Magical Mexican Small Towns Full of Natural Beauty, Culture, and Tequila

There’s something special about visiting a small town. Slow-paced living, a welcoming community, long-established traditions and crafts to learn from, and dishes that tell stories. However, some small towns in Mexico have a unique concept.

The Mexican government launched a program in 2001 to recognize certain towns as “Magical Towns” (pueblos mágicos) for their cultural and natural riches. A town must have historic architecture, beautiful landscapes, and deeply rooted traditions in order to receive this fantastic honor. The symbolism, legends, and history that surround these locations give them a distinct identity that deserves to be discovered.

Bacalar, Quintana Roo

When you think of Quintana Roo, you might picture white sand and turquoise waves, but the heart of Bacalar is the Lagoon of Seven Colors, not the beach. The round lagoon, which stands out for its various shades of blue, is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving. Those who delve deep enough will find underwater caves that connect to other water formations such as cenotes, including the impressive Blue Cenote, which is responsible for the lagoon’s changing colors. You can stay in one of the inns that surround the lagoon, but there are also campsites for the more adventurous. The town’s downtown is as charming as you can imagine, with pedestrian-friendly streets lined with small restaurants serving fresh seafood. There’s also The Murals Route, a collection of streets with over 100 street art murals dedicated to praising Bacalar’s natural beauty.

Accommodation in Bacalar

Palenque, Chiapas

If you want to be surrounded by the natural beauty of the southern Mexican jungle, this is the place to go. Palenque is a small town, but its heart is the national park, which contains one of the most important Mayan cities. The archeological site is nestled deep within the jungle, down walking trails covered in native flora. When you arrive, the pyramids and Mayan palaces will be raised in a clearing. Palenque’s ruins are regarded as one of the most important Mayan archeological sites, as they combine key structures dedicated to religious rituals, military purposes, and scientific research. There is also a large collection of hieroglyphics and King Pakal’s sacred tomb.

Climb all the way to the top of one of the pyramids to get a bird’s-eye view of the jungle. You’ll be able to see the trees move, revealing the life within them — including jaguars — as well as see colorful birds flying above the treetops and hear the howler monkeys roar. Palenque National Park can also be explored on foot, and there are regular guided hikes and birdwatching excursions.

Accommodation in Palenque

Orizaba, Veracruz

This town is well-known for its location on the slopes of the Pico de Orizaba volcano, Mexico’s highest peak. With that powerful, snowy backdrop, the town makes the most of its beauty as a colonial city with exceptionally well preserved architecture. Its name is derived from an Aztec phrase that means “place of joyful water,” alluding to the river that runs through the city beneath numerous stone bridges. The Iron Palace, a 126-year-old Art Nouveau building entirely made of iron that was sent in pieces from Brussels to become the government building, is one of its architectural gems. It has now been divided into six museums. Finally, you can’t go to Orizaba without having a coffee. Veracruz coffee is regarded as some of the best in the country, and the city is home to some seriously high-quality coffee shops.

Accommodation in Orizaba

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Cobblestone streets, brightly painted houses, colonial mansions converted into museums, and the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, carved out of pink sandstone, as the town’s focal point: San Miguel de Allende combines historical beauty and traditions with modern trends and luxury living. It has several important art galleries and is a popular destination for national and international artists. This makes it ideal for shopping for both modern art and traditional crafts such as blown glass hearts. As a result, it hosts a number of music, art, and food festivals throughout the year. San Miguel is a foodie’s paradise, with top restaurants and bars such as Moxi and peri, both independent and within luxury hotels such as the Rosewood or the Matilda Hotel.

Accommodation in San Miguel de Allende

Tequila, Jalisco

This is the place to go if you want to taste good tequila and see the entire process that goes into making it. Its name is derived from a náhutl word that means “place of tribute,” and most places here pay homage to the art of distilling blue agave into a world-famous distilled beverage. There’s even a tequila museum that explains the process and displays some of the most famous bottles. This town was once known for its large traditional haciendas. Many of the original structures still stand, but they are now home to the most important distilleries, many of which are open to the public.

At José Cuervo’s hacienda, you can see the entire production process, from cleaning the agave to an exclusive tasting. They also have one of the town’s most popular attractions, the José Cuervo Express, which departs from Guadalajara and travels through Tequila to the hacienda. Passengers on board get the full experience, including specialty drinks, music, and breathtaking views of agave plantations with red soil and blue plants. But Tequila isn’t just about the drink; it’s also a town with a thriving crafts scene, particularly for pottery enthusiasts.

