If you’re searching for the real heart of Mexico, look no further than its gorgeous small towns. From hidden mountain gems to laidback beach towns, they offer a beguiling mix of pre-Hispanic culture, Spanish colonial-era architecture and exciting authentic cuisine. There’s plenty of colour too, especially if it’s the day the town celebrates its patron saint.
Click through this gallery for a fiesta of small Mexican towns, each one bursting with the magic of this incredible country...
Halfway between Merida and the ruins of Chichen Itza on the Yucatan peninsula, Izamal is Mexico’s brightest pueblo. Once a powerful Mayan city, the entire town is a cheerful shade of sunflower yellow. Some say it was painted the colour to mark the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1993, others to honour Kinich Kak Moo, a manifestation of the Mayan sun god. Izamal is a beguiling mix of both cultures, with the centre of town home to St Anthony’s Monastery (pictured), built in 1561, and a Mayan pyramid dating from a thousand years earlier.
Nestled in the verdant Michoacan highlands, the lakeside town of Patzcuaro is a beguiling mix of Spanish colonial architecture and the centuries-old traditions of the Indigenous Purepecha people. It is famous for its artisanal crafts and the fervour with which the locals celebrate Dia de los Muertos, the Day Of the Dead. The lava-covered Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro is a must-visit, as is Janitzio island (pictured), reached by boat and dominated by a statue of the revolutionary leader Jose Morelos.
This once-sleepy fishing village on the Pacific Coast is now a popular destination, famous for its relaxed vibe and colourful restaurants, cafes and shops. An influx of expats has seen the town grow and a number of sophisticated eateries and bars established to meet their needs. But the beach, with its beginner-friendly breaks and lush mountains rising behind it, remains the main draw. In an area that is becoming increasingly developed, Sayulita is a bohemian bolthole where life moves at a slower pace.
This lively and colourful town about 30 minutes east of Guadalajara has become something of an arts colony. It is famous for its ‘Umbrella Lane’ (pictured), a pedestrianised street in the historic centre, sheltered by hundreds of vibrant umbrellas hung above it. But wander the lanes that radiate off it and you’ll find the workshops of the region’s finest craftspeople, selling high quality ceramics. Make sure to drop by the town's two excellent ceramic museums, the Museo Regional de la Cerámica and Pantaleon Panduro, to learn more about the region’s most famous art form.
San Cristobal de las Casas is the jewel of Chiapas, the mountainous Mexican state that borders Guatemala. Indigenous culture is still strong here, particularly in the bustling markets that centre around the main square, while the cobbled streets and stunning 16th century Templo de Santo Domingo are the most striking reminders of Spain’s colonial rule. Set in a gorgeous highland valley surrounded by pine forest, the town is also the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of the region, as well as the Mayan ruins at Palenque and Yaxchilan.
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There are 132 Pueblos Magicos (Magic Towns) dotted across Mexico, each hand-selected by the government for their unique charm and dedication to tradition. Todos Santos is the only one on the Baja Peninsula and it is easy to see why it was chosen. This desert oasis overlooking the Pacific Ocean is a haven for artists, craftspeople and surfers, as well as travellers seduced by its laidback, easy-going vibe. But the real magic happens every year between November and April, when humpback whales and gray whales migrate down the Baja Peninsula to frolic in the warm waters just off shore.
This spectacular mountain town in central Mexico is reputedly the birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the fearsome feathered serpent spirit who was the Aztec god of wind, air and learning. Today it is more famous for its weekly craft market (pictured) and the unique flavours served at the local ice cream shop, Tepoznieves, including the boozy Higo con mezcal, made with figs and mescal; and Poblana, which combines coffee, sweet potato and Bailey’s Irish cream. A hike to the remains of El Tepozteco temple built on top of the nearby Tepozteco Mountain will quickly work off those extra calories.
Bacalar is one of Mexico’s prettiest towns. It sits close to the border with Belize in southeastern Mexico, overlooking Lake Bacalar, known as the Lake of Seven Colours because of its multitude of blue and turquoise hues. Life here revolves around the lake – either on it in kayaks and SUPs, or watching it from a hammock, a cold drink to hand. There’s a pirate museum housed in the 18th-century fort, Fuerte de San Felipe (pictured). The colonial-era San Joaquin Parish Church is famous for its vaulted ceiling. And the nearby Cenote Azul boasts a series of underwater caves.
Picturesque San Sebastian Bernal is a gorgeous colonial-era town in central Mexico founded in 1642 by a Spanish soldier called Alonso Cabrera. Better known simply as Bernal, the town sits in the shadow of the world’s third-tallest monolith, Pena de Bernal. It rises 1,421 feet (433m) above the cobblestone streets and colourful facades providing a dramatic backdrop that gives the town an otherworldly aura. The craggy peak is sacred to the Indigenous Otomi-Chichimeca people whose descendants make an annual pilgrimage to the summit every May carrying a 187-pound (85kg) wooden cross.
