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Enjoy this selection of 10 wonderful towns for your next vacation, whether you're traveling with family or planning a romantic getaway.
1. Santa María del Oro
This town has been around for more than four centuries, with a pleasant climate and one-of-a-kind scenery: a beautiful lagoon that, legend has it, sits in the crater of a dormant volcano. Did you know its name comes from its gold-mining past? This gem is a must on your vacation list.
2. Mazamitla
About two hours south of Guadalajara lies this magical town, whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means Place where deer are hunted with arrows. You'll love the food here: don't miss the borrego al pastor (spit-roasted lamb) and "bote," a hearty stew of beef, pork and chicken simmered in pulque. The cool mountain air will win you over, too.
3. Talpa de Allende
A favorite destination for religious pilgrims, the "Hidden Pearl" is home to the image of Our Lady of the Rosary, one of the most visited in the country. This cheerful town is also famous for its sweets, especially guava rolls, ate (fruit paste), rompope (eggnog-style liqueur) and jellies. With so many visitors, it has plenty of hotels and restaurants, and you'll find lots of local handicrafts. Come with your family or your partner; we guarantee you'll love it.
4. Tapalpa
Everything in Tapalpa, a designated Pueblo Mágico, invites you to enjoy yourself: handicrafts, festivals and food, set among pine forests and whitewashed houses. The signature dish is borrego al pastor, while the traditional sweets include "borrachitos" and rompope, along with milk-based treats like jamoncillos, cajeta and the classic "pegoste." And be sure to visit Las Pilas.
5. Mascota
Known as the Emerald of the Sierra, this lovely town was recently named a Pueblo Mágico. With its cool climate and unmatched tranquility, it's one of the best-preserved towns in Jalisco and home to one of the finest mountain resorts around: Sierra Lago.
6. San Sebastián del Oeste
Some 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) from Puerto Vallarta, this former mining town on the edge of the Sierra Madre Occidental feels straight out of a Western movie. It was once an important city of up to 20,000 people; today only about 600 live here. Even so, it keeps the grandeur of its heyday. Visit during one of its festivals and enjoy the climate and local food on your vacation.
7. Melaque
San Patricio Melaque sits four kilometers northwest of Barra de Navidad and is made up of three neighboring coastal villages: San Patricio, Melaque and Villa Obregón, all commonly known simply as "Melaque." It has drawn vacationers for generations, and its beach is perfect for unwinding, lined with hotels and palapa restaurants all along the shore.
8. Tequila
The name says it all, but you may not know that in October 1600, Pedro Sánchez de Tagle set up the first distillery for agave spirits. Agave drinks had been consumed before, but never distilled, so this became the first true tequila factory. Just a short drive from Guadalajara, it's a great place to stroll the streets, see the historic buildings and tour one of the big tequila distilleries.
9. Lagos de Moreno
This is another famous Pueblo Mágico, known for its many and varied attractions. It was founded in 1563, and if you visit, don't miss the Parish of the Assumption, one of the finest examples of Mexican Baroque and a masterpiece of colonial architecture. One of the most important local celebrations is the Patron Saint Fair on August 6, a lively street festival with parades, concerts by famous artists, romantic serenades, charreadas (Mexican rodeo), callejoneadas (street parties with live music) and all kinds of cultural events. No doubt, this is a wonderful town to visit on vacation.
10. Ajijic
Ajijic is a Pueblo Mágico on the shores of Lake Chapala, with a pleasant year-round average temperature of around 20 °C (68 °F). It's a true example of a traditional Mexican town, with narrow cobblestone streets and a central plaza. At 450 years old, it's home to a wide range of shops selling jewelry and clothing, art galleries, gift stores, and good restaurants serving dishes from all over the world.
Plan your getaway to Sierra Lago
If Mascota is on your list, stay in one of our luxury cabins by the lake, deep in the forest, and use it as your base for exploring the mountain towns. Between outings, enjoy activities like hiking, horseback riding or fishing, and check out how to get here: we're about 2 hours from Puerto Vallarta and 2.5 hours from Guadalajara.
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