Mexico has an abundance of different landscapes, with an impressive range of colours, mountains, lakes and seas, all making it one of the most photogenic places in the world.
Every region in the country has its own unique charm, and there are many different landscapes to choose from. From picturesque colonial villages to abandoned ghost towns, without forgetting laid-back, colourful beaches with no shortage of good vibes.
We’ve compiled a list of the most beautiful fairytale towns in the country.
Cholula, Puebla
This first location gives you the option of discovering two iconic sister regions: San Pedro Cholula and San Andrés Cholula. The former municipality offers views of the pyramid where the Los Remedios convent now stands. Close to the church, you can find the Xelhua centre, which offers traditional crafts, culture and cuisine. Here you can find a range of different arts and crafts including works crafted from wood, red clay and textiles. On the other hand, the San Andrés municipality allows you to visit the famous temples of San Francisco Acatepec and Santa María Tonanzintla, with their characteristic façades covered in Talavera tiles, a type of ceramics typically used in the region. Here you can also find a large number of cafés, restaurants and modern shops where you can walk around or take a seat and enjoy the local architecture and cuisine.
Bacalar, Quintana Roo
Bacalar, also known as the Lake of the Seven Colours is one of six magical towns located in the Yucatán peninsula. Situated in the Quintana Roo state, the town is surrounded by dense forest, cabins, a wide variety of wildlife and an incomparably tranquil atmosphere.
There are many ways to have fun visiting the lagoon, whether by taking a trip on a tourist boat, paddling along in a kayak or taking a dip in the Cenote Azul, which is surrounded by jungle vegetation. You can take a visit around the San Felipe fortress, a building that protected the region against pirates and invaders in times gone by. A beautiful colonial pavilion lies in the town’s main square, surrounded by craft stalls and restaurants where you can try typical dishes from the region.
Tequisquiapan, Querétaro
It’s one of the most popular towns within the vicinity of Mexico City and Querátaro, thanks to its easy accessibility and excellent climate. It’s one of the main stops on the Art, Wine and Cheese route, represented by the National Festival of Cheese and Wine, which features local products from the state. As part of your route around the old town, you’ll discover the church of Santa María de la Asunción. And if you drive west for 10 minutes until you reach the mines at La Trinidad, you can learn about the process of extracting agate, a semi-precious stone that is commonly found in the area.
Taxco, Guerrero
This jewel dating back to the Viceroyalty of New Spain is the location for a number of tourist attractions you can visit by taking a trip on the Turitaxco, a guided tour bus that starts out in Mexico City and stops off at a number of different destinations. Once you reach this beautiful colonial town, you can visit the church of Santa Prisca y San Sebastián, which has a beautiful baroque style square façade. The city also offers the option of taking a tour around the Guillermo Spratling Museum, which houses pre-hispanic artefacts and murals by artist Juan O’Gorman.
San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
This town lies in the heart of Altos de Chiapas, where there is a fusion between Mayan cultures and refined Spanish architecture, best appreciated as you take a walk around the city. San Cristóbal de Las Casas features an abundance of artistic and culinary delicacies from the local area and further afield. If you want to spend a couple of days exploring the surroundings, on the first day, you can visit the plains surrounding San Juan Chamula, as well as Zinacantán, an indigenous town you can visit by bike. On the second day, you can take a tour to the Chukumaltik cenote, where you can go diving and enjoy a swim in its ancestral waters.
Álamos, Sonora
This site owes its riches to the La Europea and La Doña mines. The former was discovered on the outskirts of the Sierra de Álamos, where there’s an abundance of silver deposits. The latter is named after the famous figure María Féliz, who was born in this town to the south of Sonora.
The streets of this colonial town look like they were frozen in time, which is why it’s considered one of the most authentic and well-preserved places in Mexico.
The calm and peaceful rhythm of the city lets you lose yourself in the gardens of beautiful estates at your leisure as you take in the views of the Sierra de Álamos.
Now you have all the information you need to visit the very best Mexican towns and enjoy some charming and magical moments filled with cuisine, food, history and atmosphere.
