Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Museo de Manga (Manga Museum)

The Asociación México Japonesa (Mexico Japanese Association) was established in 1956 as a result of efforts from Mexico’s Japanese migrant and Japanese descendant communities, looking to establish tighter relationships between both countries and cul…

Funicular de Guanajuato

The city of Guanajuato is arguably one of the most scenic and vivid in Mexico. It is dispersed among hillsides that rise to an elevation of 6,725 feet above sea level; its lowest points meet centrally to comprise the Centro Histórico area. Get a taste …

El Río Mezquites

Discover El Río Mezquites in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: Swim alongside softshell turtles in these turquoise waters within the Cuatrociénegas Biosphere Reserve.

Cenote Ziiz Ha

After the Caribbean coast, cenotes are likely the most recognizable natural features of the Yucatan Peninsula. These sinkholes come in several shapes and sizes, and their importance was recognized by the indigenous Maya peoples, not only as freshwater s…

Mina de Mármol

Discover Mina de Mármol in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: A former travertine mine traces the geological history of this unique desert filled with crystalline blue pools.

Photography Archive Museum

Mexico City is known for its number of museums. Many residents of the city and Mexicans in general, actually believe it to be the city with the most museums in the world. Most serious attempts at counting city museums seem to provide widely varying resu…

‘Espíritu de Luz’

Discover 'Espíritu de Luz' in Monterrey, Mexico: This ”skyspace,” which bears a resemblance to a spacecraft, is designed to disappear in the presence of light.

Dunas de Yeso

Discover Dunas de Yeso in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: These gleaming gypsum sand dunes are the second-largest in North America.

Casa de Cortés

Discover Casa de Cortés in La Antigua, Mexico: This atmospheric ruins are truly a sight to behold.

Cenote Ka’ Kutzal

In the Mayan language, Ka’ Kutzal, the name of this cenote, means “rebirth” or “back to life.” An appropriate name considering its history. The only Costco store in the city of Mérida (as of early 2023) sits between what is known as the city�…

Little Boy Zero

Discover Little Boy Zero in La Gloria, Mexico: Statue of Edgar Hernandez, the first victim of swine flu.

Las Playitas

Discover Las Playitas in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: A miniature beach in the middle of the desert.

Zona Arqueológica Cempoala

Discover Zona Arqueológica Cempoala in Zempoala, Mexico: Palace, temple, and pyramid ruins mark the ancient Mesoamerican capital of Totonacapan.

Mexico Me Encanta! Miniature Museum

Discover Mexico Me Encanta! Miniature Museum in Tequisquiapan, Mexico: This detailed miniature model covers all aspects of life in a small Mexican village.

Cristo de las Galeras

Discover Cristo de las Galeras in Saltillo, Mexico: A giant Jesus statue watches over the city of Saltillo from the top of a mountain where it has been commandeered by vandals.

Jorullo Bridge

Discover Jorullo Bridge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: A 1542-foot-long suspension bridge offers scenic mountain views.

Poza Azul

Discover Poza Azul in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: A spectrum of colors awaits visitors to one of Mexico's most gorgeous bodies of water.

Fairytale Graveyard

Discover Fairytale Graveyard in Seyé Municipality, Mexico: A field of whimsical floats, where all of your favorite childhood stories have been put out to pasture.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 261 ii
To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. 480 iii
To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. 514 iv
To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. 642 ix
To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. 137 v
To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. 172 vi
To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). 256 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 151 viii
To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. 98 x
To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. 168

PP ToS