There’s so much to love about Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos, the 132 designated “Magical Towns” recognized for their cultural, architectural or natural significance.
And on a side trip I took during a recent visit to Guadalajara — the capital of the state of Jalisco — I just may have found one of the most beautiful of the Pueblos Magicos: Mazamitla.
Located about 80 miles south of Guadalajara in the Sierra del Tigre mountain range, Mazamitla is sometimes called the “Switzerland of Mexico,” thanks to its cool climate, forested hills and the chalet-like cabins that dot the town and surrounding countryside. This is truly a place to relax and unwind.
My husband, best friend and I succumbed to the carefree vibes as soon as we stepped off the bus from Guadalajara. Upon arrival at the tiny station, we realized that taxis were in short supply in this small town, and that Uber was nonexistent. But, as long as you don’t mind hills, Mazamitla is supremely walkable.
So we grabbed our bags and had lunch at a lovely restaurant on the main square before continuing our walk up and down picturesque cobblestone streets to Monteverde Hotel, about a 15-minute walk from downtown.
Unique and Charming Accommodations
A big part of Mazamitla’s allure is the experience of staying in singularly charming accommodations. Monteverde, for example, offers cozy cabins in a variety of sizes; ours had a full kitchen, a bedroom with a king-size bed and another bedroom with four bunk beds, making it ideal for a family or group of friends. We made especially good use of the fireplace in the living room, and we even roasted marshmallows for the first time in years (the room rate includes a daily delivery of firewood and kindling).
Hotel Monteverde offers cabin accommodations.
Credit: 2022 Mark ChesnutAdditional accommodation options include Huerta Real, a handsome hotel with a gym, a rooftop terrace and outdoor tennis courts, and La Estela, a “bubble glamping” property offering a stylish, upscale setting in nature. Each Bubble Suite has a private terrace with a two-person Jacuzzi, and couples can take advantage of romance packages that feature amenities such as fresh flowers and a bottle of wine.
What to Do and See in Mazamitla
Whether it’s day or night, wandering the tranquil streets of Mazamitla is a rewarding experience. White-washed adobe buildings line most of the streets, and top attractions include the Parroquia de San Cristobal, beloved for its eclectic architectural elements and Chinese influences.
The nearby market is another must-see attraction. It’s a great place to shop for colorful textiles and crafts made from dried pine branches, and the upper level is home to a variety of food vendors. It’s a popular spot for delicious and inexpensive meals; local culinary favorites include “bote“ — a soup made with vegetables, chicken, beef and pork — and “atole,” a hot corn beverage.
Natural beauty is another big draw of Mazamitla, with tours of the Sierra del Tigre mountains among the most popular activities. We booked an excursion with Green Forest Tours, a local company with a fleet of rugged “safari truck” vehicles designed to take groups into the hills and through the wilderness. The panoramic views are, indeed, impressive and photo-worthy. The tour includes a stop in Valle de Juarez, a nearby town with a dam where visitors can ride in trajineras, the colorful small boats most closely associated with the canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City (our tour didn’t allow time for this, but we still enjoyed the views). The final stop was Panaderia Don Vicente, a bakery offering absolutely delicious breads and cookies.
Visitors can ride in colorful small boats in nearby Valle de Juarez.
Credit: 2022 Mark ChesnutNature lovers should also make time for a visit to Cascado El Salto, a 115-foot-high waterfall reached by a 45-minute forest hike. The verdant setting is laced with streams, and visitors can swim in one of the natural pools near the waterfall. Another much-photographed attraction is the Jardin Encantado (Enchanted Garden), where visitors stroll across wooden footbridges and can partake in hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Outdoor activities in the Mazamitla area, indeed, range from slow-paced to breathtaking. Green Forest Tours, for example, offers a three-hour canopy tour experience, as well as a two-hour excursion that takes participants across six hanging bridges. Quad biking and ATV tours, which are offered by multiple operators, are an especially fast-paced way to view the countryside.
How to get to Mazamitla from Guadalajara
Mazamitla is a wonderful side trip from Guadalajara, but travel times can vary widely. Transportation service Autotransportes Mazamitla runs buses just about every hour during the day from Guadalajara’s Nueva Central Camionera bus station; the trip is supposed to take less than three hours but, in our case, took longer due to frequent stops (there is only one class of service and no express option).
Travelers looking to save time and maximize comfort should consider renting a car or hiring a driver; we negotiated with a taxi driver in Mazamitla to drive us back to Guadalajara at the end of our visit. By car, the trip took only about 1.5 hours.
