Mexico has secured a spot on National Geographic’s “Best of the World 2027” list, with the community-based tourism destination of Maya Ka’an, Quintana Roo, being highlighted as a premier travel location. The prestigious international publication selected 25 destinations across six continents, specifically praising Maya Ka’an for its model rooted in Mayan community management, environmental conservation, and authentic cultural experiences.
Located south of the Riviera Maya and connected to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Maya Ka’an currently encompasses 78 local communities. The initiative features 17 community tourism enterprises, 21 hotels, and more than 30 certified community guides, according to the destination’s official platform.
For small-scale tourism businesses, this international recognition offers more than just global visibility; it opens a gateway for local gastronomy, handicrafts, lodging, and nature tours managed by residents to reach a new wave of global travelers.
What National Geographic Discovered in Maya Ka’an
National Geographic chose to highlight experiences that depart from the traditional model of massive Caribbean resorts. Key highlights include:
- X-Pichil: Mayan embroidery workshops.
- Señor: Agricultural tours and traditional gastronomy.
- Chunhuhub: Cabins and hiking trails.
- Muyil and Sian Ka’an: Nature and cultural activities centered around the reserve.
The core philosophy of the model is to move the traveler from being a mere spectator to an active participant. By engaging with cooperatives, artisans, and small lodgings, visitors can witness artisanal processes firsthand, consume locally prepared foods, and explore jungles and lagoons guided by local experts. This creates an economic chain where traditional cooks, transporters, and local producers are all direct beneficiaries of the tourism spend.
A Model Managed by Communities
Maya Ka’an was established in 2014 as a low-impact tourism proposal. In March 2026, it was recognized by the federal government as one of the country’s first Community Tourism Destinations.
The framework requires that a significant portion of tourism services be provided by community-owned enterprises or cooperatives. The goal is to ensure that a higher percentage of the economic revenue remains within the local territories. Additionally, Fonatur (the National Tourism Board) participates in the management body of Maya Ka’an and has announced annual resources to strengthen the destination’s infrastructure and equipment.
From Natural Beauty to Small Business Opportunity
For tourism entrepreneurs, Maya Ka’an serves as a blueprint for how a destination can be built around a network of small providers rather than relying exclusively on large hotel chains. Opportunities for local development include:
- Nature tours and wildlife observation;
- Traditional gastronomy and local food production;
- Handicrafts and cultural workshops;
- Community-based lodging;
- Specialized local guiding;
- Local transport and transfers;
- Digital marketing of community experiences.
While international visibility is a powerful tool, the ongoing challenge lies in converting that attention into actual bookings and consumption without degrading the ecosystems and culture that make the destination appealing. Maya Ka’an aims to strike this balance precisely by using tourism as an economic engine while employing local management and conservation strategies to prevent disordered growth.
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