Pueblos Mágicos
There are well over a hundred Pueblos Mágicos in Mexico, and at least one can be found in every state. Collectively, these are towns and villages that have in some way preserved their local traditions, culture, ethnic customs or unique cuisines. The idea to curate and promote these pueblos was created by the Mexican department of tourism in 2001. Selected locations are often small, rural towns, where visitors can experience indigenous craftsmanship or spectacular natural landscapes. While you've likely heard of a few, the majority of these towns are new to tourism and are greatly helped by your visit.
Criteria
[edit]Not just any town can become a Pueblo Mágico. Hundreds apply every year and only a few are selected. Towns must have a population of at least 5,000, offer a variety of hospitality and touristic services, and can not be overly burdensome to travel to. The government looks for locations where residents have kept the fire of their cultural and historical traditions alive, and provides some financial assistance with promoting and event production. On rare occasions, towns have been removed from the list for not staying in keeping with the mágicos spirit. In some cases, towns that don't meet all the criteria are selected anyway, usually because they have a unique cultural tradition that might warrant some traveler inconvenience.
Promotion
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Towns selected to participate in the Pueblo Mágico program are promoted in national and international advertising programs established by the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR). Towns can also use the Pueblo Mágico logo and other branding in their own local and state promotional efforts. The program has become recognizable to visitors and locals who see it as a symbol of a town's legitimacy as a quality tourist destination that offers a memorable travel experience.
Designated towns
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Map of Pueblos Mágicos
- 2 Loreto — a resort town regarded as one of the best places for fishing
- 3 Santa Rosalia — small coastal community known for its French influences, a gateway to El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve
- 4 Todos Santos — small and quaint with many artists and galleries; south of Todos Santos is one of Baja's better surfing destinations, Cerritos Beach
- 1 Batopilas — historic silver mining town in the mountains
- 2 Casas Grandes — quiet town near the Paquime archaeological site
- 3 Creel — backpacker mecca, gateway to the canyonlands
- 4 Guachochi — small town settled by 18th century Jesuit missionaries, the town is populated by many Tarahamura indigenous people
- 5 Hidalgo de Parral
— lively small city with a rich silver mining tradition and colorful historical sites from the Mexican Revolution, two annual events celebrate local hero Pancho Villa (who was assassinated near the town)
- 6 Arteaga — pleasant mountain village surrounded by pine forests; popular as a weekend getaway from Monterrey
- 7 Candela — a small, sleepy town with eco-tours and a dash of Revolution history
- 8 Cuatro Ciénegas — small desert oasis, hometown of President Venustiano Carranza, much of the valley is a protected natural reserve famous for its pozas (pools)
- 9 General Cepeda — small town where a number of fossils and dinosaur bones were discovered
- 10 Guerrero — Small town on the border with Texas, known for the San Juan Bautista missions, built to convert savage native Americans into civilized christians
- 11 Melchor Múzquiz — remote rural area intended as a multi-cultural acknowledgment of nomadic native American tribes in northern Mexico, especially the Kickapoo people
- 12 Parras de la Fuente — location of wineries that were established by the old Spanish Dons
- 13 Viesca — remote desert town known for its nearby sand dunes
- 14 Mapimi — mining town founded in 1598, site on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (a UNESCO World Heritage site)
- 15 Nombre de Dios — small town founded in 1562, known for its 16th century Franciscan missions, site on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (a UNESCO World Heritage site)
- 16 Bustamante — historic settlement of 30 tlaxcalteca families (who were relocated by the government from their home in Central Mexico); famous caverns (Grutas de Bustamente)
- 17 General Terán — a desert oasis that smells of orange trees and offers abundant recreation with two lakes
- 18 General Zaragoza — town in the Sierra Madre Oriental with dense forests and rivers with scenic waterfalls
- 19 Linares — city between two rivers, with some interesting colonial buildings. Good place to buy carne seca (dried meat) and glorias.
