Journey Mexico Blog

Ecotourism is more than just a popular travel trend that involves roughing it in rudimentary accommodations with only the most basic amenities. The true beauty behind this travel option is that it provides you with the opportunity to help the local people improve their everyday lives. At Journey Mexico, one of our favorite causes is in beautiful Copper Canyon.

During our visits to this area, the local people have welcomed our staff and our guests with open arms. Now, these friendly communities are in need of our help. If you’d like to know more about the cause, here’s a little more information about this worthy project in which we participated in:

The Incredible Strength of the Tarahumara People

This region of Mexico is inhabited by native Indians called the Raramuris. This tribe is famous for being able to run for up to 60 miles through this mountainous region without rest and with little to protect their feet but a pair of sandals. In many cases, they make this arduous journey barefoot. Needless to say, this strong group of native Mexicans has become an inspiration to runners around the world and a symbol of strength and endurance to many others.

The Great Drought in the Sierra Tarahumara

Since just before the end of 2011, this area has been caught in the most severe drought of the past 70 years. This extreme dryness has caused their lakes to dry up and their crops to whither on the vine. In many case, these brave natives are suffering because they don’t have access to what most of us take for granted: adequate food and clean water.

The Mexican government declared a state of emergency across 37 different regions in Tarahumara on January 3, 2012. These officials believe that the current situation will get much worse before it improves. As a result, these communities will endure another year without enough food, water or fertile soil.

The Journey Mexico Initiative

To help these friendly people who have always welcomed our staff and our guests, Journey Mexico created an initiative to raise money to purchase supplies for seven remote villages affected by the drought. Many past guests of Journey Mexico that had hiked the area also donated funds for the cause. The funds were used to purchase and deliver food supplies and other necessities including potatoes, flour, beans, salt, sugar, coffee, powdered milk and water.

The American School Run-a-Thon

Once the news of the plight of the Sierra Tarahumara Villages reached the American School located in Puerto Vallarta, the Student Council decided to hold a Run-a-thon to raise additional money to help this worthy cause. On March 2, students from the pre-Kindergarten level through sixth grade ran in this race to raise money for the drought-stricken villages in Copper Canyon. This is a perfect example of how anyone can make a difference in the world through commitment and determination.

The All-Important Deliveries

In addition to raising the money to buy these much-needed supplies, the staff at Journey Mexico volunteered to spend their time procuring these necessities and transporting them to the remote villages. In some cases, traditional transportation couldn’t be used to reach these communities, and items had to be hiked in.

So far, food has been distributed to the communities of Mohotavo, Bajichi, Oteviachi, San Alonso and to other areas near these villages. In total, about 460 people benefited from the supplies we were able to procure, transport and distribute.

If you were able to contribute to help the native people of Copper Canyon, the team at Journey Mexico wishes to convey their deepest gratitude! We only wish that we had the right words to describe the sincere appreciation that the Raramuris have shown over the last few days.

Thank you, The Journey Mexico Team!

At Journey Mexico, we’re especially proud that one of our favorite vacation packages to Chiapas made the National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” list this year! Although it’s always an honor to achieve this level of recognition, this year is truly special. For 2012, National Geographic Traveler chose “transformation” as the overall theme in addition to evaluating each tour based on authenticity, sustainability, and degree of immersion. This means that the judges at National Geographic Traveler felt our Chiapas Tour: A Journey through Mexico Less Visited has the power to make a permanent change in the lives of both our travelers and the local residents who live in the various villages along the route. While we like to think that each of our packages is a “trip of a lifetime,” the Chiapas Tour lives up to that reputation more than any other! If you’d like to become fully immersed in the rich culture of Mexico, here’s a closer look at this Chiapas Tour:

The Journey Begins The Chiapas tour is designed to give you an intimate look at Southwest Mexico and the Mayan World. Your journey will begin in Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital of Chiapas, where your tour leader will welcome you at the Tuxtla Gutierrez airport. Next, you will travel through the Sumidero Canyon before ascending into the highest reaches of the Sierra Madre Sur to reach the quaint colonial city that serves as the commercial center of the highland people of Txotzil and Tzetzal. Within this part of Mexico, the proud farmers still live their lives according to ancient cultural traditions. You’ll have ample opportunity to see this up close as your group explores the area surrounding San Cristobal on foot and interacts with the locals. During your stay, you’ll visit the workshops of local artisans, view the colonial architecture and explore the San Cristobal museums.

