Pueblos Magicos: Discovering Mexico’s Magical Towns

Introduction to the “Pueblos Mágicos”

In 2001, there was a vibrant initiative, launched by the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, that sought to showcase the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. This initiative was known as the “Pueblos Mágicos” program, or “Magic Towns” in English. This program is a narrative of rediscovery, highlighting towns across the country for their natural beauty, cultural riches, or historical relevance.

The program began with just a few towns, like the enchanting Huasca de Ocampo in Hidalgo, known for its mesmerizing basaltic prisms and a history woven around mining. Then, there was Tepoztlán in Morelos , cradled by dramatic mountains, and believed by many to be the birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god of ancient Mesoamerica.

As the program expanded, more towns joined this tapestry of “Pueblos Mágicos.” Valle de Bravo in the State of Mexico , with its serene lake and pine-covered mountains, became a haven for paragliders and nature lovers. Further north, the town of Real de Catorce in San Luis Potosí, nestled high in the Sierra de Catorce range, whispers tales of silver mines and a once-booming economy.

Cultural Celebrations and Natural Wonders

Each “Pueblo Mágico” offers a window into Mexico’s soul, with stories etched in their cobblestone streets, vibrant festivals, and rich traditions. In Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, the Day of the Dead celebrations illuminate the night with candles and offerings, while in Bacalar, Quintana Roo, the stunning seven-colored lagoon whispers tales of pirates and ancient Maya civilizations.

The story of “Pueblos Mágicos” is not just about the past. It is a living narrative, involving the communities and fostering sustainable tourism that respects and celebrates the local culture and environment. The program aims to provide an alternative to the beach resorts and major cities, drawing visitors to lesser-known corners of Mexico where the pace is slower, and the experience more intimate and authentic.

As of 2024, the program has grown to include over 177 towns, each with its own unique charm and story. Some, like Tequila in Jalisco , are famous for their namesake spirit, while others, like Palenque in Chiapas, are gateways to ancient ruins.

A Tapestry of Stories and Cultures

The “Pueblos Mágicos” program is more than just a tourism initiative. It is a celebration of Mexico’s diverse cultural and natural heritage, an invitation to explore and connect with the heart and soul of this beautiful country, and a reminder that every town, no matter how small, has a magical story to tell.

Current List of Pueblos Magic

AGUASCALIENTES

• Real de Asientos (2006)
• Calvillo (2012)
• San José de Gracia (2015)
• Pabellon de Hidalgo (2023)

BAJA CALIFORNIA

• Tecate (2012)

BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR

• Todos Santos (2006)
• Loreto (2012)
• Santa Rosalia (2023)

CAMPECHE

• Palizada (2010)
• Isla Aguada (2020)
• Candelaria (2023)

CHIAPAS

• San Cristóbal de las Casas (2003)
• Chiapa de Corzo (2012)
• Comitán (2012)
• Palenque (2015)
• Ocozocoautla de Espinosa (2023)
• Copainalá (2023)

CHIHUAHUA

• Creel (2007)
• Batopilas (2012)
• Casas Grandes (2015)
• Guachochi (2023)
• Hidalgo del Parral (2023)

COAHUILA

• Parras de la Fuente (2004)
• Cuatrociénegas de Carranza (2012)
• Arteaga (2012)
• Viesca (2012)
• Candela (2015)
• Guerrero (2015)
• Santa Rosa de Múzquiz (2018)
• General Cepeda (2023)

COLIMA

• Comala (2002)

DURANGO

• Mapimí (2012)
• Nombre de Dios (2018)

GUANAJUATO

• Dolores Hidalgo (2002)
• Mineral de Pozos (2012)
• Jalpa de Cánovas (2012)
• Salvatierra (2012)
• Yuriria (2012)
• Comonfort (2018)

GUERRERO

• Taxco (2002)
• Ixcateopan (2023)
• Zihuatanejo (2023)

HIDALGO

• Huasca de Ocampo (2001)
• Real del Monte (2004)
• Mineral del Chico (2011)
• Huichapan (2012)
• Tecozautla (2015)
• Zimapán (2018)
• Zempoala (2020)
• Acaxochitlán (2023)
• Metztitlán (2023)