- 20 Montemorelos — small city in a valley of the Pilon River, home to Nuevo León's orange-growing industry
- 21 Santiago — picturesque town with a pleasant temperate climate, surrounded by forests and groves, ideal for camping and spending a weekend away from large urban centers
- 22 Cosalá — highland town, site of Gruta Mexico caverns, interesting mining museum
- 23 El Fuerte — "The Fort" offers many attractions and a special, pretty-small-town aura
- 24 El Rosario — coastal mining town, spectacular colonial Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
- 25 Mocorito — known for banda, norteno, and regional music; home town of Los Tigres del Norte
- 26 San Ignacio — river town with colonial character, including a colorful church, with natural parks
- 27 Álamos — The main historical attraction of Sonora, and one of Mexico's most splendid colonial cities
- 28 Magdalena de Kino — established in 1687 by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, but generally of low touristic value
- 29 San Carlos — seaside town on the Sea of Cortez, popular with Canadian and U.S. snowbirds, considered by National Geographic to have some of the best ocean views in the world
- 30 Ures — small colonial town with relics of evangelization and expansion with a sprawling natural area called Paseo El Gavilán with rolling hills, canyons, bluffs, and semi-desert scenery
- 31 Ciudad Mier — boasts over 100 historic buildings, including the 200 year old Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción, but the town's location in the Tex-Mex border region, with its reputation for cartel violence (half the town's population fled when the mayor was murdered) make it a dubious tourist destination
- 32 Ciudad Tula — considered to be the oldest city in the state of Tamaulipas
- 1 Asientos — colonial mining town, known for the Church of Our Lady of Belen (don't miss the tunnels underneath)
- 2 Calvillo — scenic and romantic small town with a main plaza dotted with orange trees, a historic church full of 17th century art, and an Aztec archaelogical site nearby
- 3 Pabellón de Hidalgo — small town that prides itself on local history during the Mexican War of Independence
- 4 San José de Gracia — popular among outdoor adventure travelers, the town's story centers on its broken Christ statue, whose missing limbs represent population displaced by dam construction
- 5 Dolores Hidalgo — the city where the fight for independence started in 1810
- 6 Guanajuato — a beautiful mountain colonial town and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 7 Jalpa de Cánovas — tiny hamlet with nearby natural attractions, lakes, parks, and historical sites and magnificent churches, like the Templo del Señor de la Misericordia
- 8 Mineral de Pozos — ghost town that was once a thriving mining community
- 9 Salvatierra — small colonial city with a number of historic churches
- 10 Amealco de Bonfil — historic 16th century town with 21st century outdoor recreation draws (mountains, lakes, parks)
- 11 Bernal — colonial town with cobblestone streets, bright boutiques, and tranquil vibe
- 12 Cadereyta de Montes — gateway to the Sierra Gorda, romantic posadas for night time, adventurous outdoor activities for the day
- 13 Jalpan de Serra — Franciscan monasteries of the Sierra Gorda (a UNESCO World Heritage site), follow in the footsteps of Father Junipero Serra
- 14 Pinal de Amoles — colorful mountain town with abundant outdoor scenery including hiking trails to remote waterfalls
- 15 San Joaquín — archaeology, regional cuisine, colonial history and a mining tradition wrapped up in a picturesque small town
- 16 Tequisquiapan — delightful colonial town that hosts Queretaro's famous annual wine and cheese festival
- 17 Aquismón — One of several towns in the heart of the Huastec, Aquismon is also the stepping off point to Sotano de las Golodrinas and the southern access to Casacada Tamul.
- 18 Ciudad del Maíz — historic town with ex-haciendas and rich in natural attractions like the famous Los Peroles (natural springs up to 30 meters deep)
- 19 Real de Catorce — Ghost town featuring many restored haciendas. The surrounding high desert area is popular for horseback riding
- 20 Santa María del Río — soak in thermal springs, shop for locally made rebozos, see the ex-haciendas and the Church of our Lady of the Assumption
- 21 Tierra Nueva — colonial era town known for its artesanias, especially straw hats and earthen colored pottery
- 22 Xilitla — Sir Edward James created the surrealistic Las Pozas here, but it required the ingenuity and work of local residents to carry out. The artistic tradition continues to grow as other artists are attracted to this village.
