Featured Sayulita Business: TIY Travel
Founder of TIY Travel Kell McQuesten kindly spoke to us about her new business venture, and how excited she is to get it going! Unique and authentic travel experiences coming your way! Offering small group & private packaged tours to Nayarit & Jalisco.
- Please tell me a bit about yourself.
Hola, TIY Travel Founder Kelli here! I am an explorer at heart and I am passionate about living life to its fullest. I am a huge animal lover, with two big dogs, a cat, and a fish tank at home. I LOVE to eat & to try all the local cuisines; street tacos have my heart! I very much enjoy spending time outdoors and soaking in the natural beauties of the world. I greatly enjoy meeting travelers and learning their stories. Everyone has a story to tell and it gives you perspective on how similar we all are. I grew up in Texas and moved to Canada five years ago. I am now a dual American/Canadian citizen!
- How did you land in Sayulita?
It has been 8 years since my first visit to Sayulita. The energy of the town took hold of me, and I have been dreaming of how to become more part of this town ever since. Sayulita’s authenticity and small town vibes charmed me immediately. Not to mention the lush green jungle that wraps around this stunning beach town! I found Sayulita through my now husband, who has been visiting for over 15 years. He introduced me to a different way to travel Mexico, and I have been hooked ever since.
- How long have you lived in Sayulita? What is your favorite part?
I currently have a home base in Toronto but spend as much time in Sayulita & San Pancho as possible. With TIY Travel, I plan to spend more and more time in this magical region. My favorite part of Sayulita is the energy you feel when entering the town, which is a reflection of the vibrant community within the town. You feel the happiness of the community and the support that people have for one another. It is something that is challenging to put into words but you feel it when you are here.
- Can you tell me about what inspired you to start your business?
I have been inspired to start my own business by the dream of helping more people get out of their travel comfort zone, explore a different way to travel Mexico & become more comfortable and confident travelers. Travel changed my life. I grew up in Texas and traveling was not part of many peoples lives, including my own. I had my first travel experience in University with a study abroad trip to Rome. It opened my eyes to the world & I have never looked back. Since then, I have traveled all over the world but continually find myself being pulled back to Mexico. I have learned that many people do not think of Mexico as a travel experience. They view it as an easy vacation to an all-inclusive resort. BUT the country offers so much more. Diverse Terrain. Natural Beauty. Rich Culture. Mouthwatering Cuisine. And of course- Incredible Beaches. I dream of helping travelers explore more of Mexico and to walk away from their trip with a deepened understanding of the country. And all while having a once in a lifetime vacation!
- What services do you offer?
We offer small group & private packaged tours to Nayarit & Jalisco. Our tours introduce a different way to travel Mexico and an opportunity to have unique and authentic experiences in the region. Our private packages are fully customizable, so reach out with your travel wishes! The small group tours are perfect for solo travelers, couples & friends. We take away all the planner stressors so that you can show up and fully immerse yourself into the experience. You will have a dream vacation & won’t have to worry about a thing. TIY’s all-inclusive tours include accommodation, transportation, experiences, meals & more!
- Tell me a bit about your background with this industry?
Travel has been an integral part of my life for the past decade. From planning numerous group, solo & couple trips to planning a 100 person wedding in San Pancho, I have coordinated many travel experiences. My experience in Nayarit has been growing over time. Every visit brings an opportunity to see and learn more about this vast and incredible region.
Look for TIY Travel on an episode of Global Passport. It will be airing on AWE this fall!
- How long has your business been in operation?
TIY Travel is a new company and will be starting tours in 2023! We are at such an exciting phase of the business. We are meeting new guests, growing the company & learning so much along the way.
- What does your business offer that separates it from the rest?
We offer all-inclusive travel packages that get you away from commercial resorts and into authentic and local experiences. We take away the stress from travel planning and provide you with a worry free vacation in lesser known destinations in Mexico. We want our guests to be able to kick back & relax on vacation, yet have unique experiences that awaken their senses. All while being surrounded by a group of like-minded friendly travelers!
- What are your future plans for your business? Any new goals?
Right now, we are focused on spreading the word of our new tours for Nayarit & Jalisco. We’d love to help more people travel authentically in Mexico and explore all the country has to offer. As we grow, we’d love to expand our tours to other regions in Mexico. For example, the region surrounding La Paz in Baja California. Many travelers have been to resorts in Cabo San Lucas- but what about all the other towns, parks and beaches on the peninsula?!
- Can you share a happy memory with a client?
For many of our guests, traveling with TIY Travel is the first time they have been to Mexico or the first time they have traveled off of a resort. The look of awe on their faces as they walk through Sayulita or San Pancho for the first time is incredible. They feel the energy of the towns. They see first hand how interesting and magical these towns are. The fear of the unknown is washed away and they understand how special it is to explore authentic Mexico. It is a country they may have “known” their whole life but have never actually understood until this moment. Their faces reflect this and more. This moment makes me & the guest so very happy. This is why I started TIY Travel – to get more travelers to explore and to love Mexico.
- Is there anything special that you want to share?
At our core- we are all about helping travelers explore more of Mexico. We LOVE speaking with travelers and learning more about their travel dreams. We offer free travel consultations to share travel advice, whether you travel with us or not. Reach out to speak with myself, Kelli the Founder of TIY. We want to help get you on your next Mexico vacation!
