Indigenous women redefine tourism with tradition and sustainability in Mexico
Across Mexico, indigenous women are leading eco-tourism projects that blend tradition with sustainability. These initiatives offer visitors a chance to experience local culture while supporting community-driven conservation. From Nahua-run hotels to Maya cooking workshops, each venture highlights heritage in a unique way.
In Cuetzalan, Puebla, Hotel Taselotzin stands out as an eco-tourism project managed entirely by Nahua Indigenous women. The hotel not only provides lodging but also shares ancestral knowledge, including traditional cuisine and herbal medicine. Its operations focus on protecting the surrounding forests and rivers.
Near Valladolid, Yucatán, Aldea Xbatún offers a deeper connection to Maya traditions. Run by the Cen Canché family, the site provides rustic thatched huts with hammocks, home-cooked meals, and hands-on cooking workshops. Visitors must book in advance, as the family welcomes only small groups to maintain an intimate experience. Elsewhere, the Academia Mexicana del Cacao in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, specialises in cacao-based foods and specialty coffee. Alongside tastings, it runs educational programs on sustainable farming. Meanwhile, La Gruta in Teotihuacán serves Mesoamerican dishes made with locally sourced, traceable ingredients. In Huamantla, Tlaxcala, Huerta Gosen teaches agroecological techniques, reviving ancestral farming methods for modern use.
These projects show how indigenous women are preserving culture while promoting responsible tourism. By combining traditional practices with eco-friendly approaches, they create opportunities for both visitors and local communities. Each initiative remains rooted in its heritage, ensuring long-term sustainability for the regions they serve.
