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A Maya Community Homestay in Ek’ Balam: Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula

The recent opening of the Maya Train through the heart of Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula has been greeted with much criticism around the world. However, a small, dedicated alliance of indigenous and local community-led tourism groups are hoping that the opening a new train line will help keep their traditions, culture and community alive

Roughly 127 km north of the white sandy beaches and luxurious resorts of Tulum lies the Maya community of Ek’ Balam.  Founded in the late 1970s the people of Ek’ Balam continue to live as their ancestors have for centuries, following their indigenous traditions and culture centered around farming the milpa (cornfield), making traditional handicrafts, and cooking. Its scattering of homes built alongside a dusty, dirt road, are adorned with colorful sabanas (sheets) as makeshift doors allowing the smoke generated from cooking their daily meals over a wood-burning stove inside their house to easily escape. It is a community where the locals prefer to sleep tucked inside a hand-woven hammock instead of a store-bought bed. A practice they learn and perfect as babies.

Ek' Balam community, Yucatan, MexicoEntering the community of Ek’ Balam, the homes are adorned with beautiful, colorful sabanas and handwoven hammocks.

Yet for what Ek’ Balam lacks in luxuries, they make up with a rich culture rooted around a warm and welcoming community that would only be a small dot on the tourist map if it wasn’t for the nearby ancient Maya ruin with the same name.

Ek’ Balam started introducing community-based tourism ten years ago to earn additional income and showcase and preserve their indigenous culture for generations to come. Their community tourism cooperative the Unajil Ek Balam Community Association is part of  Co’ox Mayab, a social enterprise that offers similar initiatives throughout the region.

While many similar indigenous-led community tourism projects shut down during the pandemic, Ek’ Balam survived. Located not far from one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos  (magical towns), Valladolid, Ek’ Balam is hoping for an increase in visitors and desperately needed infrastructure that the new Maya train stop and Visitor Center opening this summer in nearby Valladolid will bring.

Ek' Balam community, Yucatan, Mexico Some of the lovely local ladies of the community of Ek’ Balam

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Swayambhunath Kathmandu Nepal
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A Trip back to where it all began: Nepal

Nepal is an incredibly special place for me. I was there 14 years ago on a life-changing trek with my dad. Both of us were celebrating milestone birthdays, and we set out to hike the Annapurna Trek with just a guide and a porter who became dear friends. This experience inspired me to start my blog, Thirdeyemom, and set me on the path of writing about sustainable, impactful travel for years to come.

In May, I returned to Nepal with Community Homestay Network (CHN) for a whirlwind trip exploring the rural communities of Kathmandu Valley for a week-long trip. During the week, I stayed with local families at two different community homestays and captured an intimate glimpse of local life in Nepal. It was truly amazing, and I am excited to share more stories in the coming weeks here on my blog and in other publications.  (ICYM: I shared a lot of reels on Instagram during my trip. Check them out here). 

Before the press trip began, I had a day on my own to revisit some of the special places in Kathmandu. I hired a local guide, named Dhiroj,  through Community Homestay, and did an afternoon tour of three top sacred sights: Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. While I’d been to Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square on my first visit to Nepal 14 years ago, I had never been to the sacred religious site of Pashupatinath. I was in for a delightful spiritual surprise and a warm welcome back to the beauty of Nepal’s people, culture, religions, traditions, and rituals.

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