Where to Travel in Mexico 2025 Information: Wildlife Fans

As one of many world’s few megadiverse countries, Mexico is residence to an estimated 10 to 12% of life on Earth. It’s a land of unimaginable pure superlatives. For instance, the nation ranks first on the earth for reptile range, second for mammals, and fourth for plants. An enormous proportion of its reptiles and amphibians are additionally endemic, that means they are often discovered nowhere else on Earth. Because of Mexico’s profound biodiversity, its wildlife could also be its most opulent treasure. 

As a journey author who’s been to 150 nations, I’ve been lucky sufficient to have had many epic wildlife encounters all around the globe. But Mexico actually stands out for its sheer quantity of wildlife, from humpback whales within the waters off Baja California to the coatís and jaguars within the jungles of the Yucatán and hundreds of thousands of migrating monarch butterflies within the highlands of Michoacán. 

For our last journey within the Where to Travel in Mexico in 2025 sequence, we’re inviting you to be a quiet, respectful visitor in a number of the nation’s most dynamic ecosystems. These are locations that may recalibrate your sense of scale and your house inside the grand, wild scheme of issues. So seize your binoculars and a way of journey and put together to rise up shut and private with a number of the most treasured animals on the planet.

Baja California Sur: For underwater encounters 

Few locations on Earth can rival the sheer marine biodiversity of Baja California Sur, the place the legendary Gulf of California (at all times referred to a the Sea of Cortés regionally) actually lives as much as its nickname because the world’s aquarium, a moniker bestowed by the late Jacques Cousteau. Its protected, warm-water lagoons, notably Magdalena Bay, shelter grey whales and their infants throughout their epic 10,000-kilometer migration from the Arctic.

Many of those whales hunt down human interplay, a profoundly shifting expertise that feels each historical and deeply private. I’ll always remember the second a 12-meter, 30-ton grey whale calf intentionally approached our small panga, rising so shut we may see the person barnacles and contact its smooth and rubbery pores and skin. 

Nearby, the waters of La Paz supply the prospect to swim alongside whale sharks, the most important fish within the sea. This encounter is one in every of unhurried grace, as you glide alongside these mild giants, their huge, polka-dotted backs filtering the dappled daylight simply beneath the floor. A brief boat journey away, the island of Espíritu Santo is residence to a big colony of sea lions. Slipping into the water right here is to be greeted by the ocean’s acrobatic, whiskered clowns. Pups, stuffed with boundless vitality, will zip previous your masks, barrel-rolling and playfully nibbling at your fins. 

Close to the vacationer hub of Los Cabos, the waters of Cabo Pulmo additionally supply intimate marine encounters. Once a decimated reef, this community-led marine park has seen its fish biomass rebound by an astounding 460%. Playful sea lions, sea turtles, and even bull sharks now patrol the waters, providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences for scuba divers.

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve: For jungle wildlife sightings

Deep within the distant inside of the Yucatán Peninsula lies the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, an unlimited expanse of wilderness the place historical historical past and wildlife are inextricably linked. Here, towering Mayan pyramids, remnants of a strong kingdom that after rivaled Tikal in Guatemala, pierce by way of the seemingly limitless jungle cover. 

This 1.8-million-acre reserve is a stronghold for Mesoamerica’s 5 nice cat species — jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. Calakmul itself is residence to the largest variety of jaguars in all of Mexico. While recognizing a jaguar is exceptionally uncommon, merely realizing you stroll by way of their kingdom provides an exciting edge to exploring the ruins. Visitors are virtually assured to see vibrantly coloured ocellated turkeys, inquisitive coatís, and a fraction of the area’s almost 400 hen species.

My recommendation is to reach early and make the drive slowly into the archaeological website, which takes about 90 minutes on a winding, potholed highway. Watch out for wildlife crossing in your method! Before the warmth of the day hits, be sure to climb Structure II, one of many tallest Mayan pyramids. From that vantage level, I’ve sat and watched a troop of spider monkeys swing effortlessly by way of the treetops. 

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve: For the annual migration 

High within the oyamel fir forests of Michoacán, one in every of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles unfolds every winter. An estimated 60 million to 1 billion monarch butterflies arrive after a multi-generational, 4,500-kilometer journey from Canada and the U.S., in search of refuge. 

When I visited the Sierra Chincua sanctuary, the sheer biomass of life was staggering. The branches of the sacred firs drooped below the collective weight of hundreds of thousands of butterflies, their clustered our bodies showing like rust-colored beehives. As the solar warmed the air, they might burst into flight, and the forest abruptly full of the sound of hundreds of thousands of paper-thin wings beating directly. It was a profoundly shifting and humbling expertise.

The finest time to go to is from late November to early March, with peak exercise in January and February. Base your self within the vacationer city of Angangueo, only a 30-minute drive from each El Rosario and Sierra Chincua butterfly sanctuaries. 

The migrating butterflies are inclined to congregate at an altitude of over 3,000 meters (virtually 10,000 toes). So to get there, you have to to hike up the steep slopes or rent horses to hold you. Pack correct strolling footwear and climbing sticks if attainable. Maintain absolute silence within the core viewing areas, as loud noises can disturb the butterflies and trigger them to expend treasured vitality.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve: For wetland animals

Just south of the colourful vitality of Tulum, the tempo of life slows to the rhythm of the tides in Sian Ka’an, whose identify aptly means “Origin of the Sky.” The 1.3-million-acre UNESCO World Heritage site is an unlimited community of turquoise lagoons, mangrove channels and wetlands. Despite its proximity to the hedonistic celebration scene of Tulum, it’s a totally totally different world right here, one carved by Mother Nature and dominated by wildlife. 

