Sayulita More Than a Surfer's Paradise - Visit the Round Pyramid Ruins Jennifer Billock - Smithsonian Mag
go to original January 27, 2016

Round pyramids ruins in Sayulita. (Sollina Images/Blend Images/Corbis)

Most tourists are drawn to Mexico's big-name destinations, like the pre-Hispanic ruins of Chichén Itzá or the crowded plazas of Mexico City. But the country is dotted with lesser-known ruins and other cultural sites, too—places that go far beyond the obvious tourist must-sees. In an effort to highlight those other locales, Mexican tourist officials have been quietly funneling their focus—and money—toward the selection of Pueblos Magicos, or “magic towns,” all over the country. Dozens of towns bearing the designation exist across the country, and more are added to the list every few years. The program highlights the extraordinary qualities of some of Mexico’s most revered locations, and each designation comes along with significant tourism investment to create even more reasons to visit.

To qualify, a city must demonstrate a mix of historical, cultural and aesthetic qualities. Each city has aspects that set it apart from others in the country, including folklore and legends or historical events and a unique everyday life. It must also be well preserved, retaining its heritage-based value both tangibly and intangibly. Twenty-eight new additions out of 180 applicants made it to the list in 2015, bringing the grand total of past and present Pueblos Magicos to 111.

“Mexico’s magic towns are the result of [a] very special dance between ancient history and culture,” Rodrigo Salas tells Smithsonian.com. Salas is a guide with Urban Adventures Mexico City, which runs day trips to Teotihuacan, one of the newest designated Pueblos Magicos. “These elements, combined with the hand of nature itself, have made the perfect blend to take our breath away,” says Salas, who also cites Teotihuacan’s vibrant food scene, which has emerged from what he calls “the secret boundaries between valleys, mountains and deserts.”

From ancient ruins to beaches and festivals, consider visiting these newly-minted "Magic Towns" the next time you're in Mexico:

Sayulita

Mainly known as a beachfront surfer town in Riviera Nayarit, Sayulita is filled with intricately beaded and brightly colored Huichol artwork. The aesthetic is echoed in the riotous hues of the town’s buildings and traditional Huichol pompoms strung up all through town.

The beach is just the beginning in Sayulita. Further inland, you can spot thick jungle perfect for wildlife watching and canopy adventures. The ruins of a few round stepped pyramids stand on the outskirts of the inland jungle, adding to the mystique of the area’s ancient culture.

Read the entire story at Smithsonian Mag.