During last week´s #MexicoToday Twitter party I co-hosted, I noticed that many tweeps (myself included) were using the words “magical” and “mágico” to describe México and their experiences in this country. It´s difficult not to include the word magical when talking about a country that exudes so much mysticism because of the force of its natural beauty and the juxtaposition of ancient, colonial and modern cultures all at once. The unexplainable and unattainable becomes magical for a loss of a word that can encompass it all.
The Mexico Tourism Board acknowledges that México´s magical element, and not only its sun and beaches, is what keeps many tourists coming back. Thus, they created the Pueblos Mágicos {Magical Towns} program to recognize 37 places across the country that imbue certain characteristics that make them unique and historically significant.
The characteristics a town needs to have to be officially considered a Pueblo Mágico are:
1. Be located in an area close to a popular tourist spot or a large city
2. Be accessible by a modern road
3. Have a high historical, religious and cultural significance
The only regret I have of the six years I lived in México is not traveling the country enough and discovering its less-visited areas. Sure, I do have a very long and amazing list of places I did go to and loved every one of them, but now that I know about the Pueblos Mágicos program (and I can stop beating myself over the head for not knowing about this before), I feel the urge to travel to every single one of the 37 towns on the list. I can´t believe I´ve only been to four of them–Tepoztlán (actually lived there for three months), Valle de Bravo (my in-laws live there and we visit as often as we can. Remember our Mexican Holiday in Pictures post?), San Cristobal de las Casas (spent the strangest New Year´s Eve there) and San Miguel de Allende.
But I totally missed visiting places that were so accessible to me such as Pátzcuaro, Tequila, Taxco, Real de Catorce, Huasca de Ocampo, Coatepec, Bacalar and so many more.
The whole list of towns marks places that are well-known to locals for their enchanting streets, plazas, unique and peculiar architecture, artistic handicrafts and endearing people and traditions. Each one of these places holds a key to México´s history and is a piece of the puzzle to why this country as a whole is magical.
The Mexican Tourism Board created this program to make it easy for you to plan your trip and discover with your family the places that will truly immerse you in the country´s richness of culture.
Go to the Pueblos Mágicos site on VisitMexico.com to get a full list and description of all the Magical Towns. The site also provides a guide to where to sleep, eat and how to get there.
Now you know and I hope knowing will get you there to feel the magia for yourself.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB6Be6cHoGs
Have you visited any of these Pueblos Mágicos? Is there one that you´d really like to visit with your family?
Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating and managing content as a Community Manager for the México Today Program. I am also being invited to an all-expenses paid trip to Oaxaca as part of my role. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own.
After reading this, I’m going to have a serious talk with my mama. I never got to experience “this” kind of Mexico. I was always taken to my abuelas (boring, smelly, hot, humid) pueblo where there is nothing to do. lol!
The other times I went to Mexico, was with my church youth group. I’ve been to El DF, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and other places that I can’t remember their names. But to experience these beautiful and truly magical places like this…. wow.
Beautiful post!
I read your comment on Juan’s post about the story of showering in your Tia’s house and torturing your prima. You’re hilarious! Your Mexico sounds very fun!
I really hope you get to experience more of México now that it´s your choice
Pueblo Magico sounds like a wonderful program for families to plan their next visit. I would love to visit Tepotzotlan and Taxco. Thank you for helping to spread the beauty of Mexico. We are planning a trip in May to Mexico. I hope to see as much as possible.
So thrilled to read you´re planning a family trip! Where in Mexico? have you considered culinary classes in Oaxaca?
That´s on the top of my long, long list
I have to make a trip to Mexico. Can’t believe I have gone?!
We have to take care of that!
Beautiful town, also near by El Oro Mexico!! Beautiful, newly named Pueblo Magico. WE have so much to offer, so next time, dont forget to stop by !!!!!
I’m in one of those Pueblos Magicos right now–Malinalco, just 2 hours SW of Mexico City. It’s as close to paradise as anyplace I’ve been. Check out some photos from google: http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1267&bih=664&q=malinalco+mexico&gbv=2&oq=malinalco&aq=1&aqi=g3&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=1154l5408l0l7189l21l15l2l2l1l0l658l2630l0.1.4.1.1.1l8
Yes! Malinalco! I´ve been there…so that makes it 4 pueblos mágicos I´ve been to. Wait..isn´t San Miguel de Allende on the list too? OK..so that makes it five
Enjoy Malinalco. Es hermoso!
I learned about the magic town program in 09 and since then been obsessed. Its the real reason I feel in love and wanted others to know about these hiddden places. My goal is to visit all of them but they keep adding some I can’t seem to keep up! So far I’ve been to 9 and the most beauitful so far was huasca de ocampo and real del monte. Cuetzalan is also very very special!. Mexico desconocido published a great guide in english, its my like my bible now!their website is also really good
great post. Thanks for sharing
Huasca de Ocampo looks so, so beautiful. I regret not knowing about it before.
