15 Surreal Landscapes in Mexico You'll Need to Visit to Believe are Real

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.

Every night, thousands of bats pour out of this cave to find food in El Maviri, in the coastal state of Sinaloa.

The Bay of Balandra on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula contains a very rare mushroom-rock formation.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 coastal city of Cabo San Lucas is the southernmost point of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. On the Pacific side, the ocean is famously choppy.

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 southern state of Chiapas boasts Agua Azul, or blue water, one of Mexico’s most splendid waterfalls.

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.

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.

The coastal resort of Puerto Vallarta is famed for its stunning sunsets. In this picture, a distant cruise ship sails off into the sun.

El Paraíso (The Paradise) in the municipality of Huichapan, Hidalgo, offers swimming pools with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Planning your next vacation? Check out these carefully curated guided tours, from Mexico City to epic adventures in Oaxaca and the Mayan secrets amongst the coastal treasures of the Yucatan peninsula, these trips cater to every palate.