About Tlayudona
Celebrating Oaxacan culture through authentic, community-centered experiences
Our Mission
At Tlayudona, our mission is to celebrate the vibrant culture of Oaxaca through immersive and educative travel experiences. We believe that by connecting travelers with local hosts who have complete autonomy over their offerings, we can create meaningful and authentic interactions that benefit both our community and our visitors.
Our Vision
We strive to create a positive impact by empowering local communities and preserving the cultural heritage of Oaxaca. Through our partnerships with local artisans, international visitors, and community organizations; we aim to stimulate economic growth, foster sustainable practices, and create social initiatives that directly benefit our network of local women hosts.
Community-Based Travel Principles
Tlayudona is built on the values of community-based travel in Oaxaca, long-term relationships with local hosts, and authentic cultural exchange. Our work connects travelers with artisans, cooks, and families across Oaxaca while ensuring that your visit directly benefits the communities who make these experiences possible.
Community-Based Travel in Oaxaca
We believe travel should strengthen communities. Tlayudona works directly with local hosts, artisans, and families to create authentic cultural experiences in Oaxaca that reflect collaboration, respect, and shared benefit.
Host Autonomy
Our hosts maintain full creative control over their cultural workshops and experiences in Oaxaca. They design their activities, manage their schedules, and set their prices.
Celebrating Local Talent
Our community includes artisans, cooks, farmers, scholars, and cultural experts whose diverse talents shape every experience. We encourage creativity and recognize the many skills cultivated across Oaxaca's communities.
Women-Led Tourism
Tlayudona is a women-led tourism initiative in Oaxaca. Our core team is entirely women, and we collaborate predominantly with women hosts to ensure their voices, knowledge, and leadership are visible. We prioritize single-mom hosts and female heads of household to design opportunities with their families' needs in mind.
Fair Pay and Ethical Travel
We practice ethical tourism in Oaxaca by paying hosts fairly for their time, materials, meals and knowledge. Respect for labor and cultural expertise is central to every experience.
Supporting the Local Economy
Unlike large operators or corporate platforms, Tlayudona keeps 100% of our revenue in Oaxaca. The largest portion of earnings goes directly to local hosts and collaborators.
Community Collaboration
Community is fundamental to life in Oaxaca. By working together and valuing each person's contributions, we create collaborative experiences rooted in Oaxacan community values.
Cross-Cultural Learning
We believe authentic travel experiences can build bridges between cultures. Our programs create space for dialogue, understanding, and respectful cultural exchange between visitors and local communities. Let's engage!
What We Do
Tlayudona creates authentic cultural experiences in Oaxaca built on intercultural learning, mutual respect, and meaningful connection with local communities. Our model is simple: our hosts design the experiences they offer, and our visitors participate as guests in their homes, workshops, and villages. This approach allows travelers to engage with Oaxaca's living traditions through hands-on learning and genuine cultural exchange.
We practice community-based and ethical travel in Oaxaca, ensuring that travel benefits both our hosts and our guests without exploiting local culture, places, or people. By centering local leadership and collaboration, we aim to reshape the dynamics of conventional tourism and create experiences rooted in dignity, respect, and reciprocity.
Tlayudona highlights ancestral knowledge, traditional crafts, and local food culture, while ensuring that our hosts maintain full control over the experiences they share. We are also deeply committed to women-led learning and the inclusion of women and indigenous voices in the cultural stories of Oaxaca.
9+ Years of Authentic Experiences
Tlayudona has been delivering authentic experiences to people from around the world for more than 9 years now! Our current core team is composed of three local women and one from the US, and you can visit us in our cozy space in Oaxaca's city center.
Ready to Experience Oaxaca?
Join us for an unforgettable journey that supports local communities and celebrates authentic Oaxacan culture.