Exploring Mexico Mindfully with Champi: A Travel Creator’s Journey and Tips for Sustainable Tourism

Meet Champi, a Mexican travel creator passionate about mindful exploration. In this interview, she shares insights into her journey, her favorite Mexican destinations, and her approach to sustainable tourism. Discover tips for mindful travel and uncover the beauty of Mexico beyond the headlines.

Liv Coning

Marketing Lead

Exploring Mexico Mindfully with Champi: A Travel Creator’s Journey and Tips for Sustainable Tourism

Nov 11 2024

Meet Champi, a passionate traveler who loves capturing the beauty of Mexico through her mindful lens.

In this interview, Champi shares her journey as a Mexican travel creator, her deep connection with her homeland, and offers insights into mindful travel and sustainable tourism experiences.

Hi Champi! Can you kick things off by telling us a little bit about yourself? What inspired you to become a travel planner, photographer, and travel content creator?

Hi! I’m Champi, a Mexican travel creator with a deep passion for mindful travel, sustainability, and cultural exploration. My journey began with a love for film, nature, and languages, and was sparked by the incredible opportunity of experiences I had traveling the world with my parents. Growing up, I always felt a deep curiosity for different places and cultures, and this curiosity only deepened as I lived in countries like France, Canada, and Australia and explored many places around them. But it wasn’t until I returned to Mexico that I realized my connection to my homeland needed to be nurtured.

When I began traveling more intentionally and connecting with the places I visited, I realized that being present and truly absorbing the culture and nature was a different kind of experience. This approach not only deepened my travels but also inspired me to create @Champitravels. As a photographer, I wanted to capture moments that reflected the beauty of the world through a mindful lens focused on the country that I feel has given me so much, Mexico. And as I started exploring more places around the country and fell in love with it, I wanted to share it with others, for them to also live Mexico the way I have done for the past 5 years.

Mexico often faces stereotypes and negative perceptions due to issues like crime. As someone who has spent years exploring the country deeply, how do you help visitors see beyond the headlines to experience the true beauty and culture of Mexico?

Mexico is an incredibly diverse and huge country, with so much to offer beyond the headlines. Yes, like any large country, there are regions with higher crime rates, but I always remind visitors that there’s so much more to Mexico than what’s often portrayed in the media. What many don’t see is the warmth of its people, the richness of its culture, and the breathtaking beauty of its landscapes. In every corner of the country, you’ll find communities that are full of hospitality, tradition, and connection, always eager to welcome you with open arms and share their way of life. We Mexicans are known for our warmth, and that’s something I want every traveler to experience.

I always encourage people to step off the beaten path as a travel planner—I encourage them to explore local traditions, connect with the people, and immerse themselves in the daily magic that lives here. The true essence of Mexico is in its people and their deep-rooted kindness. That’s what I try to capture in my work and share with my audience. Of course, it's important to acknowledge that there are areas with conflicts and safety concerns, so I always advise travelers to listen to locals and avoid these regions. But, overall, the real Mexico is about peace, kindness, and the vibrant, authentic experiences you can find by diving deeper into its culture and I love sharing about the best places to visit depending on their interests.

Besides being a travel planner, you are also a certified mindfulness teacher. Can you share any top tips for people wanting to travel more mindfully and connect with the destination they visit?

Mindful travel is all about being present and truly engaged with the place you’re visiting. For me, it's about connecting with the culture, history, nature and people of a destination, but also being conscious of the impact I’m leaving behind.

It’s something I’ve come to realize over time: mindfulness in travel isn’t something you can just turn on once you’re on the road, it starts with living a more mindful and conscious life day-to-day that you can eventually also take to your travels.

I always say it’s important to start small—practice mindfulness in your everyday life, and over time, you’ll naturally bring it into your travels. For instance, in your day-to-day life, take moments to be present, be more conscious about your meals, or simply observe the world around you.

When you travel, slow down, take time to absorb the sights and sounds of a destination instead of rushing through it. It’s about being more than just a visitor—try to understand the place on a deeper level. Learn about its local traditions, history, and language because even knowing a few words can make a huge difference—it shows respect and appreciation and locals really love that.

