Pueblo Magico designation

[RVGRINGO]

I cannot imagine a Pueblo Magico in anything but a very traditional Mexican town. Can you imagine visiting one and finding it full of resident expats, signs in English, vendors speaking English, expat artists running village shops and restaurants that do not serve Mexican food? What would be magic about that?

Ajijic does not stand a chance!

[cbviajero]

I cannot imagine a Pueblo Magico in anything but a very traditional Mexican town. Can you imagine visiting one and finding it full of resident expats, signs in English, vendors speaking English, expat artists running village shops and restaurants that do not serve Mexican food? What would be magic about that?

Ajijic does not stand a chance!

Good points.I'm still trying to figure out what magical attributes Ajijic has that would qualify it as a pueblo magico,maybe Superlake and Walmart?

[Intercasa]

Cholos, graffiti, Chapala has trash and potholes, these guys are on drugs if they think it can compete

[satnrose]

Good points.I'm still trying to figure out what magical attributes Ajijic has that would qualify it as a pueblo magico.

If they go up in them hills, they sbould get a good picture of the church steeple, a few rooftops, a bit of lake and a lot of trees. That might work for the architectural requirements, and provide a nice photo for their tourism brochure. However if they get down and closeup, a big problem.

[bennie]

delete

[ChrisB]

thanks for all the positive comments. This is an initiative of the Delegado, his committee (which consists of mexicans, naturalized citizens and expats =some long term and others new) and a number of famous to well known Mexican artists.

[ChrisB]

It is follow the money and the regulations that will protect our village from becoming what the nasayers fear.

[bmh]

San Cristobal de las Casas, has grafiti, cholos, potholes ,dog poop on the streets and it is pueblo magico so you never know...

[satnrose]

"regulations that will protect"

I know them well.

[chapalafan]

thanks for all the positive comments. This is an initiative of the Delegado, his committee (which consists of mexicans, naturalized citizens and expats =some long term and others new) and a number of famous to well known Mexican artists.

Then please tell us what requirements must be met

[bmh]

I do not believe Ajijic fits the mold but it does not hurt to try and go for it, at worst we will come out even and if we do not try we will not get anything for sure.

[chapalafan]

I do not believe Ajijic fits the mold but it does not hurt to try and go for it, at worst we will come out even and if we do not try we will not get anything for sure.

Come out even with what?

And if the designation is awarded, then what happens?

[exHawaiian]

I think that sidewalks are a part of Pueblo Magicos, as a shop owner told me in Mazamitla. Right there we would not pass muster, as our sidewalks are deplorable.

Even without the designation, to me it is my own pueblo semimagico.

[bmh]

If we try and fail we have not lost anything if the town gets the awards, it probably will help increase tourism so it will bring more business to hotels, restaurants, shops street vendors, boats on the lake , horse rides etc... is it all bad? I do not think so.

It is not about the life of the foreigners, it is about getting publicity for the town and bringing in money.

[satnrose]

If we try and fail we have not lost anything if the town gets the awards, it probably will help increase tourism so it will bring more business to hotels, restaurants, shops street vendors, boats on the lake , horse rides etc... is it all bad? I do not think so.

It is not about the life of the foreigners, it is about getting publicity for the town and bringing in money.

I believe there are criteria to be met. If it does require funding to meet any criteria and the government is paying for it, I have no problem. If there are strings attached, then I think those who might be affected are informed.

[chapalafan]

I doubt tourism would increase if the designation was awarded, but maybe so.

However, I do think it is all about the foreigners. Just reading the different threads one can see how some want to change so much of what many came here for.

It is all about the foreigners when there is so much discussion on how we can avoid following the laws here because they are not what fit into what we were use to in our native countries.

And it is mind boggling to me when some of those who are working so hard to "improve the quality of life" admit disregarding local ordinances.

And I wonder after living here seven years, what is really wrong with the quality of life here? What has changed in the last decade that cannot to a great extinct, be attributed to the self-serving ex-pats?

[bwhite1948]

thanks for all the positive comments. This is an initiative of the Delegado, his committee (which consists of mexicans, naturalized citizens and expats =some long term and others new) and a number of famous to well known Mexican artists.

My Mexican friends, workers and acquaintances share the opinion that Hector is beholden only to the expats and their agenda because he is using their donations to do what they want. When I've asked a few, why don't you get involved yourself, they both said, "Yo no soy un jubilado."

[austinx]

I´ve been here ten years and while some things have changed a bit, I think the basic character of the town has stayed pretty much the same. It does seem however, that the unhappy ones seem to be a lot more vocal about what they are unhappy about. Change happens. But walmart is awfully convenient isn´t it?

[bennie]

magico walmart?

[bmh]

Sorry guys but some of you should travel a little , there are supermarkets on the outskirts of some of the Pueblos Magicos and some have streets without sidewalks and some have lousy sidewalks.

[chapalafan]

And......This means what?

[bmh]

That there are Pueblos Magicos with supermarkets, with no sidewalks or bad sidewaks so if Hector makes a list of what the town must have to stand a chance to be nominated, more power to him.

I do not think Ajijic has retain enough of an authentic fishing village feel or has enough period architecture to qualify but if the drive for that nomination helps put a curve on 3 story monster houses and if we get better sidewalks or buried electrical lines or whatever I would not criticize him for trying. He should be applauded for wanting the best for his town not be put down for it. At least he cares.

[ChrisB]

It is saddening that the nasayers are Chapala not Ajijic residents. If Ajijic accomplishes something why do you feel threatened? We're not asking you for anything?

[alex45920]

Let's get real here. There are criteria for being designated a Pueblo Magico. According to the Tourism Ministry, you have to meet this architectural requirement:

a) Arquitectura: Considerar la armonía y conservación general de los

elementos arquitectónicos, civiles o públicos, que dan carácter e identidad

al poblado.

So where you gonna find this "harmonious and well-preserved architecture that gives character and identity to the village?"

[the walkers]

the walkers: this is the reason why i think expats should not get involved w/these issues. graffitti removal in certain areas is fine. (maybe some other small things). in general people do not know how the system works, then harm is done. still its hard to believe these workers would put up the cash upfront.

the workers did not put up the money for materials up front, but put their name on the receit when they took the stuff and are being dunned by the businesses and not being recompensed by the municipal government as they were promised. they are caught in the middle.