We’re excited to introduce you to Elise, our exchange student from Belgium studying with us at UNINTER in Cuernavaca. Elise has been exploring the wonders of Mexico, and recently, she shared her thoughts on one of the country’s most fascinating cultural initiatives: the Pueblos Mágicos.
«When I arrived in Mexico,» Elise told us, «I quickly heard about the so-called magical towns. I was immediately intrigued and asked around to find out what they were. I learned that Pueblos Mágicos or ‘magical towns’ in English is an initiative of Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism to promote less well-known small towns that are unique for their natural beauty, cultural richness, history, and much more. There are 132 of them, spread all over Mexico!»
For Elise, the proximity of some of these magical towns to Cuernavaca was a huge plus. «The great thing is that some of these magical towns are not very far from Cuernavaca, and it’s easy to hop on a bus and spend a day there.»
During her two-month stay, Elise has already managed to visit two of these enchanting towns: Taxco and Tepoztlán. Her adventures have made her fall even more in love with Mexico.
«Tepoztlán is about 40 minutes from Cuernavaca and is surrounded by mountains,» Elise shared. «We hiked for about two hours, climbing to the top of a temple to get a magnificent view of Tepoztlán. There’s also a big market every weekend, which is very cool.»
But that wasn’t all! Elise also explored the picturesque town of Taxco, located in the state of Guerrero, about an hour and a half from Cuernavaca. «Taxco is a super-cute little Mexican village with narrow streets and a beautiful cathedral,» Elise said. «We were also able to buy some silver jewelry, as Taxco is known for its silver mines.»
Her experience in Mexico has only deepened her curiosity about the country’s hidden gems. «I really loved it,» Elise confessed, «and I hope to visit as many Pueblos Mágicos as possible during my stay in Mexico!»
We are so happy to hear about Elise’s travels and can’t wait to hear more stories from her!
