Mexico ranks seventh in the world for the number of UFO sightings. From ancient civilizations to modern-day encounters, the country has a rich history of reported unidentified aerial phenomena. Let's delve into some of the most notable incidents and locations associated with UFO sightings in Mexico.
Early Incidents and Speculations
One early incident appears on a home video taken at Mexico City’s 1968 Olympic Games during the opening ceremony. Like in Egypt and other places, there has been speculation that aliens had something to do with the advanced ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica. Some claim that there are artifacts that indicate extraterrestrial contact, and UFO sightings are still associated with pyramids.
On August 12, 1883, the astronomer José Bonilla reported that he saw "more than 300 dark, unidentified objects crossing before the Sun" while observing sunspot activity at Zacatecas Observatory in Mexico. He took a number of wet-plate photographs at 1/100 of a second exposure.
The Eclipse of 1991 and Subsequent Sightings
On July 11, 1991, the last total eclipse of the century occurred. For the residents of Mexico City, the eclipse prompted a festive celebration. Thousands took to the streets as one of the world’s largest cities was plunged into total darkness in the middle of broad daylight.
That afternoon, a television executive named Guillermo Arragin, was videotaping the eclipse from a rooftop when he noticed an unusual object overhead. “When I saw it, I said oh my god. This is a UFO, a real UFO. I mean you can look at it.
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Eight days after the eclipse, Jaime Maussan produced, directed and hosted Mexico’s edition of “Sixty Minutes” or “Sesenta Minutos”. Jaime presented the Arragin footage as part of a special UFO broadcast. “The telephone lines blew up. I mean 40,000 calls at the same time. Then the system was completely shut out.
Erick Aguilar, a 19-year old student at a university in Mexico sent in one of the many videos. “At first, all we saw was a white dot in the sky, that’s all we could see in the beginning. Later we saw that this dot was shining brightly. It wasn’t a dot anymore. It was a larger object. And it was giving off light.
Another video was shot by the Breton family in Puebla, a city 80 miles east of Mexico City. “As I raised the camera, you could see something in the clouds. And it was a metal object. You could see clearly it’s not a star. It’s a UFO because it had a shadow underneath. If it were a star or a planet you would see clearly that it would be completely luminous.
Magnifying the Breton video revealed an odd, wave-like disturbance behind the pulsating disc, perhaps, some kind of energy trail. Jaime Maussan enhanced the Arragin footage and compared it to the Breton tape. “The video from Puebla was absolutely identical to the one we had seen with Arragin in Mexico.
The videos caused a sensation throughout Mexico. But the UFO craze was just beginning.
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“I was following one of the planes and I saw a shiny dot in the camera. It didn’t fly like a plane; it was undulating. I didn’t know what it was so I let the planes go off and I focused more on this shiny dot in the sky. What I saw was a bright round object, about 10 meters in diameter. It was made of silver, was shining very brightly and reflected the sunlight a lot.
A year later, a similar object was videotaped at the same air show. This time the disc descended rapidly and mysteriously disappeared.
“It was traveling against the wind, so much so that, had it been a balloon, considering the force of the helicopter blades, it would’ve crashed.
Since the eclipse in July of 1991, there have been thousands of sightings throughout Mexico. There is no clear pattern, although the majority have occurred in and around Mexico City. The witnesses range from pilots to doctors to bus drivers and even, school children.
But are the UFOs real? It’s hard to deny the images captured on videotape. A skeptic would suspect a hoax.
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Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season seven with Robert Stack and in season one with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina.
Official Investigations and Military Involvement
According to UFOlogists, local residents reported a mid-air collision between a UFO and a small airplane near the town of Coyame on August 25, 1974, followed by a military investigation and cover-up.
On Friday, March 5, Mexican Air Force pilots using infrared equipment to search for drug-smuggling aircraft recorded 11 unidentified objects over southern Campeche. Mexico’s Defense Department issued a press release on May 12 accompanied by videotape that showed moving bright lights at 11,500 feet.
Hotspots for UFO Sightings
There are reports of UFO sightings from all over Mexico, but some places seem to be more popular with aliens. In both Mexico City and Puebla, one or more gray disk-shape objects were reported in the skies and were even filmed in both places.
In 2017, the X Files filmed an episode in Mexico City, even bringing a “damaged gray flying saucer” into the main square of the capital. The capital has, by far, the most reports of UFOs. Sightings here usually describe a light or spherical object that moves off to the side as a plane approaches and returns after it has passed.
Popocatépetl Volcano
The big magnet for the aliens seems to be the Popocatépetl volcano. Because of its height and location, sightings related to it have been reported from Puebla, Morelos, the state of México and Mexico City. Such images have made the news at various times, including those in which an object appears to pass through the eruption, come out from the crater, or dive into it. Even lenticular cloud formations around the crater lead to speculations about alien activity. Popocatépetl has drawn foreign ufologists such as Scott C.