A ship journey by way of Sian Ka’an is one of the simplest ways to discover the reserve. While gliding by way of the pristine waters with my household, our information abruptly minimize the engine as a pod of dolphins surfaced to play in our wake, their smooth our bodies silhouetted towards the emerald-green mangroves. We then drifted quietly, watching Morelet’s crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks like historical, armored statues. The birdlife is staggering, with over 350 recorded species, together with the surprising pink of roseate spoonbills. It’s a residing mosaic of the Caribbean coast because it as soon as was, an important refuge for numerous species.

There are two other ways of accessing Sian Ka’an. The simpler route takes you thru the lagoon aspect, as you enter by way of the Muyil ruins and hike by way of the boardwalk to get to the lagoon for a serene float down an historical Mayan canal. The second method leads you to the coastal aspect of Sian Ka’an, through Punta Allen, for an extended boat journey that allows you to expertise marine life and coral reefs, with an opportunity of recognizing dolphins, turtles and manatees. If you’ve the time, I extremely advocate exploring each components of Sian Ka’an to get a well-rounded expertise.

Oaxacan Coast: For crocodiles, turtles and iguanas

The Oaxacan coast is rightly well-known for its world-class surf breaks and bohemian seashore cities, amongst which the small village of La Ventanilla gives one of the heartwarming ecotourism experiences in Mexico. Here, a cooperative of local families took it upon themselves to revive and defend their native mangrove ecosystem. 

The expertise begins as you board a lancha, and a information from the neighborhood rows you thru the serene, shaded waterways. Within minutes, the success of their conservation is throughout you. Giant inexperienced iguanas perch on branches, numerous species of water birds hunt within the shallows, and huge American crocodiles glide silently by way of the water or bask on the muddy banks. Seeing these predators thriving, thanks on to the efforts of the individuals who stay alongside them, is a strong lesson in grassroots ecotourism. 

Combine your journey with a go to to the close by National Turtle Center in Mazunte. For a really particular expertise, be a part of the turtle releases on Playa Bacocho close to Puerto Escondido, run by VIVEMAR. You can assist to release baby turtles at any time of the 12 months, as varied species of turtles lay eggs right here (although there’s a higher presence of turtles throughout the excessive season from October to April). Protecting over 27 km of the Oaxacan coast, this non-profit group is without doubt one of the most excellent conservation tasks in Mexico. 

Lacandón Jungle: For tapirs, monkeys and macaws

For the actually adventurous soul in search of a journey into Mexico at its most uncooked and untamed, there’s nowhere else just like the Lacandón Jungle. This patch of wilderness in Chiapas is the nation’s largest remaining stretch of lowland rainforest and an important organic hall. Staying in an eco-lodge run by the Lacandón Maya folks, the traditional guardians of this forest, is a deep cultural and ecological immersion. 

On a ship journey down the magnificent Usumacinta River, which varieties the border with Guatemala, I noticed good scarlet macaws flying in vibrant pairs and adopted trails the place the tracks of the elusive Baird’s tapir had been nonetheless recent within the mud. The air was thick and humid, alive with a symphony of bugs, the calls of parrots and the ever-present monkeys. It was a difficult surroundings, but it surely rewarded me with a profound sense of connection to the wilderness.

A visit right here requires planning and a willingness to return to fundamentals. Hire native Lacandon guides, whose ancestral information of the forest’s flora, fauna and secret ruins is invaluable. There is not any sign within the space, and you’ll be disconnected from the skin world. Pack for the warmth and humidity, and be ready for rain at any time of 12 months.

What’s proper for every sort of traveler?

We’ve put collectively a desk summarizing which vacation spot would swimsuit vacationers based mostly on their expertise in Mexico. 

Beginner Travelers are these with restricted worldwide expertise, perhaps that is their first journey to Mexico. Ideal for first-timers preferring margaritas with coaching wheels. These vacationers follow well-trodden paths, mastering “¿Dónde está el baño?” whereas clutching a phrasebook. They thrive in locations the place guacamole arrives with optionally available spice and resort employees communicate “Google Translate.”

Intermediate Travelers are these with some worldwide expertise and may deal with average language obstacles and cultural variations. Ready to commerce resorts for real-deal experiences, these vacationers navigate cobblestone streets with out face-planting. They’ve graduated to ordering tres tacos al pastor with out pointing and may haggle for a sombrero in Oaxaca’s markets (however nonetheless overpay by 20%).

Advanced Travelers are these with intensive expertise navigating complicated locations independently. These wanderers deal with Mexico like a choose-your-own-adventure novel written in Spanglish. They’ve adopted a avenue canine named Churro, debate the deserves of various mezcal artesanales, and know which mercado stall has the very best tamales oaxaqueños.

​​Nellie Huang is knowledgeable journey author and writer based mostly in San Miguel de Allende along with her household. She has contributed to BBC Travel, CNN, International Business Times, and National Geographic, and co-authored Lonely Planet’s 2025 Mexico information. Read about her adventures worldwide on wildjunket.com and observe her updates on Instagram @wildjunket.