Updated November, 2023

You can have have a multitude of Mexican friends and still be unaware of the most obvious places to to see in a vast country. Every state in Mexico has at least a few of these towns. No matter where you travel plans take you in Mexico, you are likely within a few hours of one of them.

The criteria of selection for the aspirant town to be named as such is to have be a place that has preserved cultural and historical significance over time against the pressures of modernity. A total of 177 locations have received the designation for it's magical qualities of architectural or historical significance.

Some sites are are also recognized for natural beauty and target ecotourism, like such as Saltillo, near the waterfalls of Nombre de Dios which I visited. Others are known for their legends and local traditions. When a town receives the designation, it receives government funding for improvements such as painting the facades of houses or repairing electrical grids and other infrastructure.

This blog gives which pueblo magicos are located within a few hours of the cities most popular among expats and foreign resident in Mexico.

Perhaps it's how the very name “Pueblos Mágicos.” (Magic village towns) calls forth and capitalizes on the impression of the magic realism made famous by Latin American writers like Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” Laura Esquivel’s “Like Water for Chocolate,” or Isabel de Allende’s “House of Spirits.”

With 177 of them, the standards seemed to have watered down a bit. But the originals are worth the trip.

pueblos magicos — ***Real del Monte, Hidalgo***

Ventanas.mexico.Sayulita.jpg — ***Sayulita, Nayarit***

Ten Best Pueblos Mágicos

All Pueblos Mágicos share characteristics of having beautiful historic churches and convents, unique local cuisine, rich religious history, geographically specific artisanal wares and architecture reflecting colonial Spanish and Indian cultures. Each has its own defining features as well.

Real Del Monte, Hidalgo

The village is an excellent point of departure for the corridor of the Hidalgo Mountains (Corredor de las Montaña), with breathtaking lakes, forests and canyons. Originally established as a mining town, it keeps its mining traditions alive by offerings of elaborate silver, jewelry and other art. Prepare for cold weather here.

Tequisquiapan, Querétaro

People from Mexico City come here for colonial architecture, the National Cheese and Wine Fair (Feria Nacional de Queso y Vino and water parks (balenarios).

Most popular purchases are baskets and wicker. On week-ends, local legends are re-enacted along with a number of feast and holy days celebrated year-round

Real de Catorce, San Luis de Potosí

A tiny village in the desert known for its spiritual energy, poets and bohemians (The sacred food is peyote) and a stop along the pilgrimage of St. Francis de Assisi who is venerated here as “Panchito.” Also known for its local ghost, Jergas.

Izamal, Yucatan

Izamal is alive with Mayan culture, including a magical light and sound show, “The Light of the Maya,” with its strolling monks, incense, narration in the atrium of the convent is said to be a must, along with Mayan pyramids, plazas and horse-drawn carriage rides taken by everyone.

Tapijulapa, Tabasco

This mining town runs along to the Amatán River and although it has a picturesque church, a casino and plaza, what this Pueblo Magico is known for is Kolen Jaá, a jungle ecological preserve, a “a natural world of magic and adventure,” where you rappel, camp and climb canopies. The preserve also has a hotel.

Valle de Bravo, Pátzcuaro

Known for the Monarch Butterfly Preserve, one of Mexico’s top ecotourism destinations, Valle de Bravo also hosts a massive and most radical rock festival in Mexico’s history (Festival de Rock and Ruedas) and auto racing event in nearby Avandaro. Valle de Bravo's daily life revolves around its lakes and their kayaking, sailing, para-gliding and water skiing opportunties.

Bernál, Querétaro

A more relaxing town that can be fully explored by foot, Bernál is best known by the Peña de Bernál, a massive rock that is the third highest in the world that can be seen from anywhere in the city. The town is also known for its regional vineyards you can explore though it's “ruta de vino,’ including Cavas Freixenet de Mexico and their Spanish sparkling wines.

San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas

One of the most deeply rooted indigenous areas of Mexico, you can tour the Mayan villages that surround the beautiful city. [wikipedia has a complete travelers' guide]

Taxco de Alarcón, Guerrero

Best known for its silver and silver work, Mexican sites advise to try to see the view of the city from up high. Some distance from Taxco de Alarcón are the spectacular Los Pozas Azules, three differently hued pools.

