Exploring the 7 Magical Towns near Cancun

The Magical Towns (known as Pueblos Mágicos in Spanish) are full of color, beauty, tradition, and culture and help us to raise the value of the roots of this country. Join us to learn about the Magical Towns you can visit while on vacation in Cancun.

What is a Magical Town?

By now, you have probably heard a lot about Pueblos Mágicos:

The Ministry of Tourism of Mexico defines Pueblos mágicos (magical towns) as a locality with symbolic attributes such as legends, history, transcendent facts, and magic from each socio-cultural manifestation. Simply put, it is a destination whose culture and traditions are of immense value to Mexico.

How did the idea of the Magical Towns start?

The concept was created in 2001 to recognize the culture of these exceptional destinations in Mexico and promote them so that foreign tourists could learn more about this side of the country. The chosen sites must, in some way, highlight one or more of these characteristics:

• Cultural heritage

• Historical heritage

• Architecture

• Gastronomy

• Symbolisms

• Legends

• Traditions

In addition, they must comply with other attributes, such as having a working committee, the approval of some government agencies, and public health services for tourists.

The seven magical towns close to Cancun

And since we are in the Caribbean, we don't want to miss the opportunity to list, for all our traveler friends, the 7 Magical Towns that you can visit by car from Cancun. We will tell you what makes them unique and some curious facts so you can add them to your list of places to visit in Cancun.

⭐ Magical Town of Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, or Women Island, is located southeast of the Mexican Republic, across from Cancun, and joined the Magical Towns program in 2015. In its beginnings, the island was consecrated to the Mayan goddess of the moon and fertility, Ixchél, and the ancient Mayan believers placed statues of women all over the island. When the Spaniards colonizers landed on Isla Mujeres, they baptized it with that name when they came across the figures of the goddess.

Today, it has become a tropical paradise visited by more than 150 thousand travelers a month. These numbers are unsurprising because there are more tours and activities in Isla Mujeres daily, such as touring the island in a golf cart or sailing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres through the beautiful blue sea.

Type of tourism: Aquatic, nautical, historical, and cultural.

What is special about Isla Mujeres?

• Punta Norte: This area is famous for hosting several hotels and being home to Playa Norte, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

• Punta Sur: The place in Mexico to receive the first rays of the sun. It has a tourist stop where you will find a sculpture park, the archaeological remains of the temple of the Goddess Ixchél, the lighthouse, and the viewpoint.

• Garrafón Park: A natural park with an impressive coral reef where you can practice scuba diving, snorkeling, and other land activities.

• MUSA: The Underwater Museum of Art is a sustainable art exhibit that offers visitors an alternative underwater entertainment. It also provides a growing surface for the coral reef.

🚗Transfer time from Cancun to Isla Mujeres: 20 minutes by ferry from Puerto Juarez and 35 minutes from the hotel zone.

⭐ Magical Town of Tulum

It is not surprising that Tulum has been named Magical Town when it is home to one of the most representative postcard photos of the Caribbean.

This famous photograph portrays the 45th structure of the archaeological site of Tulum, better known as the Temple of the Wind. The entire archaeological zone of Tulum dates from the post-classic Mayan period. It is considered of great cultural value as the only Mayan city in front of the sea. It is also one of the few archaeological sites that preserve some of the original colors in its frescoes.

However, Tulum is not only a Mayan ruin; it has recently gained popularity as the most essential wellness and alternative tourism destination in the area. As we told you in our blog of the four incredible places you must visit in the Caribbean, Tulum offers visitors a bohemian and unique atmosphere.

Type of tourism: Aquatic, historical, adventure, cultural and wellness.

What is unique about Tulum?

• Tulum Archaeological Zone: The only Mayan city on the seashore. It has over 60 structures dating from the Late Classic Maya period (600 - 900 A.D.) and frescoes that still preserve some original colors.

• Playa Paraíso (Paradise Beach): A free-access beach that lives up to its name. You can visit it on your own or enjoy the service of a beach club.

• Cenotes: Besides the beaches, there are a variety of cenotes near Tulum that you can visit. Most of them require an access fee, which is usually quite affordable. Depending on the cenote, you can swim, eat, rest, and even buy souvenirs. Some recommendations are Cenote Calavera, Cenote Dos Ojos, and Gran Cenote.

• Boutique hotels: Recently, Tulum has adapted as an eco-chic destination full of lovely boutique hotels and alternative vibe bungalows. One of them is the Ahau Tulum Hotel, famous for its impressive sculpture Ven a la Luz (Come to the Light).

