The concept of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos dates back to 2001 and a program directed by the national tourist board to recognise towns that offer visitors ‘cultural richness, historical relevance, cuisine, art crafts and great hospitality’.
The scheme was, and still is, directed at Mexico’s smaller towns, a way of drawing attention to some of the country’s lesser-known gems.
By 2010 there was some 32 Pueblos Magicos and then, just 2 years later, that figure had grown to 83, covering each and every state in Mexico.
At the time of writing, in 2024, the number of Pueblos Magicos has ballooned still further to 177. Even this number doesn’t seem likely to reflect the final number so don’t be surprised if the total exceeds 200 in the not-too-distant future.
|
|
|
 |
Beyond The Ordinary arrange fully bonded, tailor made holidays and tours to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Contact one of our experts on 01580 764796, email travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk or contact us via our website. |
|
|
|
Pueblos Magicos of the Yucatan Peninsula
Beyond The Ordinary are specialists in tailor made holidays to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (comprising the states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo & Campeche) so our emphasis is very much on the Pueblos Magicos of the region.
There are currently 14 Pueblos Magicos in the Yucatan Peninsula which we have detailed below, state by state, with a brief summary of each destination’s core key visitor attributes.
Anyone who knows the region, or even visitors who have some initial research, will notice that many of the region’s key tourist destinations are missing.
So, for example, the key cities of Merida & Campeche are both missing from the list – that is because both are cities, not towns, and therefore too large to be considered Pueblos.
Key Mayan sites, such as Chichen Itza, Uxmal & Calakmul are also missing. All 3 (and many, many more) are worth visiting, it’s just that they aren’t Pueblos.
That said, some of the Pueblos Magicos that are included are, well, definitely not Pueblos as most people would define them.
Anyhow, without further ado, here is the current list of Pueblos Magicos in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Yucatan State
Valladolid
This charming, colonial-era town is a must-visit on any touring holiday of the Yucatan Peninsula and, in our opinion, is the number 1 Pueblo Magico in the Yucatan Peninsula. Not only is Valladolid a wonderful place to visit in its own right, it is also a great base from which to explore numerous, surrounding attractions, including Chichen Itza. It is also home to some of the best and most varied hotel options in the region. No 1 on map.
Mani
The small town of Mani is located a short drive south of Merida and is normally visited as part of a circuit known as the Convent Route. The attractive town centre is a nice place to wander about away from the crowds while the Convento de San Miguel Arcángel is the town’s number one draw. 2 on map.
Sisal
Located on the Gulf Coast, a short drive from Merida, the town of Sisal is really a weekend beach retreat for residents of the city. The pueblo itself is nothing to write home about and, as such, this is not somewhere that many overseas visitors choose to visit. 3 on map.
Tekax
This small, attractive town is well and truly off the standard tourist trail and is well worth a visit for anyone wishing to experience a more authentic, less tourist-influenced slice of the Yucatan. Aside from its own laid-back charm, Tekax also boasts its own Mayan ruins, extensive cave networks and nearby hacienda. 4 on map.
Espita
Located approximately 45-minutes north of the aforementioned Valladolid, and easily combinable with Ek Balam and Rio Lagartos, Espita is one of the newest Pueblos Magicos in the Yucatan Peninsula. An attractive, easily walkable town, key sites of interest include San Jose church, the Hacienda and Cenote Kancabá, Municipal Palace and numerous, nearby cenotes. 5 on map.
Motul
Located no more than an hour’s drive northwest of Merida, the provincial town of Motul receives very few overseas visitors but is an attractive town that can easily be combined with its more famous, near neighbour, Izamal. 6 on map.
Izamal
Another Yucatan gem, the picturesque town of Izamal is principally famous for the fact that almost every building in the town centre is painted yellow. At the heart of town is the unmissable Convento San Antonio de Padua, while the ruins of the original Mayan city dot the town, including the Kinich Kakmo pyramid that can still be climbed. Many visitors simply pass through Izamal but, with its varied accommodation options, an overnight stay is definitely worthwhile. 7 on map.
Quintana Roo
Bacalar
While the town of Bacalar is pleasant enough, with an interesting little fort to visit, the big draw here is beautiful Laguna Bacalar, the lake of Seven Colours. The water in the lake is clean and safe to swim in, making this a viable alternative to staying on the coast, especially as there are numerous hotels right on the lake to choose from. 8 on map.
Isla Mujeres
Tiny Isla Mujeres is just a 30-minute ferry from Cancun, boasts a lovely beach, good snorkelling and its very own Mayan ruin. The pueblo, if one can really call it that, doesn’t have any history or particular character but features plenty of bars, restaurants and shops. 9 on map.
Tulum
One of the most visited and Instagram featured destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum is famous both for its gorgeous beaches, small, low-rise (over-priced) hotels and impossibly photogenic Mayan ruins directly overlooking the Caribbean. The pueblo, set inland from the beach, is an entirely modern, tourist construct, a conglomeration of more value-led hotels, bars, restaurants, spas, travel agencies etc. 10 on map.
Cozumel
Undoubtedly the oddest Pueblo Magico in the Yucatan Peninsula is the island of Cozumel. Unlike tiny Isla Mujeres, Cozumel stretches a not insignificant 30 miles (ie it’s longer than Barbados) and, while it boats excellent snorkelling and diving options, it’s difficult to see much in the way of on-land magic, especially as Cozumel is also a major cruise ship destination. 11 on map.
Campeche
Palizada
Located alongside the river of the same name, Palizada is undoubtedly the remotest, hardest-to-reach Pueblo Magico in the entire Yucatan Peninsula, located as it is close to the border with the Tabasco state. A sleepy, picturesque little town, very few overseas visitors make it this far. 12 on map.
Candelaria
Located approximately 2 hours south of Campeche, and like Palizada, the town of Candelaria is named after the river than runs through it. Also, well off most tourist routes, Candelaria is a growing eco-destination, with kayaking along the river and nearby mangroves the most popular activity. 13 on map.
Isla Aguada
Located an hour plus drive south of Campeche, Isla Aguada is known for its attractive beaches as well as being a base from which to explore the nearby Laguna de Terminos mangrove, a protected nature sanctuary covering over 2,500sq miles. Boat tours take visitors out into the sanctuary where large pods of dolphins can often be spotted. Not really a town, but there you go. 14 on map.
Visiting the Magical Towns
As specialists in travel to the Yucatan Peninsula, all our holidays are entirely tailor made to clients’ requirements and can be arranged with or without international flights.
In terms of how exactly clients can explore the region, we offer two main choices.
Car & Driver / Guide
The easiest way to explore the region is on a private tour with an English-speaking driver / guide (other languages available on request).
These driver / guides own and operate their own, good quality vehicles and all are experienced guides with extensive experience of taking clients around the region.
With all such private tours, we take care not just of the transport, driver / guide and all sightseeing, entrances fees etc, but also all the accommodation.
Self-Drive / Car Hire
As an alternative to a private tour, and a cheaper option, we also arrange self-drive holidays. In this instance, we would arrange the accommodation and car hire but clients would be responsible for their day-to-day sightseeing arrangements.
Driving around the Yucatan Peninsula is both safe and very straightforward with good quality roads, surprisingly little traffic (away from the east coast) and plenty of petrol stations.
You will find ideas and inspiration within the Itineraries section of our website although, as all our holidays are built from scratch, these really are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential options.