The Adventure Continues After you fully explore the highland areas, your group will descend to the exotic Chiapan rainforests where you will enjoy a day filled with swimming, hiking and waterfall exploration. Once you arrive at the jungle, you’ll discover a number of ancient Mayan ruins including Yaxchitlan, Palenque, Bomampak and Edzna.

Compared to other better-known sites, these are much less crowded but just as significant. The locations are stunning, and your leader will fill you in on the amazing accomplishments of the ancient Mayans in the fields of astronomy, engineering and agriculture. From the jungle, you’ll venture into Tabasco to visit the zoo and the museum to learn more about the Olmec culture.

The Final Transformation On the last night of your stay, you’ll attend a farewell fiesta and dance the night away with the Tabasco locals. The next day, you’ll depart from the Villa Hermosa’s International Airport. From here, you can get a flight into many other Mexican destinations to continue your adventure or fly back to the States. If you’re ready for your “Journey of a Lifetime,” book an adventure and discover an entirely new side of Mexico.

Journey Mexico is on a mission to help the native people of Copper Canyon! After a season of severe drought, the Rarámuri or Tarahumara Indigenous are suffering water shortages, food shortages and are in great need of our help. Journey Mexico is getting involved by delivering much-needed supplies to seven communities located on our hiking tours. We hope to raise $500 USD or more per village. During the weekend of March 15th Journey Mexico staffer Karina Huet plans to travel to Copper Canyon to purchase the items and either hike, mule or drive the goods into the following villages:

• Huetosachi
• Mogotavo
• Otéviachi
• San Alonso
• Arecaina
• Wakajípare
• Guitayvo

We’re depending on our staff, our clients and a partnership with the local American School to raise the funds necessary to help this worthy cause. To participate, you can give a direct monetary donation or sponsor one of the primary-school kids in the jog-a-thon as these thoughtful children “run for the running people!” If everything works out as planned, we hope to keep this campaign going with additional drops mid-summer and early fall.

At Journey Mexico, we want to give back to the local communities, especially some of the poorest villages in the most rustic areas. To these underprivileged villagers, a sum that seems insignificant to most Americans and other international tourists can make a real difference.

If you can find it in your heart to help out a country that opens its arms to international travelers of all types and backgrounds, now is the time to make a difference. Call us or email us today to find out how you can help Journey Mexico help the running people! info@journeymexico.com +52-322-225-9821 or +1-619-819-5111

Repost from Conde Nast Traveler

Thanks to Mayan prophecies and reports of violence, travelers have a lot of questions about traveling to Mexico these days. On Thursday at 2pm EST, Zachary Rabinor of Journey Mexico—one of the top-rated, thoroughly vetted travel specialists that is recommended in Wendy Perrin’s Top Travel Specialist Collection—will be live on the Conde Nast Traveler Magazine Facebook page to answer questions.

Here are a few more details about this online session:

When & Where
The Conde Nast Traveler’s Facebook chat is scheduled for today, Thursday, Jan 12, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Getting there is easy. Simply link to the Conde Nast Traveler’s Facebook page. In the meantime, spend a few minutes thinking about what you’d like to get out of your trip to Mexico so that you can make the most of this opportunity. You can post your questions as soon as the chat starts.

A Little About Zachary Rabinor
Zachary, your travel expert for this event, lives and breathes Mexican tourism. In fact, he spends most of his time inside the country and bases his operations out of Puerto Vallarta. If you’re looking for someone who knows the scoop on where to stay, the local culture, the best surfing spots or how to get a seat at the chef’s table in a top restaurant, Zach is the man to talk to! On January 12th, be ready to ask Zach the hard questions. You can bet he’ll have the answers!

