December 2011

The integration of Mexico’s Magic Towns began 10 years ago, in order to promote unique places in the country.

In this second part of our special issue, we will travel through the charming corners of the State of Mexico, Hidalgo and Jalisco.


Hidalgo

• Real del Monte

A town with mining tradition and located in the mountains, Real del Monte presumes to be the place where the first matches of soccer and tennis took place in Mexico.

The Magic
Paved and cobbled streets going up and down, garnish not only the downtown but the entire town.

English Cemetery, with graves oriented towards England, the ancient mines, the Acosta Site Museum and the Parrish of Our Lady of the Assumption form part of the obligatory tour that transports us in the history and tradition of this Magic Town.

Its flavors
Preparation of pastes, pies made of flour, lard and salt, stuffed with something sweet or salty is a tradition in Hidalgo. This municipality also offers this dish among its main flavors.

Real del Monte also delights with its sweet tamales, cocoles (cookies covered with sesame seeds) and milk skin of the region.
 

• Huasca de Ocampo

Buried in Sierra Madre Oriental of Pachuca and a member of the Tourism Corridor of the Mountain, Huasca de Ocampo is proud to keep the characteristic flavor of a Mexican province.

The Magic
Of white quarry and red roofs with two slopes, its houses keep the provincial tradition of this Magic Town.

Haciendas San Miguel Regla and Santa María Regla, with constructions dated from the Eighteenth Century, still keep attractions from that time such as its chapels, yards, ovens where silver was extracted and a beautiful lake, which makes our tour an unforgettable journey.

Admirable geometric rock columns, known as the Prismas Basálticos (Basaltic Prisms), settled at the foot of the cliff and bathed by the reservoir San Antonio, impressed Humboldt with their beauty, who pictured them in 1803 with a pencil drawing.

Its flavors
Barbacoa (Barbecue) or the traditional pastes are the most requested by the visitors; however Enchiladas huasqueñas, trout with different preparations and candies called mueaganos also constitute its flavors.
 

• Mineral del Chico

With an environment filled with mist and cold, this place covered in a pines and firs forest was appointed as Magic Town in August, 2011.

The Magic
Río Milagro (River Miracle), going down from the top of the mountain up to the skirts of the town; Ecological Park; Valle de las Ventanas (Valley of the Windows) or the spot Las Monjas are perfect places to enjoy the nature and its ecotourism activities.

National Park El Chico, a Natural Protected Area, is a synonym of adventure activities mixed with the quietness offered by a place full of pure air.

Its flavors
Trout à la mexicana, barbecue, pastes, quesadillas, strawberry flower stew, as well as cocoles, breads made of brown sugar, anis, flour and pulque yeast, form part of the varied gastronomy of Mineral del Chico.

Jalisco

• Tapalpa

Located at the southeast of Jalisco, Tapalpa brings the travelers with its beautiful cobbled streets, the charm of dwellers and its warm temperature all year long.

The Magic
Parrish of San Antonio of neoclassic style and dating from year 1650, allows to watch a large esplanade framed by an arch reminding the shape of an aqueduct, where two quarry sources are located in its center.

Popular Pilas, communal sources supplying water to the dwellers of the region and the mountain of the friars, named after two huge rocks resembling friars praying, are nice attractions in this municipality.

Its flavors
It is a must to taste the lamb al pastor, fruits punch and pulque. Its gastronomical offering also includes the delightful tamales of chard and sweet enchiladas.
 

• Tequila

A oriducer source of beverages distilled from agave, Tequila, Jalisco shares its magic derived from a clean, respectful and nice environment, receiving the travelers with the open arms.

The Magic
Plaza de Armas (Main Square), Temple of Santiago Apóstol and the Sanctuary of la Santa Cruz represent the architectonic and historic tradition of the town.
Barranca de Tequila is a place of spectacular view that invites us to take a bath of spring waters combing rest and pleasure.

Its flavors
Accompanied by a delightful Jalisco style pozole, an exquisite birria or tasteful enchiladas, a drink of tequila or mezcal cannot be missing in the meal.
 

• Mazamitla

Sheltered by beautiful forests and streams, this Magic Town of the south of Jalisco is called by many as the Mexican Switzerland.

The Magic
Parrish of San Cristóbal, of eclectic style with influences of the Eastern influence s, is the architectonic emblem of this municipality.

