About Otehlia

Welcome to Otehlia Travels!

A place to whet your appetite for travel, whether that’s through reading blogs, getting help planning your dream trip or joining us on a group tour! We focus on immersive, sustainable travel, creating unique experiences and empowering women in the communities in which we work. Oh, and great food!

In grad school, I studied Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development. I took groups of students to Mali and Guinea to study dance in its cultural context. I didn’t think “I’m a travel planner and a tour guide.” I just wanted to share an incredible experience with people who might not be comfortable going on their own or know HOW to get there.

After college, I went to visit a friend in the Yucatan, Mexico. I remember thinking, “The food in the Yucatan is so much more than the tacos we get in Wisconsin! I should bring people here to learn about it!” I set up a cooking vacation where people learned to cook the foods of the Yucatan peninsula. But even at that time, I didn’t have a designated travel brand. It’s just what I did.

Since then, I’ve traveled and taken groups to Puerto Rico, Mexico and Belize, and along the way realized that it’s my mission to share the histories, stories and passions of real people all over the world who are working to build a small business to support their families — people who are trying to maintain their culture and sustain their communities. Are you ready to go?

Sharing food, immersive experiences and fun adventures is the way to connect.  It’s simply what I do. And I can’t wait for you to join me.

Plan My Next Adventure!
Culinary Tours & Vacations
Otehlia on the Beach

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