By clicking "Accept all cookies", you agree to cookies being stored on your device to improve site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist our marketing research.

We are grateful for the recognition we have received over the past 15 years.
  • 2008 - Best project in natural resource management, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.
  • 2009 - Reference model in "The role of education for sustainable development in natural resource management, research and international cooperation", UNESCO, Univ Greiswald.
  • 2009 - Reference model in "Conservation and Management of Biodiversity in Tropics", Univ. Göttingen, Germany. 
  • 2010 - National award for best project to "Promote Culture in Natural Protected Areas". CONANP.
  • 2011 - Recognition for "Best nature tourism product in Mexico", SECTUR.
  • 2012 - Reference model at the "International Development Design Summit", Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 
  • 2013 - High impact social enterprise in Mexico, New Ventures, 2013.
  • 2014 - present. Training Company and Evaluation Entity for Nature Oriented Tourist Guides based on NOM-09-TUR-2002 in Mexico.
  • 2016 - Honorable Mention for Nature Conservation in Mexico, CONANP.
  • 2018 - International Visitor Leadership Program, US Embassy.
  • 2019 - Future Leaders Connect, for public policy design in Mexico, British Counsil.
  • 2019 - Visionaris, high-impact social enterprise, UBS Bank, Switzerland.
  • 2019 - CEMEX-TEC Community Entrepreneurship Award Finalists.
  • 2020 - Silver Winner World Travel Market Latin America Responsible Tourism Award
  • 2022 - Three Global Inspiring Tour Operators Award. Adventure Travel Trade Association. 
  • 2024 - Coordinators of the LATAM Responsible Tourism Recognition in the category of Biodiversity Conservation, World Travel Market

Who we are

Joining local hands to create global impact

La Mano del Mono is an organization that creates partnerships for the regeneration of natural areas and the well-being of their local communities through innovative tourism business models. 
Our vision
Rural, indigenous and urban communities live with wellbeing, preserving the natural and cultural heritage on which we all depend, where tourism is a profitable, inclusive and regenerative opportunity for local communities, as well as an accessible, safe and transformative opportunity for visitors.

We combine three objectives:

We promote the nature tourism as a management and conservation strategy for natural protected areas.

We strengthen sustainable livelihoods in local communities living around natural areas.

We inspire and strengthen the capabilities of leaders so that they are agents of change in their own realities.

We are grateful for the recognition we have received over the past 15 years.

2024. Coordinators of the LATAM Responsible Tourism Award in the category of Biodiversity Conservation, World Travel Market.

2022. Three Global Inspiring Tour Operators Award. Adventure Travel Trade Association.

2020. Silver Winner World Travel Market Latin America Responsible Tourism Award

2019. CEMEX-TEC Community Entrepreneurship Award Finalists.

2019 . Visionaris, high-impact social enterprise, UBS Bank, Switzerland.

2019. Future Leaders Connect, for public policy design in Mexico, British Counsil.

2018. International Visitor Leadership Program, US Embassy.

See all awards

We are proud to be part of:

We are members committed to the core values of the community of Social Entrepreneurs that generate systemic changes to take care of the planet, people and their prosperity.
Learn more
We are ambassadors of the ATTA because in addition to sharing values, we grow together with a community of companies and industry leaders contributing to a collective purpose that amplifies its impact on the adventure travel industry.
Learn more
We are proud to join the community of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature to share our experience with other regions of Latin America and the world.
Learn more

Our Team:

We are a united team passionate about the regeneration of our nature and the well-being of its communities. We have extensive expertise in tourism, technology, communication and facilitation. We organize ourselves under the principles of sociocracy and engage in co-design and co-creation schemes to ensure ethical and sustainable results.

Alejo holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral in Argentina, and a Master's degree in Sustainable Tourism from the Universidad del Medio Ambiente in Mexico. 

He has been designing, coordinating and facilitating personal and professional strengthening processes for the last 10 years. He has worked in the academic area as a teacher and researcher. He was a business advisor and coordinator of agricultural development. He actively participated in the sports field as a coach-coach of field field hockey. And in recent years he has worked as an operational leader in the cultivation of sustainable destinations.

He is currently Operations and Innovation Coordinator at Mano del Mono, and collaborates as a teacher and consultant at the Universidad del Medio Ambiente. 

Contact us:
alejo@lamanodelmono.org

Alejo Heymo (Him)
Operations and Innovation Coordinator

Karla is a sustainable tourism planner with a postgraduate degree in environment and development. She has 18 years of experience developing consulting projects for the public, private and community sectors, a trajectory endorsed by the CONACYT Registry of Accredited Evaluators in Sustainable Tourism. Her goal is to co-create initiatives to contribute to safety, wellbeing and sustainability. She has collaborated with specialized firms, as well as in international cooperation projects financed by organizations such as GIZ, WWF, GEF and UNDP. She has also participated in joint initiatives such as the ICSAL project for sustainable consumption in Latin America (UN-UNEP) and the Local Agents of Change in Open Government and Sustainable Development program to territorialize the 2030 Agenda (UNDP-INAI-CSOs). Since 2021, she is Lead Facilitator and Project Coordinator at La Mano del Mono, where she continues to contribute to socio-environmental wellbeing through skills strengthening (Market Ready Model), resilience in destinations and communities, conservation, good practices, as well as nature, community and regenerative tourism.

Contact us:
karla@lamanodelmono.org

Karla Rivera (Her)
Lead Facilitator

Cristina has a degree in Public Accounting from the Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas. Since her beginnings, she has collaborated with accounting firms, specializing in the tax and accounting area, providing tax advice to companies. Throughout her career, she has played key roles as an accounting assistant in several organizations. Currently, she holds the position of Administrative Leader at La Mano del Mono.

