Mexico is already major tourist destination, but the Mexican board of tourism decided to encourage even more people to visit by coming up with the Pueblos Mágicos program in 2001 to showcase its most magical and enchanting towns. The criteria for earning the Pueblos Mágicos designation include having natural, historical, or cultural assets as well as having a current population still going about their daily lives. By 2017, they had selected 111 towns, which saw an increase in tourism as a result. And because the program recognizes smaller towns and villages rather than big cities, the program helps them preserve the natural and cultural assets of the region as well as their unique streetscapes. Being selected as a Pueblo Mágico also brings in a lot of tourists, which in turn creates jobs and stimulates the economy—while also making the great features of Mexico accessible to a wider audience. It’s been a win-win strategy for everyone.
I’ve been to several of these Magical Towns, so I’ll tell you about some of the ones that are close to Mexico City. The first is Tequisquiapan in Querétaro, which is about a three-hour drive from Mexico City. The downtown area is tiny, but it’s dotted with all kinds of photo-worthy buildings, including the Church of Santa Maria. I think it’s perfect for a stroll.



Tequisquiapan
The area is also famous for wine and cheese, and there are some twenty wineries in the vicinity. We visited the Finca Sala Vivé by Freixenet México (the Querétaro location for the Spanish brand), said to be the second-largest winery in Mexico, and the kids had a blast there—which you wouldn’t expect at winery. They had a playground and even events with clowns, a giant bubble machine, and more.



Finca Sala Vive by Freixenet Mexico
For the adults, there was delicious wine and cheese, and you could go and take a tour of the underground cellars as well. We had a great time.



The next place is a town called Bernal, also in Querétaro, about thirty minutes by car from Tequisquiapan. It’s a famous vortex that’s also known for UFO sightings. It has adorable streets as well, lined with tons of little shops.


Bernal
One of the must-see attractions in Bernal is a massive rock formation called Peña de Bernal, which can be seen from anywhere in the town. This huge monolith is 350–400 meters tall. People often say it’s the third largest rock in the world, but other systems rank it differently. I guess it’s hard to know for sure.



Peña de Bernal
Only experienced rock climbers can get to the very top, but apparently even novice hikers can get as far as the eighth station.
The third Pueblo Mágico is Tepoztlán in Morelos. It’s only about an hour’s drive from Mexico City, so you can just head out whenever you feel like visiting. It’s a colorful town with artistic restaurant interiors as well, but I only stopped by briefly on my way back from Cuernavaca, so I didn’t get to really check it out or even get any information on it. I’d like to go back, especially to see the Tubohotel, which is a unique hotel that lets you stay in clay pipes.


One of the best things to do in the Magical Towns is wander around the little shops, as there are tons of cute things for sale in Tepoztlán and many other places in this Pueblo Mágico, people weaving and selling baskets on the side of the road, and more.