- 23 Guadalupe — colonial city with a variety of historic churches, a warren of narrow alleys and street corners, and a long history as part of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site - 24 Jerez de García Salinas — a provincial colonial town situated on a basin
- 25 Nochistlán de Mejía — known for the beautiful architecture of its town square and as a city where music always plays
- 26 Pinos — like all the mining towns, its filled with spectacular churches and plazas, but Pinos diferentiates itself with its celebrations of popular culture, like the dances of Matachines and Feathers
- 27 Sombrerete — a quiet town that gives a real sense of "old Mexico"
- 28 Teúl — cobblestone streets, quarry stone walls, and a tradition of mezcal appreciation keep visitors coming back
- 29 Villanueva — cool old churches, one of Central Mexico's most beautiful haciendas, and the nearby archaeological site of La Quebrada contribute to the town's touristic magenetism
- 1 Acaxochitlán — a long pre-Columbian history and a romantic colonial town center combine with natural attractions like forested hills with waterfalls to create a memorable small-town experience
- 2 Huasca de Ocampo — small village surrounded by jaw-dropping natural scenery like the Prismas Basalticos
- 3 Huichapan — elegant viceregal town where the tradition of Mexico's president re-enacting Father Hidalgo's famous cry for freedom first began in 1812
- 4 Metztitlán — quaint small town atmosphere with a nearby lake, bat caves, and cactus-covered hills
- 5 Mineral del Monte — an old mining town with centuries of industrial, cultural and gastronomic history
- 6 Mineral del Chico — classy small town close to El Chico National Park, with its abundance of outdoor adventure activities, from mountain biking to rock climbing
- 7 Tecozautla — come for the waters...Tecozautla is famous for hot mineral springs, aquatic parks, and spa treatments
- 8 Zempoala — a history that dates back to the Toltecs, but a centro that reflects the colonial era, especially the Aquaduct of Padre Tembleque (a UNESCO World Heritage site)
- 9 Zimapán — 5-star spa hotels at night, adrenaline-rushing outdoor adventure by day. Los Marmoles National Park offers mountain peaks, caves, paragliding, and sheer cliffs for rappelling and rock climbing, including a via ferrata route
- 10 Aculco — small town located on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
- 11 El Oro de Hidalgo — old mining town with a nearby lake and a monarch butterfly reserve
- 12 Ixtapan de la Sal — natural hot water springs attract thousands of visitors every year
- 13 Jilotepec — colonial small town charm with nearby mountains, parks and forests
- 14 Malinalco — ancient pre-colombian settlement with many archaeological sites nearby, known for it's black Christ figure and for shamans and dark magic
- 15 Metepec — a touristy town known for its pottery
- 16 Otumba — small town rich in colonial history with an annual Burro Festival
- 17 Teotihuacán — small town adjacent to a very large archaeological site
- 18 Tepotzotlán — ancient pre-colombian settlement, part of Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, historic Jesuit community
- 19 Tonatico — ancient pre-Colombian settlement famous for its cave paintings
- 20 Valle de Bravo — lakeside town popular as a weekend getaway
- 21 Villa del Carbón — historic home of Otomi and Nahua, the town now attracts weekenders for canoeing, fishing, and jet-skiing on 4 man-made lakes
- 22 Tepoztlán — Near CDMX, it's famous for the remains of a nearby mountaintop temple, as well as their exotic ice cream flavors
- 23 Tlaltizapán de Zapata — colonial small town with springs, pools, and streams; famous as the final resting place of Mexican Revolution general Emiliano Zapata...or is it?
- 24 Tlayacapan — Home of San Juan Bautista monastery, one of the historic 16th century monasteries on the slopes of Popocatapetl that make up the UNESCO World Heritage site
- 25 Xochitepec — small town near the archaeological site of Xochicalco, known for its crafts, food, and haciendas
- 26 Atlixco — stunningly beautiful small town with narrow winding alleys and flowers and bright colors everywhere
- 27 Chignahuapan — ridiculously scenic romantic town that actually has a museum dedicated solely to axolotls -- "the missing link"
- 28 Cholula — the great pyramid of Cholula is the largest pyramid (by volume) in the world, and is topped by a 16th century church
- 29 Cuetzalan — charming town with a wealth of natural attractions like waterfalls, caves, rivers, and forests
- 30 Huachinango — serene colonial town that smells of orchids and azaleas
- 31 Huejotzingo — colonial town known as the "cradle of evangelization", several colonial era churches from the 16th century, including the oldest Franciscan monastery in Mexico
- 32 La Magdalena Tlatlauquitepec — quiet colonial town made for reflective exploration, less serene activities include rock climbing and rappeling on the nearby Cerro Cabezon
- 33 Pahuatlán — to get to Pahuatlan, you pass through the Serra Magico, full of ravines, rivers, and gorges, the town's scenery melds and contrasts with that of the surrounding mountains
- 34 Tetela de Ocampo — colonial small town charm with rugged outdoor opportunities; Saturday before August 15 is the Peach Festival
- 35 Teziutlán — mountain town in the cloud forest with abundant nature attractions, including waterfalls and caves, and historic 16th century churches
