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Pueblos Mágicos de México

Sep 14, 2025

Pueblos Mágicos de México

When people think of Mexico, they often picture its bustling cities or famous beach resorts. But beyond those, there’s another side of the country that reflects its heart and history: the Pueblos Mágicos. Created as part of a national program to preserve heritage and boost tourism, these towns showcase the cultural richness, traditions, and unique identity that make Mexico one of the most diverse countries in the world.

 

The Past

The Programa Pueblos Mágicos began in 2001 with one main objective: to highlight towns with cultural, historical, or natural treasures worth sharing with the world. The first town to receive the designation was Huasca de Ocampo in the state of Hidalgo, known for its basaltic prisms and colonial haciendas. From that first step, the program has grown into a network of destinations that tell the story of Mexico’s past and present.

📷Hacienda Santa Maria Regla (zonaturistica)

📷Primas Basálticos (zonaturistica)

 

 

Did you know?

The program started with just 3 towns in 2001 (Huasca de Ocampo, Real de Catorce in San Luis Potosí, and Tepoztlán in Morelos).

The Pueblos Mágicos brand is so strong that in 2019, Mexico launched the first International Tianguis de Pueblos Mágicos, an annual fair to promote them abroad.

 

The Present

As of 2025, there are 177 Pueblos Mágicos officially recognized across Mexico. Each is selected through an evaluation by the Secretariat of Tourism, based on its cultural heritage, historical relevance, architecture, festivals, gastronomy, and local traditions.

The purpose is not only to attract visitors but also to preserve traditions, generate economic opportunities, and strengthen local pride. Tourism in these towns supports artisans, restaurants, small hotels, and family businesses that depend on cultural heritage as much as on natural beauty.

 

Some of the most visited include:

  • San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas – a hub of indigenous culture, textiles, and colonial charm.
  • Tequila, Jalisco – birthplace of Mexico’s most famous liquor, where agave landscapes are UNESCO World Heritage.
  • Valle de Bravo, Estado de México – known for its lake, paragliding, and weekend retreats for city dwellers.
  • Izamal, Yucatán – the “Yellow City” with pre-Hispanic pyramids and colonial convents standing side by side.

 

Real de Catorce was once a near-abandoned mining town. Thanks to its “Magical” status, it’s now a film location and spiritual tourism site.Several towns, like Todos Santos in Baja California Sur, combine cultural heritage with natural attractions, offering both art galleries and surf breaks.

 

Did you know?

    Real de Catorce was once a near-abandoned mining town. Thanks to its “Magical” status, it’s now a film location and spiritual tourism site.

    Several towns, like Todos Santos in Baja California Sur, combine cultural heritage with natural attractions, offering both art galleries and surf breaks.


    The Future

    While the program has been successful in giving visibility to smaller towns, it also faces challenges. Rapid increases in tourism can strain local infrastructure, and balancing authenticity with modernization is a constant test.

    The Mexican government continues to expand the program, and several more towns are lobbying for recognition. However, experts emphasize that the focus must remain on sustainable tourism: protecting natural landscapes, ensuring fair pay for artisans, and avoiding over-commercialization that dilutes cultural identity.

    Internationally, Pueblos Mágicos are gaining attention as travelers look for more meaningful, authentic experiences beyond major cities. Programs like this position Mexico not just as a destination of sun and sand, but as a country with deep cultural roots worth exploring.

    So whether you’re walking the streets of Taxco, tasting chocolate in Comala, or exploring any Pueblo Mágico in the future, take your Erenzia with you. Because like these towns, it’s built on identity and pride.

     


     

     

    References:

     

    Photos:

    📷Cholula - Karina Villeda (Mis Pueblos Magicos)

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