In big cities it has become increasingly difficult to be able to enjoy the night sky free from the pollution of light which comes from street lamps and artificial light sources. This is why in large cities it is only possible to admire (an average) of 500 visible stars. Mexico has magical places in the highlands, with clear skies, which allow us to enjoy up to 15,000 stars.

Except for blackouts, there are very few times when city dwellers are able to appreciate a sky that is completely free of artificial sources of light, just as our ancestors did. The summer season is the best time to sit down and watch the movement of the stars, when up to 30 meteors or shooting stars can be seen per hour. Here are some of the best places in the country to look at the stars.

Morella

Ever since 2009, Mexico holds The Night of Stars, a unique event for admiring Mexican skies together with hundreds of astronomy enthusiasts, tourists and fans in general. This event is held across Mexico in 43 locations throughout the whole country, with the aim of promoting science and bringing families together around a healthy recreational activity. Since its first edition in 2009, The Night of Stars brought together 26 archaeological sites and public spaces across 22 states, where topics such as the astronomic legacy, calendars, architectural alignments and the vision of the cosmos of the Mesoamerican peoples.

Durango

You cannot find clearer skies than those in El Salto City, in Durango. Its fame as the perfect setting for any Hollywood Western is well known, as well as its open skies in the desert. In the city of El Salto there are places such as Puentecillas where, in addition to fresh air, you will be able to admire, without having to use special equipment, the starriest nights and even find the Milky Way. The city of El Salto is nestled in the Sierra Madre Occidental and is one of the busiest logging places in the country.

Cancun

Paradise -like Holbox Island is one of the most pristine places in the country, where it is still very common to see tourists and locals walk barefoot over white sand streets. The island is part of the protected area of Yum-Balam and the environment invites people to coexist with nature, where, at night, the sky becomes a boundless screen where you can watch thousands of stars, and, if you are lucky, you may even be able to see a shooting star. From laying all day long on the beach, to go biking, riding golf carts or kayaking, beach activities are endless.

Guadalajara

San Sebastian del Oeste, a small town in Jalisco high up in the sierra, has one of the most transparent atmospheres in the country. From the Cerro de la Bufa, crossing the area of Real de los Reyes, you will be able to enjoy a beautiful view of the Banderas Bay and the Maria Islands, where, looking at the horizon, the sky blends with the blue Pacific Ocean. At night, the sky lights up with hundreds of stars which can almost be reached by just stretching out your arms. If you like sports or you simply enjoy admiring the scenery around the Sierra Madre, you can go mountain biking, horseback riding, or riding on a mule.