Mexico-bound travelers looking for charming, off-the-beaten-track destinations, and road trip itineraries will find lots to love in the Pueblos Magicos (“Magical Towns”). The Pueblos Magicos program was put in place to encourage tourists to visit smaller towns and less-discovered destinations, and they are some of the most charming and picturesque destinations in the vast country.
These designated pueblos magicos were chosen because they offer visitors an authentic cultural experience through their preservation of traditions, historical importance for Mexico’s national identity, and original architecture, plus they must be within relatively easy reach of a city.
The list grows almost every year to the current 177 Pueblos Magicos (2023).
Here are the fifteen pueblos magicos that I’ve visited so far, in alphabetical order.
1 Bacalar
The local Mayans call Bacalar the Lagoon of Seven Colors because they say you can see seven shades of blue in the pristine water. We counted them, and sure enough, you can…from the lightest aqua that shimmers in the sunlight to deep indigo blue on the horizon. Seriously, Bacalar Mexico is arguably prettier and more enchanting than any Caribbean Beach. Bacalar Mexico is utterly unforgettable.
Because of its location near the Belize border, Bacalar was once a secret gem. The Mexican government highlighted Bacalar on its list of Pueblos Mágicos in 2006 as an important cultural landmark to encourage tourism, and now, thanks in part to social media, the stunning turquoise lake and laidback town are beginning to be discovered.
The area is traditionally Mayan, with a pre-Columbian city that Conquistadores colonized in 1543. In the 1600s, pirates frequently attacked after entering the lagoon through a canal.
Click here to read Bacalar: The Jaw-Dropping Gem You’ve Never Heard Of.
2 Bernal
Postcard-perfect San Sebastián Bernal, better known as Bernal, is in the Mexican state of Querétaro. Founded in 1642 by Spanish soldier Alonso Cabrera, the tiny village has maintained its old-world colonial charm. The narrow cobblestone alleys lead to the main square lined with old Spanish architecture, souvenir shops, and the bright ochre San Sebastian Temple in the center, sitting under the shadow of the towering monolith (Pena de Bernal). It’s a bit like stepping back in time.
Two things to eat in Bernal are the famous blue corn gorditas (which are actually black) and pan de queso – an absolutely scrumptious oblong sweet bread filled with mascarpone and topped with crunchy cinnamon sugar.
Peña de Bernal is a 1,421-foot monolith, sacred to the Indigenous Otomí-Chichimeca people long before the arrival of the Spanish. The impressive monolith is one of the 13 Natural Wonders of Mexico and is one of the “tallest freestanding monoliths in the world.”
Hikers can ascend a moderately challenging route to the summit along a steep, well-maintained, trail. Near the top, the rocky path becomes steep and slippery, and hikers can hang on to a cable fastened along the side of the stone wall.
3 Cholula
Six miles from Puebla is the tiny town of Cholula. Established between 800 and 200 B.C., Cholula is best known for containing Tlachihualtepetl, a complex known as the largest archaeological site of a pyramid in the world, as well as the largest pyramid by volume known to exist in the world today. The pyramid was built in the second century B.C. Take a deep breath and climb the seemingly endless stairs to get to the top where you will be rewarded for your efforts with a panoramic view of the entire region. The town also claims to have 365 churches, one for each day of the year.
4 Cozumel
A tropical island off mainland Mexico, Cozumel lies in the Caribbean Sea. One of the newest Pueblo Magicos designated in 2023, Cozumel is a laid-back beach island, a short 12-mile ferry ride from Playa del Carmen.
A popular cruise ship port destination, Cozumel beaches and outdoor activities attract tourists from all over the world to its shimmering turquoise shores. Its vibrant and colorful underwater life surrounding the offshore Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world, offers some of the best scuba diving in the Western hemisphere. For landlubbers, a fun way to see the small island is to drive around on a scooter.
Click here to read Best Beaches &Things to Do in Cozumel.
