The Best Pueblos Magicos in Mexico
As of right now (May 2022), there are 132 Pueblos Magicos in Mexico. They’re all special, but which are the absolute best Pueblos Magicos to visit in Mexico?
I haven’t been to every Pueblo Magico (9 to date…) so I posted the question on two large Mexican Facebook pages: Expats in Mexico and México Pueblos Mágicos.
I got a lot of responses.
In this post I’ll tell you which were voted the Best Pueblos Magicos in Mexico. I’ve also created a map listing all the Pueblos Magicos by state which I hope helps people planning their visits. You’ll see that at the bottom of this post.
What is a Pueblo Mágico?
The Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) designation is awarded by Mexico’s Tourism department to communities that have maintained their original architecture, traditions, history and culture. They are towns whose historical importance has been fundamental for the development of history and that enhance the national identity in each of its spots. These places have a special magic that connects the visitor with their roots and traditions.
Combined I received over 250 comments on the various pages and 142 total votes. Of those 142 votes, people recommended 53 different towns as their top Pueblos Magicos (which just shows how many different Pueblos Magicos are special in some way).
The Best Pueblos Magicos in Mexico (according to my Facebook poll)
- Pátzcuaro (Michoacán) with 12 votes as the Top Pueblo Magico
- Taxco (Guerrero) with 9 votes
- Tepoztlán (Morelos) with 8 votes
- (4 way tie) with 5 votes
Tlaquepaque (Jalisco)
Atlixco (Puebla)
Bernal (Querétaro)
San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapas) - (2 way tie) with 4 votes
Comala (Colima)
Mazamitla (Jalisco) - (7 way tie) with 3 votes
Mineral de Pozos (Guanajuato)
Álamos (Sonora)
Sayulita (Nayarit)
Zacatlán (Puebla)
Orizaba (Veracruz)
Tequila (Jalisco)
Malinalco (Estado de México)
After the above there were another 37 towns with 1 or 2 votes as “the best Pueblos Magicos”
Any thoughts on the above?
My Favorite Pueblos Magicos
I’ve visited 9 Pueblo Magicos and I’m lucky to have visited 5 of the top 7 towns listed above. Here is how I would rate the Pueblos Magicos I’ve seen.
1. San Cristobal de las Casas – a beautiful, large Pueblo Magico with lots to see and surrounded by lush green hills. Colorful streets, stunning churches and a great artisans market. It gets my vote as the best Pueblo Magico. More: The Pueblo Magico town of San Cristobal de las Casas (Mexico). Could you live here?
2. Pátzcuaro – very charming place, full of colonial buildings painted in white and reds. Lots to see both in town and in the surrounding area. More: The ‘Pueblo Magico’ town of Patzcuaro, Michoacán (Mexico)
3. Tepoztlán – you’d never know you’re just an hour from Mexico. Pretty little town comprising of both locals and an interesting group of expats, some spectacular hills to climb. More: The Pueblo Magico town of Tepoztlan (Mexico)
4. Bernal – it’s tiny but beautiful and you’ve got the Peña de Bernal looming over town. It’s one of the 13 Natural Wonders of Mexico. More: Visiting the Pueblo Magico town of Bernal
5. Taxco – Stunning city on the side of a hill. One of Mexico’s most picturesque churches, lots of pretty streets (all steep!). I guess it would have made it further up my list if it wasn’t for all the tourists and pollution. More: Is Taxco the most beautiful Pueblo Magico in Mexico?
6. Tequisquiapan – tiny town with a huge main square and one of the prettiest churches you’ll see anywhere. And if you like wine and cheese you’ll be pleasantly surprised in Tequis. More: A Visit to the Pueblo Magico town of Tequisquiapan
7. Cholula – a town with lots to see including the Great Pyramid of Cholula (the largest monument ever constructed in the world). More: The Pueblo Magico town of Cholula (Mexico)
8. Valle de Bravo – A small town on a lake, Valle de Bravo attracts a lot of tourists (principally from Mexico City). It’s an attractive town and the lake attracts people attracted to water sports. It just wasn’t among my favorite Pueblo Magicos. More: Visiting the (overrated?) Pueblo Magico town of Valle de Bravo
9. Creel – Creel is cute but the main reason people come here is to take tours of the region and to use it as a base when visiting Copper Canyon. More: Visiting the Pueblo Magico town of Creel. And what you really have to know
The States with the most Pueblos Magicos:
Estado de México 10
Puebla 10
Jalisco 9
Michoacán 9
Coahuila 7
Hidalgo 7
The States with most of “the best Pueblos Magicos” (as voted on above):
Jalisco 3
Puebla 2
reminds me of a few towns in western South America. look so bright with the colours and charming places to visit. Thanks for sharing Frank!
Nice list, the only problem is with there being 225 Pueblo Magicos most people have not been to even have of them. A lot of that is for good reason as the Pueblo Magico often showcases towns that are remote but yet very culturally significant. A good example of that is I recently visited Batopilas. It is a beautiful and very significant town both historically and culturally. The big problem however is to get to Batopilas you have to take a very windy road, that is often subject to landfall. Therefore not many people get out to Batopilas, but for the few that do it is an amazing place, but it will never rank high on a popular vote because not many people visit. Which is too bad because it has flowers, mines, the second oldest church in Mexico, and most importantly it is home to the Lower Tarahumadas. There are many little gems like this in the Pueblo Magico program, but that is why there is a program, so these magical places don’t disappear.
Hi John. Agree, popular and easy-to-get-to towns will get more votes and more remote Pueblo Magicos won’t make it on the list because many people haven’t been. It’s not a perfect method of determining the “best” Pueblo Magico I agree but unless one has been to every single town it’s the best I can come up with 🙂 . That’s why I appreciate comments like this.
Ps. 132 Pueblo Magicos, not 225.