Travel with us!

 

We visit Chiapas regularly to work with our organizational partners and their field staff to design, implement and evaluate projects, and to meet with Indigenous leaders and communities to broaden our understanding of their vision of wellbeing.

We also organize visits to Chiapas with donors and supporters who wish to learn more and see firsthand the progress of the programs they support. As we take in the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and jungles of Chiapas, we take the time to listen to Indigenous leaders, women, men and youth, to learn about how they want to develop their communities and to build relationships of trust and collaboration.


To be eligible to travel with us, you will need to complete, sign and submit: (1) Travel Application; (2) Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk and Security Guidelines and Safety Tips.

  1. Travel Application

    You have two options. You can can download and complete a Travel Application and submit it by regular mail OR fill out an application online.

  2. Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk and Security Guidelines

You must download and complete a Waiver of Liability & Assumption of Risk Form & Security Guidelines to complete your application.

“I believe that the people of Mexico have so much to teach us if we just listen with our hearts and our minds and to just be with the Tseltal people, witness their strength, share their days and capture their stories and ways of life.”
— Marcellina Tylee, Chiapas Delegate
“There are few opportunities where I am able to take a trip like this. By visiting and interacting with the Tseltal people, families, and communities, my life is enriched. I gain a deeper appreciation of the goodness and strength of their human spirit and learn about their rich culture, despite the many challenges they have faced over the years, including social isolation and poverty.”
— Jim Harms, Chiapas Delegate

What does the trip involve?

  • We travel 9-10 days from start to finish.

  • We build itineraries around the questions and interests of participants.

  • We arrange meetings with Indigenous leaders and staff of our organizational partners.

  • We tour the Indigenous cooperatives that produce organic coffee, honey, soap and traditional embroidery products.

  • We may participate in traditional celebrations and observances.

  • We visit Indigenous villages to spend time with families and learn about their everyday lives.

  • Weather permitting, we tour Mayan archaeological sites (Palenque and/or Toninah) and natural waterfall parks.

MVIMG_20190310_111510.jpg
“I want to support and honor the people of Chiapas, people from my own country doing wonderful work as a community—growing, learning, and walking together for justice. Walking with them makes me a better person. I hope I can contribute in some way.”
— Palmira Figueroa, Chiapas Delegate
 
2019_0310_13192300.jpg
 

How much does it cost?

  • One Equal Heart makes every effort to make travel to Chiapas affordable. Our ground costs include hotels, restaurants, transportation, entrance fees to tourist sites, food and lodging with our partners and the pro-rated travel costs of our facilitator and staff members who accompany our group. We stay in clean and economical hotels and eat at reputable restaurants.

  • Travelers are responsible for their own airfare between home and Mexico (Villahermosa or Tuxtla, depending on our itinerary).

  • Travelers are responsible for their own medical and insurance coverage, passports, vaccinations and medications, and incidental costs of the trip.

  • Travelers pay a trip facilitation fee that is calculated based on the number of travelers in the group, the length of the trip, and the itinerary.

Anything else I need to know?

  • We will travel to an isolated, rural area where “creature comforts” are often missing.

  • We stay in very basic lodging in Chiapas (sleeping cots, communal toilets with basic plumbing).

  • Medical services are limited and hospitals and clinics can be hours away.

  • Our interactions with the staff and communities must be translated to and from Spanish, Tseltal, Tsotsil or Zoque and English.

  • The main purpose of our journey is to listen and learn from the people, rather than perform services or complete projects.

  • Upon our return, all participants help share what we learned through presentations, writing articles, and other activities that suit your skills and interests.

Interested? Apply here!