The Programa Pueblos Mágicos (Spanish: [pweβloˈmaxiko]; "Magical Towns Programme") is an initiative led by Ecuador's Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR). The program seeks to promote tourism in a network of small and mid-sized towns that represent aspects of Ecuador's cultural heritage, and to encourage sustainable economic development in these communities. It is based on the Mexican government's program of the same name.[1]
The network was first established in 2019, with an inaugural class of 5 municipalities.[2] As of 16 March 2021, there were 21 designated Pueblos Mágicos, distributed among 14 of Ecuador's 24 provinces.[3]