Don’t miss this chance to ask Mexico’s top travel specialist all your most detailed questions. If you found this post a little too late, don’t worry! Just give our travel experts at Journey Mexico a call. If they can’t answer your questions, they’ll get the information for you directly from Zach! He’s definitely the brains behind Journey Mexico.

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Update Post-Chat: You can find the thread here

We all knew that Zach Rabinor, President of Journey Mexico, was the best person to talk to about all things South of the Border, but Conde Nast Traveler just made it official! He has been named the Conde Nast Travel Specialist for Mexico again this year. If you’ve been dreaming of leaving the cold behind and heading to Mexico for an exciting cultural sojourn, Zach’s years of experience as a guide leveraged into Mexico’s leading Travel Company Journey Mexico makes him unique in his knowledge of his adopted home. He’ll make sure you get the very most from your vacation time.

Is a Travel Specialist Really that Big of a Deal?
Actually, it is. Every year, about 10,000 travel agents and tour operators vie for this honor, but only 133 make the list. Instead of picking someone who has never stepped foot on foreign soil, this title guarantees that you’re working with a bona fide expert who knows your destination inside and out. In fact, Travel Specialists know the area even better than the locals. If you’re looking for a dream vacation in Mexico, something enriching and culturally exciting, this is the way to go!

How was Zach Chosen?
First of all, Zach doesn’t just sit in his office and page through travel guides; he lives and breathes Mexico! Based in Puerto Vallarta, Zach personally tours the country’s best hotels and resorts while making the connections that mean all the difference to his clients.

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience like touring the Teotihuacan ruins with an actual archeologist or impressing your guests with a gourmet dinner at the chef’s table in the best restaurant in Oaxaca when no one else can even get a reservation, Zach can make the arrangements. An avid surfer and hiker, Zach can not only help you plan the best coastal and inland activities, he can give you some first-hand tips to make your trip even more enjoyable!

Zach Rabinor – the CNT Villa Specialist
A luxury villa in a secluded area is the best way to get away from it all and enjoy an authentic Mexican experience. Although a top-rated resort can be a lot of fun, it doesn’t come close to the peaceful setting of a home surrounded by private grounds where you can really let your hair down. However, choosing a property based on virtual tours and pamphlets alone is risky. Zach is the only Mexico Travel Specialist who is also the CNT Villa Specialist! He can easily narrow down your choices based on your interests and give you the scoop on the villa’s amenities and the surrounding area.

To take the guesswork out of planning the next trip to Mexico for you or your clients, let Zach and Journey Mexico arrange everything right down to the smallest detail!

Read the full Conde Naste article here>>

Contact Journey Mexico today:
Tel: +52 (322) 225 9821
Toll Free (from the U.S.): 1-800-513-1587
Fill out our online form>>

After months of anticipation, we are proud to announce the launch of Journey Yucatan, a branch of Journey Mexico specializing in the Yucatan Peninsula.

In response to an increasing number of travelers looking for unique travel experiences in Mexico’s Southeast including the Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Costa Maya, the Yucatan Peninsula, Campeche, and Chiapas, Journey Yucatan focuses on custom private tours, destination management services, and luxury transportation designed to get beyond the hustle and bustle of the typical tourist destinations. Picture the magical silence of an exclusive visit to ancient ruins outside of regular tourist hours. Imagine the thrill of a private expedition into the underground rivers and caves of the region. Envision the luxury of a helicopter, private aircraft, catamaran or luxury yacht tour of the natural and cultural wonders of the Yucatan complete with catered lunches and champagne toasts. Let our expert Cancun-based team create an authentic experience for you and your clients in this magical region.

