Pueblos Magicos: A Guide to Mexico’s Magic Towns

Pueblos Magicos are towns recognized by the Mexican government for their “magical” qualities, whether that be their astonishing beauty, rich history, or extraordinary legends.

Among the more famous Pueblos Magicos is Tequila – the home of the world renowned spirit. But, for the most part, the towns on the Pueblos Magicos Program are lesser-known gems, waiting to be discovered by intrepid explorers looking to experience authentic Mexico.

Read on to find out more about Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos or contact Journey Mexico to take privately guided tours of these beautiful and unique magic towns.

Pueblo Magico, Tequila

What is a Pueblo Magico?

Meaning Magic Town, a Pueblo Magico is a Mexican town granted Pueblo Magico status by the Mexican government for its “magical” qualities. This could be its beauty, historical importance, or its natural wonders.

Ultimately, the term “Pueblo Magico” is a mark of excellence and an excellent signal that the town is worth exploring for a day or two.

Which were the first Pueblos Magicos?

The Pueblo Magico Program was created by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism (with help from several other agencies and regional governments) in 2001.

Initially, there were three Pueblos Magicos: Huasca de Ocampo in Hidalgo, Real de Catorce in San Luis Potosi, and Tepoztlan in Morelos. The latter lost its status in 2009 but won it back the following year.

How many Pueblos Magicos are there?

As of October 15, 2019, there are 121 Pueblos Magicos in Mexico. However, new Magic Towns are being added on a sporadic basis. The last inductees made the list in 2018.

Read more: 11 Magic Towns of Mexico to Visit on Your Next Beach Vacation

How do towns become Pueblo Magicos?

Towns aren’t just handed Pueblo Magico status, they need to earn it. The first step is to hit the criteria of having a population of at least 5,000 people and be within relatively easy reach of a city.

After, the town needs to form a Pueblo Magico committee, who will be in charge of applying.

Then, various plans for developing tourism must be agreed which includes earmarking money for generating and maintaining tourism.

Finally, once the Pueblo Magico status has been granted, the committee must make sure the commitments to developing tourism are kept.

Magical Sayulita in Jalisco

Pueblos Magicos by state: The full list

Looking to find your nearest Pueblo Magico? Here we order each Pueblo Magico by the state in which it sits. Look for the state you’re in or heading to and see which Magic Towns are there.

If you’d like to take a tour of your nearest Pueblo Magico with an experienced guide, fill in the Journey Mexico Trip Planner and we can organize the tour for you including private, round-trip transportation.

Aguascalientes

Real de Asientos (since 2006)

Calvillo (since 2012)

San José de Gracia (since 2015)

Baja California

Tecate (since 2012)

Baja California Sur

Todos Santos (since 2006)

Loreto (since 2012)

Campeche

Palizada (since 2010)

Chiapas

San Cristóbal de las Casas (since 2003)

Chiapa de Corzo (since 2012)

Comitán (since 2012)

Palenque (since 2015)

Chihuahua

Creel (since 2007)

Batopilas (since 2012)

Casas Grandes (since 2015)

Pueblo Magico, Batopilas

Coahuila

Parras de la Fuente (since 2005)

Cuatrociénegas de Carranza (since 2012)

Arteaga (since 2012)

Viesca (since 2012)

Candela (since 2015)

Guerrero (since 2015)

Melchor Múzquiz (since 2018)

Colima

Comala (since 2002)

Durango

Mapimí (since 2012)

Nombre de Dios (since 2018)

Guanajuato

Dolores Hidalgo (since 2002)

Mineral de Pozos (since 2012)

Jalpa de Cánovas (since 2012)

Salvatierra (since 2012)

Yuriria (since 2012)

Comonfort (since 2018)

Guerrero

Taxco (since 2002)

Hidalgo

Huasca de Ocampo (since 2001)

Real del Monte (since 2005)

Mineral del Chico (since 2011)

Huichapan (since 2012)

Tecozautla (since 2015)

Zimapán (since 2018)

Apan (since 2018)

Jalisco

Tapalpa (since 2002)

Tequila (since 2003)

Mazamitla (since 2005)

San Sebastián del Oeste (since 2011)

Lagos de Moreno (since 2012)

Mascota (since 2015)

Talpa de Allende (since 2015)

Tlaquepaque (since 2018)

State of Mexico

Tepotzotlán (since 2002)

Valle de Bravo (since 2005)

Malinalco (since 2010)

El Oro (since 2011)

Metepec (since 2012)

Aculco De Espinoza (since 2015)

Ixtapan de la Sal (since 2015)

Teotihuacán (since 2015)

Villa del Carbón (since 2015)

Michoacán

Pátzcuaro (since 2002)

Tlalpujahua (since 2005)

Cuitzeo (since 2006)

Santa Clara del Cobre (since 2010)

Angangueo (since 2012)

Tacámbaro (since 2012)

Jiquilpan (since 2012)

Tzintzuntzan (since 2012)

Morelos

Tepoztlán (since 2010)

Tlayacapan (since 2011)

Magic town, Tepoztlan

Nayarit

Jala (since 2012)

Sayulita (since 2015)

Compostela (since 2018)

Nuevo León

Santiago (since 2006)

Linares (since 2015)

Bustamante (since 2018)

Oaxaca

Capulálpam de Méndez (since 2007)

Huautla de Jimenez (since 2015)

Mazunte (since 2015)

San Pablo Villa de Mitla (since 2015)

San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula (since 2015)

Puebla

Cuetzalan (since 2002)

Zacatlán (since 2011)

Pahuatlán (since 2012)

Chignahuapan (since 2012)

Cholula (since 2012)

Tlatlauquitepec (since 2012)

Xicotepec (since 2012)

Atlixco (since 2015)

Huauchinango (since 2015)

Querétaro

Bernal (since 2005)

Jalpan de Serra (since 2010)

Cadereyta de Montes (since 2011)

Tequisquiapan (since 2012)

San Joaquín (since 2015)

Amealco de Bonfil (since 2018)

Quintana Roo

Bacalar (since 2006)

Isla Mujeres (since 2015)

Tulum (since 2015)

San Luis Potosi

Real de Catorce (since 2001)

Xilitla (since 2011)

Aquismón (since 2018)

Sinaloa

Cosalá (since 2005)

El Fuerte (since 2009)

El Rosario (since 2012)

Mocorito (since 2015)

Sonora

Álamos (since 2005)

Magdalena de Kino (since 2012)

Tabasco

Tapijulapa (since 2010)

Tamaulipas

Ciudad Mier (since 2007)

Tula (since 2011)

Tlaxcala

Huamantla (since 2007)

Tlaxco (since 2015)

Veracruz

Coatepec (since 2007)

Xico (since 2011)

Papantla (since 2012)

Coscomatepec de Bravo (since 2015)

Orizaba (since 2015)

Zozocolco de Hidalgo (since 2015)

Yucatan

Izamal (since 2002)

Valladolid (since 2012)

Zacatecas

Jerez de García Salinas (since 2007)

Teúl de González Ortega (since 2011)

Sombrerete (since 2012)

Pinos (since 2012)

Nochistlan (since 2012)

Guadalupe (since 2018)

Visiting Pueblos Magicos in Mexico

Should you visit a Pueblo Magico in Mexico? Absolutely. Picking the right one and organizing a tour guide for it might be more difficult. Speak to Journey Mexico or fill out our Trip Planner before you book and we can organize expertly guided tours to your Pueblos Magicos of choice. On top of that, we will put together private round-trip transportation, which means all you need to do is enjoy the beauty of Mexico’s off-the-beaten-track gems.