Lucero Topete - Local Coordinator, Mexico
Lucero’s beautiful Oaxacan estate serves as Culture Xplorers’ rendezvous point often during our trips, for picnics, social exchanges, lectures and even to build our group Day of the Dead altar.

For whatever reason we find ourelves there, its always a welcome and shady oasis in Oaxaca.

Lucero's impressive background includes many years as the Oaxaca director of the prestigious National Institute of History and Anthropology (INAH in its original Spanish acronym).  She is both a pillar of Oaxacan society and a wonderful, warm host.

In addition to her work with Culture Xplorers, Lucero owns one of Oaxaca’s oldest and most respected Spanish language institutes.

Patricia Reyes - Oaxaca Trip Leader
Pati has lived and worked in Guatemala, Chiapas, Mexico City and Santander, Spain, in addition to Oaxaca, from where she leads Culture Xplorers trips.

For most of the year, Pati works with Oaxaca’s best known artists: painters, lithographers and sculptors, organizing exhibitions and representing their work to domestic and foreign buyers.

Her personal warmth and passion for sharing her country and culture make our travelers feel truly welcome in Mexico, more like long-lost friends than first-time visitors.

Roberto Murphy - Chiapas and Palenque Trip Leader

Brought up in both the US and Mexico, Roberto possesses both a linguistic and cultural fluency that is much appreciated by Culture Xplorers' clients, in particular in Chiapas, his family's home for the last ten years.

Considered one of the best guides in Southern Mexico, Roberto's wealth of knowledge of Mexican history, art and anthropology is matched by his enthusiasm to share his insights and many personal anecdotes with Culture Xplorers' travelers.

"The best guide I have ever experienced.   Well prepared, well organized, super informative and friendly." Sylvia (2004)

"A special guide, the best." Gerlinde (2004)

"Can't say enough good things about him.   Extraordinarily knowledgeable...friendly, personable, seemed to enjoy interacting with the group as much as we enjoyed talking to him." Lee (2004)

"Roberto was the best of the best...a real pleasure." Melissa (2004)

"He was a terrific travel companion and made me feel very much at ease." Ben (2004)

Marlene Ehrenberg - Mexico City Trip Leader
The 2002 winner of the Colibrí ecotourism award and fluent in five languages, Marlene has over 30 years of experience designing, organizing and guiding extraordinary trips in Mexico.   She is our host in Mexico City, her home, and offers us an insider's perspective and lifetime knowledge of this megalopolis of 20+ million inhabitants, while showing us its charming, colorful corners.

"Marlene was a great guide: knowledgeable, friendly, showed interest in the group." Lee (2004)