At Journey Yucatan, we pride ourselves in our unbending commitment to seamless service and spirit of authentic adventure as you’ve come to expect with Journey Mexico. The Journey Yucatan brand combines the finest properties, private villas, expert guides and unique transportation services including luxury vehicles, charter planes, yachts and helicopters; with over 20 years of on the ground experience exploring the peninsula, we take great pride in sharing the unique and unexpected travel experiences that this magical region offers. We are a guide-owned and operated company with over 20 years of experience on the ground. Our logistics and site knowledge are unmatched and our safety and operational standards are uncompromising. We take special pride in our expertise in the lesser visited areas of the Republic. We are a company built on a deep mission of service that spans from the sales process to the seamless service on the ground that builds repeat customers.

Matteo Luthi, Journey Mexico’s Director of Operations and newly appointed General Manager of the Journey Yucatan Office, together with the Cancun-based, Journey Yucatan team are available to create the most spectacular, creative, and memorable ways to spend your holidays. Their local knowledge is extensive and they take great pleasure in sharing exclusive insights with our important guests.

Feel free to get in touch with any of our staff for an insider’s view into the exceptional experiences that await you in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Email Matteo or come visit us at our new office location:
SM 57, m 3, Lote 1, local 102
Cancun, Q. Roo
Mexico C.P. 67500

We are proud to announce that for the second consecutive year, Travel + Leisure magazine has chosen Journey Mexico founder and president Zachary Rabinor as a member of their coveted A-List: Word’s Top Travel Agents.

Each year, Travel + Leisure evaluates thousands of travel specialists around the world then hand-picks the best of the best to be a part of their A-List. The 2011 A-List was published in the September Issue of Travel + Leisure, which recently hit newsstands worldwide. Be sure to grab a copy and check out Zach’s feature be found on page 110!

We are proud to announce that for the third consecutive year, Journey Mexico has achieved a spot on Inc. magazine’s annual list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America, ranking 21st in the Travel Industry.

Weathering past storms such as “The Swine Flu” and the unrelenting negative reports of Mexico pouring out of the United States, Journey Mexico has continued to provide unforgettable travel experiences to a continuously growing number of discerning and sophisticated travelers. 2010 was a record year for Journey Mexico, and 2011 is poised to accomplish even more as interest in Mexico continues to rise.

In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2011 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 94 percent. The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 list report having created 350,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $366 billion, up 14 percent from last year.

For other Journey Mexico accomplishments, visit Journey Mexico: In the Press

#MexicoToday – Last week we posted about how Jessica Seba and I were chosen to be a part of the Mexico Today program and today it is my pleasure to post a re-cap of the kick-off event that was held in Oaxaca over the weekend.

Welcome to Oaxaca

It was clear that the weekend was going to be a cultural treat immediately after stepping off the plane Friday as we were greeted by the traditional sounds of the marimba, a type of xylophone that originated in southern Mexico. After being transferred to our hotel, the gorgeous Camino Real Oaxaca, we met for an introduction cocktail followed by a mezcal tasting, which really put us in the spirit – pun intended.

Guelaguetza Dancers

After we’d become well acquainted with tequila’s smokey sister, we moved to the old chapel of the Camino Real (the 5-Star Camino Real is housed in what was originally the convent of Santa Catalina) for a massive buffet of Oaxacan flavors. As we ate, a group of traditional dancers performed many of the dances of the Guelaguetza festival, which is an extravagant event that takes place on a hillside in Oaxaca each year.

Alebrije in the making

Saturday began with an insightful meeting which included a panel discussion including guest speakers Antonio del Rosal Stanford (Mexican Brand Coordinator), Alejandro Ruiz (the famed chef of Casa Oaxaca), and Jacobo Angeles (a local artisan famous for his Alebrijes – brightly colored wooden figures). Following the discussion, we were driven out into the countryside to visit Jacobo’s workshop and learn about how the alebrijes are made. Before the demonstration, we were treated to more dancing, mezcal, and a fabulous lunch prepared by Jacobo’s family. During lunch, I was able to try chapulines for the first time, which are toasted grasshoppers – a traditional delicacy of Oaxaca. I must say, I quite enjoyed them and found them to taste like salted cranberries.

