Mexico is one of the world's top destinations when it comes to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 29 -- considerably more than any other country in the Americas. TripAtlas.com helps you discover five of the best-kept secret World Heritage Sites in Mexico.
Historic fortified town of Campeche
The town of Campeche was founded on the Mayan village of Ah Kim Pech, a harbour town in the Yucatan peninsula. Modeled after a Baroque colonial town, the town centre is protected by a fortified wall used as an important military defence from pirates in the Caribbean Sea.
Hospicio Cabanas
The Hospicio Cabanas is one of the most unique buildings in Mexico. Located in Jalisco, Guadalajara, the birthplace and home of tequila, this complex was built in the 1800s as a shelter and care facility for the disadvantaged.
A seamless, simple design is blended with artist Jose Clemente Orozco's stunning mural masterpieces, creating an environment suited for its specific purpose to uplift humanity.
Historic centre of Zacatecas
The historic centre of downtown Zacatecas reminds most visitors of stepping into medieval Spain.
Its most popular sights are the stunning cathedral that stands in the middle of the historic district, and the 18 monasteries that have been preserved for almost 400 years.
Historic town of Guanajuato and adjacent mines
Not far from Zacatecas, the historic town of Guanajuato is another showcase colonial architecture at its finest: cobblestone streets, rich neoclassical architecture, and the best examples of Baroque architecture in Central and South America.
As the world's leading silver-extraction centre in the 18th century, traces of the past can be found in underground streets and the 600-metre deep mineshaft.
Sian Ka'an
The Sian Ka'an biosphere is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world.
Named "Origin of the Sky" by the Mayan people hundreds of years ago, the ecological centre contains lush tropical forests, mangroves, and rich coral reefs that make a home for hundreds of species of birds and other creatures.
Gizelle Lau is a travel-food-wine lover turned writer in Toronto, Canada and is the Online Editor for TripAtlas.com, the World's Largest Online Travel Resource. Visit TripAtlas.com for travel articles, photos, trip deals and more!