In Aztec mythology, the goddess Malinalxochitl chose Malinalco as her home. Nestled in an isolated valley only two hours from Mexico City, surrounded by verdant mountains, it certainly makes for a relaxing escape. The hills and cliffs are dotted with hidden cave paintings and petroglyphs and the temple of Cuauhtinchan (pictured), carved on the side of a cliff overlooking the town, is one of the most impressive monolithic structures in Mesoamerica. Make sure to visit the House of the Eagles, once a sanctuary for elite Aztec warriors.
Set on a desert plateau in the Sierra de Catorce range, this once prosperous colonial silver mining town was one of the first ‘pueblos magicos’ declared in 2001. It lay abandoned for over 50 years until it was rediscovered by an Italian tourist. An influx of artists and wealthy Mexicans saw much of the town rebuilt and today visitors come to experience its isolated calm. It is a popular movie set too – you might recognise it from The Mexican and Bandidas – and can only be reached after travelling for 1.5 miles (2.4km) through the Ogarrio Tunnel.
Cuetzalan is a mountain town in Mexico’s south-central state of Puebla, best known for its weekly street markets. Vendors gather in the main square selling a colourful array of Indigenous handicrafts and produce. If you’re lucky you’ll get to witness the Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flying Men), a pre-Hispanic Indigenous ceremony that sees acrobatic sky dancers (pictured) swinging around a 98-foot (30m) pole in front of the Renaissance-style bell tower of the St Francis of Assisi Cathedral.
Another of Mexico’s charming old silver towns, Taxco sits nestled in the mountains of Guerrero, its white buildings randomly stacked on a hillside. The winding cobblestone streets snake up the hill to the town centre, crowned by an intricately detailed Baroque church. Here you’ll find the town’s fabled silversmith, creating jewellery unique to the town. Taxco is uniquely served by a fleet of VW Beetle taxis. Take one to El Mirador for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the town and the surrounding mountains.
Yes, the beautiful town of Tequila in western Mexico is where the world-famous drink originates from. And yes, it is surrounded by distilleries, many set in gorgeous haciendas surrounded by fields of blue agave, where you can sample this fiery liquor. But take the time to explore Tequila’s Baroque historical centre, especially the Church of Santiago Apostol and its world-famous stained-glass windows. The pottery here is exquisite too, the perfect souvenir to accompany your bottle.
Orizaba sits in the shadow of Pico de Orizaba volcano, the highest mountain in Mexico, and is famous for its well-preserved colonial-era buildings and incredible ‘Iron Palace’ (pictured). This Art Nouveau building made of iron was designed by Gustave Eiffel and sent in pieces from Brussels. Originally a government building, today it houses six museums. It’s also home to the Gran Cafe De Orizaba, a veritable coffee palace and the best place to sample a brew in the heart of Mexico’s coffee country.
Surrealism runs deep in this beautiful small town nestled in the lush mountain jungles of central Mexico. Xilitla means ‘Place of Snails’ in the ancient Aztec Nahuatl language. There's a museum with sculptures by Leonora Carrington, a prominent artist of the Surrealist movement. And on the outskirts of town you’ll find Las Pozas (pictured), an otherworldly garden created by eccentric Englishman Edward James, who collected and was inspired by Surrealistic art. Here, in a tangle of lush vegetation, you’ll find building-sized art installations, unfinished concrete staircases and pillars, and labyrinth-like passageways leading to new and unexpected delights.
Valladolid is one of the oldest and most beautiful towns on the Yucatan Peninsula, famed for its quiet streets and sun-splashed pastel walls. The main square, Parque Francisco Canton, is a lively meeting place where locals come to eat, drink and gossip, especially when night falls and the temperatures drop. Culture lovers will want to check out Casa de los Venados and its impressive collection of over 3,000 pieces of Mexican folk art. While on the outskirts of town, 10 natural water pools (cenotes) with crystal clear water beckon those looking for a refreshing dip.
This colonial-era town in Mexico’s central highlands doesn’t do things by halves. La Parroquia, an immense neo-Gothic church made from pink stone, absolutely dominates the town centre. And every September cobbled streets are overrun with parties, mariachi bands and parades of dancing puppets as the town celebrates its patron saint, St Michael the Archangel. But among that clamour and excess you’ll find an increasing number of sophisticated boutique hotels and eateries, transforming San Miguel de Allende into a place for all the senses.
If you’re looking for the perfect encapsulation of modern Mexico, look no further than the pretty town of Cholula in Puebla. Here you’ll find Tepanapa, Mexico’s largest pyramid and the biggest in the world by volume, topped by the Church of Los Remedios, built by the Spanish in 1575. Some see it as a symbol of both cultures living side by side, a theme that continues in the colonial-era town below. Here you’ll find 40 churches mingling with pottery workshops, whose wares are glazed deep blue and decorated with pre-Hispanic patterns.
