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 The Pueblos Magicos (Magic Towns) program was initiated by the Mexican government to help preserve towns that embodied the best of Mexican culture, history and tradition. Launched in 2001, the program provides financial assistance to places that "reflect the beauty of traditional Mexican culture" according to Tourism Secretary Rodolfo Elizondo. The program has met with stunning success in terms of increasing tourism and bringing a much needed cash injection into these areas. Currently, there are 34 towns that are officially listed as Pueblos Magicos. If you want to experience Mexico's rich history and architectural past then these places are definitely worth visiting.
Santiago
Lured by it's exceptional natural beauty and breathtaking views, the idyllic town of Villa de Santiago has been for decades a traditional getaway for residents of nearby Monterrey - Mexico's third-largest city. Situated on the southern tip of Monterrey's National Park and in the state of Nuevo Leon, Santiago is enveloped by lakes, mountains and lush vegetation. It boasts a cool climate year-round and its street are lined with the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture. It also is a shoppers Mecca for weekend deal seekers from Monterrey and offers some outstanding traditional restaurants.
Santiago's cobbled-stone streets and old-fashioned buildings makes it one of the prettiest towns in the North East region. As always the town's church is a center-piece attraction and like with all colonial Mexican towns is found in the main plaza. Built in 1854, the Parroquia de Santiago church is a magnificent tribute to 19th century barroque design and is especially prominent at night when it's lit up by neon lights making you feel you've walked on to some movie set. To the left of the church you can find the former Municipal Palace which in 2007 underwent major renovations and is now Santiago's principal museum. It's definitely worth a visit to find out how Santiago was founded and to marvel at relics of the town's past such as coins, costumes and machinery. One block behind the church and museum is a viewing gallery which looks out onto Santiago's reservoir, Presa de la Boca, and the fantastic mountain landscape which surrounds the town while on the other side of the town's plaza is the Casa de Cultura that has ongoing art exhibitions and music concerts.
Presa de la Boca is a major attraction for tourists who come to Santiago. Originally built in the 1970s to supplement the water supply to neighboring Monterrey, it has developed into a popular leisure center lined with restaurants, hotels and boats. People also have the opportunity to hire gondola-style boats that offer food and music and that take you around the rim of the reservoir at a genteel pace. Five kilometers to the east of Presa de la Boca is an abandonded mine - Cueva de los Murcielagos - which according to urban legend has hidden treasure within. Murcielagos is Spanish for bats and when dusk falls a giant cloud of bats emerge from the mouth of the mine to hunt for food. It is a spectacular sight and a viewing gallery has been built nearby to view this phenomenon.
Eating in Santiago
There are plentiful restaurants in Santiago to choose from with many offering the best in North Mexican cuisine. One of the most popular dishes from the region is "machacado" which is dried, crushed beef mixed with spicy-fried egg. Another classic dish that nobody should miss out on is grilled pork marinated in a red chile sauce accompanied with rice and beans which is called "el asado de puerco".
Where To Eat
L'Anfora Dio Iannilli
Melchor Ocampo 104,
Plaza Centro
Tel. (812) 285 4750
El Callejon de Santiago
Juarez 400, centro
Te. (812) 285 1246
Las Palomas
Abasolo 101, Centro
Tel. (812) 285 3105
Where To Stay
Cabañas Antiguo Aserradero
Cofre de Perote 5701 esq. Mil
Cumbres, Villa Mitras
Tel. (818) 376 5834 or 370 9111
www.antiguoaserradero.com
Hotel Parador Campestre Inn
Carr. Nacional Km 247
Tel. (812) 285 1151 or 1046
www.paradorcampestre.com
Hacienda Cola de Caballo
Carr. Cola de Caballo Km 6
Tel. (812) 285 0260or 01 800 837 6000
www.coladecaballo.com
Around Santiago
To the south of Santiago, about nine kilometers away, is one of the state's most recognized natural wonders - Casacada Cola de Caballo. This 25-foot waterfall is open to the public all year round while nearby is a rustic hacienda where the more adventurous can go bungee-jumping. In the same area are a multitude of caves and and rock faces which people often absail and the huge forest that envelops all these features is of breathtaking beauty.
Tourist Offices
Corporacion para el Desarrollo Turistico de Nuevo Leon
Washington 648 ote.
Between Zuazua and Zaragoza
Antiguo Palacio Federal, second floor
Tel. (812) 020 6774 or 79
www.vistanuevoleon.travel
Oficina Municpal de Turismo de Santiago
Guerrrero esq. Rayon, Centro
Tel. (812) 451 4582
www.santiagonl.gob.mx
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