One of its features is the Elephant Waterfall. It is only 20 meters high but it casts a picturesque image just the same. But to truly appreciate this waterfall, tourists must go down the park and enjoy a 180-degree panoramic view from an established viewpoint.
Tourists may also enjoy the park’s zipline, the highest in Veracruz. They will zip through the park’s lush forest, which looks unperturbed.
4. Cerro de Las Campanas National Park
One of the smallest national parks in Mexico at just 0.58 square kilometers (143 acres), rich in history and very significant in Mexico’s freedom from French intervention, which took place between 1861 and 1867. Translated as Hill of the Bells, the park is located on a hill in Queretaro City. It got its name because according to legend, the rocks in this area ring like bells when hit. On this hill, the French intervention in Mexico ended with the execution of Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg, General Tomas Mejia, and General Miguel Miramon.
The hill now has a monument that has an engraving of the names of the deceased. The hill also has the Cerro de las Campanas Museum. In 1900, a chapel was erected in the area and was named after the executed emperor: Emperor Maximilian Memorial Chapel. The highest point of the park also features the statue of Benito Juarez, the 26th president of Mexico. The statue’s base carries one of Juarez’s famous statements, which is translated in English as “Among individuals as among nations, respect for the rights of others in peace.”
5. Desierto del Carmen National Park
At just five square kilometers (1,235 acres) in the town of Tenancingo, the park houses forests comprising oak and pine trees with a peppering of eucalyptus surrounded by cedar hedges. The park was established in 1942, yet it remains one of the most virginal forests in the whole of Mexico. The park is documented to be the oldest protected biosphere in the country. Because of its generally undisturbed habitat, wildlife is also rich in this park. Among the common animal, residents are the bats, haws, lizards, owls, salamanders, skunks, sparrows, and squirrels.
But there is also a man-made structure in the park that also happens to be its centerpiece: Convento del Carmen. The park was also known as the Holy Desert, not because the place is an actual desert landform but because it was deserted. Spiritual and religious locals still visit the place. Those who want to have a pilgrimage can camp in the designated campground in the area.
The park also has viewpoints that will showcase the vistas of the Malinalco valley and Tenancingo valley. The park was originally a forest reserve in 1876 and was declared as a national park in 1917. Authorities wanted to protect the forest water springs that are also abundant in the area.
6. El Sabinal National Park
This is a perfect eco-tourism spot as tourists get to go for nature walks or hikes, among centuries-old trees. At just 0.08 square kilometers (19.8 acres), this park in Nuevo Leon is the smallest in Mexico. Ironically this park is the home of 500-year-old imposing trees locally known as ahuehuete. The ahuehuete is a species of Taxodium that is native of Mexico.
The ancient trees will dwarf the tourists visiting the park, which was established in 1938.
There are at least 700 ahuehuetes or sabines in the park. The park is significant in contributing to the fresh air for the municipality of Cerralvo, which carries the Sabines in its coat of arms.
Aside from the trees, the park also has the Centro Comunitario de Aprendizaje, a place where young people get education, seminars, and workshops to promote their well-being and development. The park also has a facility to rescue and conserve region crayfish so they can repopulate in their regular habitat.
7. Huatulco National Park
Locally known as the Bahias de Huatulco National Park, the park covers 118 square kilometers (29,400 acres) of Oaxaca. The juxtaposition of the green hills and blue waters of the park is just perfect. Aside from being a national park in Mexico, the area also holds international significance as it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
There are varied ecosystems in the park-like marine life that includes beautiful coral reefs, forests, mangroves, and wetlands. The crystal blue waters are inviting, which is why swimming, snorkeling, and diving are among the top activities of the park. Some lucky tourists may even spot dolphins, turtles, and whales. Nature walks and hikes are already great experiences because of the opportunity to appreciate nature and spot wildlife.
There have been 9,000 documented species of plants in the park. This is already around 50% of the species in the entire nation. There are also around 264 species of animals reported in the park. Among the most famous residents are the armadillos and white-tailed deer. The park is also getting recognized as a great birding area with over 700 species of birds recorded. Among them are hawks, hummingbirds and pelicans. There are also some 470 species of reptiles, among the highest in any Mexican parks. Among them are black iguanas, snakes, and salamanders.
8. Lago de Camecuaro National Park
Located in Michoacan, this park is popular for its crystal clear Camecuaro Lake. The lake is supplied by a series of natural springs. Paddlers will enjoy canoeing and kayaking on this lake with a canopy of trees from the forest surrounding the beautiful body of water. The lake is a popular photography subject among local photographers.
The park was established in 1941 to conserve the flora and fauna within the area. The vegetation surrounding the lake is so rich that it also allows wildlife to thrive. The trees are large and provide great shade from hikers and campers.
There are various interpretations of Camecuaro and one of them is “The Place of Bathing.” Indeed, it is one of the most amazing lakes to take a dip in because of the umbrella of trees from above. Some wild ducks and geese also love to swim in the area.
There is also a fascinating legend behind the park. A princess fell in love with a boy. But a priest was jealous and kidnapped the princess, and kept her hidden in the park’s forest, which is abundant with large and ancient trees. The princess could only cry for her lost loved. Those tears turned into the springs that provide water to the lake.
9. Los Novillos National Park
Also among the smallest national parks in Mexico at just 0.4 square kilometers (98.9 acres), this protected natural resource is located in Coahuila. It has an imposing forest system mainly composed of oak and walnut trees. The trees are so large and loom over the Las Vacas stream, which looks serenely green from the reflection of the trees. The stream also feeds other lagoons in the area.
The park is a great venue for some hiking. The trees would loom over tourists providing shade and a great natural backdrop.
10. Volcan Nevado de Colima National Park
The park straddles the Colima-Jalisco border. It is home to two volcanoes: the dormant Volcan Nevado de Colima and the active Volcan de Fuego. The former is the centerpiece of the park because of the beautiful landform and age. It is 4,260 meters high but most of its pathway is lined with pine forest. Alpine desert occupies the peak of the dormant volcano. Others may drive to the peak as well as there is a passable gravel road.
Volcan de Fuego is Mexico’s most active volcano with the more recent eruptions, which happened in 2005 and 2015. The volcano sent ashes spilling to Colima in 2005, and Guzman in 2015.
Among the wildlife in the area are coatimundis, coyotes, foxes, deer, jaguars, pumas, and wild boars. There is also a wide range of plant life in the park.