Chihuahua's 5 Magical Towns Get Digital Banking Access

Small business owners in Chihuahua's most beautiful tourist destinations are about to join the digital economy, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership that's putting payment technology in their hands for the first time.

BBVA, one of Spain's largest banks, announced this week it's teaming up with Chihuahua state to bring digital banking services to the region's five Pueblos Mágicos. These "Magical Towns" include Creel, Batopilas, Casas Grandes, Guachochi, and Parral.

The numbers tell a stark story. About 70% of tourism businesses in Chihuahua currently operate without bank accounts or tools to accept digital payments. That means no credit cards, no mobile payments, and missed sales from travelers who rarely carry cash.

"Many tourism businesses here lack the basic tools to compete in a market where visitors demand easy payment options, formality and trust," said Chihuahua Tourism Minister Edibray Gómez. His message is simple: infrastructure brings tourists in, but convenience brings them back.

The initiative, called Avanzamos por México (Moving Forward for Mexico), launched federally just four days before Chihuahua became the first state to sign on. It's designed to do more than just install card readers.

The Ripple Effect

The program reaches beyond payment terminals into financial education and community empowerment. Local entrepreneurs will receive training in digital finance, helping them understand not just how to use the tools, but why they matter for growing their businesses.

Tourists visiting these stunning mountain towns will benefit too. They'll enjoy safer transactions, cashback rewards, and interest-free payment periods. More than 8,000 ATMs across Chihuahua will promote the Magical Towns brand, alongside thousands of digital kiosks and screens.

Community tourism projects will gain access to banking services previously out of reach. For micro and small businesses operating in remote areas of the Sierra Tarahumara, this represents their first real connection to Mexico's formal financial system.

The partnership tackles a challenge facing rural Mexico broadly: how to preserve authentic local character while providing modern conveniences travelers expect. Digital payments offer that bridge, letting traditional artisans and family restaurants serve global visitors without losing their identity.

Chihuahua's Magical Towns draw visitors for Day of the Dead celebrations, indigenous Rarámuri culture, and breathtaking canyon landscapes. Now those visitors can support local businesses as easily as they would anywhere else in the world.