One of my biggest tips for mindful travel is to engage in experiences led by locals. Whether though a cooking class, joining a traditional ceremony, or hiring a local guide, these opportunities allow you to see the destination through the eyes of those who call it home and there is nothing quite like that. Not only do you support the local economy, but you gain a richer, more authentic experience that you could never get otherwise.

Mindful travel is all about slow, intentional moments, and being grateful for the privilege to explore. It’s about being aware of your choices, making them count, and traveling responsibly. And for me, it starts with living a more mindful life—it makes sense for it to be part of who you are before you bring it into your travels.

You've visited many incredible places. Is there a destination that holds a special place in your heart, and why?

I feel incredibly fortunate to have traveled the world, but Mexico always feels like home and there's some magic to it that I haven't found in many places around the world.

In particular, places like Chiapas, Baja Sur, and Huasteca hold a very, very special place in my heart. I love travelling mostly for nature and culture and these regions are absolutely breathtaking, filled with natural beauty that ranges from jungles to beaches to deserts, and with wildlife that’s so special to witness up close. But what really makes them special for me is how connected they are to local traditions and culture. There’s something deeply intimate about experiencing a place that’s so rich in history, yet so untouched by modern influences. And Mexico’s cultural depth, especially in the central regions, offers a unique blend of preserved traditions and modern life that I absolutely love, and I would say that my state, Guanajuato, is definitely a destination that has some of the most incredible traditions and culture you can witness in the country. And I'm absolutely in love with it too.

Do you have any exciting travel plans or opportunities coming up? What's on your current travel bucket list?

I’m super excited for the opportunity to witness the Mobula Ray migration in the Sea of Cortez, perhaps next year, as we are currently planning on that. The migration is such a beautiful phenomenon, with thousands of rays swimming by, and I can’t wait to experience it firsthand. What I love about Baja Sur is its strong focus on sustainable tourism, which really aligns with my values. So knowing that I’m witnessing such natural wonders in a way that’s respectful to the environment and wildlife gives me peace of mind, and it’s truly a privilege to experience such things in a place that prioritizes conservation.

Another dream destination I’m planning to visit next year is Mexico’s Copper Canyon, particularly by riding the famous Chepe train. It’s a remote area filled with spectacular landscapes and rich indigenous traditions—another must-see on my list.

For my bucket list, I still want to experience the gray whale migration in Baja—a magical encounter where you can interact with gray whale calves in a truly special and unique way that happens nowhere else on earth. The mothers literally push their calves closer to the boats for them to have a kind of interaction with humans, which is soul-opening. Not so long ago—and perhaps many of those old whales witnessed this—there used to be huge persecution and killing of these animals. So I’m always left in awe with the magic and heart of animals that still look for that connection in humans. I would love to witness that.

One of my bigger bucket list goals is to go on an expedition through some of Mexico’s more rugged and wild areas. I’ve always loved the idea of exploring nature in a raw, untamed way, but I haven’t yet had the chance to fully dive into that. I’m hopeful that things will align someday, and I’ll be able to experience this type of adventure in the future.

What advice would you give aspiring travel creators who want to build a brand and business around their travel experiences?

I would say that building a brand as a travel creator takes a lot of time, patience, and authenticity. My biggest piece of advice is to start by sharing your true passion and what excites you about travel. Don’t try to follow trends, but focus on what feels most true to you. Your unique perspective will be your strength, whether you’re highlighting mindful travel, nature exploring, cultural immersion or anything that particularly speaks to you.Focus on creating a genuine connection with your audience—people will resonate more with your personal stories and experiences and the community you get to build in here is truly unlike anything else. I've made so many friends and have been inspired by people in my community in countless ways and it's incredible to build these connections.

Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different platforms and content types, some will do well and others won't but you always learn something and as long as you remember to stay authentic, it's really fun to continue creating despite the outcome.

Building a business around your travel experiences also involves being very strategic, so think about what you can offer: travel planning, content creation, photography, or creating guides. And, of course, be patient—it takes time to grow an audience and build credibility. But if you remain passionate and true to your values, success will follow... and success can mean so many different things so really have that also in mind, that your success might not like the same as others, but as long as it aligns with that makes sense to you, it's beautiful when you keep going into that direction.

Thanks for chatting with us, Champi!

Subscribe to her travel shop on Thatch: @champitravels