Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism has done awesome job in naming small towns with big cultural traditions around Mexico, “Magic Towns” or in Spanish, Pueblos Mágicos. It is not easy to be named a Magic Town, they go through a few requirements like having natural beauty, rich traditions only found locally, historical relevance, local crafts, and good hospitality for tourists. This projects started in 2002 as 32 towns were selected. Today there are 111 around the country. This huge project has helped locals make a living from tourism and show foreigners the spicy rich culture Mexico has to offer. I’ve been lucky enough to visit 36 of these towns and here are my top ten all time favorites (so far). I picked these ten for there authenticity, there natural beauty, their food, and their history.
1. Taxco, Guerrero
Taxco is just a little over a 2-hour drive from the capital. It’s popular for it’s silver jewelry production. It’s an all white Spanish architecture town, and it’s labyrinth like streets make it one-of-a-kind. Any rooftop in the town has a great view but if you are looking for the best one walk up to the Cristo Rey Monument. Enjoy exotic fruits in the market just on one side of the main plaza, get lost around it’s beautiful alleys and narrow streets, and enjoy the sunset in one of it’s many rooftops. I always seem to be coming back to this place as locals receive you with open arms and the views simply take my breath away.
2. Tepotzlán, Mexico
Tepoztlán just 80 kilometers (49 miles) south of Mexico City is known for the birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent god of the Aztecs. Upon arriving you can see in a clifftop above the town an Aztec Tepozteco pyramid. There’s a stairway-like hike that leads you to the top, you can climb around the pyramid and enjoy the view. In the main plaza, there is a market opened daily where you can sit to have typical Mexican dishes. The town has the cutest hotel boutiques and is known for the good energy it retains, attracting yogis and people looking for some tranquility and to meditate.
3. Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosí
Real de Catorce is the most bizarre town you will find in Mexico. This town definitely has its wonders as you enter it through a tunnel called Ogarrio. It’s located in a desert plateau, here you can enjoy a horseback ride around town, and go up to Cerro Quemado for a beautiful view. Here you can also try the natural hallucinogenic plant called peyote, mostly found in Mexico. I have never had a personal experience but if you are down to try it there are many welcoming chamanes “shamans” there to guide you.
4. Cuatro Ciénagas, Coahuila
Cuatro Ciénagas is a town north of the country. A million years ago it was once a sea, it has now turned into a natural beauty with it’s white sands, crystalline blue pools, rivers, and crystal-like sand dunes. The town is full with boutique hotels and bars and restaurants surrounding the main plaza. Come here to enjoy it’s natural wonders and right after sunset a nice dinner and cocktails in the center of town.
5. Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila
Some fine wine anyone? Parras is the oldest wine-making in the Americas. Casa Madero is the oldest winery founded by Lorenzo García in the 16th century. Today, you can still go for a tour in the winery and try their delicious wine. There are other vineyards as well you can try around the town as well as very traditional cantinas. Iglesia de Santo Madero is a church on top of a hill, you can go up an see the beautiful town at it’s finest.
6. Batopilas, Chihuahua
Batopilas and its surroundings is probably the place I know best, since it’s the magic town closest to my hometown. I grew up coming here and it is very dear to me. It’s a great area for hiking and camping, you can see a natural magic wonder, the Copper Canyon which is the eight largest canyon in the world. Batopilas is located in La Sierra Tarahumara, Tarahumaras are a group of indigenous people located here in Chihuahua where you can still spot them with their colorful bright skirts, and beautiful artisanal crafts. Here I’d recommend visiting the waterfall Curasare near Creel, taking the zip line tour in the Copper Canyons, and enjoying the incredible views.
7. Coatepec, Veracruz
Coatepec, home of great Mexican coffee and mole! Located on the foothills of Pico de Orizaba (the highest mountain in Mexico and 3rd in North America) this town has beautiful surroundings and cute Andalusian-style architecture. Mole is a very popular Mexican dish and Coatepec by far serves the best kind.
8. Xilitla, San Luis Potosí
Explore the most surreal town in the country, Xilitla is found in central Mexico and is well-known for El Castillo of Sir Edward James set in the heart of a rainforest. Visit this marvelous piece of art that integrates with the waterfalls, trees, and plants slowly covering the surreal sculptures and tall towers. Here you can also dip in the waterfalls, Micos and dive into a cenote-like cave called Puente de Dios. It doesn’t get more surreal than this.
9. Cuetzalán, Puebla
High up in Puebla’s beautiful mountain range you can find this incredible magic town, Cuetzalan. This town has delicious street food and is filled with stalls selling indigenous handcrafts. Just the views of getting to the town are breathtaking. Their boutique hotels have incredible views that can give you an incredible perspective of the towns high location.
10. Todos Santos, Baja California Sur
To the very tip of Baja California Sur, you can find this relaxing town in the Pacific coast. Here you can experience whale watching, relax in it’s sandy beaches, surf, go scuba diving, and enjoy the west coast incredible sunsets. Todos Santos is growing into a great place to eat fresh Mexican seafood dishes and cute boutique stores.
References
Visit Mexico
https://www.visitmexico.com/en
Magic Towns Requirements
https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/273030/Gui_a_2017_de_Incorporacio_n_2017.pdf
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