The Proof Is Out There: Glowing Orbs ERUPT From Mexican Volcano (Season 3) | History
Tepoztlán
Tepoztlán, a mystical mountain town in Mexico, is not only famous for its rich cultural heritage and high-altitude landscapes but also for being a hot spot for UFO sightings, arguably the most in all of Mexico. Nestled in the Tepoztlán Valley in Morelos, this sacred town is steeped in folklore.
This archaeological site and Protected Natural Area, perched more than 5,000 feet above sea level, offers breathtaking views and a rewarding 40-minute hike. What sets Tepoztlán apart, however, is its reputation as a hot spot for UFO sightings.
For years, locals and tourists alike have reported numerous unexplained aerial phenomena in the skies above the town. These sightings include strange lights, oddly shaped crafts, and even close encounters. The frequency and clarity of these sightings have led many to believe that Tepoztlán has a special connection to extraterrestrial life.
Some think that the ancient ruins and spiritual significance of the area attract otherworldly visitors, while others speculate the "high energy" of the mountains could be a factor. The town also happens to be the birthplace of one of the most important gods in the Aztec pantheon: Quetzalcóatl.
Those who abide by the Ancient Astronaut "theory" believe this feathered serpent deity was an extraterrestrial.
Whether you believe in aliens or think it's all just creepy urban legends, visitors to Tepoztlán can immerse themselves in the "otherworldly" phenomenon through various means. The town has an overall spiritual, hippie-esque, bohemian vibe - try Reiki energy work, tarot card readings, or Temazcal healing therapy or shop around for UFO souvenirs. If you feel brave, ask some locals about "ovni" (aliens). They may share their knowledge and firsthand experiences of the unexplained events.
Tepoztlán is part of the Pueblos Mágicos program, a title given to towns that offer a "magical" experience because of their natural beauty, cultural riches, or historical relevance. Explore its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and bustling mercado ("market").
Surrounding Tepoztlán is a landscape that captivates with its natural beauty. The town is bordered by dramatic mountain ranges, including the Tepozteco mountains, part of the El Tepozteco National Park.
The blend of history, nature, and unexplained phenomena makes Tepoztlán a unique travel destination.
Tepoztlán is also renowned for its local cuisine, including cecina (thinly sliced beef), itacates (triangular corn dough snacks), and the famous Tepoznieves, a type of artisanal ice cream with over 100 flavors (from avocado to cactus!).
Getting to Tepoztlán from Mexico City takes about two hours, with convenient options for every type of traveler. You can drive there with a rental car, or opt for buses from the Southern Mexico City Bus Terminal or the Ado bus terminal at the Mexico City International Airport, with tickets costing around 120 pesos (or $7).
Other Locations
Other sightings have occurred in Guerrero, in southwest Mexico. But the best known incident occurred in the rural town of Mezcala.
Sonora has had more than its share of reports in various parts of the state, including the capital of Hermosillo.
Monterrey is noted for one particular sighting over the city’s iconic Cerro de la Silla mountain, filmed accidentally during the making of a commercial for Coca-Cola.
Not to be outdone by Popocatépetl, residents of Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, also talk of an alien base. The “evidence” for its existence includes the fact that there have been no major hurricanes in the area since 1966. Supposedly, the aliens divert them northward to Texas.
The Zone of Silence
The Zone of Silence developed its supernatural reputation in the 1970s, after a failed rocket test by the US Air Force led to a large clean-up operation. Rumour has it that magnetic anomalies - either in the ground or the atmosphere - caused the rocket crash, as well as the communication failures that gave the Zone of Silence its name.
People have also reported strange lights in the sky, weird mutated plants and animals, and even alien sightings.
Unfortunately, it appears that the truth of Mapimí is a lot more mundane than the myth. The Zone of Silence is located within the Mapimí Biosphere Reserve, a biological research station that was established a few years after the rocket crash.
This helped to fuel rumours that the zone of silence had extraterrestrial significance, but it turns out that the only scientific interest in the area is biological. The reserve is home to 200 species of bird, over 400 plant species and 36 species of reptile.
The Ongoing Fascination
The interest in UFOs is not going way anytime soon in Mexico. There are various groups that watch the skies and document sightings and other evidence of extraterrestrial visits to the country.
Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico 17 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture. She publishes a blog called Creative Hands of Mexico and her first book, Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta, was published last year.
| Location | Notable Sightings/Events |
|---|---|
| Mexico City | Numerous reports of lights and spherical objects; 1968 Olympic Games incident |
| Puebla | Gray disk-shaped objects; Breton family video during the 1991 eclipse |
| Popocatépetl Volcano | Objects passing through eruptions, exiting craters; lenticular cloud formations |
| Tepoztlán | Frequent sightings of strange lights and crafts; spiritual significance |
| Coyame | Reported mid-air collision between a UFO and a small airplane |
| Campeche | Mexican Air Force recorded 11 unidentified objects |
| Zone of Silence (Mapimí) | Strange lights, mutated plants and animals, and alien sightings |