The beautiful viewpoint el Cerro del Tigre; the fresh natural environment of Jardín Encantado (Enchanted Garden) with a waterfall of 35 meters; and the beautiful forest of the Municipal Park La Zanja, are the places charming the visitors in their tour through Mazamitla.

Its flavors
Diverse gastronomical options are offered by this town; nevertheless, we cannot leave the place without tasting jocoque, a milk beverage based on butter serum, three meats soup, the tasty mole of the region, the traditional birria and meat in adobo.

We found mescal, pulque and punch to drink and taste.
 

• San Sebastián del Oeste

A community of extraordinary beauty for its attractive landscapes, San Sebastián del Oeste was founded in 1605 and was recently denominated as Magic Town in December 8th, 2011.

Narrow and cobbled streets, as well as adobe, wood and tile farms , make this spot the perfect place to get deep in the past of the state.

The Magic
Hacienda de Jalisco and la Quinta, are historical places built in the Seventeenth Century that invite us to explore the mining past of the town.
Cerro de la Bufa and the Temple of San Sebastián, are also added to the main referrals of this municipality has had a great tourism development.

Its flavors
As a traditional region of Jalisco, this municipality includes birria and pozole in its menu. For dessert it delights us with the tasty Guayaba rolls and milk caramel of different flavors such as mango, tejocote, quince or apple.

State of Mexico

• Tepotzotlán

Of warm and colonial environment, Tepotzotlán uses its history, culture and tradition to be the ideal destination for resting or as well as practicing extreme sports.

The Magic
Temple of San Francisco Javier, symbol of the town, presents in its interior churrigueresque altarpieces. On its part, National Museum of Viceroyalty, exhibits liturgical objects, sculptures in ivory, carved wood, stewed wood and other pieces of high historical value.

The Aqueduct of Tepoztlan and Plaza de la Cruz are worthy to be admired, places that meet with the tradition of this province close to the Federal District.

Its flavors
Snacks such as quesadillas, sopes and pambazos, as well as more elaborated dishes such as escamoles (ant eggs), chapulines (grasshoppers) and cabrito, conforms its main gastronomical offer.

We will not be able to leave Tepotzotlán without tasting an ice cream of different flavors.
 

• Valle de Bravo

With a renowned quietness, this settlement close to the city of Toluca, State of Mexico, increases the annual visitors that gather for a well-deserved rest in the middle of a wooded and adventurous environment.

The Magic
The Lake of Valle de Bravo is impressive and with a great visual attraction, a place with 40 meters deep allowing tourism tours and even sportive fishing, kayak, ski and sailing.
A horse ride towards Avándaro, will make us enjoy pure air through the immense pine trees and firs forest inviting us to practice camping.

Through its old houses with tile roofs, adobe and brick buildings and its beautiful gates and balconies, the main square of Valle immerses us in the traditions of the town.

Its flavors
Rainbow trout, tasty barbecue and turkey mole are the main dishes of the region. Without leaving behind the sweet flavors, delightful ice creams, fruit candies and liquors of Valle keep the visitor satisfied.
 

• Malinaco

A mystic province of the State of Mexico, Malinalco gathers beautiful natural landscapes, a rich history and an outstanding legacy enriching the state and the whole country.

The Magic
Located in Cerro de los Ídolos (Hill of the Idols), the archeological zone with its Sanctuary of Eagle and Jaguar Warriors, was a place of training and consecration of warriors.
University Museum Dr. Luis Mario Schneider; House of Culture and the Former Augustine Convent from Sixteenth Century broadcast and picture the culture, customs and traditions of Malinalco.

Its flavors
Delightful trout at Malinalco style, rabbit in soup and frog and axolotl tamales combine with mezcal and pulque produced in the region.
 

• El Oro

A historical mining town, El Oro stands out for its craftsmanship of ceramic and baked clay which are only a sample of the cultural and natural variety offered by its corners.

The Magic
Municipal Palace and Teatro Juárez presume their French neoclassic style contributing unparallel admiration for this place.

Mines of the zone, the railroad station and the Mining Museum exhibit the machinery used in the extraction of minerals and historical images, serving to discover the past of the town.

Its flavors
Typical dishes of the region are constituted by red or green mole with turkey or chicken meat, rice with vegetables, pork carnitas and barbecue.

We have the traditional pulque to drink and cola de macho for dessert, a typical candy prepared with dried fruit and brown sugar.