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?
The list grows almost every year. As of August 01, 2023, there are 177 Pueblos Magicos in Mexico.
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 (2006)
Calvillo (2012)
San José de Gracia (2015)
Pabellon de Hidalgo (2023)
Baja California
Tecate (2012)
Baja California Sur
Todos Santos (2006)
Loreto (2012)
Santa Rosalia (2023)
Campeche
Palizada (2010)
Isla Aguada (2020)
Candelaria (2023)
Chiapas
San Cristóbal de las Casas (2003)
Chiapa de Corzo (2012)
Comitán (2012)
Palenque (2015)
Ocozocoautla de Espinosa (2023)
Copainalá (2023)
Chihuahua
Creel (2007)
Batopilas (2012)
Casas Grandes (2015)
Guachochi (2023)
Hidalgo del Parral (2023)
Coahuila
Parras de la Fuente (2004)
Cuatrociénegas de Carranza (2012)
Arteaga (2012)
Viesca (2012)
Candela (2015)
Guerrero (2015)
Santa Rosa de Múzquiz (2018)
General Cepeda (2023)
Colima
Comala (2002)
Durango
Mapimí (2012)
Nombre de Dios (2018)
Guanajuato
Dolores Hidalgo (2002)
Mineral de Pozos (2012)
Jalpa de Cánovas (2012)
Salvatierra (2012)
Yuriria (2012)
Comonfort (2018)
Guerrero
Taxco (2002)
Ixcateopan (2023)
Zihuatanejo (2023)
Hidalgo
Huasca de Ocampo (2001)
Real del Monte (2004)
Mineral del Chico (2011)
Huichapan (2012)
Tecozautla (2015)
Zimapán (2018)
Zempoala (2020)
Acaxochitlán (2023)
Metztitlán (2023)
Jalisco
Tapalpa (2002)
Tequila (2003)
Mazamitla (2005)
San Sebastián del Oeste (2011)
Lagos de Moreno (2012)
Mascota (2015)
Talpa de Allende (2015)
Tlaquepaque (2018)
Ajijic (2020)
Cocula (2023)
Sayula (2023)
Temacapulín (2023)
State of Mexico
Tepotzotlán (2002)
Valle de Bravo (2005)
Malinalco (2010)
El Oro (2011)
Metepec (2012)
Aculco De Espinoza (2015)
Ixtapan de la Sal (2015)
Teotihuacán (2015)
Villa del Carbón (2015)
Tonatico (2020)
Jilotepec de Molina (2023)
Otumba (2023)
Michoacán
Pátzcuaro (2002)
Tlalpujahua (2005)
Cuitzeo (2006)
Santa Clara del Cobre (2010)
Angangueo (2012)
Tacámbaro (2012)
Jiquilpan (2012)
Tzintzuntzan (2012)
Paracho (2020)
Cotija (2023)
Morelos
Tepoztlán (2001*)
Tlayacapan (2011)
Xochitepec (2023)
Tlaltizapán (2023)
Nayarit
Mexcaltitán (2001*)
Jala (2012)
Sayulita (2015)
Compostela (2018)
Ahuacatlán (2023)
Amatlán de Cañas (2023)
Ixtlán del Río (2023)
Puerto Balleto (2023)
San Blas (2023)
Nuevo León
Santiago (2006)
Linares (2015)
Bustamante (2018)
General Terán (2023)
General Zaragoza (2023)
Oaxaca
Capulálpam de Méndez (2007)
Huautla de Jimenez (2015)
Mazunte (2015)
San Pablo Villa de Mitla (2015)
San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula (2015)
Santa Catarina Juquila (2020)
Puebla
Cuetzalan (2002)
Zacatlán (2011)
Pahuatlán (2012)
Chignahuapan (2012)
Cholula (2012)
Tlatlauquitepec (2012)
Xicotepec (2012)
Atlixco (2015)
Huauchinango (2015)
Tetela de Ocampo (2020)
Huejotzingo (2023)
Teziutlán (2023)
Querétaro
Bernal (2005)
Jalpan de Serra (2010)
Cadereyta de Montes (2011)
Tequisquiapan (2012)
San Joaquín (2015)
Amealco de Bonfil (2018)
Pinal de Amoles (2023)
Quintana Roo
Bacalar (2006)
Isla Mujeres (2015)
Tulum (2015)
Cozumel (2023)
San Luis Potosi
Real de Catorce (2001)
Xilitla (2011)
Aquismón (2018)
Santa Maria del Rio (2020)
Tierranueva (2023)
Ciudad del Maiz (2023)
Sinaloa
Cosalá (2005)
El Fuerte (2009)
El Rosario (2012)
Mocorito (2015)
San Ignacio (2023)
Sonora
Álamos (2005)
Magdalena de Kino (2012)
San Carlos (2023)
Ures (2023)
Tabasco
Tapijulapa (2010)
Santiago de Teapa (2023)
Frontera (2023)
Tamaulipas
Ciudad Mier (2007)
Tula (2011)
Tlaxcala
Huamantla (2007)
Tlaxco (2015)
Ixtenco (2023)
Veracruz
Coatepec (2006)
Xico (since 2011)
Papantla (2012)
Coscomatepec de Bravo (2015)
Orizaba (2015)
Zozocolco de Hidalgo (2015)
Córdoba (2023)
Naolinco (2023)
Yucatan
Izamal (2002)
Valladolid (2012)
Sisal (2020)
Maní (2023)
Espita (2023)
Motul de Carrillo Puerto (2023)
Tekax de Álvaro Obregón (2023)
Zacatecas
Jerez de García Salinas (2007)
Teúl de González Ortega (2011)
Sombrerete (2012)
Pinos (2012)
Nochistlan (2012)
Guadalupe (2018)
Villanueva (2023)
Read more: 11 Magic Towns of Mexico to Visit on Your Next Beach Vacation
Magic town, Tepoztlan
Pueblo Magico, Batopilas
Pueblo Magico, Bernal
Plan Your Trip to one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos
Should you visit a Pueblo Magico in Mexico? Absolutely. However, picking the right one and organizing logistics and finding an English-speaking guide can sometimes be more challenging to arrange than some of Mexico’s more popular destinations. Speak to Journey Mexico or fill out our Trip Planner to learn about how you can incorporate an expertly guided tour to a Pueblo Magico into your custom-designed itinerary. We will take care of hotels, touring, and private round-trip transportation, which means all you need to do is enjoy the beauty of Mexico’s off-the-beaten-track gems.
