10 Magical Towns in Mexico You MUST Visit Before They Become Mainstream
Want to visit some Mexico Pueblos Magicos?
Smart choice! The pueblos magicos, which means “magic towns,” are some of the best places to visit in Mexico.
You might say I have a bit of an obsession with visiting pueblos magicos in Mexico. To date, I’ve been to 40 of them, and I have to say — some are better than others.
I have been living in Mexico since 2018, so it’s easy for me to visit pueblos magicos. If I don’t really like the pueblo magico I visit, it’s not a big deal.
However, for people visiting from other countries, it is a big deal. With only a limited amount of travel time, I know you only want to visit the best Mexico pueblos mágicos.
Hence this article! In it, I’m highlighting my list of the Top 10 best pueblos magicos in Mexico for you — so you know which ones to add to your bucket list.
What is a pueblo magico (and why are they important)?
The Mexico Pueblo Magico Program highlights small towns that have “magical” qualities — like history, culture, architecture, folklore and natural wonders.
As small towns as opposed to the top tourist destinations like Cancun, Mexico City and Cabo, many haven’t heard of the off the beaten path pueblos magicos.
That’s why the Mexican government’s Pueblo Magico Program was created — so visitors would be able to discover these hidden gems that are worth checking out.
How many pueblos magicos are there?
As of the most-recent revision to the official list on August 1, 2023, there are currently 177 pueblos magicos in Mexico.
However, the answer to the How many pueblos magicos are there in Mexico? question changes depending on when you ask it.
Every few years, the Secretary of Tourism in Mexico reevaluates the list. Some towns are added, while some get removed if they are no longer meeting the qualifications.
Before the latest additions in 2023, there were 135 pueblos magicos — meaning that 42 magic towns were added in 2023, including Isla Mujeres and Cozumel Island.
1. San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas
One of the most-visited Mexico pueblos magicos, San Cristóbal de las Casas boasts colorful colonial architecture, gorgeous nature, and a friendly bohemian vibe.
Known for beautiful textiles, you can shop for them in the local mercados (markets), or see them on display at Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya (Mayan Textile Museum).
Outside of town, don’t miss the surrounding nature like the Cañón del Sumidero Canyon. This massive canyon has walls 3,300-feet-tall (1,000 m) in some areas.
A bit further out, there’s amazing waterfalls like El Chiflon, Aguas Azules, and Misol-Ha, as well as the massive lakes at Lagos de Montebello.
2. Bacalar, Quintana Roo
Bacalar pueblo magico is a quiet town in the southern part of Quintana Roo state, which is one of the three states that make up Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
It became so popular because of Bacalar Lake, AKA the Lake of Seven Colors.
The second biggest freshwater lake in Mexico, the best way to experience it is on this Bacalar boat tour where you’ll visit sites like Canal de Los Piratas (Pirate’s Channel).
You’ll also want to check out the balnearios (beach clubs) like Los Rapidos Bacalar, and swim in the Bacalar cenotes, like Cenote Azul and Cenote Cocalitos.
3. Tepoztlán, Morelos
The Tepoztlan Mexico pueblo magico is located in Morelos state, only about one hour from Mexico City.
This adorable little town deserves a place on your Mexico City itinerary for several reasons.
Among the best things to do in Tepoztlan, Mexico, you’ll want to visit the City Market of Tepoztlan, which is the main mercado (market) in town.
There, you can buy traditional handicrafts and sample prehispanic foods like alache, a dark green veggie, itacates, fried corn cakes and tlaltequeadas, veggie pancakes.
If you eat meat, try the cecina, a local delicacy.
This dried steak meat is served throughout Central Mexico, but from Morelos state. Tepoztlan is also known for its pulque (pronounced pull-kay).
This ancient adult beverage is made from fermented agave — the same plant used for tequila and mezcal.
Located atop a mountain overlooking town, you can climb up to the Tepozteco Pyramid, an Aztec pyramid is dedicated to Tepoztēcatl, the god of pulque.
4. Taxco, Guerrero
Taxco de Alarcón (usually just called Taxco) is a delightful hillside town in Guerrero, Mexico — and the only pueblo magico in Guerrero state.
Its Parroquia de Santa Prisca Church is among the most beautiful churches in Mexico. However, Taxco is best known as one of the top Mexico silver mining towns.
In town, you can sometimes see artisans hard at work in their tiny talliers (workshops), and you can buy silver directly from them.
Semana Santa (Holy Week), the week leading up to Easter, is a special time to visit Taxco, Mexico.
It is one of the most important Mexican holidays, but Taxco has one of the country’s most elaborate celebrations (though some describe it as gruesome).