5 Dolores Hidalgo
Just 45 minutes by car from the fairytale city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico’s first “cry of independence” took place in 1810, securing Dolores Hidalgo’s place in history.
Local priest Miguel Hidalgo uttered the “Cry of Dolores” at the 18th-century Dolores Parish Church, rallying people to rise up against the Spanish. On September 16, 1810, he rang his church bell and gave the call to arms that triggered the Mexican War of Independence, making Dolores Hidalgo “la cuna de la independencia” or the cradle of independence for Mexico.
INSIDER TIP: Click here for the BEST Mexico packing list!
6 Isla Mujeres
Just a short ferry ride from Cancun, Isla Mujeres (“Island of Women”) is a great day trip. Most people rent golf carts or scooters to get around the small island. There are not a ton of activities – it’s more of a chill island, but exploring the Ixchel Temple ruins is fun, and swimming with whale sharks (June to September) is one of the best adventures in Mexico.
Click here to read Swimming with Whale Sharks Near Cancun.
7 Izamal
Nicknamed “Ciudad Amarilla” (Yellow City) because of the dominance of well-preserved ochre-hued structures with bright white trim juxtaposed against the brilliant blue sunny sky, Izamal is a golden oasis in the middle of a dense jungle.
But why is it yellow? As far back as 1000 B.C., Izamal was an important Mayan pilgrimage site dedicated to the (yellow) Sun God Kinich Kakmo. Secondly, in 1993 in preparation for a visit from Pope John Paul II, Izamal painted all its buildings yellow which represented the sun and corn – the main staple of Mexico. Whatever the reason for making it yellow, it was a brilliant idea – it’s just impossible not to feel happy when surrounded by the joyful egg–yolk color.
Climbing up the Mayan pyramid, Kinich Kak Moo (dedicated to the God of the Sun), and visiting the picturesque Convent of San Antonio de Padua are two highlights.
It’s also the perfect place to position yourself to explore nearby Mayan ruins, mysterious cenotes, tropical beaches, colorful colonial cities, rich indigenous culture.
Click here to read Izamal: Mexico’s Beautiful Yellow City.
8 Mazunte
Mazunte is a small, laid-back Mexican beach town on the Pacific Coast with no mega resorts, known for its hippie vibe.
Mazunte’s attraction is its natural beauty, gold-sand beaches, and friendly locals. The lush cliffs of Punta Cometa are perfect for coastal walks and enjoying a beautiful sunset.
9 Mineral de Pozos
Despite being around an hour’s drive from the popular city of San Miguel de Allende, very few travelers have heard of Mineral de Pozos. This pueblo magico is unique in that it’s a ghost town.
Prior to the coming of the Spaniards, the town was home to many indigenous groups such as the Chichimeca, Copuces, Huachichil, Guaxabanes, and Pames. Officially founded in 1575, it quickly became a booming silver and gold mining town, booming throughout the 16th-20th centuries.
The rich city reached its heyday about 1890, but the start of the Mexican Revolution in 1920 forced the mines to close during the fighting and water flooded their workings. It eventually became a “ghost town” which it still is to this day.
There’s not much to do or see, but you can see ongoing efforts by the Mexican government to upgrade it into a more popular pueblos magicos.
10 Mitla
Originally an important Zapotec ceremonial center, UNESCO Mitla contains a series of structures adorned in finely cut stonework and mosaics. The site is believed to date back to the last two or three centuries before the arrival of the Spanish. A 16th-century Spanish church was constructed right in the middle of the site; you can see some of the original stonework that was removed from the original ruins and used for the church.
Click here to read Best Adventures in Oaxaca.
11 Teotihuacan
San Juan Teotihuacan (“place where gods were born”) is an ancient Mesoamerican city located 30 miles northeast of Mexico City. Construction of this important archeological site began around 300 BC and at its peak in the 5th century AD, it was the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas, reaching a total population of 150,000 in its heyday.
