Magical Towns: Authentic Mexico Off the Beaten Path Caroline - DeathRattleSports.com
go to original October 28, 2017

Top 10 Pueblos Magicos de Mexico (TurismoYArtes)

The great majority of first-time visitors to Mexico gravitate toward the country’s well-known resort destinations, such as Cancun and Los Cabos, or perhaps to cosmopolitan Mexico City. A country as huge as Mexico has lots of treasures tucked away in off-the-beaten-path locations. In 2001, in a bid to encourage travel to some of the country’s smaller towns, Mexico inaugurated the Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns) program. The program has grown to include 111 towns in all 31 states.

Travelers who feel comfortable striking out on their own will find small towns offering an authentic experience of bygone Mexico. Some of these towns are comparatively obscure, such as Coatepec in Veracruz, or Álamos in Sonora; while others such as San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato have a higher profile. Each Pueblo Mágico has its own reason for making the list, whether it be colonial-era architecture, regional cuisine or a unique natural setting.

To make the list, these towns need to have at least 20,000 residents and be within 124 miles of a resort area or major city. This proximity to a more visited destination positions the Pueblos Mágicos as being ideal for a day trip. The easiest way to visit one of these towns is to hire an English-speaking driver for the day. Having your own driver can be a plus if travelers want to venture out to the surrounding area to visit a point of interest, such as taking a boat out to Isla de Janitzio in Pátzcuaro in Michoacán to see the fisherman on Lake Pátzcuaro casting their butterfly-shaped nets.

Renting a car and setting off on a self-drive adventure is another option, although it’s best if at least one of the passengers knows Spanish. It’s also advisable to research points of interest along the way that would provide meaningful breaks in the journey. To be on the safe side, restrict driving to daylight hours.

Consider a trip to a Pueblo Mágico a leisurely all-day affair since travelers should give themselves time to soak up the ambience of these smaller towns. A good place to start is the town’s zócalo, or town square. Significant sights will generally be located nearby, usually the town’s cathedral, a range of restaurants, boutiques and shops, and maybe even a historic hotel. For maximum local color, arrange to visit on a market day.

Experienced travelers may also to want to create an itinerary that includes overnights in two or more Pueblos Mágicos, with options to book a room in a historic hotel or converted hacienda. The company Boutiques Hoteles de Mexico is a valuable source for finding curated small hotels in Pueblos Mágicos.

Check out some examples of Pueblos Mágicos at DeathRattleSports.com

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