Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Mexico's Magical Towns South of Mexico City

Top Pueblos Mágicos--Taxco, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Tepoztlán

Feb 21, 2009 Nancy Flores

There's more to Mexico than just the big cities. Exploring small to medium towns help visitors get a complete understanding of all the cultural richness Mexico offers.

In Mexico, a town dubbed a Pueblos Mágico or Magical Town means it has it all--great culture, religious and historical significance. In 2001, the Ministry of Tourism along with state agencies developed the program to promote these special towns and preserve their cultural sites, as well as help them become more tourist friendly.

The government provides funding for beautification projects such as road improvements and underground wiring of utility lines. Townspeople must work hard to get their town on the Pueblos Mágicos list and adhere to strict visual and architectural guidelines.

The Ministry of Tourism often evaluates towns that are on the list and check if they are following regulations. If rules are not met, magical towns can be demoted. That's why Pueblos Mágicos strive especially hard to keep their visitors happy. Here are some top magical towns south of Mexico City:

Taxco, Guerrero

Sitting at the foot of La Bermeja Mountain in the Sierra Madre Range, Taxco strikes visitors with awe-inspiring landscape views. The former silver-mining town, located 100 miles southwest of Mexico City, makes a great weekend trip. Taxco’s attractions and beauty include enjoying the impressive Spanish architecture and strolling along the cobblestone streets that wind and open up to hidden little plazas.

San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas

With cloud forests and dramatic mountains as a backdrop, San Cristóbal de las Casas stands out as one of southern Mexico’s most picturesque towns. Heavy indigenous influences intertwine with an old colonial Spanish style. San Cristóbal made international headlines in 1994 when Zapatista rebels took over the city, denouncing the North American Free Trade Agreement and demanding indigenous rights. Over the last decade San Cristóbal has remained a peaceful place.

There's plenty of things to do in this beautiful city. Stroll through its amazing handicraft markets and streets lined with live music bars and coffee shops. After tasting the high-quality coffee here, visit the Café Museo Café, which is a combined coffee shop and museum to understand coffee’s importance in the region.

Tepoztlán, Morelos

The bougainvillea-lined streets, tranquil ambiance and charming setting have made Tepoztlán a popular weekend getaway for Mexico City residents. It’s located 45 miles outside of Mexico City. Visitors escape their worries here and indulge in the town’s famed healing massages and pre-Hispanic steam baths. Walk through the weekend markets and even climb a historic pyramid. Make sure to taste some of the delicious ice cream at the Tepoznieves ice cream shop. They have every flavor from cactus to rice.

The copyright of the article Mexico's Magical Towns South of Mexico City in Latin Am/Caribbean Travel is owned by Nancy Flores. Permission to republish Mexico's Magical Towns South of Mexico City in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.