15 Surreal Landscapes in Mexico You'll Need to Visit to Believe are Real
![Copper Canyon, Mexico](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shutterstock_743160877.webp)
If you’re an Instagram enthusiast you will find plenty to keep you happy on a trip to Mexico. Whether it’s pink lakes, mushroom-shaped rocks or churches buried in lava, the country has a broad range of unusual natural delights. Here’s a rundown of 15 surreal sights that should already be on your radar.
The Pink Lakes of Las Coloradas
These famous lakes in the Yucatán Peninsula acquired their pink hue because of their high-salt content. Certain red-colored algae thrives in this salty environment and turn the lakes bright pink.
![The Pink Lakes of Las Coloradas](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1024px-las_coloradas_435436.webp)
The Seven-Tone Lake
The Lake of Bacalar in the Caribbean coastal state of Quintana Roo is famous for containing no less than 7 different shades of blue. With its limestone bottom, the water is also famously clear – making it an excellent place for snorkeling.
![The Lake of Bacalar](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1024px-bacalar_lagoon.webp)
Mushroom Rock
The Bay of Balandra on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula contains a very rare mushroom-rock formation.
![The Mushroom Rock](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/webp-net-resizeimage-1-4.webp)
The Bat Cave
Every night, thousands of bats pour out of this cave to find food in El Maviri, in the coastal state of Sinaloa.
![Bat cave in El Maviri](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1024px-bat_cave_in_el_maviri_sinaloa_-_mexico.webp)
The Buried Church
The church tower in the western state of Michoacán was buried in lava and ash when the nearby Parícutin volcano erupted in 1943. Today, the bell tower still protrudes from the surface of the volcanic rock.
![San Juan Parangaricutiro](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2146953574_5fcf10bea6_b.webp)
The Crystal Cave
In the year 2000, amazed geologists discovered some of the world’s largest crystals in the Naica Silver Mine in Chihuahua. Buried nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) below ground, some of the crystals reach a length of 50 feet (15 meters).
![Naica Silver Mine](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1024px-cristales_cueva_de_naica.webp)
The Hidden Beach
Situated in an open crater, the “hidden beach” is found in the Islas Marietas National Park off the Pacific coast of Mexico. The beach was formed by accident, as a result of military explosive testing in the 1900s.
![The Hidden Beach](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/parque_nacional_islas_marietas_9372075457.webp)
Land’s End
The coastal city of Cabo San Lucas is the southernmost point of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. On the Pacific side, the ocean is famously choppy.
![Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/webp-net-resizeimage-32.webp)
The Sacred Cave
The Ancient Mayans believed that caves were spiritual sites, and none more so than the Balancanché caves near Chichen Itza. The cave’s limestone column resembles the ceiba tree, from which the earth was believed to have sprung. Surrounding the column are a range of Mayan ceremonial offerings, which have been left untouched through the centuries.
![The Balancanché cave](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/4738103493_3c8676237a_b.webp)
Agua Azul Waterfall
The southern state of Chiapas boasts Agua Azul, or blue water, one of Mexico’s most splendid waterfalls.
![Agua Azul Waterfall](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/3795210213_5dacd25fab_b.webp)
The Cusárare Waterfall
Not to be outdone, the northern state of Chihuahua is blessed with the Cusárare Waterfall, a stunning sight with a dramatic one hundred-foot (30 meter) drop.
![The Cusárare Waterfall](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/36148969361_a605961e5a_k.webp)
The Copper Canyon
This canyon range in the state of Chihuahua is among the most impressive in the world, and is home to the Tarahumara indigenous tribe who are famous for their long distance running abilities.
![Copper Canyon, Mexico](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shutterstock_743160877-1.webp)
The “Round Pyramids”
Located an hour outside of the city of Guadalajara, Los Guachimontones is an archaeological site that contains unusual conical step pyramids. Apart from one other smaller pyramid in Mexico City, these are the only “round pyramids” in the world.
![Los Guachimontones](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/webp-net-resizeimage-31.webp)
The Sunset in Puerto Vallarta
The coastal resort of Puerto Vallarta is famed for its stunning sunsets. In this picture, a distant cruise ship sails off into the sun.
![Sunset in Puerto Vallarta](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/5697926035_a44c27bae2_b.webp)
A Paradise
El Paraíso (The Paradise) in the municipality of Huichapan, Hidalgo, offers swimming pools with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
![El Paraíso](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/rest-2209271_1920.webp)