The city of Merida, the state capital of Yucatan, is an excellent base to visit two natural areas of incredible beauty: Celestun and Ria Lagartos. Located about 80 km (50 mi) from the so-called White City, between Yucatan and Campeche, the mangroves and the springs of the Celestun Biosphere Reserve are home to hundreds of migratory birds and the spider monkey. It’s also the breeding grounds for thousands of pink flamingoes. At this place, you can observe unique bird and flower species, go on a photo safari or take a boat tour. Another point of interest is the Ria Lagartos Sanctuary, an area that covers 60,000 hectares (148,000 acres). Located 150 km (93 mi) northeast of Merida, at this sanctuary you can help participate in the conversation of sea turtles, crocodiles, fish, crustaceans and diverse mammals and reptiles.

One of the most attractive features of Aguascalientes is that its environs offer various places where you can observe all kinds of wildlife and natural beauty.

Tunel de Potrerillo • Located 64 km (40 mi) from the city of Aguascalientes, in the town of Rincon Romos. At this spot you can hike through part of the Huejucar Canyon, which has varied climatic conditions due to the vegetation and humidity. This is also a good place for an ecotourism outing, as the canyon has several ponds where birds, raccoons and foxes come to drink

Cerro de la Ardilla • Located 62 km (38 mi) northwest of Aguascalientes along Highway 70. This is an excellent place for ecotourism thanks to it wide variety of fauna, including white-tailed deer, pumas, collared peccaries, bobcats, ring-tailed cats, gray wolves, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, Montezuma quails and chameleons. As for the flora, you’ll see pines, oaks, cedars, laurels and ash trees.

Sierra del Laurel • To arrive at this 8,400-hectare area with beautiful wildlife, take the Aguascalientes-Villa Hidalgo Highway 9 to the Aguascalientes-Calvillo Highway 70. This spot contains an ecosystem with subtropical brushwood, the only one of its kind in the state of Aguascalientes. Here you’ll see various flora species, such as ceibas, elephant trees, hawthorns and senitas, among others. Among the fauna you can spy are white-tailed deer, pumas, collared peccaries, bobcats, coas (a bird that belongs to the same family as the quetzal), wild turkeys and several endangered reptiles and amphibians.

El Sabinal • This recreational park lies just 20 minutes from the city of Aguascalientes. To arrive here, take the Agostaderito road in the direction of Salto de los Salados. The park covers 160 hectares (395 acres) and it contains an ecosystem with unusual vegetation, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts. Among the species you’ll see here are savins, willows, pepper trees and tepozonas. The savins, which are more than 400 years old, have incredible trunks, huge roots and leafy branches. The animal species that inhabit this area include raccoons, armadillos, aquatic birds and badgers.