Top 10 hidden gems in Mexico
Planning a trip to Mexico and looking for some amazing places to visit? In this blog post, I will introduce you my TOP 10 hidden gems in Mexico, off the beaten tourist path.
Make sure to check them all out and add them to your Mexico bucketlist!
1. Grutas de Tolantongo
Hot Springs, spectacular mountain views, waterfalls and caves sounds like your kind of adventure? Then Grutas de Tolantongo are for you!
Located approximately a 4-hour drive from Mexico City and not very easily reachable by public transport but absolutely worth the effort!
Even though the place is getting more and more popular, due to it´s pretty remote location, not a whole lot of foreign tourists find their way here (YET). HOWEVER it is definitely a popular destination for domestic tourism and gets pretty packed on weekends and holidays.
Things you need to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Hidalgo
How much does it cost?
150 pesos (7.50 USD, EUR) CASH ONLY
Where to stay?
There are a couple of different accommodation options available, around 5 hotels and camping is possible as well. Check out http://www.grutastolantongo.com.mx/ for details.
How to get there?
Renting a car is definitely the best option to visit this place! I understood from other blog posts that public transportation is possible as well, however quite complicated.
Check out my blog post Driving in Mexico for more information regarding car rentals and other things you know before driving in Mexico.
What to do and see?
hot spring pools with incredible views, waterfalls, caves, thermal river, ziplining, camping.
This has been the most incredible hidden gem for me personally in Mexico, even though it is getting more and more popular (for a good reason).
Added Grutas de Tolantongo place to your Mexico bucketlist?
2. Hacienda Gomez Y sus 7 Cascadas
Like the name lets someone (with a bit of Spanish knowledge) guess: This place has a total of 7 waterfalls to be explored.
I initially came here without knowing anything about the place and not even having it on my list. I wanted to visit the quite famous Tamasopo waterfalls on a Sunday afternoon and they were PACKED. Packed like not able to move in the water from the mass of people!!
So I left after 3 minutes and searched google maps for a quick alternative in the area – and there it was….Only a handful google reviews but heavenly photos and 7 waterfalls! I knew this was the place I had to go!
When I arrived 5 minutes later, the places was only visited by maybe 10-15 other persons, spread out to the different waterfalls.
I was checking out one waterfall after the other and they all together blew my mind. They are not huge but all very different and with great pools to swim in.
Things you need to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Tamasopo, San Luis Potosi
How much does it cost?
100 pesos (5 USD) per person
Where to stay?
Camping is possible and highly recommended. I parked right in front of the most scenic waterfall. Best campsite of my life. Cost: 100 pesos (5 USD) even though they did not charge me for some reason.
How to get there?
A car rental is definitely the easiest option to get to this remote location in the state of San Luis Potosi. Check out my blog post Driving in Mexico for more information.
What to do and see?
waterfalls, waterfalls and waterfalls 🙂
I cannot recommend this incredible hidden gem enough. It is to date one of my very favorite hidden gems all over the planet.
3. Bacalar lagoon
The Maldives of Mexico? Welcome to the Baclar lagoon! Even though this freshwater lagoon has been getting more popular in the past few years, the amount of tourists compared to places like Tulum etc. are still very low.
The crystal clear water of the lagoon will blow your mind!
Around the lagoon there are a lot of nice restaurants and waterfront beach clubs to check out. My favorite was Blu Beach Club.
When visiting this hidden gem, make sure to take a boat tour, visit one of the Cenotes, go paddleboarding or kayaking.
My very favorite activity was kayaking the rapids – highly recommend to include this activity.
Things to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Quintana Roo, near to Belizean border
How much does is cost?
There is no cost to access the lagoon in general, however most beach clubs, restaurants etc. have their own entry fees or minimum consumptions.
Where to stay?
There are several hotels in Bacalar, from budget hostels to luxury hotels with overwater bungalows. There are also a few campsites along the lagoon.
How to get there?
There are several options, either go their with a rental car or you can also hop on a local bus or tourist bus.
What to do and see?
Boat tour, cenotes, kayaking, paddleboarding, rapids, beach clubs.
In my opinion: Skip places like Playa del Carmen or Tulum and come to this hidden gem instead – much less crowded and the water is just gorgeous!
4. mountain town Bernal
This hidden gem is one of the most beautiful mountain towns I have ever been to.
THE landmark of Bernal is the “Peña” – a huge monolith that towers behind the town.
