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It offers several ecotourism options, as it is located between two natural reserves. It was Yucatán’s main maritime port during the “Green Gold” boom era of henequen production. Like Maní, Sisal's strengths include its local cuisine. This large fishing town is not an island - despite the name - but it is known for its historic and pretty red-and-white striped lighthouse. Popular with international retirees, this town on the northern shore of Lago de Chapala now buzzes with boutiques, galleries and restaurants. However, the town still possesses a colonial-era vibe with streets of colorfully-painted houses. This village is famous as a hub for luthiers, who put it on the map as a place to find high-quality stringed instruments like guitar, violins, cellos or traditional Mexican guitarrón (Mexican stand-up bass). Also added to the list were: Santa Catarina Juquila, Oaxaca; Tetela de Ocampo, Puebla; Santa Maria del Rio, San Luis Potosí; Tonatico, State of Mexico; and Zempoala, Hidalgo. ShareSaveBETAThis is a BETA experience. opt-out hereLifestyleTravelRevealed: The 11 New Magical Towns Of MexicoByLaura Begley Bloom A view of Ajijic village and the mountains on the north shore of Lago de Chapala—one of Mexico's new .. Where it is: Set on the shores of Lake Chapala in Jalisco—a western state along the Pacific Ocean—Ajijic is one of Mexico’s most colorful towns They’re attracted to the low cost of living the temperate weather and plenty of natural beauty Natural landscape with different species of birds in Mexico's Isla Aguada lagoon Mayan ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Sites Why it’s Great: With its pair of village communities Isla Aguaga is connected by two bridges to the mainland a Magical Town that was dropped from the list but is back This small man-made town is known as the Venice of Mexico due to its unique topography and picturesque houses with tile roofs Its well-preserved culture includes its rich cuisine A woman sells guitars at her stall in Paracho More SCHEMIDT / TO GO WITH AFP STORY by YEMELI ORTEGA (Photo credit: RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) Where it is: A small town high in the mountains of Michoacán Paracho de Verduzco has been a crafts center ever since the mid-16th century when Spanish missionaries taught the locals the art of making guitars though the town also has a rich heritage in copper design (Photo by; Education Images/Universal Images Group .. Where it is: Located in the central Yucatán Maní was one of the the first places the Franciscan missionaries arrived in Mexico building the former convent of San Miguel Arcángel The town is also famed for its traditional embroidery done on blouses and dresses quiet town nestled in the mountains of the Sierra Madre del Sur Why it’s Great: Juquila is known for its religious tourism thanks to a statue of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception which survived a fire and is honored in a temple built in 1784 Over two million visitors come here a year The typical rebozos that are made in san Maria del Rio Where it is: Located about 40 minutes beyond the center of San Luis Potosí in the state with the same name Santa María del Río is a small under-the-radar town Why it’s Great: Santa María del Río is sometimes called “the cradle of the rebozo,” since this town is home to the finest artisans practicing the ancient craft of rebozos colorful woven shawls worn by indigenous cultures Where it is: Set on the coast 40 minutes northwest of Mérida Sisal was the Yucatan’s first commercial port but it hardly seems commercial at all these days The kind of waterfalls you'll find near Tetela de Ocampo in Puebla Where it is: In the Sierra Norte region of Puebla Tetela de Ocampo is also called “Tetela,” which means “place of many hills.” there’s a lot to love about Tetela de Ocampo Where it is: Surrounded by lush vegetation Tonatico is a beautiful colonial town located 153 kilometers from Mexico City relax in the hot springs and or take in the landscapes of El Sol Park Where it is: Zempoala is a tiny town hidden away in central-eastern Mexico Zempoala has an attractive center and a beautiful former convent The appeal here is the proximity of the Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque a feat of engineering that was erected in the 16th century using Roman It was named a World Heritage Site in 2015