CUETZALAN ~ MEXICO

Imagine a magical town full of history, almost untouched by the modern world... almost fully sustainable and autonomous. A living dream.

The magical town of Cuetzalan, is in the state of Puebla (183 km), just a few hours from Mexico City (300 km), after driving up on twisted roads into gorgeous green mountains where you feel like touching the clouds.  It is located in the Sierra Norte region. From this mountains located in the Sierra of Puebla, the Sierras of Veracruz (Gulf of Mexico) and Oaxaca can be admired. It is a center of indigenous cultures, mainly Nahuatl (descendants of the Aztec empire). Nahuatl culture have a long struggled with discrimination, loss of farmland, and the destruction of their culture, language, and beliefs by the Mexican government and other forces. 

The town itself is characterized by sloping cobbled streets and numerous rustic buildings. It serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of Cuetzalan del Progreso. 

Cuetzalan was named a "Pueblo Mágico" in 2002.

The town center is composed largely of handicraft markets as well as numerous stalls selling every-day necessities. As a tourist attraction, the town also has a few bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Getting to Cuetzalán from Puebla takes around four hours. The best route is by getting a coach from central bus depot in Puebla.