Quintana Roo, Mexico, Leads the Way in Community-Based Tourism with UNESCO-Backed Mayan World Experiences

Launch of the Mayan World Travel Experiences Catalogue in Tihosuco, Mexico — empowering Mayan communities and sharing their heritage with the world.

In the heart of Tihosuco, Quintana Roo, a new chapter in Mexican tourism was written. Against the backdrop of the historic Niño Jesús Temple, Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa unveiled the Mayan World Travel Experiences Catalogue. This pioneering initiative transforms Mayan communities from silent spectators into protagonists of tourism and shared prosperity.

This landmark project, supported for the first time by UNESCO, shines a global spotlight on the richness of Mayan culture, empowering local communities and creating pathways for sustainable economic growth.

A Vision of Inclusive Tourism

“This is a day of social justice for the Mayan people and their ancestors,” declared Governor Lezama, joined by Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, UNESCO’s representative Andrés Morales, and FONATUR’s Director Sebastián Ramírez Mendoza.

The catalogue is more than a travel guide—it is a cultural bridge that highlights the authentic voices of the Mayan people, inviting them to share their own stories, heritage, and traditions directly with visitors.

The Catalogue of Experiences

The Mayan World Travel Experiences Catalogue includes 42 authentic experiences across four interstate routes:

• Caste War Route (Quintana Roo–Yucatán)

• Southern Archaeological Route (Quintana Roo–Campeche)

• Puuc Route (Yucatán–Campeche)

• Sierra Route (Tabasco–Chiapas)

Of these, six experiences belong to Quintana Roo, each rooted in cultural authenticity:

• Cueva de las Serpientes – Kantemó, José María Morelos

• Selva y Chicle – Yu’um K’áax Trail – Chunhuhub, Felipe Carrillo Puerto

• Artisanal Embroidery Workshop – X-Pichil, Felipe Carrillo Puerto

• Swimming in the Canals of Laguna Chunyaxché – Muyil, Felipe Carrillo Puerto

• U Belilek – Tihosuco, Felipe Carrillo Puerto

• Ko’ox Ich Kool (Let’s Go to the Milpa) – Señor, Felipe Carrillo Puerto

These experiences blend history, nature, and community, offering travelers an authentic immersion into Mayan identity while ensuring economic benefits flow directly to local families.

A UNESCO-Backed First

According to UNESCO’s representative in Mexico, the catalogue took 18 months to develop, with eight rigorous criteria including: community management, authenticity, women’s inclusion, cultural heritage value, sustainable impact, and measurable local economic benefits.

The result? Mexico becomes the first country in the world to launch a UNESCO-backed catalogue of community tourism experiences—setting a precedent for others to follow.

Empowering 76 Mayan Communities

The initiative directly benefits 76 Mayan communities in the region known as Maya Ka’an, spanning the municipalities of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and José María Morelos. Over 105,000 inhabitants now have the opportunity to showcase their traditions through community-led systems, offering travelers unforgettable experiences that range from eco-adventures to cultural encounters.

Secretary Rodríguez Zamora emphasized that this project is historic not only for Mexico but for global tourism: “Now the world will know who we are, and communities will become the storytellers of the Mayan World.”

A Model for the Future

What makes this initiative groundbreaking is its vision: tourism not just as an economic driver, but as a tool for cultural recognition, inclusion, and pride. With the backing of federal institutions and UNESCO, Quintana Roo is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable and community-based tourism.

As Governor Lezama put it: “Today, we are not only showcasing our culture and history, but ensuring that tourism translates into shared prosperity for our people.”

Conclusion

The launch of the Mayan World Travel Experiences Catalogue is more than a milestone for Quintana Roo—it is a beacon for how tourism can honor heritage, empower communities, and inspire sustainable growth.

For travelers, it is an invitation to go beyond the beach, to discover the living heartbeat of the Mayan world, and to take part in experiences that leave both visitor and host transformed.

The full catalogue is available on VisitMexico.com.