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Mexico, home to world-class coastal cities like Los Cabos and Cancun, is already well on its way to becoming the world’s top beach destination, but there’s another quiet trend in Mexican tourism that’s caught our eye lately. ever asked what exactly the so-called Magical Towns of Mexico are and why they are always so popular?
Mexico may be America’s favorite sun destination, but it’s also a country with a fascinating historical background. Whether it’s the Mayan heartland that encompasses the Yucatan Peninsula or the colonial-era settlements of inland Guanajuato, it’s a multicultural state that is rarely recognized or celebrated for its wondrous diversity.
Luckily, a change is finally on the way:
What is a Pueblo Magico?
‘Pueblo Magico‘ is a status bestowed by the Secretary of Tourism (Sectur) on a Mexican city that has an outstanding tourist offer. You are part of the country heritage route, and this title often overlaps with UNESCO’s definition of a World Heritage Site: this is the case with Guanajuato and the adjacent mines, which are recognized by both UNESCO and Sectur.
According to Sectur’s official definition on their official website a Pueblo Magicoor Magical Town, is ‘a place of symbols and legends’ where “transcendent events” took place that shaped the history of Mexico. They are an integral part of national identity and help illustrate the nation’s richness as a center for arts and culture.
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‘A visit is an opportunity to discover the charms of Mexico‘ quoted the entity. For now, 132 communities have achieved the coveted status, and they all signed up for the Magical Towns program. This is a sector initiative aimed at boosting investment in tourism infrastructure and promoting those even lesser known very promising areas.
Incredible architecture, quaint colorful streets, museums and antique shops galore – what’s not to love?
Why are magical cities so popular right now?
Effectively, the Pueblo Magico Route serves as a roadmap for tourists looking to experience a more “authentic” side of Mexico as more Americans swap hotel zones in Cancun and Tulum and opt for cultural excursions where they can Still, enjoy the great weather while soaking up some history and appreciate the sights.
A prime example of this is San Miguel de Allende, one of Sectur’s 132 Magical Cities and an emerging tourist hotspot that has seen a steady increase in arrivals over the past decade. As famous lifestyle blogger Alyne Tamir puts it, it’s easily one of the most “instagrammable” cities she’s ever visited.
Ms Tamir elaborates on this, explaining that it’s not Instagrammable in the “boring and generic way”. Instead it says ‘full of old world charm‘, evident in the Iberian-style buildings that line the cobblestone streets and the numerous baroque churches. Of course, colonial landmarks are not the only distinguishing feature of these settlements:
A magical city is not just a colonial city
Nature also plays a major role.
Other sector-protected cities like Bacalar, which sits on the shores of Lake Bacalar, are well-developed recreation zones Highly sought after by sunbathers due to its ‘magical’ status due to the natural beauty of the surrounding region. The 30-mile-long Lake Bacalar, for example, is best known for the seven shades of crystalline blue found in its warm waters.
Conversely, the small alpine settlement of Arteaga, a pueblo magico in the state of Coahuila, may not have the tropical charm of the latter, but it’s nestled deep in the Sierra Madre Oriental, one of Mexico’s longest mountain ranges and teeming with ski resorts. In fact, it has been aptly nicknamed ‘Mexican Switzerland’.
Like the United States, this is a country of many facets. It boasts Pacific and Caribbean coasts, financial centers that rank among the Americas’ most important, a variety of pre-Columbian and post-colonial heritage sites, and a distinct cuisine. With the help of the tourism authorities, holidaymakers are finally getting to know the “real” Mexico – and fall in love with her more and more deeply.
Caribbean beaches are the true gateway to paradise, and there’s nothing we love more than digging our feet into that white sand and listening to the waves pounding the shore all day. But strolling in a lavish Maze of 18th-century colonial houses or trying some traditional Iberian food with a Mexican flavor is our idea of ​​fun also.
And apparently that of nearly a million other visitors who vacation in places like San Miguel de Allende each year.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