If you are planning a trip to Mexico, Pueblos Magicos exist in each of Mexico’s 31 states, so no matter where you visit, you are likely not more than a few hours from one. Each has its own unique personality.

The original 83 by state (alphabetically)

Real de Asientos, Calvillo -Aguascalientes

Loreto, Todos Santos, Tecate - Baja California Sur

Palizada - Campeche

Parras de la Fuente, Cuatro Ciénegas, Arteaga, Viesca - Coahuila

Comala - Colima

Comitán, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapa de Corzo - Chiapas

Creel, Batopilas - Chihuahua

Mapimí - Durango

Dolores Hidalgo, Mineral de Pozos, Jalpa, Salvatierra, Yuriria - Guanajuato

Taxco - Guerrero

Real del Monte, Huasca de Ocampo, Mineral del Chico, Huichapan, Hidalgo Hidalgo- Hidalgo

Mazamitla, Tequila, San Sebastián del Oeste, Lagos de Moreno, Tapalpa - Jalisco

Patzcuaro, Cuitzeo, Jiquilpan, Clara del Cobre, Mineral de Angangueo, Tacámbaro, Jiquilpan, Tzintzuntzan - Michoacán

Tlayacapan, Morelos, Tepoztlán - Morelos

Santiago - Nuevo León

El Oro, Metepec, Malinalco, Tepotzotlán, Valle de Bravo - State of México

Capulálpam de Méndez - Oaxaca

Jala -Nayarit

Zacatlán, Cuetzalan del Progreso, Pahuatlán, Chignahuapan, Cholula, Tlatlauquitepec, Xicotepec -Puebla

Bernal, Jalpan de Serra, Cadereyta de Montes, Querétaro, Tequisquiapan - Querétaro

Bacalar- Quintana Roo

Real de Catorce, Xilitla - San Luis Potosí

El Rosario, Cosalá, El Fuerte - Sinaloa

Magdalena de Kino, Álamos - Sonora

Tula, Tapijulapa- Tabasco

Mier - Tamaulipas

Huamantla - Tlaxcala

Xico, Coatepec, Papantla - Veracruz

Izamal, Valladolid - Yucatán

Sombrerete, Teúl de González, Jeréz de García Salinas, Pino, Nochistlán - Zacatecas

Newest Additions t0 the list of Pueblos Magicos by State

San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes

Palenque, Chiapas

Casas Grandes - Chihuahua

Ixtapan del Sol, Teotihuacan, Aculo, Edomex

Teotihuacan, Ixtapan de la Sol, State of Mexico

Mascota, Talpa de Allende - Jalisco

Sayulita - Nayarit

Linares - Nuevo León

Huautla de Jiménez, Mazunte, Mitla, Teposcolula, Teposcolula - Oaxaca

Atlixco y Huauchinango - Puebla

San Joaquín - Querétaro

Isla Mujeres, Tulúm - Quintana Roo

Mocorito - Sinaloa

Tlaxco - Taxcala

Orizaba, Zozocolco de Hidalgo, Coscomatepec- Veracruz

Much of this information has been gleaned from Spanish-language sites. Let me know if you have any corrections or would like to share your story of an experience you had there! Kerryinmexico@gmail.com

Related Links:

A complete list of Pueblos Magicos (in Spanish, just scroll down) from the government site.

Popular week-end getaways from cities/towns most popular with expats. Ventanas Mexico

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About the author, Kerry Baker

Hola - I am a partner with Ventanas Mexico which provides insight and resources to those considering expat life in Mexico, including "If Only I Had a Place" for aspiring expats seeking to rent in Mexico. Where you live and how you rent is critical to your happiness as an expat.

My second book is “The Mexico Solution: Saving your money, sanity, and quality of life through part-time life in Mexico. This is the only guide to living in Mexico that’s both entertaining and useful Te juro. My most recent book is “The Lazy Expat: Healthy Recipes That Translate in Mexico.” In Mexico you cannot maintain a healthy diet without cooking. The books includes 150 Superfood recipes, how to shop, and much more.

Ventanas Mexico

Including a Pueblo Mágico in Your Next Visit to Mexico