Mexico is made up of
fascinating and epic historical episodes, vibrant traditions, surprising
customs and delightful natural settings that, when brought together into one
place, take the shape of a Pueblo Mágico, or “Magical town”, the spaces that
safeguard the essence of a whole country, protected by the warmth of its
people.
In these picturesque
corners, tradition and culture stroll through the streets in the form of
typical dishes, handicrafts, rituals, archeological sites and music, which are
enjoyed with a zealously-protected everydayness. In one of these small towns or
villages you can get to know first hand the architectural, cultural and
artistic gems the beauty of which will help you to understand more deeply
Mexican ways.
Cobbled streets, ancient
churches, beautiful houses with red-tiled roofs and white walls, run-down
buildings, women with embroidered skirts and shawls and men returning from
their day’s work in the fields, are just some of the marvelous sights you can
appreciate on your tour of one of the Pueblos that safeguard the magic of
Mexico.
Practically every single
state in the country boasts at least one such space in which time moves more
slowly and the face of the Mexican essence remains intact, meaning you should
not miss the opportunity to visit one of them and let yourself be enchanted by
the soft winds and the sheltering skies.
The history of this town is
closely knit to the liquor that has the same name and that is popular
throughout the entire world. Tequila, the Mexican name most foreigners are
familiar with. Tequila sits on the skirt of the Tequila Volcano, at nearly
10,000 feet from sea level and enjoys a warm climate year round with rain fall
during summer and fall.
From the top of the
majestic Tequila Volcano one can see the Tequila and Matitlan valleys and the
fractured geology of the gully and an interminable horizon of agaves.
You can go up by foot, car,
horse or mountain bike, depending on your taste. The path takes you through an
wonderful oak forest until the famous “tetilla” remembrance of the active
volcano. The winds speed wil let you know when you have reached the pinnacle
and you will be in awe with the 180° views.
Fifteen minutes from
Tequila in the gully a breath of humid vegetation seduces its visitors. Going into this huge natural throat that
descends between bird songs and a great variety of plants you will find the
water fall Los Azules, with its pristine water and its 98 feet fall, is nothing
but a great experience.
TAPALPA
Embraced by the great
Sierra Madre Occidental in the state of Jalisco, is the “Land of color” among
pine and oak forests, crystal clear streams and rock formations.
Tapalpa is a popular
destination for tourists looking for a taste of old Mexico. This historical
town is best known for its community fountains and architectural attractions
like the San Antonio Parish Church, the Purisima Chapel, the Temple of Nuestra
Señora de la Merced and the Temple of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
The community fountains,
known locally as pilas, are still used by the town’s inhabitants as a source of
water and have retained their original names of De las Culebras (The Snakes'),
Del Tecolote (The Owl's), Del Perro (The Dog's) and La Colorada (The Red One).
At the center of the town you will find the San Antonio Parish Church, a
neo-classical structure that was built out of brick by the Franciscans in 1650.
What’s most impressive about the church I the precision and leveling achieved
by the Franciscans while using brick as the primary building material.
Tapalpa is also the source
of one of Jalisco’s most famous dishes, borrego al pastor, which is still
especially famous in Tapalpa because it inhabitants continue to cook it in the
traditional style. This regional specialty involves cooking a whole lamb in
white wine, bay leaf, onion, garlic and peppers.
The Pueblos Magicos program
identifies towns that reflect “the culture of Mexico” through attributes like
architecture, traditions, customs, music, gastronomy, festivities and
handcrafts. There are currently 52 destinations throughout Mexico that have
earned the Pueblos Magicos classification.
MAZAMITLA
On the heights of the
Sierra del Tigre, the fog creeping is Mazamitla. Place the fresh aroma of fruit
trees and the open hospitality of the people seduces the visitor, who will find
the true spirit of this people in its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses
with tile roofs, peaceful countryside in the middle of the forest and ideal
sites for the adventure. Mazamitla magical town, located south of the state of
Jalisco to 122 km from the city of Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico. This beautiful
mountain town, wrapped in a huge blanket of forests and streams with a fresh
annual temperature of around 21 ° C, and has all the amenities to make your visit
an experience to remember.
Sheltered by beautiful
forests and streams, this Magic Town of the south of Jalisco is called by many
as the Mexican Switzerland.
Parrish of San Cristóbal,
of eclectic style with influences of the Eastern influence s, is the
architectonic emblem of this municipality.
The beautiful viewpoint el
Cerro del Tigre; the fresh natural environment of Jardín Encantado (Enchanted
Garden) with a waterfall of 35 meters; and the beautiful forest of the
Municipal Park La Zanja, are the places charming the visitors in their tour
through Mazamitla.
SAN SEBASTIAN
Tucked away in the hills of
the Sierra Madre lies the historic town of San Sebastián del Oeste. Founded
over 400 years ago as the mining capital of New Spain, this picturesque town is
a living example of colonial México.
Its attractions such as the
imposing Cerro de la Bufa, its historic buildings as the Hacienda Jalisco and
La Quinta, the church of San Sebastian and consistorial portal.
Just a short distance from
the busy beaches of Puerto Vallarta, San Sebastián is nestled amongst the pines
trees, 4600 feet up in the Sierra.