5 'different' spots to visit in Mexico
Grutas Tolantongo
Located in Mexico’s Mezquital Valley, Las Grutas Tolantongo, or the Tolantongo caves will put your local pool to shame. Located in Hidalgo, the hot springs look out over the picturesque canyons. The pools are flowing with hot, naturally mineral-infused water. They stay heated year-round by the surrounding volcanic mountains. Other than the relaxing pools, there are also caves and a tunnel that you can explore if you want to spice things up, a hot spring river to swim in, and a kid-friendly pool with a waterslide!
Edward James Surrealist Garden ‘Las Pozas’
British writer, Edward James became captivated by the vast beauty of the landscape of “Las Pozas” (The Wells). In the 1940s he created a beautiful home for himself, which includes a unique sculptural space unlike anything across Mexico. Full of columns with capitals that resemble like giant flowers, gothic style arches, large gates, pavilions and spiral staircases that end suddenly in mid-air, this garden opened up for surrealist architecture. Truly one of Mexico’s most underrated spots to visit.
Isla Aguada in Campeche
Located between Sabancuy and Ciudad del Carmen, Isla Aguada presents 5 miles of picture-perfect oceans and white sandy beaches. This spot allows for a day of fun and relaxation, without being bothered by street vendors like you would usually be in larger cities and tourist centres. By the main street, there is a jetty that runs 4km with a boat dock, and even a playground. Most days you will often see fishermen walking up and down in search of dolphins that ‘belong’ to their beaches natural habitat.
*Isla Aguada has no banks or ATMs so make sure you bring plenty of money (just in case!)*
Paracho
Paracho de Verduzco is a small city located in Michoacán, Mexico. Paracho was made for the music lovers out there. Does it sound or look familiar? You might recognise this city from the Oscar film, Coco! The town is packed with music stores that sell handmade stringed instruments. Some of the common instruments that can be found in Paracho are ten-string mandolins, armadillo-backed guitars, and mandolins, and acoustic bass guitars, as well as regular classical guitars and mandolins, bajo sextos, vihuelas, guitarrones and many others. Keep an eye out as you’re wandering through stores, as many of the store owners allow visitors to watch in on the instrument making process. If you time it right, in the second week of August A national festival “Feria de La Guitarra” is held in Paracho once a year. Lasting nine days having its culture, gastronomic and traditions displayed for everyone to enjoy. From its traditional “Pan” to its famous guitars, Paracho is rich in culture and traditions.
Isla de las Munecas
Supposedly one of the most haunted places in Mexico, and even the world, Isla de las Munecas is not for the faint-hearted. The Island of the Dolls (Isla de las Munecas) is located in the canals south of Mexico City. As the name suggests, it is the current home of hundreds of terrifying, mutilated dolls. The severed limbs and heads of the dolls cover every inch of the island. The story behind the island is that of a man named Don Julian. Julian simply believed the island was haunted by the spirit of a little girl that had drowned there. The only way he believed he could calm her spirit was by hanging out dolls to make her happy. The dolls are spooky enough during the day, but are even more harrowing at night.
