Mazamitla: The Mexican Switzerland – A Romantic Mountain Escape

Have you ever heard of the “Mexican Switzerland”? It's nothing less than the Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) of Mazamitla, Jalisco, nestled between the cold forests and majestic waterfalls of the Sierra del Tigre.

 

What makes Mazamitla stand out are its cozy cabins distributed along the forest hills. Some are chalet-style, a favorite among couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway. However, there are also traditional cabins, with a maximum occupancy of 20 guests. Most of the hotels and cabins in Mazamitla are located a few kilometers from the downtown area, although there are also cheap inns located in the town square.

 

A walk through downtown Mazamitla means discovering small cobblestone streets surrounded by whitewashed adobe houses, tiled gable roofs, and balconies filled with flowers. They surround the San Cristóbal Parish, which boasts an eclectic style and Chinese influence. There are also portales (stone arches), where you can sit down for a taste of the typical Mazamitlan dish, el barco, which is a broth prepared with beef, chicken, and pork that you can accompany with fruit preserves for dessert.

 

A block and a half away from the church is a local cuisine and crafts market. Take advantage of the opportunity to buy burnt milk sweets, textiles, and souvenirs woven out of dried pine branches. There is an archaeological museum within this market that exhibits pottery and carved stone made by the first settlers of this mountain region.

 

If you’re wondering what else to do in Mazamitla, in addition to walking around downtown, this Pueblo Mágico is characterized by its natural wonders, open to the public, such as the El Salto Waterfall or El Jardín Encantado (The Enchanted Garden). You can get there by mountain bike, on horseback, or through an excursion offered by a hotel, some of which include cheese-making and fruit preserve classes.

 

​Guadalajara is the closest city to the Pueblo Mágico of Mazamitla. If you travel by car, drive along the old road to Colima until you reach the junction to Morelia, and take the detour to the capital of Michoacán. This road will take you to the exit that leads to Mazamitla. The journey from Guadalajara to Mazamitla takes approximately two and a half hours.