Discover The Enchanting Magical Towns Of Jalisco, Mexico

The birthplace of mariachi music and tequila and a multitude of traditional Mexican cultural treasures, the western state of Discover Jalisco's Newest Magical Towns

Coinciding with Jalisco's bicentennial celebration marking the country's first free and sovereign state, three new municipalities were welcomed to the national list in June of this year, including Cocula, Sayula, and TemacapulCn. Credited as the birthplace of mariachi, Cocula captivates with its rich culture, traditional music, and stunning natural surroundings. The lively main square is a must-visit, offering live music, folkloric dances, and an authentic local experience. Situated in Jalisco's southern region, Sayula is renowned for producing Mexico's finest Cajeta (caramel sauce) and the lustrous Ojeda knives that are skillfully crafted by a family with generations of blacksmithing heritage, a testament to their enduring artisanal workmanship. A two-hour road trip from Guadalajara, the picturesque town of TemacapulCn is famed for its hot springs and colonial-style cobblestone streets, embodying a colonial-era charm.

Experience All 12 Towns and more at the International Magical Towns Expo

International travelers are invited to immerse themselves in the charm of these storied towns and learn more about Jalisco and its three newly designated Magical Towns at the upcoming Magical Towns Expo in Los Angeles, California from September 22-24, 2023. This immersive three-day event will showcase the diverse cultures, traditions, and flavors of the country's 177 Pueblos MAgicos. Attendees can enjoy traditional cuisine, explore local artistry, witness captivating cultural performances, and delve into the unique stories of each Magical Town. Admission is free.

For more information on Jalisco's enchanting Magical Towns, visit https://visitjalisco.com.mx. is home to 12 Magical Towns, or Pueblos MAgicos, that boast a rich tapestry of history and natural beauty. Designated by the Mexican Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR), these unique destinations are celebrated for their cultural significance, historical charm, and commitment to preserving Mexican traditions.

Jalisco proudly features 12 captivating towns, making it one of the Mexican states with the most Pueblos MAgicos in the country. Among these are:

Tequila, where the eponymous spirit has been produced for generations. The surrounding blue agave fields have been selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, embodying Mexico's identity and the legacy of the Teuchitlan cultures since the 16th century.

Tlaquepaque, celebrated for its colorful, thriving artisan community, is a hub for daily mariachi performances at local restaurants and cantinas, with many offering alfresco dining and menus featuring modern takes on traditional dishes.

San SebastiAn del Oeste, a once-prominent mining town dating back to the 1600s that also holds a UNESCO nomination, is a hidden gem destination nestled in the Sierra Madre Occidental, where travelers can enjoy a plethora of ecotourism activities, visits to historic haciendas, hikes and tastings of locally-grown, high-altitude coffee as well as "raicilla" a unique agave spirit known as the cousin of tequila and mezcal.

Ajijic, located near Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest lake, is an idyllic town known for a favorable year-round climate that attracts snowbirds and international visitors alike. Travelers can explore boat rides, scenic waterfront promenades, and rejuvenating volcanic magma-heated hot springs amidst the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Discover Jalisco's Newest Magical Towns

Coinciding with Jalisco's bicentennial celebration marking the country's first free and sovereign state, three new municipalities were welcomed to the national list in June of this year, including Cocula, Sayula, and TemacapulCn. Credited as the birthplace of mariachi, Cocula captivates with its rich culture, traditional music, and stunning natural surroundings. The lively main square is a must-visit, offering live music, folkloric dances, and an authentic local experience. Situated in Jalisco's southern region, Sayula is renowned for producing Mexico's finest Cajeta (caramel sauce) and the lustrous Ojeda knives that are skillfully crafted by a family with generations of blacksmithing heritage, a testament to their enduring artisanal workmanship. A two-hour road trip from Guadalajara, the picturesque town of TemacapulCn is famed for its hot springs and colonial-style cobblestone streets, embodying a colonial-era charm.

Experience All 12 Towns and more at the International Magical Towns Expo

International travelers are invited to immerse themselves in the charm of these storied towns and learn more about Jalisco and its three newly designated Magical Towns at the upcoming Magical Towns Expo in Los Angeles, California from September 22-24, 2023. This immersive three-day event will showcase the diverse cultures, traditions, and flavors of the country's 177 Pueblos MAgicos. Attendees can enjoy traditional cuisine, explore local artistry, witness captivating cultural performances, and delve into the unique stories of each Magical Town. Admission is free.

For more information on Jalisco's enchanting Magical Towns, visit https://visitjalisco.com.mx.

Jalisco Honors 200th Anniversary As Mexico's First Free And Sovereign State With Culturally Significant Events Planned Throughout The Year

The central Mexican state of Jalisco will mark a historic milestone on Friday, June 16 as it celebrates the bicentennial of becoming the country's first free and sovereign state. Under the banner of "Somos Jalisco, 200 Años Libres y Soberanos" ("We are Jalisco, 200 Years Free and Sovereign"), the festivities mark the historic day in 1823 when members of the Board of the Provincial Council of Guadalajara convened an unprecedented session to declare Jalisco the first established free state in the newly-formed Mexican Republic. This significant occasion will be commemorated with a series of year-long celebrations, including traditional festivals, artistic exhibitions and family-friendly 5K races, that will take place across the state's 125 municipalities.

Kicking off on June 16, locals and travelers alike can discover Jalisco's quest for independence while immersing themselves in celebrations that showcase the region's vibrant spirit and unique traditions.

