Mexico vacation, Mayan Yucatan and Coast

Environment

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.

This good-value vacation includes a visit to one of Mexico’s many archaeological sites and, as they are such an important part of the country’s cultural heritage, we understand the importance of preserving these fragile ruins. During your visit to Chichén Itzá you will be accompanied by a well-trained guide who not only teaches guests about the history of the site they are visiting but also educates them on how they can minimise the impact of their visit: simple actions such as not touching the ruins and making sure you dispose of your waste correctly will always be suggested by our local guides.

In Mérida we have chosen a walking tour of the city in an effort to keep down carbon emissions, and with a compact colonial core, it also makes sense to explore the city on foot. Throughout the city you will see how the historical buildings have been meticulously preserved; it is a city that tells its own story with much of the colonial architecture having been built with stones from toppled Mayan temples, and the cultural vestiges of the Maya are equally intertwined in the city’s modern-day society.

Community

We pride ourselves on delivering our clients truly authentic and unforgettable experiences in Latin America which connect travelers with the people whose country they visit. On this vacation you will visit some colonial haciendas which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries when the boom in the sisal fibre trade was taking place, and retain many of the original features. Owned by the Hernández family, Hacienda Ochil was restored in an attempt to bring visitors to the Yucatán, an area inhabited by descendants of the Mayas who built sites such as Chichén Itzá, so that they would have the opportunity to engage with people from the local villages and gain a deeper understanding of the region and its culture. They have been committed to supporting the local community by providing jobs and clinics and helping to provide education. There is also a craft shop on site which sells souvenirs made by artisans from the area – by purchasing some of their handicrafts you will help support the local economy.

This vacation also gives you the opportunity to book some activities locally. On the Caribbean coast you will have some time at leisure where there are plenty of excursions on offer: whether you choose to head inland to Mayan ruins or spending time snorkelling, kayaking or diving, by choosing to enhance your vacation with these experiences, provided by reputable local operators selected by our trusted partners, you can help support local communities and economies.