5. Xilitla, San Luis Potosi
The oldest town in San Luis Potosí, Xilitla (pronounced he-leet-la or she-leet-la; I’ve heard both) dates back to the 16th Century.
Though there are several things to do in Xilita, the main draw is the Surrealist Gardens of Edward James (AKA Los Pozas, which means The Wells or The Pools).
Inspired by his love of surrealist art, eccentric Englishman Edward James began building his dream home. Sadly, he passed away before completion.
For many, you visit Xilitla as part of a trip to La Huasteca Potosina. This lush Mexico region is famed for beautiful nature, particularly its waterfalls.
6. Valle de Bravo, Estado de Mexico
Known as “the Hamptons of Mexico City,” Valle de Bravo is an affluent town that sits on Lake Avandaro. The lake offers everything from boat tours to water sports.
For the adventurous, book this Valle de Bravo hang gliding experience and jump off one of the town’s mountains or cliffs and soar like a bird over the lake.
Back on land, there’s many things to do in Valle de Bravo like hiking to the Mirador La Pena overlook, and the short hike to the Cascadas Velo de Novia Waterfalls.
Make sure to also stroll the beautiful cobblestone streets around Plaza de la Independencia in downtown, when you can do some shopping at the boutiques.
If you visit during the Mexico butterfly season (approx. mid-November to early-April), there’s a sanctuary not far from Valle de Bravo called Piedra Herrada.
7. Tequila, Jalisco
Did you know bottles can only be labeled as tequila if the drink comes from here in Tequila, Mexico (and a few surrounding areas)?!
Tequila the town is a fun, colorful pueblo surrounded by beautiful blue agave plant fields. This Blue Weber Agave is the only plant used to make tequila.
The Plaza Principal (Town Square) is the main area of town, if you’re a true tequila fan, you’ll want to visit distilleries outside of town in the non-touristy areas.
I did this Fortaleza Tequila Tour at one of the best artisan distilleries in Tequila. Their tequila is AMAZING, and I took home a bottle of Fortaleza Añejo.
8. Valladolid, Yucatan
With so many things to do in Valladolid, it’s no wonder this is becoming a Mexico must see spot.
On your visit, don’t miss the Parque Principal (Main Park) to see the Iglesia de San Servacio Church, as well as colorful, colonial buildings, shops and restaurants.
The picturesque Calzada de los Frailes is one of the nicest streets in town. At the end of the street, you’ll find the 16th Century Ex-Convento de San Bernardino de Siena.
Located only minutes from downtown, you’ll want to visit Cenote Zaci. This partially-open cenote sinkhole is a popular swimming spot with locals and visitors alike.
A bit further out, but still less than an hour away, you’ll be at Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins — one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
9. Palenque, Chiapas
The small town of Palenque (pronounced pull-lan-kay) is located in the Selva Lacandona (Lacandon Jungle). This giant rainforest stretches into Honduras!
Among the best things to do in Palenque, the Palenque Mayan Ruins is an ancient pre-hispanic city and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here, don’t miss the Temple of the Inscriptions, the largest Mesoamerican stepped pyramid on Earth, with eight levels.
It’s named after the hieroglyphic Inscription Tablets found inside, which shed light on some mysteries of the Maya civilization.
10. Sayulita, Nayarit
Sayulita pueblo magico, located on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, is so deserving of its designation as a Mexico magical town.
It has some of the nicest beaches in Mexico, relaxed bohemian vibes, and friendly locals.
Sayulita definitely keeps with the government’s requirement pueblos magicos have a “unique cultural identity.”
It stands apart from other small towns with its close-knit artist community and surfing culture.
With an idyllic seaside location south of the bustling tourist city of Puerto Vallarta, this once-sleepy fishing village is gaining popularity.
It also helps that Sayulita has some of the best local food and seafood.
However, surfers have been coming for decades, as Sayulita is one of the best places to surf in Mexico. These old schoolers are part of what makes Sayulita special.
Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita day trips are popular, though you’ll want to spend at least 1-2 nights at one of these best Sayulita hotels.
If you can’t, you can book one of these Sayulita tours and go for the day.
Getting to Sayulita is easy — it’s less than an hour from Puerto Vallarta Airport by rental car, Uber, bus, taxi or this private shuttle.
Want to discover more about the Mexico magic towns?
We’ve reached the end of this list! Did you discover any new places you want to add to your Mexico bucket list?
While we only scratched the surface of the best Mexico pueblos magicos, I plan to keep exploring as many as I can — and I’ll be updating this list when I do.
For now, if you want detailed guides to visiting some of the best pueblos magicos Mexico has to offer, here are the ones I have dedicated articles about: