“My Personal Journey: Crafting Mexico 4 Real Journeys with a passion for cultural discovery”
When I took the first steps in the adventure of launching Mexico 4 Real Journeys, my main objective was to create a space where culture, traditions, and people played a fundamental role.
History has always been an endless source of fascination for me, but what truly excites me is understanding how history comes to life in the present.
Like in any entrepreneurship, the path I’ve traveled has not been easy, and up to this point, it hasn’t even reached an intermediate stage. My initial expectations were disrupted by circumstances beyond my control. It was amidst the search for alternative solutions that one day I arrived in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.
“Felipe Carrillo Puerto: Exploring Quintana Roo’s Lesser-Known Gems”
Felipe Carrillo Puerto is a town in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, the capital of the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, located in the central part of the state, in the Maya region.
It is situated in the central area of Quintana Roo state, at an altitude of 30 meters above sea level. The distance from the state capital, Chetumal, is 159 kilometers to the south, and from the tourist hub of Cancún, it’s 229 kilometers to the north.
It is essential to pause at this point to explain why I consider it important to promote everything that Felipe Carrillo Puerto has to offer to visitors.
Quintana Roo is known for hosting renowned tourist destinations such as Cancún, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, all famous for their stunning beaches. However, a fundamental aspect is often overlooked, one that deserves recognition, protection, and preservation: the rich history that permeates these destinations. This history has been harnessed to attract tourists, but sometimes it has been done with little consideration for those who are the custodians of this culture.
As a travel agent and guide, I understand that each individual has their own style of travel, priorities, and makes decisions about what to see and do in their time and with their resources. However, for me, and for the values that I want Mexico 4 Real Journeys to promote, it is essential to highlight the authentic essence of the destinations that are so popular among tourists and travelers.
Without a doubt, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, with its spaces, lifestyle, and, above all, its people, is what truly defines the essence of Quintana Roo and our tourist destinations.
“My Personal journey in Felipe Carrillo Puerto: Rediscovering the Culture, Embracing Community and finding my WHY for travel”.
When I arrived in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, I initially planned a one-day visit, and the first thing that caught my attention was the museum. However, what surprised me and filled me with joy the most was discovering the abundant vegetation that still prevails in the urban area.
Inside the museum, I had the privilege of meeting one of the most outstanding individuals in the region. This dedicated person has devoted their life to research and art, significantly contributing to strengthening the connection of young Maya people with their culture and arts.
Thanks to this person, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in history, pre-Hispanic arts, contemporary artistic expressions of the community, and music, both pre-Hispanic and modern. I spent hours engrossed in their stories about the authentic essence of the Maya region, something I was completely unaware of.
It was then that it became one of my main goals and one of the missions of Mexico 4 Real Journeys: to discover places, activities, and people who embody cultures to the fullest, allowing us to reconnect with our roots and thereby contribute genuinely to the well-being of communities whose names are used in tourism for commercial purposes, but often do not receive the benefits they deserve.
Thanks to that single day in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, I decided that I wanted to delve deeper into my learning, and within days, I packed my things and moved there. My stay in Felipe Carrillo Puerto extended to a little over six months.
During my time there, I experienced a profound sense of happiness and began to live a simpler life, in tune with one of the fundamental characteristics of life in Maya communities. Moreover, I immersed myself in an environment with abundant vegetation, tall trees, and gardens full of fresh food. The sounds of roosters, chickens, and pigs were a daily part of my life. It was an experience that allowed me to enjoy life in Quintana Roo without enduring the extremes of heat, thanks to the presence of vegetation that provided significant relief.
I encountered people whom I affectionately came to call “walking museums.” I held a deep love, respect, and gratitude for them as they enriched my mind with stories I had never heard before, not even in my school days. Each day, I was amazed by their narratives, and this stage of my life was truly incredible.
Of course, as in everything, nothing is entirely perfect. I had the opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by even an urban area that does not receive the benefits of tourism flourishing just an hour away in Tulum. Basic services, such as garbage collection, were practically nonexistent in some parts of the city. Access to education was limited, and commercial opportunities for well-paying jobs were scarce. All of this convinced me that the region’s potential was immense and could be effectively used for education, preservation, promotion, protection, and well-being. I still firmly believe in this. During my stay in Carrillo, as it is affectionately called, I had the privilege of visiting the Maya ceremonial center of the Talking Cross, a vital element in the history of Maya culture. It was here that I came into direct contact with the Maya language for the first time and had the opportunity to learn a bit of it. I also explored the authentic local cuisine and its deep connection with religious traditions. I discovered the ceremonies, religiosity, reciprocity rooted in the communities, and their unique way of life.
Despite the challenges and less positive aspects, I realized that there are elements in these communities that, if known in other urban areas or even in more popular destinations like Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, could help us reconnect with our roots and focus on the essentials to improve as a society.
As time went on, I continued my exploration, learning, growth, and mental expansion. Simultaneously, I realized that the places, people, and initiatives shared a common interest and need: to be known. Although there have been advances in this regard, this desire persists to this day.
It is undeniable that tourism has a transformative impact on communities, and initiatives that promote proper, inclusive, and authentic dissemination are of immeasurable value for the well-being of these communities.
“Invitation to Explore Maya Culture with the Vázquez Family in Felipe Carrillo Puerto”
Finally, the invitation I have for all of you.
I am sure that there are many people very interested in experiencing the same thing I did during my stay in Carrillo, and the opportunity is within their reach.
“Among the group of people I had the pleasure of meeting in Carrillo is the Vázquez family. They are Maya people who proudly carry their traditions and culture, living with deep love and dignity. They are enthusiastic about sharing their identity, knowledge, and what they consider important with those who genuinely wish to learn from them.
So, what is all this about?
I am extending an open invitation to people from Quintana Roo, all over Mexico, and abroad who share a common interest. We are looking for individuals who want to connect with their roots, regardless of how they embark on this journey or how much time they dedicate to it. Those drawn to this invitation want to immerse themselves in a place that will allow them to understand the origin and essence of the Maya region, exploring its history, culture, and traditions. Our guests can be of all ages, but they share the desire to enrich their travels and experiences with deep knowledge and are eager to engage in meaningful conversations with people who have much to share. Those willing to accept this invitation are interested in getting their hands dirty to create something new, regardless of how messy they may get in the process.
Travelers who accept our invitation demonstrate a genuine interest in fully experiencing the journey, so the presence on social media is irrelevant to them. These individuals seek to be completely present in every moment and question everything around them. They aspire to grow and learn more at the end of each hour or day of the experience.
The journey can start from Cancún, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum. The duration of the trip to Felipe Carrillo Puerto varies from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the starting point. Travelers have the flexibility to choose between public transportation, private cars, minivans, and other transportation options.
The experience in Carrillo Puerto is designed to cater to a wide range of visitors, from independent travelers to couples who want a private translator guide, as well as families and groups who can opt for hired vans or their own vehicles.
Our visitors can be both traditional tourists and experts in fields like history. We also welcome those with experience in agriculture, as well as those who are taking their first steps in creating their own food gardens.
Upon arrival, the first action we will take is to implement one of the most prominent features of Maya culture: its deep religiosity. This religious dimension is used to illustrate how in Maya culture, the sacred is always present and holds a priority in all activities and aspects of life.
This experience will be significant for the visitor, as it will allow them to immerse themselves in spirituality in the context of everyday and simple life. Thus, they will have the opportunity to reflect on the importance of spirituality or religiosity in their own lives.
Next, we will delve into the stories of this experience. We will begin by exploring the picturesque town and visiting the Talking Cross, one of the most iconic places in the history of the Maya region. This step is essential to contextualize the region, transport us to the past, and understand the current challenges facing the community. It will help us raise awareness of how modern tourism interacts with the communities that are the true inhabitants of the territories now occupied by businesses that have long drawn inspiration from Maya culture.
Our next destination is the charming center of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, where we will discover a church made by Maya hands but should not be considered colonial. Right there, we will visit the museum that introduces us to the “theory,” so to speak, of Maya culture. This museum does an excellent job of showing us not only the past but also the present of the local communities.
To conclude, we will return to the Vázquez family’s home to explore in detail what a Maya Solar implies. We will discover the milpa, the garden of medicinal and culinary herbs, the animals, the melipona bees, and much more. In the Solar, we will share a refreshing seasonal water and enjoy a small lunch with typical regional foods.
This activity focuses on learning and has a completely educational, interactive approach aimed at establishing meaningful connections with people, culture, land, and history.
The home and solar of the Vázquez family offer even more opportunities. Would you like to participate in the harvest? Yes, it’s possible, depending on the season! Are you interested in planting? It’s also feasible, always depending on the season. Do you want to learn the art of embroidery with Mrs. Vázquez? Of course, you can! Do you want to contribute to the bee project? It’s possible too, although it depends on the season and the project’s planning, as it involves living beings of great importance. Are you interested in learning about local cuisine? Without a doubt!
The space offers a wide range of possibilities, and the Vázquez family is committed to continuing their path in community, cultural, and sustainable tourism.
The activity is ready to be carried out. Do you have any questions? Please, let me know, and I will gladly respond.
Are you in?
All I can say is that if you feel even a hint of curiosity, do not hesitate to participate. You will not regret it. In this experience, you can feel the history, you can feel the plants, you can feel the community; everything is imbued with meaning. It is a profoundly enriching experience, and there is no one who does not emerge from it as a better person.
