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.
Nestled amongst rolling green fields and pine forests, the town of Tapalpa provides the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the modern-day city. Lying 90 kilometers south of Guadalajara - the nation's second-biggest urban center - it is impossible to mistake the red-thatched roofs of Tapalpa for anywhere else. The air is clean and fresh, as it should be for a town situated 2,200 meters above sea-level, while the surrounding ample open spaces are ideal for nature walks and horse-riding.
The name Tapalpa comes from the Nahuatl world Tlapalpan meaning the "land of colors" which is a true reflection of the town's beauty. Despite it's tiny population - around 16,000 according to the latest census figures - Tapalpa has been the birthplace to several famous figures including the mother of Mexican revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata. It also boasts a rich literary vein providing the inspiration to writers and poets such as Raúl Quintero Parra, Cipriano Campos Alatorre and Luis Enrique Bracamontes.
Tapalpa's fresh springs are renowned throughout the whole region and explains why the area is so rich in flora and fauna. There are four important wells within the city - De las Culebras, Del Tecolote, Del Perro and La Colorado - and local residents to this day come to collect water from them which according to folklore is renowned for its healing qualities. During the last few centuries the worship of the indigenous deity Atlquiahuitl - the God of water - has become popular in the region. Statues of Atlquiahuitl who is represented in the form of a sparrowhawk can be seen dotted throughout the town.
As with all Pueblos Magicos, the town's centerpiece attraction is the local church which was built in 1650 and is a wonderful example of neoclassical architecture. The Parroquia de San Antonio was designed and built by Fransican monks and is noted for its massive interior and opulent stone arches.
Because of Tapalpa's high altitude, the climate hovers around 16 centigrade or 61 Fahrenheit all year round with the temperature dropping considerably at night. Therefore it's recommended to take warm clothing.
Locals also recommend that visitors should take a tour of the town and the surrounding region - known as Sierra de Tapalpa - on horseback to experience the panoramic scenery and the "magic atmosphere" that the territory is famously associated with.
Tourist Offices
Jalisco Tourism Secretariat Av. Morelos 102, Plaza Tapatia, Centro Guadalajara, Jalisco Tel: (333)668 1602 www.jalisco.gob.mx
Embassies in Mexico City are mostly located in the northwest of the city, especially in Polanco and Lomas. They represent their country in Mexico and mostly work on developing political and economic ties between Mexico and their respective countries. The embassy is the first stop for any foreign national who has lost their passport, needs a visa, or has found themselves in some sort of legal trouble in Mexico.
The city itself is actually one of Mexico's most fascinating museums. The winding stairs and twisting lanes, some no wider than a kiss from facing balconies, are apt for the serious walker, equipped with proper shoes. Yet the greatest repositories of beauty, devotion, skill and passion are the churches.
Nestled amid jagged cliffs and rock-carved mountains, Tepoztlan is a gem that is far away and yet so close to the sprawling metropolis of Mexico City. This ancient town offers the perfect weekend getaway for the Big City's weeklong weary denizens. And yet, despite its proximity, the moment you pass the highway tollbooth and begin the winding descent into the town, you immediately feel yourself transported to a different land.
The "Land of Eternal Spring," as Cuernavaca is popularly referred to, is located a mere hours drive from the bustling metropolis of Mexico City. Although most of us know Cuernavaca as a nearby town where we probably know someone with a nice house and swimming pool, there is more to Cuernavaca than many of us would think.
Oaxaca is one of the most beautiful and varied states of México, and is always mentioned as a "must see" destination. Its diversity spans not only geography - offering everything from cloud forests to arid semi-desert climates - but also culture and ethnicity, being home to a large and multi-ethnic indigenous population that remains the driving force of the economy of Oaxaca through their rich tradition of arts and handicrafts.
Atotonilco is located on a good road just outside San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato, and is on the World Monuments Watch list, among 100 "most endangered" sites because of the amazing frescoes that fill the walls, doorways and vaults of its astonishing interior.
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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.
