Cultural Journeys with Marina Aguirre
My main purpose is to share with you my love and my passion for my country and to introduce you to historical places and mystical people that are part of the soul of this glorious country, such as the folk artists, the dancers, the traditional cooks and the healers.
They will bring to you the stories, encompassing thousands of years, that are behind their incredible paths and souls. – Marina Aguirre
She loves to share her tremendous experience and insider’s perspective. Her passion for the beauty of México is contagious.
She has contacts with the local people in the communities on the tours, and you will be able to have unforgettable, intimate experiences with them.
She understands the complex process of Mexican history and she will describe it to you in a simple and interesting way. With her diverse background, she is able to provide a complete approach to understanding the beauty of México through its archaeology, anthropology and history.
Marina promises a unique experience. She loves the vibrant music of México, the exquisite cuisine, the beauty of the architecture and the magic of the indigenous people, and you will enjoy all of these with her. You won’t be only a traveler; Marina will become a special friend in your life.
To learn more about Marina, read her Bio. To learn more about the tour experience, read her recent Traveler Reviews and An Experienced Traveler’s Letter of Advice for New Travelers with Marina.
Dear travelers and dear friends,
It fills me with joy to welcome you to a new travel season filled with culture, inspiration, and unforgettable encounters throughout México. As many of you already know, each year our journeys grow, evolve, and open new doors into the living heart of this extraordinary country.
I am thrilled to announce two fascinating new routes: San Luis Potosí and its magnificent surrealism, following the poetic footprints of Leonora Carrington and Sir Edward James, and Xantolo—the Day of the Dead in the Huasteca of Hidalgo, a profound ancestral celebration where memory becomes light. We have also created a second Mexico City journey, designed especially for those travelers who always wish to see more, feel more, and go further. We will explore hidden museums, remarkable architecture, and lesser-known corners of this vast and extraordinary metropolis. Of course, our traditional and beloved journeys continue as always—Puebla, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, México City, Chiapas & Michoacán, each one with its own magic, depth, and soul, ready to embrace us once again.
This new travel season opens like a book written with ancient ink, inviting us to walk through pages made of murals, songs, mountains, and stories that refuse to disappear. May every step be a new light, and may every encounter remind us why México will always be, a destination for the spirit.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Dr. Marina Aguirre, Cultural Journeys to the Soul of México
*** Marina in Mexico tours visit many Pueblos Mágicos ; they are excellent opportunities to discover the charm and color of Mexico. The Pueblos Mágicos program includes villages and towns that are rich in symbols, traditions, gastronomy, history, music, historical monuments, and cultural riches that make them unique and vibrant. ***
Chiapas and Its Magic
January 16-24, 2026
This is my signature trip. Every step of this trip will help you to be immersed in the Maya culture. We will first approach the Mayas through archaeology, and then you will have the opportunity to share with the family Chan Kin the living culture at the Lacandon Jungle. Finally, you will be invited to join the colorful festivals in several villages in the Highlands of Chiapas. You will be close to the popular religiosity of the Maya culture and have the sensation of a time tunnel experience.
The Best of Mexico City and Michoacán:
Butterflies, Gardens & Culture
February 12-20, 2026 and March 1-9, 2026
These trips are sold out. Reserve early for next year, February 12-20, 2027.
Imagine for a moment the opportunity to travel to both Michoacán and Mexico City in a single journey, and to experience the very best of both destinations — all centered around the most beautiful gardens, from pre-Hispanic times to the present day, while exploring the powerful symbolism of butterflies… and then witnessing them in their natural habitat. This journey blends archaeology, culture, gastronomy, and the extraordinary beauty of Mexico’s gardens and butterflies. It’s simply an experience you must live!
The Monarchs in Michoacán
February 20-28, 2026
Morelia and its different regions have it all, from its impressive colonial architecture and archaeology to the beautiful and fragile butterflies. We will visit Michoacán during the best time of the year. You will not only enjoy excellent food, but also the best experiences available with both traditional cooks and the best chefs in Morelia. There is only one option; this trip was created for you. We will wait for you!
Chihuahua and the Copper Canyon
March 21-29, 2026
This trip is sold out. It will be repeated October 3-11, 2026. (See below.)
The Copper Canyon is actually a series of six canyons, a whopping four times larger than the Grand Canyon, and it is described as “one of the most extreme landscapes in the world.” The incredible engineering consists of 37 bridges and 86 tunnels. Join our trip and you will have breathtaking moments and also meet the fastest long-distance runners in the world, the Rarámuris.
Delights of Puebla 2026: A Culinary and Cultural Journey
through Gastronomy and Folk Art
September 4-12, 2026
Puebla is an enchanting gem waiting to be explored! Our adventure is designed to immerse us in every captivating corner of this vibrant city. Each day promises a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and delightful aromas that will awaken our senses. And let’s not forget Puebla’s renowned culinary delights, especially during the peak season for the delectable Chiles en Nogada. Get ready for a feast that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more!
Chihuahua and the Copper Canyon II
October 3-11, 2026
Traveling through Chihuahua is immersing yourself in a wonderful and unique world. The beautiful Copper Canyon is a constant source of inspiration. Living this journey with the Chepe train is a dream come true because of the panoramic views. Every minute the scenery changes and the most pleasant sensations invade our body and mind; be in paradise. Every day will have a perfect dose of outdoor activities and culture. We will meet the Raramuris, we will learn about their dances and also about their traditional medicine, but most importantly we will recognize the wonderful nature that surrounds the largest of our states: Chihuahua. This trip is simply unmissable!
