Chelsea was born and raised in California and first began studying Spanish at the age of 19 while living in Guatemala and working in the tourism industry.After more than a decade immersed in the language, along with her post-graduate studies in Spanish at CSU Sacramento, Chelsea is a fluent Spanish speaker, and experienced language instructor, and a passionate tour curator. From 2012 to 2016, Chelsea worked in both tourism and language education (Spanish and ESL) while pursuing her M.A. in Spanish. In 2017, she moved back full-time to Guatemala to start Heart of Travel with business partner Ana Castillo. Her own experience learning Spanish helps us provide you with the best tips and tricks to master the language and it's thanks to her Spanish that she was able to create an extensive network of quality contacts throughout Latin America who bring our tours to life. Chelsea is committed to responsible and sustainable travel practices and believes in the power of travel to improve local economies and break down barriers. Through travel and Spanish language education, Chelsea and her team hope to share a more comprehensive insight into Latin America and to change the often negative narrative regarding Latin America and immigration.  When she’s not working, Chelsea is happy being a mom, partner, animal lover, reader, writer, and gardener!

Chiva is one of our incredible tour leaders with 7 years of experience that started traveling solo at a very young age. Born in Guatemala, her passion for nature, languages, people and food have taken her through different parts of Asia as an English teacher, and later on Latinamerica as a tour guide. This has helped her broaden her mind and shape her perspective of the world, bringing together experiences she’s witnessed all over the globe She helped build Heart of Travel from the start back in 2016, and is fluent in Spanish & English, learning both at the same time as her native languages. When she’s not guiding a group she enjoys nesting home with her pets & plants, hiking, taking long walks and reading.

Eimy, born and raised in Guatemala, has a knack for languages and studied Linguistics in university. Eimy has helped to develop and create our online Spanish courses, and has also worked alongside Chelsea to create and dream up new itineraries and trips. With a passion for artisan coffee and authentic experiences, Eimy is always looking for activities that can share the beauty of a country and allow one to dive fully into the culture. Eimy is an integral part of our operations and logistics team and her attention to detail is an absolute asset within Heart of Travel. When she isn’t traveling, working, or sipping on a delicious cup of cafecito, she enjoys reading, writing, photography and is an avid hiker.

Meet Gaby, an incredible brand and web designer with a passion for photography, travel and social work. Although she was born and raised in Guatemala, she has spent the last decade of her adult life in Canada - her second home - where she honed her professional marketing skills. Recently, she has made the move back to Antigua, where she is surrounded by beautiful volcano views, great weather, and an amazing community. Her experience working in marketing has allowed her to help teams come up with efficient solutions for their business and project management needs. She is thrilled to have joined the Heart of Travel team, where she knows the mix of all her creative passions will be able to flourish and grow, all the while being part of a team that loves working with entrepreneurs from communities that thrive on the tourism industry.

Although Allie originally hails from the deserts of Arizona, traveling has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.  She first came to Antigua, Guatemala at 20 years old as a university student studying human rights in Latin America. After finishing her study abroad program, well, she never fully left Guatemala. Now,  Allie is our in-house photographer, social media expert, as well as content strategist. From photographing various tours to planning Heart of Travel photoshoots, Allie is the gal behind the camera. When she isn’t traveling or working on a photo project, Allie likes to do yoga, take morning walks around Antigua, and curl up with a good book

Dylan is originally from Los Angeles, California, but has spent the better part of his adult life joyfully living and learning in Latin America.  He's spent over 8 years in the Americas living in countries like Argentina, Nicaragua and currently México.  Just last year Dylan finished up an MA program in Latin American Studies at UCLA where he studied communal forms of governance in Oaxaca's Sierra Norte region.  A passionate outdoorsman, Dylan loves to spend his time in nature rock climbing, hiking or learning about the ecosystems where he's immersed.  He has worked for years building intercultural bridges wherever he goes and loves sharing his passion for the outdoors with travelers from all over the world.  He believes immersive and responsible travel can be key in demonstrating to people more regenerative ways of living.  Now back living in Oaxaca, México Dylan searches far and wide to find experiences that connect our travelers to the socioeconomic and environmental realities of a country allowing them to understand the broader context of the challenges and resiliency of Latin America.

María Fernanda, affectionately known as Mafer, is originally from Antigua, Guatemala. Mafer joined the Heart of Travel team in 2019, working in the areas of administration assistance, event planning and community outreach. During the onset of the pandemic, Mafer was instrumental in Heart of Travel’s work with Fundanción Fénix, a grassroots project led by a group of women in Alotenango, many of whom became widows during the 2018 eruption of the Fuego Volcano. This is just one of many examples of Mafer’s work in our community outreach and impact department.  She now works as Heart of Travel in our accounting department, as well as helps to plan and coordinate any wedding inquiries that come our way. Her hobbies include baking, taking walks with her pups, and spending time with her adorable baby boy, Liam.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Cristina left home at 18 and has since lived in eight countries, ultimately finding a sense of belonging in Oaxaca, Mexico. She studied Media and Cultural Studies at The New School’s Lang Liberal Arts College in New York City and later earned a Master’s in Social Economic Development from Sydney University. With a deep passion for sustainability and concilia travel, she is dedicated to fostering meaningful, eco-conscious travel experiences that honor both nature and community.

An adventurer at heart, Cris is always eager to try new things and embrace new cultures. Since joining Heart in September 2024, she has combined her love for exploration and social impact, contributing her unique insights to transformative travel. When she’s not on the go, she cherishes time with her two beloved cats, her true companions in life.

Jocelyn is originally from Kent Island, Maryland but has been living on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, in Puerto Viejo, for the last 5 years. She first fell in love with Latin America traveling after high school and, though the world is vast, found herself returning to this widely under-appreciated sector of the planet over and over again. She quickly became completely enamored with Costa Rica's language, culture, cuisine and, of course, weather, and decided to make it home. Jocelyn lives in her jungle home with her daughter, husband and four pups. When she's not working or mom-ing, she loves to take the dogs for a walk, surf and enjoy the beach. Jocelyn is our Client Services Coordinator and we are so lucky to have her!

Selvyn Herrera was born on Guatemala’s Pacific coast, close to the border with México, in a small town called Ocós in the department of San Marcos. Since he was a little boy, Selvyn has always possessed an adventuresome spirit that has pulled him towards nature, outdoor adventure and sports such as football and fishing. Like a true chapín, Sel is a football fan and even play on Xela’s pro team for a number of years.A lover of high adrenaline experiences, Selvyn balances out his restless nature by continuing his independent studies reading and staying up to date on archaeology, politics, history, flora, and fauna of Guatemala and its neighboring countries.Selvyn has worked in tourism for over 15 years is a well known and respected guide throughout all of Guatemala. In 2018 he worked a freelance job for Chelsea and Chiva in the remote area of Huehuetenango and they quickly fell in love with his guiding style and overall demeanor. That July he became a fulltime member and continues to work hard every day while doing what he loves most, guiding torus and sharing his country with pride to all who visit!

Laura, originally from San Lucas, Sacatepéquez, is our incredibly talented graphic designer and video editor. Laura is a crucial part of the creative team for our new online Spanish language learning program and never ceases to amaze us with her fresh ideas and engaging visuals. Laura is also the one making our PDF itineraries and welcome packets prettier than ever! In her free time, Laura enjoys drawing, diving into new TV series and movies, as well as taking in the fresh air in the surrounding nature near her home to spark imagination and creativity.

My name is Gaby, and I'm proud to have been born in the beautiful city of Antigua, Guatemala. As a Systems Engineer with over 8 years of experience, I currently work as a senior front-end developer. My passion for web design and process improvement has led me to join the Heart Of Travel team, where I'm thrilled to share my expertise and contribute to enhancing the overall customer experience.

When I'm not coding, you can find me hitting the gym, going for a run, or spending quality time with my daughter. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work for a company that values not only professional growth but also work-life balance and personal development.

Our right-hand man on the ground in Havana, Cuba, Enmanuel is a valued member of our team who we would be lost without. Enmanuel oversees the daily operations of all of Heart’s trips and tours to the island. He is committed to creating unique experiences for travelers that provide platforms for Cubans to share their stories safely and sincerely while supporting small business development on the island. Born and raised in Havana, Enmanuel knows his city and his community like the back of his hand and thanks to him we can find ourselves dancing the night away in the most unexpected places. Enmanuel’s kindness and charismatic personality welcome travelers and put them at ease, making him a fan favorite in Cuba. For us, however, it’s his incredible organizational skills, ability to manage and oversee complex details, and extensive network of contacts that continually impress us and have taken our tours to Cuba from great to outstanding. Enamnuel first began assisting with projects at Heart of Travel during the pandemic, offering his services as a Spanish language practice partner and creating educational videos about Cuban history and current events for our online Spanish courses. When it was time to resume tours in Cuba, it was a no-brainer that Enmanuel was the person to help restore and improve our operations in Cuba. Under Enmanuel’s guidance, Heart of Travel has been able to build a team of Cuban guides, drivers, hosts, artists, and artisans to bring to life our trips and create dignified employment opportunities during one of Cuba’s worst economic crises. We are so grateful to him and the rest of the crew in Cuba and can’t wait to see what’s next for us.

Our star Tour Leader in Havana, Paloma de la Caridad Pérez Rodríguez, was born on the eastern side of Cuba in the proven e of Holguín. A studied musician, she specialized in the clarinet while simultaneously pursuing a degree in film at the Higher Institute of Art. Six years ago she relocated to the capital city of Havana to put her energetic personality, appreciation of the arts, and passion for her country together and become an expert tour guide. Paloma’s infectious energy, extensive knowledge of Cuban history and current events, and her willingness and openness to share her experiences and perspectives with travelers is a trip highlight in and of itself!

Annie first fell in love with Latin America when she traveled to the Dominican Republic as a high school group chaperone. She made it her mission to spend more time learning about this part of the world and the beautiful language of its inhabitants. She returned in 2022, this time to Colombia, and has been working and volunteering in various Latin American countries ever since. Through her travels, she developed a deep passion for sharing her love for these countries with others, and joined the Heart of Travel team in 2023 to help coordinate growing operations in Colombia as well as assist with sales and client services. Annie now hopes to relocate to Spain with her boyfriend and continue to assist in Heart of Travel's growth. She hopes to continue creating bonds between travelers and partners and share wonderful memories and life lessons together.

Carlos "Charlie" Ortiz is a Communications graduate from Landívar University in Guatemala, whose life and passion for mountaineering have taken him to scale countless peaks both within and beyond his home country. Whether guiding groups or adventuring on his own, Charlie’s love for the outdoors recently led him to fulfill a dream of becoming an ultra-trail runner, achieving a top-10 finish in the prestigious UTG 2024 race. In his free time, Charlie enjoys spending quiet moments in nature, cycling through Guatemala, or guiding tours in Guatemala and Ecuador. Recently, he’s fallen in love with the majestic Andes in Chile, deepening his connection to the mountains that inspire his adventurous spirit.

Born in Colombia, Julie spent her early years there and in Venezuela, cherishing the most memorable moments of her childhood. At nine, she and her family migrated to the U.S., settling in the Florida Panhandle, where she grew up surrounded by both her Latin heritage and new cultural experiences. Now residing in Sacramento, California, Julie is a proud mom to her two children, aged 8 and 6, and is excited to welcome a new addition to her family soon.
With a background in sales and operations in the scuba diving travel industry, Julie brings a wealth of expertise in crafting unforgettable experiences. She’s thrilled to blend her professional skills with her love for travel and adventure at Heart of Travel, curating meaningful journeys that celebrate Latin American culture. In her free time, Julie enjoys savoring a great cup of coffee, spending quality time with family, scuba diving, and getting lost in a good book. Fluent in Spanish and English, she’s eager to connect travelers with the richness of Latin America, sharing her heritage and passion along the way.

Yeni Betancourt, is our girl on the ground in Viñales. Born and raised in the land of coffee and tobacco, Yeni loves traveling and cross-cultural exchange and experiences. It was her hunger to learn more about the world through meeting new people that motivated her to become a local guide in Cuba and later continue to guide throughout her country. Yeni knows that Cuba is hard to understand, yet easy to love and she finds great satisfaction in helping people to understand the unique complexities and challenges faced in Cuba while staying safe and having an absolute blast! With over 10 years in the industry, Yeni is a true pro and a wealth of knowledge, ideas, and contacts.Yeni is also a single mom living in her hometown Viñales with her son and mother and lots of extended family nearby. If you’re lucky, you might even get to have coffee or a rum in Yeni’s garden with some of the family during your visit!Yeni’s years of experiences paired with her love and devotion to her community make her an incredible asset to the Heart of Travel team and we can’t wait for you to meet her!

An architect born in Mexico City, Pau always grew up with the idea that beauty can be found anywhere! She worked as an architect and teacher of various disciplines at the university level until she left the city in 2016 to venture out and study a master's degree in Architectural Design, Rehabilitation and History in Italy. In Italy Pau learned to share her creativity through art and street drawing workshops, a practice that she brought back to Mexico to design immersive experiences in CDMX and the Mexican Bajío. She currently lives with her husband and son in the beautiful city of Guanajuato, where she is the founder of Del Mismo Barro Arquitectura, a multidisciplinary office where art, design and life merge.
Being a local guide since 2011, she is knowledgeable about her hometown, wonderful corners and delicious food, all the hidden gems that "chilangos" enjoy! Pau fell in love with Heart of Travel's vision for socially responsible tourism, and joined the team in 2019 to share the love for her country and her city, always working towards an integrated and participatory experience.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Patricia (aka Patry) studied Economics at university but decided to pivot to tourism after realizing her initial career choice wasn’t fueling her passion. Patry loves trying new things, engaging in new activities, and meeting new faces! Through working with Heart, she has been able to explore an entirely new world, enjoying all the beautiful aspects of working with people from a culture completely different from her own. She says her favorite part about working in tourism is having the opportunity to learn about the history of people who come here seeking fun, knowledge, and sometimes even finding themselves—this journey has also helped her learn more about herself! When she isn’t on tour, you can find Patry baking, an activity she has loved since childhood.