Lunch at Jacobo's Workshop

Returning from Jacobo’s workshop, we had just enough time to freshen up before joining a marching parade in the street (although a few of us snuck off to watch the USA vs. Mexico football match in a local cantina). Jessica tells me the parade was a highlight of the trip as our group carried colorful candles while they followed a group of traditional dancers through the streets – all the while being fed shots of mezcal. Some of our group were carried on the shoulders of some locals (atop a leather bull) and at the end of the parade, the group was greeted by a giant “Welcome Mexico Today” in fireworks. Back in the cantina, we saw fireworks of our own as the US went up 2-0 on Mexico, only to be destroyed 4-2.

Parading the streets of Oaxaca City

The group reconvened at Casa Oaxaca where chef Ruiz prepared a delicious three-course meal consisting almost exclusively of local meat and produce. Chef Ruiz has been a huge proponent of the “Local Foods” movement as growing and using your own food and produce has always been a way of life in the fertile lands of Oaxaca.

Dinner was followed by drinks on the town square, where we were serenaded by local mariachi bands and a few passing troubadours. Drinks were followed by more drinks in a cozy cantina around the corner from the Camino Real, which, for some of us, made for an interesting Sunday morning meeting. Grogginess aside, the farewell meeting was touching. I think I speak for the group when I say it was a true pleasure to meet so many talented people who all share a real love for Mexico. Journey Mexico, Jessica, and I are all honored to be a part of such a committed group, and we’d like to thank the Mexican Tourism Board, Marca País – Imagen de México, and Ogilvy for putting together such an inspired initiative and such a wonderful event.

The Mexico Today Team (Most of us)

Stay tuned to www.facebook.com/MexicoToday for posts from the group of contributors and be sure to follow #MexicoToday tweets for all the real-time happenings in Mexico!

It’s been over a year since the Journey Mexico blog was created to encourage others to engage in Mexico, to learn about Mexico, and possibly be inspired to travel with Journey Mexico! The blog has become a home for not only Journey Mexico accomplishments and expertise, but for all things fascinating about Mexico including articles about festivals and events, destinations, and facts.

Through our daily posts, lovers of Mexico are able to follow along as Mexico strives to make 2011 the “Year of Tourism” through the good, the bad, and the ugly. As in-country enthusiasts, we make it our business to promote the phenomenal travel experiences Mexico has to offer as well as combat biased media aimed to discourage travelers from Mexico with factual and personal coverage of current events.

The success of the Journey Mexico blog has recently attracted the attention of the Mexico Tourism Board’s Marca Pais – Imagen de Mexico initiative. The Mexico Today program is designed to give a louder voice to the positive happenings in Mexican economy, security, health, infrastructure, environment, and culture/travel.

Journey Mexico is proud to report that two members of our web-marketing team, Chase Buckner and Jessica Seba, have both been chosen as two of the sixteen contributors for Mexico Today, where they will share their honest and genuine opinions towards Mexico and reveal their experiences and expertise.

Today, Chase and Jessica, will be traveling to Oaxaca for the kick-off event and to meet their fellow participants – some of the best when it comes to the promotion of Mexico representing sites like: The Mexico Report, Mexico Unmasked, Stay Adventurous, Go Mexico Guide, Cancun Canuk, Mexico Guide, The Other Side of The Tortilla and Midwestern in Mexico, (just to name a few)!

As the project launches, we invite you to become acquainted with MexicoToday.org, join their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter. Also, follow along on Twitter as Chase and Jess post updates and photos from Oaxaca this weekend using hashtag #MexicoToday.

Mexico Today, in association with Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day.

Disclosure: Chase and Jessica are being compensated for their work in creating content as Contributors for the México Today Program. They are being invited to an all-expenses paid trip to Oaxaca for the kick off event for the Mexico Today program, where they will partake in several discussion groups and training activities. All articles posted with the “#MexicoToday” disclosure are the opinions of Chase and/or Jessica alone.