- 36 Xicotepec — this is heart of coffee country and you're never far from the wafting scent of fresh ground or brewed coffee
- 37 Zacatlán — a city in the clouds, fog usually obscures the view of the town's colorful colonial core
- 41 Coatepec — known for its coffee production and orchids
- 42 Cordoba — the Mexican War of Independence ended when representatives from Spain and Mexico met in Cordoba to sign the independence treaty, the town has a lively historic downtown
- 43 Coscomatepec de Bravo — cool small town near Pico de Orizaba where cigar rolling is an art form and the public is invited to come watch and learn how to craft a fine smoke
- 44 Naolinco de Victoria — small historic town known for its colonial architecture, traditional white pottery, and its fast-changing weather
- 45 Orizaba — a quiet town, crossed by many rivers, with many parks and beautiful churches
- 46 Papantla — this city near El Tajin ruins is known for its downtown square and its cathedral, where voladores (flyers) perform
- 47 Xico — colorful town with impressive waterfalls
- 48 Zozocolco de Hidalgo — natural wonders, a cool town, and a balloon festival that happens each November
- 2 Ixcateopan de Cuauhtémoc — ancient village dating back to 350 BC with a fascinating archaeological site and a delightful colonial center that boasts of being the final resting place of Cuahtemoc, the last emperor of the Aztecs
- 3 Taxco — a beautiful, hilly town that is a center for silver mining and smithing
- 4 Zihuatanejo — low-key Pacific coast town that still feels like a traditional fishing village despite its growing popularity with international travelers
- 5 Ajijic — a destination for retirees from the U.S. and Canada on Lake Chapala
- 6 Cocula — colorful small town with a colonial era centro, known as "the cradle of mariachi"
- 7 Lagos de Moreno — known for its architecture
- 8 Mascota — the magic of this town is its mountain location with fresh air, oaks, and pines
- 9 Mazamitla — a historic west Mexican town in the heart of the Sierra del Tigre, popular for outdoor activities in its many forests
- 10 San Sebastián del Oeste — colonial town, check out the Church of Saint Sebastian built in 1608, and the haciendas in town built of cut stone
- 11 Sayula — scenic colonial architecture, colorful fiestas, and traditional artesanias particularly the weaving of sarapes
- 12 Talpa de Allende — the magic comes out at night as crickets chirp, lanterns light the streets, and the scent of bougainvillea permeates the air
- 13 Tapalpa — known for its traditional buildings with white facades and red roofs
- 14 Temacapulín — colonial town with adobe homes, cobblestone streets and a story of civic resistance against a planned hydroelectric project that would have inundated the town; known as the cradle of thermal waters
- 15 Tequila — Mexico's most famous small town, where distilleries offer tours of the fabrication process and walks into the agave fields
- 16 Tlaquepaque — delightful artisan community on the outskirts of Guadalajara, shops with handmade furniture and carved masks, wandering mariachi trios
- 17 Angangueo — quaint village close to the "main entrance" of the UNESCO Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
- 18 Cotija — a culinary small-town destination famous for its cheese, which tastes like feta when young and can be grated like parmesan when aged
- 19 Cuitzeo — Purepecha town with the picturesque Augustinian monastery, Santa María Magdalena
- 20 Jiquilpan — charming riverfront town rich in colonial scenery, birthplace of President Lazaro Cardenas and President Anastasio Bustamente
- 21 Paracho de Verduzco — known for guitar-making and is full of shops selling handmade guitars and other string instruments
- 22 Pátzcuaro — an enchanting, colonial mountain town in Mexico's lake region
- 23 Santa Clara De Cobre — Purephecha town on Lake Patzcuaro, known for its master coppersmiths since pre-colombian times
- 24 Tacámbaro — Purepecha town dating from the early 1300s
- 25 Tlalpujahua — hilly, picturesque former gold mining town, now known for its Christmas ornaments
- 26 Tzintzuntzán — home to the archeological site of Tzintzuntzán and the former monastery complex of San Francisco
- 27 Ahuacatlán — colonial small town with hiking trails on the Ceboruco volcano
- 28 Amatlán de Cañas — quaint mountain town surrounded by natural attractions including canyons, forests, waterfalls, and a colonial-era hacienda
- 29 Compostela — small colonial city with a volcanic crater lake, waterfall, and nearby beaches
- 30 Ixtlán del Rio — small town with a mellow vibe, a hilltop mirador to contemplate life with Christ, and an unusual archaeological site
- 31 Mexcaltitán — historical island settlement thought to be the origin of the Mexica people
- 32 Puerto Balleto — former island penal colony in the Islas Marias turned tourist destination as a Pueblo Magico and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- 33 San Blas — relaxed seaside town with beaches, a port, a lively village plaza, historical attractions, and natural areas with jungles and swamps full of wildlife
- 34 Capulalpam de Méndez — charming town in the mountains with a historic church full of 16th and 17th century artworks, travelers come for the traditional healers
- 35 Huautla de Jiménez — historic town of the Mazatec culture, famous for indigenous shamans willing to share psychedelic mushrooms and interesting smokeables
- 36 Mazunte — popular stop on the Pacific Coast Backpacker Route for its pristine Pacific beaches and famous Sea Turtle Museum.
