Day 1!!!
I was on the road by 7.15 am and the sun was shining…it was a good day of driving and I arrived at my destination by 3.00pm…
I have a nice small and clean room in a little hotel in the Peublos Magico town of Mascota in Jalisco State!!
There will be some hiking tomorrow before I head to the beach!!
I took a walk into the town……
Enjoy the photos of this quaint laid back town!!
The Mexican government has done a great job in promoting their rich culture and traditions. It isn’t only the world-class landmarks like Mayan pyramids, colorful outfits or native dances that get people interested in visiting Mexico.
You might know a bit about famous Mexican artists who have gained worldwide recognition and fame as well as the Mexican culture they promote. But there’s another side to this nation of Mexico that not many people know about.
Sometimes referred to as ‘Mexico’s magic villages’, the Pueblos Magicos en Mexico (also known as Magic Towns) are a group of wonderfully quaint towns on the fringes of big cities.
What is a Magic Town?
The Pueblo Magico project was launched by the government in 2001 to promote all those quaint old towns which have preserved their traditional Mexican architecture, culture and heritage. These towns are located along popular tourism routes that access Mexico’s big cities or well-known beaches.
The objective of this ambitious project is to place Mexico on the world map as a tourist destination for those who want more from their traveling experiences than just sunbathing and partying.
The pueblos magicos showcase the genuine Mexico, away from the beaten track and free of commercial tourist traps. These towns will give you a chance to appreciate Mexican traditions, experience rustic life first-hand, enjoy fresh local food cooked in age-old traditional ways.
How many Mexico Pueblos Magicos are there?
There are approx 132 such quaint towns, but there are more towns being added occasionally so this is not an exact number. Each town has its own unique attractions. Most visitors to Mexico tend to head straight for either big cities or beaches during their visit, but all along there are these wonderful towns worth visiting.
Why are the towns called Pueblos Magicos?
These unique villages have been given their name by the government because these towns are magical places that stir the imagination. Even though they are just like any other small villages where life goes on as it has done for centuries , there is something about them which mesmerizes people.
Perhaps their beautiful architecture or colorful surroundings but there’s more to it than that. Traditional festivals , fiestas with music, dance and entertainment are held throughout the year .
You can attend horse races, dance with the locals , enjoy street markets or simply stroll around enjoying the fresh cool air .
These pueblo magicos in Mexico will give you an insight into real life in Mexico away from all the commercialism of cities like Cancun.
The towns are generally safe and secure, even for women travelers. Most towns are peaceful and crime rates are low but of course, always do your research and use common sense as you would travelling anywhere.
How do towns become Pueblo Magicos?
Towns can’t just decide they will be a Pueblo Magico town, they need to earn the status. They firstly have to have a population of minimum 5,000 people and be fairly close to a large city.
If the town reaches this criteria they need to form their own committee which will be in charge of setting up the application.
After that, plans for tourism development must be made and agreed upon. This includes setting aside a special tourism fund for generating and maintaining the tourism sector.
The last step includes making sure that once the Pueblo Magico status has been granted, the committments to developing tourism for the town are consistently kept updated.
Stay safe and healthy!!
Yashi Kochi!!
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