This was one of my favorite visited “Pueblos magicos” (magical towns) in Mexico, the views are just so unique and nothing short of spectacular.
Just strolling through the streets, enjoying the views and checking out some of the local restaurants.
Not many foreign tourists make it to this place, it is far off the usual tourist path and therefor an amazing hidden gem to check out!
During weekends and holidays, Bernal is visited by quite a few local tourists.
Things to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Querétaro
Where to stay?
There are several cute hotels in this area and I also saw some unique airbnbs, so make sure to check out both options, before booking something. Car camping is also possible in the streets for free.
How to get there?
A car rental is definitely the easiest option to get to this remote location in the state of Queretáro. Check out my blog post Driving in Mexico for more information.
What to do and see?
Enjoy the views, stroll through the streets, hike the monolith Peñal, try local food.
I am so happy I made it to this beautiful town, I highly recommend checking it out to anyone who loves charming mountain towns.
5. Lago de Camécuaro
This lake looks like out of a fairytale and so different to anything I have ever seen before.
What makes it so unique are the trees in and around the lake, with huge roots showing off at the bottom of each cypress tree.
On top of that, the water is some of the clearest I have ever seen.
When I visited on a weekend, there were quite a few local tourists, spending time with their families, having a picnic or taking a boat tour. However I have not seen a single obvious foreign tourist around the whole time.
There are a few restaurants and shops by the entrance to this National Park.
Things you need to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Michoacán
How much does it cost?
Entrance fee: 30 pesos (1.50 USD)
Parking fee: 20 pesos (1 USD)
How to get there?
A car rental is definitely the easiest option to get to this remote location in the state of Michoacán. Check out my blog post Driving in Mexico for more information.
What to do and see?
Boat tours or boat rental (starting at 10 USD per hour), swimming, picnicking.
If you are driving through the area, make sure to check this hidden gem out – it is absolutely worth it!
6. Prismos Basalticos de Santa Maria Regla
I saw this place once on Instagram and thought it was in Iceland. Little did I know this beautiful hidden gem was located in Mexico until I opened that screenshot and searched for the place.
One of the 13 Natural Wonders of Mexico – The Basaltic Prisms of Santa Maria Regla.
Those unique rock formations are the result of the slow cooling lava flows about 2.5 million years ago, covering the walls of the canyon of Santa Maria Regla.
On top of that already super unique rock formations, there are several waterfalls running down the basaltic prisms – what a sight!!
I first explored the main area of the Basaltic Prisms and then headed to the nearby Hacienda Santa Maria Regla. There you can stroll around in the grounds of the old Hacienda, which is now a hotel and also walk to the lower waterfall of the prisms, where you have amazing views.
Things you need to know before you visit this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Hidalgo
How much does it cost?
Entrance fee main area: 100 pesos (5 USD)
Entrance fee Hacienda: 100 pesos (5 USD)
How to get there?
A car rental is definitely the easiest option to get to this remote location in the state of Hidalgo. Check out my blog post Driving in Mexico for more information.
What do do and see?
walk around the canyon, check out the Hacienda and waterfalls.
Highly recommend checking out this natural wonder in Mexico, if you want to see something unique and impressive.
7. Cañón del Sumidero
This hidden gem got to be on every Mexico bucketlist! Why? It´s just insane!
The best way to explore the Sumidero Canyon is by boat, tours start from close-by Corzo del Chiapas, which is a beautiful pueblo magico just outside Tuxla Gutierrez.
There are several different operators offering tours from many points along the river. I recommend checking out some different offers and reviews before deciding which tour operator you go for.
The boat tour takes you through the majestic canyons and a guide will explain you everything worth knowing. If you are lucky, you can also spot different wildlife from the boat such as crocodiles, monkeys and lots of different birds.
There are also a few waterfalls running down the high canyon walls, the most impressive being the “Árbol de Navidad” -Christmas Tree waterfall”.
Another way to enjoy the beauty of Canon del Sumidero is to drive up to the National Park and visit the different viewpoints.
While this is a completely different experience than the boat tour, the views from above are also well worth checking out, if you are traveling by car.
If you do not have a car, I can imagine it is quite difficult to get here, so in that case I would stick with the boat tour only.
Things you need to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas
How much does it cost?
general entrace fee to the National Park: about 2 USD
price boat tour: starting at 200 pesos (10USD)
How to get there?
