Copper Canyon to Baja Coast in Mexico, rail and beach vacation

Planet

Travel and tourism can both benefit and damage the environment, the economy, the social structure, culture and communities in any country. We know how mass tourism, unrestricted hotel building, poorly devised tours and environmentally destructive activities can bring money flooding in and governments have, in a spirit of short termism, been tempted to accept them. But experience teaches us that in the long term this sort of uncontrolled activity can be detrimental to the country's development.

As a company we love Latin America and strive to protect the rural and urban landscapes which we take you to visit. We work with local operators which have a proven record in training guides to set a good example in their respect for their surroundings and pass on advice and encouragement to visitors on how to preserve the fragile environment in simple ways, such as by refilling a water bottle, disposing of rubbish responsibly, not disturbing local communities or wildlife and not purchasing items made from endangered animals or plants. When selecting accommodation, we give preference to hotels, lodges and cruise vessels which have a verifiable commitment to eco-friendly practices.

While there are a couple of necessary flights (Mexico being the vast size that it is), on this vacation your main mode of transport will be by train. Not only does this give you the opportunity to see a vast swathe of Mexico’s north-western reaches, it cuts down on your carbon footprint for the trip. With hundreds of people traveling all together, instead of in separate vehicles, the effect of each person’s visit is minimised and the local environment is protected to a greater degree.

We endeavour to select accommodation which tells a story about the area you are visiting: in El Fuerte your hotel will be the Posada del Hidalgo. An historically significant colonial mansion, the old part of the hotel – La Casa Vieja – was supposedly built on the site where El Zorro was born and there is a statue of him in the grounds. By staying here, you will gain a deeper understanding of the region’s history and be helping to preserve its cultural heritage.

People

We pride ourselves on delivering our clients truly authentic and unforgettable experiences in Latin America and immersing them in the culture of the places they visit. One of the ways in which we can do this on this tour is by engaging with the people of the indigenous Tarahumara communities you meet along the way. At Divisadero, you will have the opportunity to purchase hand-made gifts from the Tarahumara; by buying your souvenirs from local people instead of in the markets of Mexico City where most items have been mass-produced elsewhere, you will be supporting the people you meet, as well as encouraging the continuation of these artisanal traditions.

San José del Cabo is a smaller and prettier place than its nearby town of Cabo San Lucas. By staying here you will have a more intimate and authentic experience of the area as you will be far from the chain hotels of the “zona hotelera”. Arts and culture thrive here and if you happen to be there on a Thursday night, you can participate in the Art Walk: the streets become pedestrianised and the art shops and galleries are open late, often with artists in situ. Engaging with this custom means you are supporting the artists and artisans of the area – silver jewellery is a particular speciality – and helping to create a strong relationship between tourists and the local community.