🚗 Transfer time from Cancun to Tulum: Between 1.5 and 2 hours by car.

⭐ Magical Town of Bacalar

Have you heard of the Lagoon of the Seven Colors? This monumental gift of nature makes Bacalar one of the most beautiful magical towns in Quintana Roo. Its name comes from the seven shades of blue in the water of the lagoon.

This body of water is 55 km long and 2.5 km at its widest point and has several cenotes, mangroves, and wetlands integrated into the lagoon. On land, Bacalar town is home to the San Felipe fort and the Caste War museum.

Type of tourism: Aquatic, relaxation, and historical-cultural.

What is unique about Bacalar?

• Laguna de los siete colores: In the lagoon, you can do many activities, such as visiting spas, the pirates' fort, boat rides, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, power boating, and much more.
• Cenotes: In the lagoon area, you will find giant cenotes such as Cenote Negro (or Cenote de la Bruja) and Cenote Azul. Both cenotes are ideal for scuba diving, thanks to their being more than 90 meters deep.
• Fort of San Felipe: The fort of San Felipe served as a defensive fort against the English colonizers. Inside, you will find the Museum of the Pirates.

🚗 Transfer time from Cancun to Bacalar: 4.5 hours by car.

The following magical towns are located in the neighboring state of Yucatán.

⭐ Magical Town of Valladolid

The colonial city of Valladolid was incorporated into the Pueblos Mágicos program for its splendid historical and cultural value and its strategic location for tourism. It is known among locals and tourists for its colonial air, great stories, and delicious gastronomy.

Valladolid is located 45 minutes away from the Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone, which makes it a trendy destination for history and culture lovers. It is also surrounded by jungle and cenotes, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

Type of tourism: Historical-cultural, gastronomic, and adventure.

What is unique about Valladolid?

• Parque Central: A beautiful colonial park surrounded by typical food restaurants. Some food suggestions are coconut snow, cochinita tacos, turkey salbutes and panuchos, black stuffing, and queso relleno (Edam cheese stuffed with meat).

• Churches and convents: The church of San Servacio played an essential role during the Caste War in a predominant historical event called La Chispa de la Revolución (The beginning of the Revolution). You can also visit the Ex-Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, the second oldest in Latin America, where you can see light projections. The Church of Candelaria, Santa Ana, and Santa Lucía are other churches.

• Cenotes: Within Valladolid, you will find the beautiful cenote Zací next to the restaurant of the same name. On the outskirts, you can visit the Oxmán cenote, Xkeken, Saamal, and Suytun, among many others.

• Chichén Itzá: This archaeological site has been awarded as one of the New 7 Wonders of the Modern World. The impressive Temple of Kukulcán is famous for the projection of the serpent that descends the pyramid during the spring equinox.

🚗 Transfer time from Cancun to Valladolid: 2 hours by car.

⭐ Magical Town of Izamal

Also known as the City of the Three Cultures for its combination of pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern-day features, Izamal is a destination worth highlighting.

This beautiful yellow town, also known as the city of hills (because long ago, the Maya pyramids were covered by nature and looked like mountains), is the perfect setting for history and culture lovers. It has haciendas, cenotes, handicraft museums, churches, convents, and Mayan archaeological sites of great historical importance.

One of the events that boosted Izamal's popularity was the visit of Pope John Paul II. He performed a holy mass for the indigenous people and crowned the image of the miraculous Virgin of Izamal, representing the Immaculate Conception.

Tipo de turismo: Historical-cultural, religious and gastronomic.

What is unique about Izamal?

• Convent of San Antonio de Padua: This impressive convent was founded between 1549 and 1561 on the ruins of the Pop-Hol-Chac pyramid. Inside is the Virgin of Izamal figure and the second-largest enclosed courtyard in the world (St. Peter's Square in the Vatican is the largest).

• Yellow streets: Because its streets are painted white and yellow, Izamal is a beautiful place, full of hidden Instagram-worthy places. Walk around the corners and try the antojitos Yucatecos (snacks) restaurants such as Kinich Restaurant or Los Arcos Restaurant.

• Kinich Kakmó: This archaeological site, located north of the city of Izamal, was dedicated to Kinich Kakmó, one of the gods of the Maya pantheon. This structure has a volume of 700,000 m³, making it one of the most important Mayan zones. It dates from the 6th century A.D. in the Mexican classic period and surpasses the height of the pyramid of Kulkulcán in Chichén Itzá.