JALISCO

• Tapalpa (2002)
• Tequila (2003)
• Mazamitla (2005)
• San Sebastián del Oeste (2011)
• Lagos de Moreno (2012)
• Mascota (2015)
• Talpa de Allende (2015)
• Tlaquepaque (2018)
• Ajijic (2020)
• Cocula (2023)
• Sayula (2023)
• Temacapulín (2023)

STATE OF MEXICO

• Tepotzotlán (2002)
• Valle de Bravo (2005)
• Malinalco (2010)
• El Oro (2011)
• Metepec (2012)
• Aculco De Espinoza (2015)
• Ixtapan de la Sal (2015)
• Teotihuacán (2015)
• Villa del Carbón (2015)
• Tonatico (2020)
• Jilotepec de Molina (2023)
• Otumba (2023)

MICHOACÁN

• Pátzcuaro (2002)
• Tlalpujahua (2005)
• Cuitzeo (2006)
• Santa Clara del Cobre (2010)
• Angangueo (2012)
• Tacámbaro (2012)
• Jiquilpan (2012)
• Tzintzuntzan (2012)
• Paracho (2020)
• Cotija (2023)

MORELOS

• Tepoztlán (2001)
• Tlayacapan (2011)
• Xochitepec (2023)
• Tlaltizapán (2023)

NAYARIT

• Mexcaltitán (2001)
• Jala (2012)
• Sayulita (2015)
• Compostela (2018)
• Ahuacatlán (2023)
• Amatlán de Cañas (2023)
• Ixtlán del Río (2023)
• Puerto Balleto (2023)
• San Blas (2023)

NUEVO LEÓN

• Santiago (2006)
• Linares (2015)
• Bustamante (2018)
• General Terán (2023)
• General Zaragoza (2023)

OAXACA

• Capulálpam de Méndez (2007)
• Huautla de Jimenez (2015)
• Mazunte (2015)
• San Pablo Villa de Mitla (2015)
• San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula (2015)
• Santa Catarina Juquila (2020)

PUEBLA

• Cuetzalan (2002)
• Zacatlán (2011)
• Pahuatlán (2012)
• Chignahuapan (2012)
• Cholula (2012)
• Tlatlauquitepec (2012)
• Xicotepec (2012)
• Atlixco (2015)
• Huauchinango (2015)
• Tetela de Ocampo (2020)
• Huejotzingo (2023)
• Teziutlán (2023)

QUERÉTARO

• Bernal (2005)
• Jalpan de Serra (2010)
• Cadereyta de Montes (2011)
• Tequisquiapan (2012)
• San Joaquín (2015)
• Amealco de Bonfil (2018)
• Pinal de Amoles (2023)

QUINTANA ROO

• Bacalar (2006)
• Isla Mujeres (2015)
• Tulum (2015)
• Cozumel (2023)

SAN LUIS POTOSI

• Real de Catorce (2001)
• Xilitla (2011)
• Aquismón (2018)
• Santa Maria del Rio (2020)
• Tierranueva (2023)
• Ciudad del Maiz (2023)

SINALOA

• Cosalá (2005)
• El Fuerte (2009)
• El Rosario (2012)
• Mocorito (2015)
• San Ignacio (2023)

SONORA

• Álamos (2005)
• Magdalena de Kino (2012)
• San Carlos (2023)
• Ures (2023)

TABASCO

• Tapijulapa (2010)
• Santiago de Teapa (2023)
• Frontera (2023)

TAMAULIPAS

• Ciudad Mier (2007)
• Tula (2011)

TLAXCALA

• Huamantla (2007)
• Tlaxco (2015)
• Ixtenco (2023)

VERACRUZ

• Coatepec (2006)
• Xico (since 2011)
• Papantla (2012)
• Coscomatepec de Bravo (2015)
• Orizaba (2015)
• Zozocolco de Hidalgo (2015)
• Córdoba (2023)
• Naolinco (2023)

YUCATAN

• Izamal (2002)
• Valladolid (2012)
• Sisal (2020)
• Maní (2023)
• Espita (2023)
• Motul de Carrillo Puerto (2023)
• Tekax de Álvaro Obregón (2023)

ZACATECAS

• Jerez de García Salinas (2007)
• Teúl de González Ortega (2011)
• Sombrerete (2012)
• Pinos (2012)
• Nochistlan (2012)
• Guadalupe (2018)
• Villanueva (2023)