The area also has some beautiful natural landscapes, such as the Tequila volcano and the Big River, as well as historic Baroque-style buildings, such as the Church of Santiago Apostol and its stained glass windows, at the Historical Center.

Accommodation in Tequila

Valladolid, Yucatán

This is one of the most historic and beautiful towns on the Mexican peninsula. Every structure has an aesthetic that tells the story of the town. There are numerous historic buildings, large colonial mansions, museums, and small hotels and restaurants housed in ancient buildings, such as the Casona de Valladolid, where wealthy families used to celebrate town parties in the early 1900s. Because it is a place of religious traditions, it is rich in beautiful churches such as those dedicated to Santa Luca, Santa Ana, and San Juan, as well as old convents. This is also a great place to buy handmade items such as stone sculptures or hammocks. And, like every other place in Yucatán, its natural beauty is unmistakable.

Valladolid has ten cenotes, which are natural water pools in the middle of the jungle with crystal clear water. The Cenote Zaci, a deep cavern with ancient stalactites, is one of the most important.

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Izamal, Yucatán

Imagine a town where every building is golden yellow and where cultures from the past coexist. That is what distinguishes Izamal. Pre-Hispanic structures coexist with colonial architecture, inviting visitors to learn about how they have nurtured their culture. There is an important Mayan religious center here, as well as recently discovered pyramids that have been hidden by the jungle for centuries but are now open for exploration. The Kinich Kakmo pyramid, dedicated to the Mayan sun god, is one of the most well-known. Visitors can climb all the way to the top for a spectacular view.

The former convent of San Antonio de Padua, with its gold-covered walls and intricately detailed sculptures, is the best place to discover Izamal’s colonial beauty. Although it’s a great town to explore on foot, there’s a more romantic way to do so: there are chaises drawn by horses that take visitors through its streets to discover the town’s quaint squares, colonial mansions, and historically rich parks.

Accommodation in Izamal

San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas

This magical town is named after San Cristóbal, the patron saint of travelers, so that has to be a sign to go. This is a one-of-a-kind location in Chiapas because it combines the splendor of colonial and colorful architecture with the lush jungle that surrounds the town. The jungle creates a mysterious atmosphere by bringing in fog. The town is a museum in and of itself, with buildings dating back to the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries and styles such as baroque and neoclassical.

As you walk through the streets of the historic center, you will notice flower-adorned balconies and houses with large patios painted in bright colors, as well as architectural gems such as the Cathedral of San Cristóbal Mártir or the former Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, a perfect example of Latin American baroque with deep ornamentation and golden interiors. Several indigenous communities come to town to sell handmade crafts, providing a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. You must not leave without trying the traditional chiapaneco tamales. If you’re looking for adventure, Sumidero Canyon national park and its stunning Grijalva River views are only 45 minutes away.

Accommodation in San Cristóbal de Las Casas

Xilitla, San Luis Potosí

Surrealism and Mexican culture are inextricably linked, but this town brings it to life. The English artist Edward James created a surrealist garden (Jardn Surrealista) unlike any other in the world, surrounded by the jungle of Huasteca Potosina and its beautiful waterfalls. It combines lush vegetation with a large-scale art piece with unfinished concrete staircases, pillars, and labyrinth-like passageways. Xilitla also has the state’s oldest building, a former convent built in the 16th century that tells the story of the various communities that lived in this town. It’s also well-known for its food, particularly its enchiladas potosinas, and for its organic coffee. It’s best to sit in a coffee shop and wait for the street musicians, who turn an afternoon coffee break into an impromptu celebration.

Accommodation in Xilitla

Cholula, Puebla

The roots of this town are deeply spiritual. It was once home to a large pre-Hispanic civilization with strong religious beliefs, but many of their temples were destroyed during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire and replaced with new Catholic ones. This small town now has 37 churches, the majority of which are active and sound their bells at the same time to summon people to mass, a melody that characterizes this town. The Church of Los Remedios, which stands at the very top of what was once a pre-Hispanic pyramid, is one of the most important churches here. Icons representing both cultures now coexist.

Cholula is also a craft town. Talavera is a distinctive type of glazed pottery with colorful decorations, most commonly in deep blue. It can be found everywhere in town, from a souvenir mug to a traditional architectural accent. The Temple of San Francisco Acatepec’s entire façade is covered in colorful talavera tiles.

Accommodation in Cholula

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