Quintana Roo’s Magical Towns Honor Heritage

Cancún, QR — Despite Quintana Roo being home to five Magical Towns—Bacalar, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel—the celebration of the 24th anniversary of the program's creation was only highlighted by the federal government's Ministry of Tourism (Sectur).

Sectur reported that on the 24th anniversary of the Magical Towns program, the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, emphasized that the National Strategy for the Strengthening of Magical Towns promotes a new tourism model with Shared Prosperity through five strategic axes.

“After more than two decades since its creation, the program today renews its vision and recognizes communities as the fundamental base of this tourism heritage. The Magical Towns are engines of development and generators of Shared Prosperity, spaces where our history, our traditions, and our identity are preserved, while generating economic and social opportunities for the communities that inhabit them,” she stated.

Quintana Roo's Magical Towns Distinguished by History and Culture

In the case of Quintana Roo, Bacalar was the first municipality to join the Magical Towns program in 2006. The program's fact sheet mentions that Bacalar “was founded by the Maya around the year 415 AD under the name Sian Ka'an Bakhalal,” and offers the ideal space for diving, swimming, and snorkeling. It is also the gateway to the underwater caverns of the Cenote Azul and interesting Mayan archaeological zones covered by the jungle.

The listed attractions are the Bacalar Lagoon, the Cenote Azul, the San Felipe Fort, the Museum of Piracy, the Temple of San Joaquín, the House of Culture, and the Main Plaza.

Isla Mujeres and Tulum share September 25, 2015, as their date of declaration as a “Magical Town.” The context in the first case is that the Maya erected the first lighthouse to navigate to Isla Mujeres in the post-classic period; it was frequently visited by pilgrims who worshipped the goddess Ixchel. It was named by the Spanish conquistadors when, upon arriving on the island, they found many clay statues in the shape of women.

The attractions published by “Pueblos Mágicos” for Isla Mujeres are Cabo Catoche, El Farito, “El Meco”, Garrafón, Hacienda Mundaca, Isla Contoy, Manglares de Santa Paula, Museo Capitán Dulché, MUSA – Museo Subacuático de Arte, Playa Lancheros, Parque Garrafón, Parque Escultórico Punta Sur, Observatorio Maya, and Tortugranja (which no longer exists).

On the other hand, Tulum possesses an eco-chic atmosphere and is the place that provides a spiritual and relaxing sensation, perfect for enjoying peace and tranquility with family. With beautiful white sand beaches, lagoons, cenotes, and caverns that show the beauty of nature in all its splendor. The archaeological site, the hotel zone, and the town are the three areas highlighted in Tulum.

“Tulum, which means 'wall' in Mayan, originally received the name Zamá, which means 'dawn.' It was an important Mayan port between the 13th and 16th centuries; its main constructions are from the late post-classic period. It is surrounded by abundant mangroves and swamps. The area is rich in fine wood trees, such as mahogany, cedar, and chicle,” details the Sectur publication.

Its attractions are Aktun Chen, Diving, Cenote Cristal, Cenote Escondido, Cenote el Calavera, El Castillo, Kukulcán, Templo de los Frescos and the Templo del Dios Descendente, Snorkeling, Gran Cenote de Tulum, Museo Natural Subacuático Arrecifes de Tulum, Parque Nacional Tulum, Playa paraíso, Zona Arqueológica de Cobá, Zona Arqueológica de Tulum; since 2024 there is the “El Jaguar” park and El mirador.

Finally, Cozumel obtained the prestigious designation of Magical Town on June 26, 2023, formerly known as Kuzamil, meaning “Island of the Swallows” in Mayan. Cozumel is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean, rich in history, Mayan vestiges, and natural wonders. It is highlighted that Cozumel is an extraordinary place, where natural beauty fuses with cultural essence, and offers those who visit it a truly magical experience.