USA: Pueblo de Taos and Taos, New Mexico
Score: 63

"Taos Pueblo and the town of Taos have different characteristics. To say 'Taos just isn't as quaint and 'authentic' as it used to be' is true— it's an evolving city. It is still a wonderful place to visit. The pueblo has to some extent maintained its physical fabric, but the human character is lost."

"One of my favorites where art, environmentalism, and a rich cultural history all seemed mixed together. Downsides: Taos is crowded, impossible to park, and the town center seems almost forgotten."

"Seems a real divide between traditional peoples and the out-of-town artists and skiers. The pueblo has wonderful interpretation and is well preserved, but the artists' shops and the Native American heritage could be better integrated into—and benefit from—visitors frequenting the larger Taos area."

"Relatively high tourist volume, traditional community. The pueblo highlights the difficulty of a traditional community to withstand the onslaught of tourist hordes. I was impressed that traditionally prepared foods were available here."

"Taos is no longer a heritage tourism destination; it is a shopping center with a cowboys and Indians motif. Replica Indian pottery and rugs are sold in galleries at inflated prices (with little benefit to the communities that inspired them)."

"The pueblo feels somewhat like a museum, not a community. Most of the ground-level residences had been converted to tourist shops (some selling plastic trinkets or non-local items), and residents overall were resentful of the tourist presence."

USA: Historic San Juan, Puerto Rico
Score: 69

"Offers a cultural experience (for the most part) through food, shopping, and architecture that reflects the culture of the island. El Moro, the old fortress, is a wonderful anchor for the district connecting the area to the sea and the early history. However, it might do a better job of connecting the story to the development of the historic district and Puerto Rico today."

"The old city is a vibrant mix of historic streetscapes and modern offices and commerce. Hotels and restaurants of every type and quality are available. However, excessive traffic and crowding (especially when cruise ships are in port) detract significantly from the overall visitor experience."

"Charming and thematically well interpreted … having local dancers perform inside the walls is very appealing. The surrounding shops, cafes and hotels are excellent and street vendors seemed very appropriate, with local craft items. I was impressed with the professionalism of resource managers and interpreters."

"A unique glimpse into the past mixed with the upscale shops of today. Great photo ops, excellent food, music, and local color in street fairs and historic missions. Expensive hotels. Would benefit from a regional tourism plan."

"McDonald's/Burger King and cruise ships make old town a trinket paradise. Preserved forts are unique and wonderful, as are streets and neighborhood under the walls, but city does not feel special."