Not So Magical

Last Saturday Alejandro and I took a road trip to the town of Ixtapan de la Sal, seventy three miles to the southwest of Mexico City.

In 2012 the town was designated a "Pueblo Mágico" (Magic Town).

The "Pueblo Mágico" program was begun by the Secretariat of Tourism to recognize small towns that were outstanding for their beauty or cultural and historical significance.  There has been criticism that the program is more about politics and money.  Most of the "Magic Towns" that I have visited have been very interesting and picturesque, but Ixtapan de la Sal made me wonder who was greasing whose palm to get this designation.

The town is very ordinary in appearance.  Like most Mexican towns, the prettiest place is the town square.

The monument in the square is rather unusual.  The revolutionary Emiliano Zapata is considered one of the greatest heroes of the Mexican Revolution, but this monument honors those who died defending the town against the army of Zapata.

The main church, just off the plaza, is pretty but not exceptional.

And that's about all there is to see here.  I saw no outstanding restaurants, nor any unique handicrafts.  Ixtapan's claim to fame is its hot springs.  There are several baths where you can soak or swim in the therapeutic waters.  For the children there is a water park. The best hotels in town are built over a thermal spring and have their own spa facilities. 

So, unless you are planning a spa excursion, Ixtapan is one magic town that is not very magical.