What do Creel in the state of Chihuahua, Dolores Hidalgo in the state of Guanajuato, San Cristobal de las Casas in the state of Chiapas, Izamal in the state of Yucatan, and Tapalpa in the state of Jalisco have in common? Yes, none of them are beach resorts but, more importantly, they have all been designated as Pueblos Magicos/Magic Towns. Currently, spread throughout Mexico there are 44 Magic Towns representing 29 out of Mexico’s 31 states and comprising all of its 9 regions.

Established in 2001, as a joint effort between the Mexican Department of Tourism/the federal Tourism Secreteriat (SECTUR) and local and state governments, the highly successful Magic Towns Program aims to preserve and promote culturally, ecologically, and historically important destinations within Mexico- significantly, none of these towns are the traditional "sun and sand" destinations that a very high percentage of foreigners stereotypically associate with Mexico. A few of the towns already were well-known tourist destinations prior to being accepted into the program like Patzcuaro and Taxco, while the majority were less known but equally deserving to be included. Many, like Tequila, Bernal, Comala, and Valle de Bravo are in relatively close proximity to major cities and, therefore, are easily accessible although off the typical tourist beaten track.

It is planned that there will be 52 Magic Towns by 2012, when the promotional program is presently due to end. Considered to be favorites for the next five selectees are El Oro, state of Mexico, Mineral del Pozo, Guanajuato, Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Catemaco, Veracruz, and Calvillo, Aguascalientes. There are approximately 70 towns throughout the country that are hoping that they will be among the last communities to be selected.

A very competitive program, towns accepted as a Pueblo Magico obtain multi-layered support including access to federal funding for infrastructure improvements and historical and ecological preservation projects. A major commitment of all participating towns must be to have as a goal the maintaining of historical accuracy and traditional Mexican authenticity while undergoing the benefits of modernization in identified areas of need such as sewerage, lighting, or street repairs (as so many of these communities still have their trademark cobblestone streets). To preserve the original architectural style and structural integrity of these communities, primarily colonial in design and influence, there are strictly enforced criteria for the restoration, renovation, or building of edifices. Designated towns that do not maintain those standards may be removed from the program; such was the case of one of the first towns granted Magic Town status, the island community of Mexcaltitan, Nayarit for failing to keep its streets and building exteriors clean and for not restricting the activities of unlicensed street vendors.

The following is a breakdown of the Pueblos Magicos by region and state:

The Baja California Peninsula
Todos Santos, Baja California Sur

The Northwest
Alamos, Sonora; Cosala, Sinaloa; El Fuerte, Sinaloa; Creel, Chihuahua

The Northeast
Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila; Santiago, Nuevo Leon; Mier, Tamaulipas; Tula, Tamaulipas

The Central Pacific
Tapalpa, Jalisco; Mazamitla, Jalisco; Tequila, Jalisco; Comala, Colima; Patzcuaro, Michoacan; Tialpujahua, Michoacan; Cuitzeo, Michoacan; Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacan

The Central
Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi; Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato; Bernal, Queretaro; Jalpan de Serra, Queretaro; Cadereyta de Montes, Queretaro; Jerez de Garcia Salinas, Zacatecas; Teul de Gonzalez Ortega, Zacatecas; Real de Asientos, Aguascalientes

Mexico City and Environs
Huasca de Ocampo, Guerrero; Malinalco, State of Mexico; Tepotzotlan, State of Mexico; Valle de Bravo, State of Mexico; Cuetzalan, Puebla; Zacatlan, Puebla; Real del Monte, Hidalgo; Mineral del Chico, Hidalgo; Huamantla, Tlaxcala; Tepoztlan, Morelos; Tlayacapan, Morelos

The South Pacific
Taxco, Guerrero; Capulapamide Mendez, Oaxaca

The Southern Gulf of Mexico
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas; Tapijulapa, Tabasco; Coatepec, Veracruz

The Yucatan Peninsula
Izamal, Yucatan; Bacalar, Quintana Roo; Palizada, Campeche

So far, I have had the opportunity to visit nine of the thirty-eight Pueblos Magicos. All of them were easily accessible and well worth the time spent there. None of them were tourist traps in the least (rather they were tourist "finds) and not to be hyberbolic, all struck me as having some element(s) that made them “magical.” For example: Tapalpa's mystical rock structures, its locally produced preserved fruits, and its main plaza that so harmoniously utilizes the wood from the surrounding forests; Mazamitla with its delicious antojitos/masa-based snacks, burnt cajeta/caramel, tasteful cabanas in scenic settings, forested hiking trails, and panoramic ruta turistica/tourist route; Bernal with its quintisentially quaint center of town, its scrumptious blue corn gorditas, and its proximity to the world's third largest monolith, Pena de Bernal; Patzcuaro with its indigenous and colonial influence, culturally and architecturally; Santa Clara del Cobre with its white houses with red-tiled roofs and an amazing array of artisan-fabricated copper objects; and Comala with its traditional and lovely plaza, colorful hand-crafted masks, and its awe-inspiring view of the Volcan de Fuego, an active volcano.

To the Mexican Department of Tourism, I say please keep up the good work and keep adding more deserving magic towns as they benefit the tourists and the communities alike-consequently, promoting and preserving them for future generations. To you, I say please come and experience those magic towns for yourself as they have much more magical substance than hype. As for myself, I plan to visit many more, as I do, I am sure it will only reinforce what I already know about the country- Mexico is so very much more than only over-priced, hedonistic beach and sun destinations!

Consequently, for example, the lovely forested, mountain town of Mazamitla, Jalisco is not nearly as well-known as the luxury cruise liner destination of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco but perhaps it should be. Forget that! What am I thinking? With hordes of tourists, my very own special retreat town of Mazamitla would cease to be so magical (along with being so clean, so peaceful, and so affordable)!