In 2001, the Mexican Secretary of Tourism (SECTUR) created an initiative called "Pueblo Mágico/Magical Town." This program seeks to highlight towns around the country that offer a unique and "magical experience – by reason of their natural beauty, cultural richness, traditions, folklore, historical relevance, cuisine, arts & crafts, and hospitality."
You can find SECTUR's "Magical Town" definition here.
A town that through time and before modernity, was conserved, valued and defended for its historical, cultural and natural heritage; and manifests in it various expressions through its tangible and intangible heritage. A "Magical Town" is a locality that has unique, symbolic attributes, authentic stories, transcendent facts, daily life, which means a great opportunity for tourism, taking into account the motivations and needs of travelers.
"Magical Towns" are required to have a population of 20,000 inhabitants and must be located no more than 200 kilometers from a tourist destination. The criteria of incorporation and permanence can be found in the SECTUR Guide here. Continue reading for the complete list of Magical Towns by state.
Baja California
Chihuahua
Arteaga
Coahuila
Durango
Nuevo León
Sinaloa
Sonora
Tamaulipas
Mier
Tula
Aguascalientes
Calvillo
San José de Gracia
Real de Asientos
Colima
Comala
Estado de México
Valle de Bravo
Aculco
El Oro
San Juan Teotihuacán y San Martín de las Pirámides
Villa del Carbón
Tepotzotlán
Ixtapan de la Sal
Metepec
Malinalco
Guanajuato
Mineral de Pozos
Jalpa de Cánovas
Yuriria
Salvatierra
Dolores Hidalgo
Guerrero
Taxco
Hidalgo
Real del Monte
Mineral del Chico
Huichapan
Tecozautla
Huasca de Ocampo
Jalisco
Tequila
San Sebastián del Oeste
Talpa de Allende
Lagos de Moreno
Mazamitla
Mascota
Tapalpa
Michoacán
Pátzcuaro
Angangueo
Cuitzeo
Santa Clara del Cobre
Tacámbaro
Jiquilpan
Tzintzuntzan
Tlalpujahua
Morelos
Tlacayapan
Tepoztlán
Nayarit
Jala
Sayulita
Querétaro
Tequisquiapan
Cadereyta
Jalpan de Serra
San Joaquín
Bernal
San Luis Potosí
Xilitla
Real de Catorce
Tlaxcala
Tlaxco
Huamantla
Zacatecas
Jerez
Nochistlán
Pinos
Teúl
Sombrerete
Campeche
Palizada
Chiapas
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Chiapa de Corzo
Comitán
Palenque
Oaxaca
Capulálpam
Huautla de Jiménez
San Pablo Villa de Mitla
San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula
Mazunte
Puebla
Cuetzalan
Atlixco
Chignahuapan
Huachinango
Pahuatlán
Tlatlauquitepec
Xicotepec
Zacatlán de las Manzanas
Cholula
Tabasco
Tapijulapa
Quintana Roo
Isla Mujeres
Tulúm
Bacalar
Veracruz
Orizaba
Xico
Coscomatepec
Papantla
Zozocolco
Coatepec
Yucatán
Izamal
Valladolid
