Mexico Just Named 45 New Towns For The Best Cultural Experience

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Mexico’s tourism industry is thriving, especially due to its world-class beaches and resorts. Los Cabos continues to break tourism records and Cancun shows no signs of slowing down either.

Mexico may be its northern neighbor’s favorite sunny getaway, but beaches and resorts aren’t all the country has to offer with its rich history and unique culture.

Sure, tourists can have the time of their lives living the good life at one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, or perhaps living in Mexico City as a digital nomad with a panoramic view of Chapultepec Park.

Travel experiences in Mexico seem endless, but these small cultural towns designated as new Magic Town across the country should be on your radar.

What is a Magic Town?

While there are plenty of cultural experiences that travelers can enjoy in major cities and resort towns, some of the most attractive are what are known as the Pueblos Mágicos de México.

These are small towns throughout the country, which translates as « Magic Towns ». There are now 177 of them to choose from since Mexico just added 45 new cities to show this tour program.

With the recent announcement, 25 states now they will be presented as worthy destinations for an enriching cultural experience.

These lesser known gems promote tourism and give a boost to the local economy. Visiting these towns will not only fill your soul with a unique travel experience, but also give back to the community all at once.

The Magical Towns are essentially a road map to take visitors on an authentic journey through the history of Mexico through food, art, and culture.

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What is not a Magic Town

Mexico has so many charming towns that it can be confusing to know what is considered a Magical Town.

Just because a place is historic with cobbled streets, ancient cathedrals, and cuisine passed down from generation to generation does not make it a ‘Magic Town’.

Take Oaxaca, for example. A beautiful city, rich in culture and phenomenal food that goes back through time and age.

You won’t find skyscrapers in Oaxaca like you would in, say, Mexico City. Even though Oaxaca is big en masse, walking through its historic streets gives you a small town feel.

But that does not make it a Magic Town. it’s important to know all 177 Magic Towns are classified directly by Ministry of Tourism (Sectur).

This is the key difference, as Sectur has been meticulous in determining which towns make the cut for the Pueblos Mágicos program since 2001.

When the program was first launched, San Miguel Allende and Guanajuato were the first Magical Towns designated.

In 2008, that designation ended when they were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If specific standards are not met, cities may also be stripped of this designation.

Nayarit lost its designation in 2009.

45 New Magical Towns to Explore

Sectur announced that the latest additions to the Pueblo Mágicos program are worth exploring for their “natural, cultural, and culinary wealth.”

More than 120 made the final list of potential destinations, but only 45 towns in 25 states made the cut for the coveted title. According to Sectur officials, the goal is to boost tourism and show that Mexico is more than a place to sunbathe with your toes in the sand.