There’s a beach for every mood in this laidback, under-the-radar Oaxaca beach town. If you’re looking for golden sands and swaying coconut trees, head to Playa Carrizalillo. For calmer waters and family-friendly vibes, it’s got to be tranquil Playa Principal (pictured). But for the best waves – and lively post-breaks nightlife – bustling Zicatela Beach, with its abundance of waterfront bars and cafes, is the place to head. And if you’re in town between July and January, a detour to nearby Playa del Palmarito is highly recommended. It’s one of the largest turtle nesting beaches along the Mexican Pacific Coast.
With its colonial-era churches, pastel-coloured houses and weekly art market, Huamantla is a charming town to visit any time of the year. But on 14 August something truly magical happens. The streets are cordoned off and locals set about creating spectacular tapetes: temporary carpets skilfully made using coloured sawdust and wood shavings. These gorgeous artworks only last a matter of hours before they are trampled underfoot by an equally spectacular procession in honour of the Virgin of Charity. Little wonder then that it is also known as 'la noche que nadie duerme': the night that no one sleeps.
This working-class town on the southern edges of Mexico City is famous for its canals. The 105-mile (169km) network of waterways is all that is left of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs. The area is still best explored by boat – either on one of the brightly coloured party barges that come complete with its own mariachi band, or on something smaller and quieter that will take you deeper into the watery network, perhaps even visiting the eerie (and reputedly haunted) Island of the Dolls.
With its sugar white sands, cobalt water and balmy breezes, laidback Tulum provides a delightful escape from the madness of Cancun, its rowdier neighbour to the north. The chilled beach bar vibe and boutique hotels here make for an altogether chicer stay. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve offers nature and adventure in abundance. And the spectacular Mayan ruins to the south of town (pictured), perched on sea cliffs overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea, have to be the most perfectly situated ancient ruins in Mexico.
Wander the cobbled streets of San Sebastian del Oeste and it feels like you have stepped back in time. Founded way back in 1605, this once booming mining town today feels more like a small mountain community. The whitewashed church and colonial-period haciendas still radiate a stately, if faded, charm. But the pace of life is much, much slower. A climb up nearby Bufa Hill offers a jaw-dropping panorama of the Pacific Ocean and Banderas Bay and a reminder that the glitz and glamour of Puerto Vallarta is only 47 miles (76km) away.
The imposing town of Huasca de Ocampo came into being when the Spanish mining magnate, Count Pedro Romero de Terreros, began mining here in the 1760s. Along with his enterprises in Pachuca and Real del Monte, the silver and gold he extracted here helped make him the richest man in the world at the time. That wealth saw some of the first haciendas in Mexico built here and is reflected in the impressive colonial-era buildings, streets and bridges that still define the town. The Goblins Museum, which tells stories from the region about children and adults who claim to have encountered elves, is a relatively new addition.
You won’t find cobbled streets and colonial-era casas in Mazunte, just a long, empty beach and spectacular sunsets. This sleepy seaside town is all about taking it easy, with visitors focused on wellbeing. The dusty streets are lined with vegan cafes and small studios offering yoga or meditation classes or a therapeutic massage. The locals here once made a living hunting sea turtles. Now they lead conservation efforts, teaching visitors and residents alike how to coexist with the turtles that come here to lay their eggs.
Said to be the birthplace of the Aztecs, who set out from here in 1091 to found Tenochtitlan, Mexcaltitan de Uribe is a small man-made island-city in the state of Nayarit. Accessible by boat from La Batanga, it is known as 'The Mexican Venice' because after heavy rains the streets can only be navigated by boat. When it’s not rainy, visitors come for the colourful buildings, tranquil vibes and delicious fresh shrimp, caught in the waters that surround the island by local fishermen.
Tucked high up in the Sierra Madre, Tapalpa is all red tile roofs, whitewashed adobe walls and magenta blooms of bougainvillea. It’s a favourite weekend getaway for the residents of Guadalajara, just two hours away, and a haven of bright blue skies and pine-scented fresh mountain air. It was one of the first towns declared a Pueblos Magicos and you could spend your time wandering its cobbled streets and soaking up its charming vistas, but the surrounding countryside is worth exploring too, especially a mysterious grouping of rock monoliths in the 'Valley of the Enigmas'.
Campeche is a stunning harbour town dating from the Spanish colonial period in Mexico, with its historic centre surrounded by outer walls and fortifications to protect this Caribbean port against attacks from pirates. Officially a state capital, Campeche feels like a quaint small town, with pastel-coloured buildings, cobbled streets and a tranquil waterfront malecon (promenade), perfect for an evening stroll. The Museo Arqueologico de Campeche (Campeche Archaeological Museum) is home to some of the world’s best-preserved Mayan artefacts, while the main pedestrian street, Calle 59, features rotating art displays.
Sitting at a heady altitude of 8,858 feet (2,700m), the misty mining town of Mineral del Monte was the source of more than half the silver produced during the 300 years that Spain ruled Mexico. The mines – and the town – were given a new lease of life in 1824 when Cornish miners were imported to work here, bringing with them revolutionary mining techniques from the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Their influence remains to this day, with many townsfolk bearing English names, and an international Cornish pasty festival held every year.
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