Contact us:
administracion@lamanodelmono.org

Cristina de los Santos (Her)
Administrative Leader

Master's degree in Biological Sciences from UNAM and is currently a doctoral student in Sciences for Sustainability and Interculturality at UIIM.
For 14 years she worked in the conservation of Mexico's natural heritage, in federal natural protected areas (NPAs), coordinating and developing regulatory and territorial planning instruments and also served as deputy director of NPAs. She has extensive experience in facilitating community and multisectoral participation workshops, as well as in coordinating sustainable community development projects and preparing socio-environmental diagnostics. To this end, she collaborated within the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas and as a consultant with UNDP and GIZ. Since 2022 to date, she is Lead Facilitator in La Mano del Mono, focusing on Market Ready, Impact Measurement and Biodiversity criteria in tourism.

Contact us:
ethel@lamanodelmono.org

Ethel Árias (She)
Project leader

Nataly Hernández has a Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Resources Administration and a Master's Degree in Tourism, Development and Heritage from the University of Guanajuato.
She has more than 10 years of experience in operational and administrative areas of the tourism sector, specializing in data interpretation, operational processes, project planning and evaluation, as well as consulting services in sustainable tourism and wellness experiences. She has collaborated with institutions such as the Mexico Tourism Board in Chicago, Princess Cruises, Fairmont Mayakoba, Grupo Posadas, the Tourism Board and the San Miguel de Allende City Hall. In addition to tourism, she enjoys working as a holistic therapist and yoga teacher. She currently collaborates with La Mano del Mono as a Reserva Natura Leader.

Contact us:
nataly@lamanodelmono.org

Nataly Hernández (Ella)
Reserva Natura Strategic Leader

Viviana is a self-taught and intercultural communication specialist, passionate about social transformation and sustainable development. With a background of more than a decade in consulting and a master's degree in communication, she has been a driving force behind a variety of projects ranging from the creation of communication strategies to the empowerment of ethnic communities and the promotion of conscious tourism in Colombia.
What sets Viviana apart is her ability to design innovative methodologies that merge identity, culture and responsible action. Her strategic approach allows her to harmonize the values of La Mano del Mono, highlighting the inspiring stories behind each process. With a unique vision and an unwavering commitment to inclusion and sustainability, Viviana is a key part of the team, driving initiatives that not only generate impact, but also promote understanding and mutual respect between cultures.

Contact us:
viviana@lamanodelmono.org

Viviana Vásquez Duque (Her)
Communication Leader

Veneranda has a Bachelor's Degree in Communication with a specialization in advertising and a Master's Degree in Green Business from the Universidad del Medio Ambiente in Mexico.

Professional in communication for more than 10 years, specializing in promotion, dissemination and marketing. Within her experience she has exercised her career in areas such as Public Relations, Alliances, Customer Service, Digital Graphic Art Direction, Green Campaigns, Sustainable Events and Tourism Marketing, in addition to managing strategies in social networks. She also has a certification in Sustainable Events (Alabama, USA), and another in Certified Incentive Travel Specialist by SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence). She holds a Master's Degree in Green MBA (Green Business Administration), and a Diploma in Innovation from the Universidad del Medio Ambiente. She has been an international volunteer with VIMEX (International Volunteers Mexico) in France, Italy and Spain in cultural projects, communities and bioconstruction.

Contact us:
veneranda@lamanodelmono.org

Veneranda Mora (Her)
Strategic Coordinator

Alejandro has a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences with a major in Graphic Design. He holds a Master's degree in Narrative and Audiovisual Production from Universidad Panamericana.

With a solid experience in the field, he has worked in several Advertising and Marketing Agencies, contributing with graphic and audiovisual proposals for a wide range of brands. His skills have been highlighted in the development of graphic strategies for SMEs in different sectors. During his first professional years, he played key roles as Editor and Style Editor at WikiTribune. He currently works as Creative Designer at La Mano del Mono, contributing his experience and creativity to promote projects that promote social impact and environmental conservation.

Contact us:
alejandro@lamanodelmono.org

Alejandro Alcázar (Him)
Creative Designer

Baltasar has a degree in Psychology with a focus on the study and practice of organizations and communities as living systems. He has 10 years of experience working in the facilitation and coordination of diverse projects aligned with a vision of systemic change, related to education, health, social action, art and ecology. From the paradigm of Ecopsychology, she investigates and explores human consciousness, cultures and spiritual traditions, community practices and the link between the different forms of existence on planet earth.

She currently works in La Mano del Mono as a leader in the roles of Human Talent Care and Sociocratic Wellbeing. At the same time, she works as a foot therapist, accompanying people in private practice, from an integral and holistic approach to health. She is a specialist in equine-assisted therapy. She facilitates experiences with experiential dynamics for the encounter and reconnection human-nature.

Contact us:
baltasar@lamanodelmono.org

Baltazar Cruz (Him)
Human Talent and Sociocracy

Mauricio is a professional with 20 years of experience dedicated to promoting social businesses focused on natural and experiential tourism. His work focuses on the conservation of protected natural areas and the welfare of the communities that depend on them. In addition, he has a solid background as a biologist, specializing in education in natural protected areas and in the collaborative design of social business models in areas of high economic vulnerability.
As co-founder of La Mano del Mono, the Market Ready Model and Reserva Natura, Mauricio has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to innovation and positive social impact. His influence extends beyond his foundational projects, as he currently holds prominent roles as an ambassador for the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Ashoka Fellow in Latin America, facilitator for the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and member of the Protected Areas Commission at the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Contact us:
mmmiramontes@lamanodelmono.org

Mauricio Martínez Miramontes (Him)
Alliances Coordinator

We love to help
Seriously!

Take your company or destination to the next level

Contact us at

Who has placed their trust in La Mano del Mono?