The team behind Playground Games is synonymous with pushing technical boundaries to craft visually pleasing racing games. Thanks to today’s power-packed consoles and PCs, it was possible to go beyond with Forza Horizon 5. The graphics are so stunning that they make you pause for a moment to admire the beautiful scenery.
Now that the game is accessible to a broader audience thanks to the recent PlayStation 5 release, there’s no better time to revisit the rich and diverse landscapes of Mexico. With that in mind, let us be your tour guide and explore the top-most stunning locations in Forza Horizon 5, where the developers have poured their heart and soul.
The Most Stunning Locations in Forza Horizon 5
The Gran Caldera Volcano
The map of Mexico features an active volcano, the one that was showcased in the trailer, and has made us all impatient for the release date. This is the highest point in Forza Horizon 5, so we took the Bronco on a long uphill journey. Aside from the volcano itself, the climb towards it is no more than a mountain expedition. As the height increases, the scenery changes simultaneously.
The scene first transitions from grassy trails to rocky switchbacks, and as you continue, it takes you to an ash-covered summit. At the top, you can see smoke, the sky getting thinner, and the jaw-dropping view of the whole map.
Winter is when the view maintains its beauty for longer. The crater fills with a frozen lake, allowing you to drive and slide over the icy surface. While Gran Caldera looks stunning in each setting, we believe the frozen lake in winter takes the lead in providing a more aesthetically pleasing and immersive experience.
The Wonders of the Cascadas de Agua Azul
Inspired by the actual Agua Azul waterfalls located in Chiapas, Mexico. The entire area around the Cascadas de Agua Azul is breathtaking. We took the 21’ Bronco to explore the wonders of it and instantly got lost in the view.
Splashing over shallow streams with the waterfall in the background, and the bloomy cinematic lighting from the sun as it filters through the dense canopy, this place is a feast for the eyes. However, the visuals aren’t the only good thing; the sound design is also elite. The constant hum of the waterfall, accompanied by the sounds of birds and leaves rustling, makes everything feel alive.
Inside the La Selva Rainforest
Another location we explored with the 21’ Bronco and couldn’t resist adding to this list is La Selva rainforest. This place is perfect for an immersive off-road experience in the misty and dense forest setting. Tall trees, thick undergrowth, and winding dirt trails, the scene feels straight out of a nature documentary.
Regardless of the time of day or weather, La Selva remains stunning and offers a raw driving challenge. This is where the jungle breathes — and it’s literally your car versus the wild over here.
The Dunas Blancas
With the volcano and forests visited, let’s dive into Forza Horizon 5’s coastal regions.
Another scenic location that seems heavily inspired by White Sands National Park is the Dunas Blancas. The view presents a simple picture of dunes, but the lighting and physics take the brush beyond, painting a masterpiece.
The area is open, clean, and a stunning showcase of high contrast between the dunes and sky. Since there are no obstacles for you to crash into, you are free to go full-throttle. The Dunas Blancas are perfect for high-speed desert runs and in-game photography, like we did with the Lamborghini Urus.
The Hilltop Before Buenas Vistas
Drive a little further from the Dunas Blancas, and a stunning view awaits from the hilltop located just behind the purchasable property, Buenas Vistas. For a quick change from tarmac to dusty uphill climbing, we continued with the Urus once again.
As soon as you reach the top, your jaw is going to drop. The mesmerizing view of the ocean and the photo-realistic accuracy created by foliage, reflections, and bloom from the off-white shore resembles a postcard brought to life. It would be hard for you not to admire the artistry of Playground Games once you visit this place.
The Coastal Areas Alongside Riviera Maya
From Buenas Vistas, a coastal strip continues alongside the Riviera Maya, which hosts many of Mexico’s coastal destinations. While all of the near-shore areas of the game are pleasing to the eye, this strip features some of the lookers, such as Tulum and Playa Azul.
We brought out the STO for this trip, matching the blue ocean. Whether you are cruising with your convoy or going full-send, this strip never fails to provide a mesmerizing sea-view behind the palm trees. Truly a delight to drive on.
The View of Copper Canyon
Inspired by the real-world Barranca del Cobre, this location hosts dramatic elevation changes and stunning scenery. It’s not only a looker but a great place for stunt jumps, rallying, and cross-country racing events.
The view of Copper Canyon can be enjoyed from various vantage points. You can either take the bridge, located at the bottom right of the “Copper Canyon” label, as we did with the red Ferrari 488, or take a dirt track opposite the label, which offers multiple spotting points at each elevation change. Nonetheless, it looks equally stunning from each angle.
The Teotihuacan Ruins
For a majestic historical drive, the Teotihuacan ruins lie quietly on the eastern side of the map. These ruins aren’t purely fictional, but rather heavily inspired by the Aztec and pre-Aztec archaeological site of Teotihuacan, which is known to be one of Mexico’s most iconic landmarks.
For this Safari, we found the Gladiator Rubicon a perfect candidate. Driving through centuries-old masterpieces and pyramids really takes you back in time, while the charming visuals make you appreciate the passion developers have poured into the game.
The Guanajuato City
Apart from forests, coastlines, and ruins, the map of Mexico also offers a colorful city that will light up your heart. Guanajuato is a place where you’d invest countless hours, it features cobblestone roads, tunnels, and outstanding architecture.
Since this place screams Mexico more than anywhere else on the map, we couldn’t resist driving the Chevy El Camino to become more culturally resonant. But, no matter what car you drive, the satisfying crunch of tires over cobblestones, roaring echo of engine inside the tunnels, and overall colorful environment stand as a tribute to Mexico’s soul.
With that, our Mexico tour finally ends. The true intent of the Forza Horizon series has always been more than just providing players an open world with endless activities — it’s about treating them with a visual masterpiece of a map. Just like previous games, Forza Horizon 5 does succeed in following this tradition. The map is an ideal place to forget racing for a minute and relax with pleasing sights. This isn’t all; many of these iconic places are hiding barn finds as well, helping you resurrect some of your favorite classic cars.