In Guadalajara, the capital city, a series of civic activities will take place in honor of the day's historical significance. The morning will begin with a flag-raising ceremony in Plaza Liberación symbolizing the spirit of independence and unity, followed by a solemn session in the Congress of the State of Jalisco. A sculpture honoring Prisciliano Sánchez, Jalisco's first governor, will be unveiled in recognition of his role as the "Founder of Jalisco and Father of Federalism," and will highlight the visionary leaders who paved the way for the state's path to sovereignty. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the compelling journey of the Clío documentary titled "1823, When Jalisco Was Born," which sheds light on the birth of the state and offers a captivating exploration of its origins. The festivities will culminate in a grand celebration at the General Luis Quintanar Park (formerly Solidarity Park) featuring games and a dazzling multimedia show. Event-goers will also be treated to a can't-miss concert featuring the internationally-recognized Mariachi Gama 1000 and the electrifying Los Ángeles Azules, the authentic and original representatives of Mexican cumbia.

The picturesque Magical Towns of Jalisco – including Ajijic, Lagos de Moreno, Mazamitla, Mascota, San Sebastián del Oeste, Talpa de Allende, Tapalpa, Tequila and Tlaquepaque - will also host a spectacular array of events beginning June 16. The state's vibrant history will be brought to life through captivating charrería (rodeo) demonstrations, folkloric ballet performances and exciting mariachi shows. Artistic designs will be projected onto historic building facades via video mappings, creating a visual spectacle that merges tradition with innovation, and a circus featuring performers from around the world will entertain audiences with mesmerizing acrobatic stunts, breathtaking trapeze acts, comedy, and much more.

Home to stunning regions including Puerto Vallarta, Costalegre, Guadalajara, and Tequila, Jalisco is renowned for exporting beloved and iconic Latin American traditions that have been embraced by people around the globe. With its distinction as the birthplace of tequila, mariachi music and the Mexican rodeo sport of charrería, the state takes immense pride in its rich cultural contributions. Visitors also have the opportunity to delve into its cultural tapestry by exploring the nine Magical Towns that dot the region, each offering its own unique charm and allure. From the artisan-centric Tlaquepaque to the picturesque town of Ajijic, these enchanting destinations offer an authentic glimpse into the essence of Jalisco.

For more information on Jalisco, visit https://visitjalisco.com.mx

Five Cities Tequila Lovers Must Visit In The State Of Jalisco

Viva Tequila Festival's recommendations on multi-destination experience around Tequila


The state of Jalisco is Mexico’s most emblematic region, having given birth to so many of the country’s iconic cultural offerings, including the charro, or Mexican cowboy, and, of course, Tequila. This multi-destination state has plenty of space to maintain social distancing and remains a must for any fan of its signature Spirit. The following are Viva Tequila’s Mexico Experience top cities to visit in Jalisco’s agave-producing region, which is rich with the drink’s history and the culture that surrounds it, from mixology and gastronomy to the simple way of life in a hacienda.  

Tlaquepaque was founded by the indigenous Totonac people. They produced everyday utensils and art objects before the Spaniards arrived. Today, the town continues to be an artisan city known for its galleries and handicrafts. It’s a must-stop because of its up-tempo culinary scene. Be sure to have lunch at Casa Luna Restaurant, right in the center of the city. The open courtyard under the shade of a large tree is a magnet for locals and visitors alike thanks to its hipster vibe.

Teuchitlán lies along the Tequila Route and is home to the most important archaeological zone in western Mexico: Los Guachimontones. The zone is the major site of the so-called Teuchitlán tradition, a complex society that existed from as early as 300 BCE until perhaps 900 CE. The dominant features at Los Guachimontones are circular stepped pyramids in the middle of circular building complexes. The 60-foot (18-meter) tall pyramid at Circle 2 has 13 high steps leading to an upper level, which was then topped with another four high steps. A post hole was located at the very highest level, most likely for volador (flying acrobat) ceremonies. The pyramids may also have supported small temples. Check out Hacienda Labor de Rivera. Built in the late 1800s, each of the property’s rooms are individually designed, with their own unique character.

Tequila has been designated both a “Magical Town” by the Ministry of Tourism of Mexico and a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site. The nearly 90,000-acre area is part of an expansive landscape of blue agave. Tequila’s fortunes have been shaped by cultivation of the plant, used since the 16th century to produce the spirit known as Tequila and for at least two millennia to make fermented drinks, such as pulque, and cloth. Within the landscape lie working distilleries, reflecting the growth in the consumption of Tequila in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, this agave culture is seen as part of Mexican national identity. The Tequila landscape has contributed to many works of art, including film, music, dance and paintings. Don’t miss Fonda Cholula, a wonderful colonial infrastructure — elegant, warm and harmonious with the buildings of the historic center. It’s a magical space to rest and enjoy the experience of Mexican cuisine that surrounds Tequila and its people.

Atotonilco El Alto is a town and municipality that covers an area of 246 square miles (638 square kilometers). The first part of its name means "Place of Hot Waters" in Mexico’s indigenous Náhuatl language. "El Alto,” or “The High One” in Spanish, was later added in honor of those who died in the Cristero War in the early 1920s. Make sure to visit Don Nacho Distillery, one of the most prolific agave-producing companies in the Jalisco Highlands.

Guadalajara is the gathering point of all Jalisco and the place where all the varied traditions of that vast territory coexist, giving rise to a unique urban identity. The city boasts artistic and cultural credentials long recognized worldwide. Guadalajara is also innovative and avant-garde, constantly undergoing a renewal and reinvention process that promises it an attractive future. It’s also full of rhythm! Guadalajara’s musicality is a source of inspiration. Check out La Tequila Cocina de México Restaurant, offering the best of the region’s gastronomic heritage, following traditional recipes of dishes while innovating with a contemporary intention.

Viva Tequila Festival’s Mexico Experience brings guests on a luxurious tour of these five exciting cities to embrace Jalisco’s Mexican spirit and provide a deeper understanding of the different regions that cultivate agaves, local foods and the local culture.