There is still a lot of mystery shrouded about who first inhabited the mysterious city. Probably constructed by the Toltecs, the Aztecs found the abandoned city in 1400 AD. It’s known for the Aztec practice of human sacrifice.
The UNESCO site contains pyramids, plazas, temples, and palaces. The main structures are the Pyramid of the Sun (3rd largest pyramid in the world), the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl. The site gets over 3 million visitors per year, making it one of the most-visited magical towns in Mexico.
Click here to read 10 Mexico Ruins to See in Your Lifetime!
12 Tepoztlan
A 1.5-hour drive from Mexico City, this Magical Town, is considered one of the less-touristy places in Mexico. It is located at the foot of El Tepozteco National Park. Dazzling scenery, a pretty city center, and a variety of things to see and do await visitors to Tepoztlan.
Wandering the cobblestone streets lined with colorful shops is the best thing to do. The 16th-century Former Convent of the Nativity houses an impressive museum and there’s a large pre-Hispanic kitchen street food market for those who like street food.
A trek up the El Tepozteco Mountain is one of the favorite pastimes for outdoor enthusiasts. Those who make it to the summit are rewarded with birds-eye views and a close-up look at the remains of El Tepozteco temple. The pyramid temple at the top is alleged to radiate potent spiritual energy.
We were there on a Saturday and there were a lot of people – mostly locals, milling about. For a less crowded experience, a weekday would be better.
Click here to read Best Things to Do in Mexico City.
13 Tequisquiapan
Tequisquiapan is a Pueblo Magico in central Mexico. We loved the well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings lining the charming cobbled streets, especially the pink neoclassical Santa María de la Asunción church overlooking the arcaded Plaza Miguel Hidalgo.
We enjoyed the laid-back weekday vibe, but apparently, Tequisquiapan fills up on weekends with day-trippers from nearby Queretaro, Mexico City, and Guanajuato.
There are several souvenir and handicraft markets inside and outside the main plaza.
14 Tulum
Mesmerizing turquoise water lapping onto pristine sugar-sand beaches, there isn’t a prettier beach anywhere in the Caribbean. Unlike the more frenetic Cancun to the north, Tulum has a more laid-back beach vibe, although it has rapidly gone from a sleepy fishing town to an upscale holiday destination featuring a myriad of eco-chic boutique hotels.
If you can tear yourself away from the seaside – which admittedly won’t be easy – there are myriad things to do in the nearby jungles. Exploring the pre-Columbian Mayan port city for which the area is named is a must.
The well-preserved ruins include a large stone structure called El Castillo (castle), perched on a rocky cliff above the idyllic white sand beach and turquoise sea. And there are other Mexican ruins nearby, too.
A one-day all-inclusive ticket to the natural aquatic park Xel-Ha includes access to a lazy river, snorkeling, cliff jumping, bicycles, food, and alcohol.
Or head for one of the nearby cenotes, the freshwater sinkholes that were once considered sacred by the ancient Maya. Through the opening at the top of the cenote caves, sunlight and roots filter down to the pools, creating an ethereal feel.
Click here to read Best Tourist Attractions in Tulum.
15 Valladolid
Not far from the Yucatan capital of Merida, deep in the Yucatan jungle, Valladolid is a delightful Spanish colonial town consisting of narrow cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored houses. Tucked away from the crowds of tourists, the vibe of Valladolid is reminiscent of “old Mexico.” Whether you spend your days strolling around the central square, admiring the well-preserved architecture, exploring some of the pre-Columbian Mayan ruins, devouring tasty Yucatan food, or swimming in the Cenote Zaci located in the city, Valladolid Yucatan will not disappoint.
Valladolid is a popular day trip from Cancun, often combined with the ruins of Chichen Itza.
Click here to read 10 Fabulous Things to Do in Valladolid.
Epilogue
I’m hoping to visit more of the 177 pueblos magicos in the near future!
Click below to PIN so you can find these pueblos magicos again:
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About the Author
Patti Morrow
is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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