- 37 San Pablo Villa de Mitla — Zapotec settlement with a colonial era centro; the Mitla archaeological site is here (near to Monte Alban and culturally related)
- 38 San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula — colonial town known for its mixture of indigenous design and textures with European styles of the 16th and 17th centuries
- 39 Santa Catarina Juquila — famous for its diminutive statue of the Virgen de Juquila, which has been venerated since 1633
- 1 Candelaria — small river town with waterfalls, nature preserves, and the El Tigre archaeological site
- 2 Isla Aguada — small town on a coastal island of the Gulf of Mexico, home base for pirates in the early 18th century
- 3 Palizada — riverfront town in the wetlands of western Campeche, known for the Maya site, El Cuyo
- 4 Chiapa de Corzo — archeologists have uncovered several "firsts" nearby. The earliest Mesoamerican written dates, hieroglyphic writing, and tomb burials have all been found here
- 5 Comitán — popular domestic and international tourist destination for its colonial architecture, narrow avenues, and clean streets
- 6 Copainalá — small town with crystal clear spring waters, a waterfall, and quiet colonial charm, a Pueblo Mágico
- 7 Ocozocoautla de Espinosa — small town rich in colonial heritage and traditions like the Moros y Cristianos masks
- 8 Palenque — a small village adjacent to the famous ruins, featuring some of the finest sculpture, architecture, roof combs, and bas-relief carvings of the Mayan era, large national park with myriad waterfalls
- 9 San Cristóbal de las Casas — a beautiful, majority Mayan town with lots of handicrafts and a small ex-pat community
- 10 Bacalar — historic town with the beautiful lagoon of 7 colors
- 11 Cozumel — Mexico's top diving destination centers on the small, traditional island town of San Miguel de Cozumel
- 12 Isla Mujeres — small cozy retreat close to Cancún
- 13 Tulum — impressive Maya archaeological site built in a cliff that faces the ocean
- 14 Frontera — historic Maya settlement that was one of the first to butt heads with Spanish conquistadors, gateway to Pantanos de Centla, largest swamp in North America
- 15 Tapijulapa — Surrounded by a delightful ecological park; quaint white and red houses line cobblestone streets leading up to the colonial Santiago Apóstol church.
- 16 Teapa — known as La Sultana de la Sierra, Teapa is an old Zoque town amid Mexico's largest banana growing region, natural experiences include cave tours
- 17 Espita — colonial town with nearby haciendas and the Mayan city of Ek Balam
- 18 Izamal — a small city with a rich ancient Maya and Spanish Colonial past
- 19 Maní — 4,000 year old Mayan community, the town's dubious claim to fame is as home to a sect of treacherous Maya who betrayed their people, assisting the Spanish to commit acts of genocide and systematic cultural destruction
- 20 Motul — charming colonial city, birthplace of huevos motuleños , the Yucatan's favorite breakfast dish
- 21 Sisal — historic port and colonial fortress
- 22 Tekax — cool colonial town with a street full of murals, some nearby Mayan ruins, and several places to explore the natural world both above and underground
- 23 Valladolid — Spanish Colonial era architecture dominates this small city