Due to it´s proximity to Chiapa´s capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez, it can be reached by public transportation. Alternatively (and if you want to visit the viewpoints as well) having your own car will be handy.
What to do and see?
Take a boat tour through the canyon, visit the various viewpoints, observe the wildlife, go kayaking.
If you are visiting Chiapas, make sure to add this unique place to your to do list!
8. Cañón de la zorra
I found this place when I was in Baja California Sur, desperately looking for some other places to visit than beaches.
It´s a waterfall with swimming hole in a gorgeous setting , surrounded by big rocks and hills.
You can enter the waterfall by driving to Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo. From the entrance you need to walk about 20 minutes down stairs until you reach the waterfall and swimming hole.
Beware of snakes – I saw quite a few during my visit here.
I camped in the parking lot of the farm and therefor had the waterfalls all to myself in the morning, which was awesome.
When I first went down to the waterfalls the previous afternoon, they were quite busy tho, so I recommend coming early in the morning.
Things you need to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Baja California Sur
How much does it cost?
entrance fee is 150 pesos (around 7 USD) per person
Where to stay?
Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo also rents out rooms and cabañas. I personally camped in their parking lot for 100 pesos (5 USD).
How to get there?
Pretty sure that the only option to get here is with your own car or maybe some sort of tour.
Check out my blog post Driving in Mexico for more information.
What to do and see?
Swimming, waterfalls, hiking, ecotourism.
If you´re into swimming holes and waterfalls and are looking for something different to do than beach hopping in Baja – check this hidden gem out!
9. Isla Holbox
Now this place is not exactly a well-kept secret anymore and is getting more and more popular by the day. However, compared to places like Tulum, this is still a hidden gem for sure!
This paradise island is growing in popularity for a good reason. It has some of the clearest water I have ever seen and a lot consider it the Maldives of Mexico (along with Bacalar).
From the Mexican islands I have been to, it was my favorite, due to the beautiful beaches and super clear, shallow water.
It´s also an island with no cars (or at least hardly any) and the main mean of transport are golf carts, which can be rented at the pier, which is super fun and a great way to get around the island.
Things you need to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Quintana Roo, in the North of the Yucatán peninsula
How to get there?
To get to Holbox, you can either take a domestic flight from a Mexican city or make your way to the small coastal town called Chiquilá, and take a ferry from here.
Chiuilá is quite a bit out of the way, but also reachable by public transport and tourist busses. If you arrive by car, there are multiple parking lots near the port, where you can park the car for about 5 USD per night until you return.
Where to stay?
While I stayed at a quite pricey option (Villas Flamingo), which I highly recommend, there are also much cheaper option. However compared to other places in Mexico, prices for accommodation and also food in Holbox are quite a bit higher.
What to do and see?
Chill out at the beautiful beaches, rent a golf cart, try kite surfing.
Definitely add this tropical paradise to your Mexico bucketlist, if you love beautiful beaches with crystal clear water as much as I do.
10. Valle de Guadalupe
If you like wine – this place is for you! Even if you don´t like wine, I am pretty sure you will have an enjoyable time in this area.
Valle de Guadalupe is known for it´s wineries and due to the fact that I love wine and wine is quite rare in Mexico and Central America in general, I knew I had to check it out!
There are a bunch of beautiful hotels in the area as well and I highly recommend choosing one with walking distance to a winery. I stayed at entrevalle hotel with Xecué winery just opposite -highly recommend both of these places!
Great rooms and beautiful pool and jacuzzi at entrevalle and amazing food and great wine at Xecué.
With prices of wineries in Europe in the US, a visit to Valle de Guadalupe is a real steal and should be on the list for anyone visiting the Baja California area.
Things you need to know before visiting this hidden gem in Mexico:
Where is it located?
Baja California, about 1 hour drive from the border to the US
How to get there?
Arriving in your own car is definitely the best option! Check out my blog post Driving in Mexico for more details.
Where to stay?
I stayed at hotel entrevalle and loved it, but there are many really nice hotels and airbnbs in the area to choose from.
What to do and see?
visit a winery, enjoy the landscapes, drink a LOT of wine 🙂
Do not miss out on this place, if you have a chance to visit – I absolutely loved this area and was super happy that I did not skip it!
Let me know down below in the comments, if you know of other hidden gems in Mexico that you think would be worthy adding to this list! Hope this guide on hidden gems was helpful and you added some of this incredible places to your Mexico to-do list.
Check out other Mexico blogposts here:
