In 2001, a program known as Pueblos Mágicos de México was created in Mexico. developed by the Ministry of Tourism in conjunction with various government agencies. The objective of this initiative was to generate a complementary and diversified tourist offer towards the interior of the country based on the natural or historical-artistic attributes of the populations to promote them to visitors.
Nowadays 111 towns are part of the "Magic Towns of Mexico" initiative. Today we tour four of them in the states of Veracruz and Sonora very interesting.
Veracruz
Xico
Xico, originally known as Xicochimalco, is located in the central region of the state of Veracruz. Even if the town was founded by the Spanish in the XNUMXth centuryThe truth is that this Mexican town has its roots in pre-Hispanic peoples. Its first settlers were Totonacs who inhabited the region known as Xico Viejo.
Its interesting cultural heritage made Xico part of the Magic Towns of Mexico. Here are several colonial buildings such as the parish of Santa María Magdalena. Other places of tourist interest in the town are the portals of the seventeenth century and the voladeros and ravines.
In the surroundings of the municipality there are beautiful groves, rivers and waterfalls such as Texolo, so its landscapes have been the scene of some Hollywood movies. To do adventure sports in Xico (such as mountain biking, rafting, hiking, rappelling or mountaineering) it is advisable to bring a guide who indicates the terrain. Also from here you can ascend to the Cofre de Perote by the Xico-Russia route, which is considered the most difficult. However, it is advisable to take into account the recommendations of the authorities to avoid mishaps.
Any tourist visit or day in the open air is exhausting, so nothing better than recovering your strength in one of the restaurants in the municipality where you can taste all kinds of regional food. Some of the most popular dishes are Xico mole, chieatole artisan bread, Xico green and bean soup with xonequi..
Coatepec
Its name comes from Nahuatl and means hill of snakes. The origins of this land date back to pre-Columbian times and many were the peoples who lived in the area. What's more, Coatepec has a rich colonial mix and has left over 370 properties with high historical value., for which it was declared Historical Patrimony of the Nation.
Some of the most interesting buildings in Coatepec are the San Jerónimo parish, the Municipal Presidency, the House of Culture, the Guadalupe church or the great Orchid Garden Museum with its more than five thousand specimens.
Currently, Coatepec is known as the coffee region with the greatest tradition and quality in Mexico. The Coatepec bean has a designation of origin and the town is famous for its coffee production. In fact, this drink is the symbol of this Magic Town of Mexico and for this reason it is often called the capital of coffee in Mexico.
As a coffee town that it is, in the month of May the Coffee Fair is organized, an event that includes the coronation of the Queen of Coffee, musical shows, cultural activities, popular dances, bullfights and a very popular artisan and commercial exhibition.
Sonora
Kino's Cupcake
Magdalena de Kino was founded in the XNUMXth century by the Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino, which came to Mexico to evangelize these lands. It is a colonial city that stands on the plains west of the Sierra Madre Occidental in the State of Sonora.
It is part of the Magic Towns of Mexico route and Its main attractions are its cultural heritage, its religious celebrations and its proximity to the United States border.
Some of the most important cultural places of interest in Magdalena de Kino are the Municipal Palace (a building built in the XNUMXth century by Sephardic Jews), the Coronel Fenochio school (where the Political Constitution of Sonora was signed), the temple of Santa María Magdalena (in which the image of San Francisco Javier is venerated) or the mausoleum of Padre Kino.
On the other hand, the surroundings of Magdalena de Kino are perfect for practicing ecotourism. For example, in the Sierra de Cucurpe you can explore the ruins of the first missions as well as ancient cave paintings.
Alamos
Known as "The city of portals", Álamos is located in Sonora and was founded in 1685 with the name of Real de la Limpia Concepción de los Álamos. Much of the city was built by architects from Andalusia, one of the most beautiful Spanish regions. In this sense, A good part of the streets and buildings of Álamos are reminiscent of southern Spain.
This "Magic Town of Mexico" enjoyed great splendor in the 1827th century thanks to mining and due to its importance it was named the capital of the Western State in XNUMX.
The most iconic places in Álamos are the Purísima Concepción parish, the Costumbrista Museum (considered as a national historical monument) and the house of the famous actress María Félix. It is also worth visiting the Municipal Palace, the Zapopan chapel, the main square, the kiss alley or the Parián.
In the surroundings of Álamos you can practice fishing in the Cuchujaqui stream, where several unique ecosystems in the country converge.