• Kimbilá: This town, located 10 kilometers from Izamal, is famous for its textile industry. Here, you can buy embroidery and clothing typical of the region, such as guayaberas, Filipinas, huipiles, ternos, rebozos, and fustanes.

🚗 Transfer time from Cancun to Izamal: 3 hours and 30 minutes by car.

⭐ Magical Town of Maní

Maní Magical Town. Photo by México Desconocido.

Maní means the place where everything happened in the Maya language. This beautiful colonial town in Yucatán, named Pueblo Mágico on December 1st, 2020, is 100 km from the state capital, Mérida.

In Maní, you will live a completely immersive experience, as it is truly isolated from the big cities. It is famous for being the epicenter of the route of the convents, an area of Yucatan where you can admire the beauty and history of temples, churches, and convents dating from the sixteenth century.

Type of tourism: Historical-cultural and gastronomic.

What is unique about Maní?

• Route of the convents: A short distance from Maní, you will find different churches and convents from the viceroyalty era. Some places to add to your list are The former Convent of San Juan Bautista in Tekax, the Church of San Francisco de Asis in Oxkutzcab, the former Convent of San Antonio de Padua in Ticul, the former Convent of San Pedro and San Pablo in Teabo and the Parroquia de Mama, to mention a few.

• Cenote Xcabachen: In this cenote, which tells of an ancient Maya legend, swimming is unfortunately not allowed, but you can tour the cavern and listen to the fascinating stories that surround it.

• City and food: Tour the town and visit places of interest, such as the Meliponario, where you will learn about the process of extracting honey from the Melipona bee, and you can buy this delicious nectar. Also, in Maní, you will enjoy the most exquisite flavors of Yucatecan cuisine. Don't miss dishes like chayitas, sikil-pak, and the almighty cochinita pibil.

🚗 Transfer time from Cancun to Maní: 4 hours and 30 minutes by car.

⭐ Magical Town of Sisal

Sisal is a port located in the northwestern part of Yucatan. This beautiful destination combines the natural attraction of the area with great stories from ancient times that are even mentioned in an ancient Maya manuscript known as the Codex of Calkiní.

Historically, it was the main port of Yucatan, where products such as cotton, tobacco, and henequen were exported. Since in 1844, the commercial operations were moved to Progreso port, Sisal became a small town located 40 minutes from downtown Merida, which focuses its tourist offerings on ecological activities such as camping, bike rides and visits to the beach.

Type of tourism: Ecotourism, aquatic, and relaxation.

What is unique about Sisal?

• Sisal Beach: Sisal's beaches are in front of the Gulf of Mexico, but that doesn't mean they are any less beautiful than those of the Caribbean. Relax on these beautiful shallow beaches, ideal for those looking to sunbathe or spend some quiet time in front of the sea. Remember to visit the pier at sunset, when the lights come on, and contrast with the blue-green color of the sea and the beautiful viewpoints where you can see migratory birds.

• Fort Santiago and the lighthouse: The planning and construction of Fort Santiago dates back to the 16th century. This structure served as protection against pirates in colonial times. The lighthouse was later built in 1845.

• El Palmar Reserve: Sisal is the gateway to the El Palmar Reserve, where you can take boat tours through beautiful natural landscapes, guided tours through the jungle, flora and fauna observation, sport fishing, and environmental education activities.

🚗Transfer time from Cancun to Sisal: 4 hours and 20 minutes by car.

Pueblear en México

One of the most popular activities among Mexicans is to rent a car and travel from town to town or "pueblear". Generally, travelers trace routes away from the big cities and take less traveled roads to reach destinations rich in culture, history, nature, and gastronomy. One or another Magical Town is likely on the list of places to visit (Photo: Route through the Yucatan Peninsula by TravelTomTom)

Some examples of these routes are:

• Route of the convents in Yucatán
• Route of the cenotes in Quintana Roo
• Route of wine and cheese in Querétaro
• Lakes and waterfalls route in Chiapas
• Barrancas del Cobre Route in Chihuahua
• Tequila Route in Jalisco
• Silver Route in Guerrero
• Huasteca Potosina in San Luis Potosí

Would you like to visit a Magical Town (or several) in Mexico? If you already know any of these magical towns or want to learn more about them, leave a comment below and tell us about your experience!