Will definitely check out the Mexico Desconocido guide and link it on this post as an update. Thanks for that!
P.S: How´s the Mazatlan tweet up going? lucky you!!!
Great! I’m listening to a speaker right now from the mexico tourism board.. Just told us that by 2012 they will have 52 magic towns– one for ever week! We better get a move on!
Oh, yes! Let´s get to it! One per week is still doable, right?
I loved this post, though the video was torture to watch! I so badly want another vacation and it will have to wait until next year. So beautiful. The only part of Mexico I’ve been to is Cancun on my Honeymoon. But after watching this, I absolutely want to go back. Again, the video was stunning and the music was majestic – perfect for the images!
Cancún is a great start! Did you get to explore some more of the Riviera Maya? So many amazing natural wonders…it´s paradise.
I really do hope to have inspired an urge to go visit these magical places!!!
I’ve been to a lot of cities and towns in Mexico, Punta Mita and Sayulita being among my favorite… I love this nice Magic program they’re rolling out– what a great way to expose these gem areas to the whole world and even locals… One day I’ll make my way all throughout that country. I really do find it enchanting. I always get huaraches custom-made when I go…. Have like 20 pairs!
Custom-made huaraches?! I never thought of that!
You need to write a post showcasing your 20 pairs of huaraches!
I actually just returned from a trip to Tepoztlan with my sons – LOVED it! Beautiful, clean, friendly, the zocalo is so quaint and lovely. And Taxco is also one of my favorite places! I’ve been there 3 times and must recommend that if anyone is to plan a trip to Taxco, definitely do a side trip to Las Grutas de Cacahuamilpa! They are these beautiful subterranean caverns just outside Taxco.
Tepoztlán is truly, truly magical and mystical. When I lived in el DF I used to go at least once per month, until I ended up staying there for 3 months straight and living the tepozteca life. Your sons must have loved it there! What a great trip.
I can´t believe I never made it to Taxco! Thanks for the recommendation
I am near tears, I swear. I never have been to Mexico. I am bookmarking this and sending it to friends with whom we keep saying we are going to travel. These same friends just got back from Merida and fell in love with it.
Ana, take me to Mexico!!!
Don´t cry!
Your soul just probably needs to take you there at the right time. I´d be honored to be the one to take you to México! Let´s make it happen
Increíble! Qué maravilla de lugares y qué gran trabajo ha hecho el gobierno mexicano para hacer conocer estos pueblos mágicos.
I’ve only had the fortune to visit two of these magical places, same us you minus Valle, but a really good friend of mine is from San Luís and she’s always raving about the beauty of her state. We’ve been planning a trip there forever!
San Luis Potosí es hermoso! You would also love Valle de Bravo and I will take you there. It´s so serene
Over the past three years I have lived in Tehuacan, Puebla and San Luis Potosi. I travelled about once a month to different cities to see the sites. I am looking for aPueblo Magico that is near the beach (less than an hour’s drive) and one that doesn’t gettoo cold in winter or too hot in the summer. So far, my favorite places have been Guanajuato (only magico), Queretaro and Cholula. I need to find a place where I can get a house for under $100,000 and has excellent Internet access. Any ideas?
Ok, now I’ve added a number of places to my list, too! I’ve been to Taxco, but a lot of the pueblos I’ve never even heard of! What a great idea to share these hidden gems with us. Better get a move on with the familia…
I’ve also only been to a fraction on the list: Valle, San Cristóbal, Taxco, San Miguel (on the list). What I’ve always admired about Mexico is its sophistication rooted in a deep history, the convergence of cultures, aesthetics, and peoples. Yes, that’s magic!
I can’t wait to check out some of these pueblos when I get to Mexico next week!
Just wanted to let everyone know about the new Pueblo Magico El Oro , its the 45th town to be awarded the Pueblo Magico distinction and it’s right next to tlapujahua. The town is about 3 hrs away from Mexico City so if you’re in Mexico city and would like to discover a real Pueblo Magico this is the right option. So if you’re interested i’ve attached some links so you can see some videos of our beautiful town. Thanks (also if you need some info in English, just e-mail us and we’ll be glad to help)
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
http://www.youtube.com/user/ELOROOFICIAL
E-Mail
eloromexico@live.com
FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/Eloromexico
Ah! I´ve been to El Oro! Thanks so much for letting us know it´s now a Pueblo Mágico. Felicidades!
1) I absolutely love the concept of the website!
2) You seem to have been everywhere which is pretty amazing, I hope you liked El Oro!!! Hope to see you back very soon!!!!!!
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email.
I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
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