Reinos de México (Kingdoms of Mexico) is an innovative tourism initiative recently announced by Mexico’s Secretaría de Turismo (SECTUR), designed to complement and expand upon the success of the well-known Pueblos Mágicos program.

While Pueblos Mágicos highlight towns with deep historical and cultural significance within Mexico, Reinos de México offers a fresh alternative, creating themed towns inspired by international cultural influences yet firmly rooted in Mexican authenticity.

What are Reinos de México?

Reinos de México are carefully constructed communities that draw creative inspiration from regions abroad, particularly European locales, and blend those influences with Mexican traditions and architectural styles.

The goal is a rich cultural exchange, architectural mestizaje, where the fusion of styles creates unique, immersive places that feel both familiar and novel, designed to provide extraordinary experiences that combine the charm of a foreign culture with the warmth and spirit of Mexico.

Val’Quirico is the first and flagship Reino de México, perfectly embodying this concept.

The two foundational pillars

The creation of Reinos de México rests on two main pillars:

  • Thematic architecture and cultural fusion
  • Circular economy and sustainable development

The towns are developed through a collaborative creative process that fuses Mexican architectural materials, craftsmanship, and culture with the essence of a “sister” culture from abroad.

This results in beautiful towns with plazas, streets, and buildings that evoke, for example, Italian medieval villages or other European styles, all adapted to the Mexican landscape and lifestyle.

Reinos de México is committed to sustainable growth that benefits both the local community and the surrounding areas.

This includes promoting local production and businesses, encouraging ecological responsibility through resource reuse and waste reduction, and ensuring that tourism development does not harm the environment or social fabric.

The model fosters economic activity that circulates wealth within the region, creating jobs and improving quality of life.

Reinos de México vs. Pueblos Mágicos: understanding the difference

Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos are iconic destinations like San Miguel de Allende, Taxco, or Zacatlán, known for their rich national history, legends, and cultural symbolism. They represent Mexico’s identity through places steeped in tradition and historical significance.

Reinos de México, by contrast, offers a complementary but distinct experience.

They focus on the creative fusion of Mexican culture with foreign inspirations, producing a kind of cultural mestizaje that emphasizes international architectural and thematic influences while maintaining Mexican authenticity.

It’s less about historical symbolism and more about cultural dialogue and innovation through design, community, and sustainability.

Official recognition and economic impact

SECTUR recently awarded Val’Quirico the first official Distintivo Reino de México.

Val’Quirico is a pioneer in this new category of destinations. Val’Quirico features Italian-inspired plazas, cobblestone streets, boutique hotels, galleries, restaurants offering Italian and international cuisine, and vibrant cultural activities.

The impact on the local economy is significant: over 200 businesses operate in the town, generating thousands of jobs. This highlights how Reinos de México can be engines of sustainable tourism growth that balance cultural appeal with economic opportunity.

Upcoming projects and future outlook

Following Val’Quirico, another destination joining the Reinos de México is Sassi del Valle in Baja California.

Sassi del Valle is inspired by the ancient stone-carved town of Sassi di Matera in southern Italy. Sassi del Valle promises a unique urban and cultural experience blending Italian and Mexican elements in a wine country setting.

This expansion illustrates the ambition of the Reinos de México program to diversify Mexico’s tourism offering, prevent overtourism in already popular spots, and create distinctive, sustainable destinations that attract international visitors seeking authenticity combined with novelty.

Reinos de México represents a visionary approach to tourism and community development. Rooted in architectural and cultural fusion, supported by sustainable economic models, it offers a fresh alternative to traditional cultural destinations.

By blending Mexican tradition with global inspiration, it creates magical yet real places where visitors can experience beauty, culture, and community in innovative ways.