A free Puebloteca guide Yucatán's Pueblos Mágicos

Free Yucatán travel guide

All 7 of Yucatán's Pueblos Mágicos on one printable page. Free when you sign up for our weekly email.

All 7 Pueblos Mágicos, with a photo and what makes each special
A map of Yucatán with each one on it
Road trips that join the pueblos close together
The best months to go
How far each is from the nearest city
The sights not to miss
The fiestas worth planning around
The fiestas month by month
Where to stay in each
Made to print or save as a PDF

The 7 Pueblos Mágicos in this guide

Most visited first. The full guide adds the sights not to miss, the fiestas, how far each is by car, and a layout made to print.

1

Valladolid

A relaxed colonial city in the middle of the Yucatán Peninsula, with pastel streets, the 16th-century convent of San Bernardino, and a cenote right in town. It is a popular base for visiting Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam, and many swimming cenotes.

When to go: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
2

Sisal

A small fishing village on the Gulf coast of Yucatán that was once the peninsula's main port. Today it is known for quiet beaches, mangroves, and flamingos.

When to go: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
3

Izamal

Known as the Yellow City, Izamal's center is painted almost entirely in golden yellow. The huge Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua was built on top of a Maya platform, and large pyramids such as Kinich Kakmó still rise among the town's streets.

When to go: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
4

Maní

Maní is a quiet Maya town about 90 kilometers southeast of Mérida, built around the massive 16th century Franciscan church and former convent of San Miguel Arcángel. It is known for poc chuc, pork marinated in sour orange and grilled over charcoal, and for some 30 meliponarios where families keep the stingless melipona bee for its prized honey. Local artisans embroider blouses, hipiles and ternos and weave hammocks. In 2021 it was recognized as a Best Tourism Village.

When to go: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
5

Motul

Motul is a small city about 45 km northeast of Mérida, in the heart of Yucatán's old henequen zone. It is best known as the birthplace of huevos motuleños, the classic Yucatecan breakfast dish, and of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, the governor whose name the city officially carries. Visitors come to eat, to see its colonial-era Franciscan monastery, and in July for the guild processions and vaquería held in honor of the Virgen del Carmen.

When to go: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
6

Tekax

Tekax is a town at the foot of Yucatán's low southern hills, 115 km from Mérida, and its Maya name means 'there in the forest'. The 17th-century church and former convent of San Juan Bautista anchors the center, and the hermitage of San Diego sits on a hill above town. The Puuc-style Maya site of Chacmultún is seven kilometers away. The food is classic Yucatecan: cochinita pibil, papadzules, queso relleno, venison pipián, and sweets made with squash seed, coconut and honey.

When to go: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
7

Espita

Espita is a town in northeastern Yucatán, about 50 kilometers from Valladolid and not far from Ek Balam and Tizimín. In the 19th century its maize and sugar haciendas made it prosperous enough to earn the nickname the Athens of Yucatán. The colonial church of San José anchors the center, and the biggest celebration runs from December 19 to 29 in honor of the Christ Child, with processions, guild dances, vaquerías and bullfights.

When to go: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec