10 New 'Magical' Towns to Visit in Mexico

Mexico offers more to travelers beyond beach resorts and Mexico City; they have magical towns.

In 2001, the Mexico Tourism Board launched Pueblos Magicos, or “magical towns,” a program that designates a special title to Mexican towns that demonstrate historical, cultural, and aesthetic qualities that make it wholly unique and worthy of a visit from tourists.

In a recent announcement, 10 more magical towns have been added, bringing the total of Pueblos Magicos to 121.

Tourism Secretary Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, told Mexico News Daily, that the country has put 3 billion pesos, or $158.9 million, toward these designated towns in an effort to drive tourism from Mexico’s popular beaches like Cancun and Playa Del Carmen to other worthy destinations of the country.

The new towns can be found in central and northern Mexico and include: Muzquiz, Coahuila; Nombre de Dios, Durango; Comonfort, Guanajuato; Zimapán, Hidalgo; Tlaquepaque, Jalisco; Compostela, Nayarit; Bustamante, Nuevo León; Amealco de Bonfil, Querétaro; Aquismon, San Luis Potosí; and Guadalupe, Zacatecas.

Each town has its own unique qualities that range from folklore to historical architecture, music, and even food.

Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, for instance, is known for its Insta-worthy Calle Independence, which is decorated with colorful hanging umbrellas, and their mariachi performances at El Parián, an area of restaurants around a bandstand.

On the other hand, Nombre de Dios, Durango, is a natural wonder full of waterfalls and tree-lined streams.

Rodrigo Salas, a guide for Urban Adventures Mexico City, told Smithsonian.com, “Mexico’s magic towns are the result of [a] very special dance between ancient history and culture.”

“These elements, combined with the hand of nature itself, have made the perfect blend to take our breath away.”

With 10 new towns added to the list, it appears that travelers will have even more opportunity to discover off-the-beaten and magical places on a Mexican getaway.