Mayan Touring: Mexico is a destination you live

Mexico is unique for its warmth and its Indigenous communities. In every corner of the country you find joy, colour and communities that work, day after day, to preserve our traditions, languages and customs for the next generations. That is why foreign travellers see in Mexico a chance to be themselves and to connect with something authentic.

A few figures that prove it:

• The 6th most visited country in the world.
• The number 1 destination in Latin America.
• The 2nd most visited destination on the American continent.
• Between 45 and 50 million visitors a year.
• Tourists' favourite destination: Cancún.

Estimated figures based on the number of visitors per year:

• Quintana Roo — 21 million tourists a year (1st place).
• Chiapas — 8 to 9 million tourists a year (2nd place).
• Oaxaca — 6 million tourists a year (3rd place).

A country full of richness that hides astonishing experiences. Here are a few of our favourite destinations.

Sumidero Canyon — Chiapas

Our number 1 destination, in Chiapas.

Day of the Dead — Chiapas

Karina Rodríguez's personal favourite. The joy with which San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán live this tradition is unmatched: they make you feel part of the family and invite you to believe that the dead live on through us and our memories. San Cristóbal fills with colour, parades and displays of this celebration.

Palenque — Chiapas

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Along with Tikal and Calakmul, Palenque was one of the most powerful cities of the Classic Maya period, the seat of one of its most notable dynasties — the one to which Pakal belonged.

Lacandon Jungle — Chiapas

A must for connecting with nature and switching off from the everyday; one of the most precious lungs of Mesoamerica. It is home to two archaeological sites, Yaxchilán and Bonampak; the latter preserves some of the best-kept Maya murals in the world, with original colours more than 1,200 years old. (Photo credit: Salatiel Cham Bor Yuk.)

The Oaxacan universe

The state of Oaxaca holds a whole universe of languages and Indigenous peoples of the region. Add to that its gastronomic, mountainous and coastal abundance, and visiting it again and again becomes a must. Rich in history and culture, Oaxaca is a fascinating destination where millennia-old civilisations, colonial architecture and living traditions meet: its culture and the warmth of its people are the main reasons to let yourself be wrapped up in the Oaxacan universe.

Hierve el Agua — Oaxaca

Petrified waterfalls, the result of thousands of years of mineral-rich water filtering through the rock. It is one of the most photographed sites in the state, sitting at more than 1,800 metres above sea level. There are only two waterfalls of this kind in the world; the others are in Pamukkale, Turkey. (Credit: SECTUR.)

Guelaguetza — Oaxaca

Oaxaca's most important event, held on the “Mondays of the Hill” (the two Mondays after 16 July). It is a showcase of Oaxacan culture and dance divided into four eras: pre-Hispanic, colonial, independent Mexico and contemporary. An unmissable celebration that is not only danceable — it is proof of a living culture. (Credit: SECTUR.)

Ancestral cuisine — Oaxaca

Virginia is the master cook behind this experience. With more than 18 years of practice, she shares her talent and techniques learned from her grandmother and mother, which she has perfected over time and given her own personal touch. She takes us to buy the ingredients, and then the experience continues in her own home. (Credit: Virginia.)

Cenotes — Yucatán

Yucatán is known for its incredible cenote route: freshwater pools formed by the collapse of the roofs of underground caves in limestone terrain. For the Maya, they were a source of life and gateways to the underworld (Xibalbá). An unmissable stop. (Credit: SECTUR.)

Chichén Itzá — Yucatán

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World — the only one in Mexico — since 2007, with more than 2 million visitors a year. Its acoustics are astonishing: a clap in front of the pyramid produces an echo that resembles the call of the quetzal. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico. (Credit: SECTUR.)

Gastronomy — Yucatán

Karina Rodríguez's personal favourite. Yucatecan cuisine is a perfect blend of ingredients used by the ancient Maya with flavours brought by the Spanish during the colonial era. The dish par excellence: cochinita pibil. (Credit: Government of Yucatán.)

Wineries and gastronomy — Valle de Guadalupe

The ideal destination in Mexico to discover wine and indulge in fine food. The region produces around 70% of Mexican wine and has more than 150 wineries, with Nebbiolo among its most emblematic varieties. It is also home to Michelin-starred restaurants and others recognised internationally.

Doña Esthela — Valle de Guadalupe

The best breakfast in Mexico; the place where Gordon Ramsay spent a whole day learning to flip tortillas. With more than 28 years in the kitchen, Doña Esthela makes her dishes with the most natural ingredients — the corn and the cattle come from her own ranch, and the rest is locally sourced. She opens at 8 a.m., and before that there is already a queue waiting to get in.

Mexico is a destination you live.

I'm originally from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas. My favourite celebration is the Day of the Dead, especially 1 November, when children go out asking for “¡Calabacita, tía!” — the tradition of going door to door for sweets in costume, a bit like Halloween. You sing a little song and, if they give you sweets, you shout “Long live the auntie!”; and if not, “Down with the auntie!”. As always, it is a joyful celebration that teaches us that death is part of life.

— Karina Rodríguez, Sales Manager at Mayan Touring.

A one-of-a-kind experience. Our Indigenous communities — San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán — keep one of Mexico's most incredible traditions: the Day of the Dead. Visiting their cemetery and sharing food with those who are no longer here has become our most requested experience. We also combine it with the main destinations: Sumidero Canyon, Chiapa de Corzo, El Chiflón, the Montebello Lakes, Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque.

TOOGO is the tool that revolutionised the way we build quotes and raised our status.

TOOGO has been part of the company for around 10 years. In the 8 years I've been here, I've found it to be an incredible tool: it saves us a lot of time compared with the traditional way (Excel and Word) and, with every new update, quotes have become far more dynamic and pleasant to look at.

Before TOOGO

Our main challenge was producing quotes as quickly as possible so the client wouldn't lose interest, while also having a unique format that set us apart from everyone else. We also wanted to cut down on errors caused by overload or by the format itself. Getting TOOGO has been the company's best decision.

Day-to-day with TOOGO

The first thing I open is TOOGO. Our format is so unique and recognisable that, if a client gets a quote from me and then goes to another agency asking for the same itinerary — without knowing that I'm that agency's supplier — they immediately recognise it as ours and tell me: “Your client came in with one of your quotes…”.

To other DMCs

TOOGO is a great tool to boost your company. AI won't be able to replace human warmth, but we can use it consciously.

Many thanks to the TOOGO team for making us part of this incredible journey, for innovating every day, taking our feedback into account and resolving any glitch as quickly as possible. TOOGO is an incredible tool with an amazing team. We hope to meet one day: you are more than welcome in our destinations.