San Luis Potosí 2026: Our Surreal Destination
Following the footsteps of Leonora Carrington and
Sir Edward James, and the Wirikuta route
October 11-19, 2026
This journey was created for you—the traveler seeking both adventure and meaning in a land as magical as it is profound. Here, surrealism meets Wixárika tradition, weaving a dialogue between poetry, ancestral wisdom, and artistic imagination. This itinerary is as colorful as it is intense, moving through a geography that constantly surprises and inspires: from lush, dreamlike gardens surrounded by waterfalls, to the semi-desert horizons of northern Mexico, where silence reveals its own mysteries. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, we arrive at one of Mexico’s most emblematic former ghost towns—Real de Catorce—an encounter as unexpected as it is unforgettable. Truly, simply surreal.
Oaxaca Full of Color
October 18-26, 2026
Oaxaca is a true gem, a treasure waiting to be explored! Every corner we visit will leave you in awe, and you’ll find yourself falling in love with this vibrant city, just as I have. You’ll be tempted to return over and over again to experience all the wonders we have in store for you. There’s no better time to discover Oaxaca than just before the Day of the Dead, when the city comes alive with color and culture. So come and unveil the magic of Oaxaca today.
Xantolo (Day of the Dead) in the Huasteca of Hidalgo 2026
Among Ancestral Paths, Living Traditions and Deserted Altars of Memory
Oct 27-Nov 4, 2026
This journey was created for travelers who seek meaning, beauty, and deep cultural connection. In the heart of Hidalgo, Día de Muertos (Xantolo) becomes something more than a celebration—it becomes a profound conversation between life and memory, between ancestry and presence. Here, we do not observe traditions from afar; we enter them gently, guided by local families, artisans, and communities who generously open their hearts to us.
From baroque monasteries and ancient cities to sacred dances and Magical Towns, each day offers a quiet revelation. We witness art that has survived centuries, textile traditions preserved within families, and ancestral rituals where music, flowers, and candlelight welcome loved ones home. This is not only a journey through places, but through emotions: gratitude, belonging, remembrance, and wonder. Here, Día de Muertos is not a spectacle—it is a luminous way of remembering who we are.
México City: Where Ancient Memory Meets Modern Life
Nov 5-13, 2026
This México City journey has been specially created for travelers who wish to go deeper—who want to discover, learn, and enjoy more of this vibrant and extraordinary capital than most travelers. If you’ve already visited Mexico City, then it’s time to return and experience a completely new journey into the soul of this unforgettable city.
We will visit places that hold essential pieces for understanding the cultural heart of Mexico City. We’ll enjoy the magnificent Folk Art Collection of Robert Brady in Cuernavaca, explore the elegant colonial cities of Taxco and Tepotzotlán, and immerse ourselves in Baroque art in its most splendid form. We’ll also delight in the quiet beauty of Tláhuac and its tranquil canals, and step inside the workshops of two extraordinary folk artists: Pedro Ortega and his papel picado tradition, and the Ruiz Brothers, masters of bone carving. And of course, we will visit the astonishing Rivera Chapel in Chapingo—what a treat! Oh! And I almost forgot—you will have the chance to explore Frida Kahlo’s latest museum, “La Casa Roja.”
México City: In the Shadow of Murals and the Light of Memory
Nov 13-21, 2026
México City is a universe all on its own—a vibrant capital where ancient history, modern creativity and the heartbeat of culture coexist in every corner. This carefully designed journey invites you to see the city from a deep perspective: through its muralists and architects, its revolutionary artists, its floating gardens, and its thousand-year-old temples. We will walk inside legends, hear the stories behind masterpieces, and feel the pulse of México’s cultural soul. If this is your first time visiting México City, it will change the way you see México forever. If you’ve been here before, this experience will reveal a whole new chapter.
One of the comments I receive most often from travelers who join this journey is: “Marina, I felt as if I were back at university—learning so much that I felt like an excited student every single day.” Many return to this very same tour year after year. When I ask why—when they could choose a new destination—they smile and say: “I wanted to share this with a friend…with my daughter…with the person I love most.” This is more than a trip—it is a profound experience of learning, rediscovery, and wonder.
Chiapas and its Magic
January 16-24, 2027
This is my signature trip. Every step of this trip will help you to be immersed in the Maya culture. We will first approach the Mayas through archaeology, and then you will have the opportunity to share with the family Chan Kin the living culture at the Lacandon Jungle. Finally, you will be invited to join the colorful festivals in several villages in the Highlands of Chiapas. You will be close to the popular religiosity of the Maya culture and have the sensation of a time tunnel experience.
The Best of Mexico City and Michoacán:
Butterflies, Gardens & Culture
February 12-20, 2027
Imagine for a moment the opportunity to travel to both Michoacán and Mexico City in a single journey, and to experience the very best of both destinations — all centered around the most beautiful gardens, from pre-Hispanic times to the present day, while exploring the powerful symbolism of butterflies… and then witnessing them in their natural habitat. This journey blends archaeology, culture, gastronomy, and the extraordinary beauty of Mexico’s gardens and butterflies. It’s simply an experience you must live!
See our Traveler Reviews.
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