Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Horta.
Hi Priscilla, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really starts with my love for wildlife. Growing up I was that kid who was always fascinated by animals and the natural world. The second I turned 18, I packed my bags and started traveling anywhere I could, not to resorts or popular tourist spots, but to remote places where I could see the wildlife I loved as a kid.
Those trips ended up doing more than just fuel my love for wildlife, they completely shifted my perspective. I fell in love with not only the animals but the people and cultures I got to spend time with. I also saw how fragile these places are and the damage that was being done to them. Once you’ve seen that it’s impossible to come home and pretend it doesn’t exist.
Over time, I also noticed how many travelers were unknowingly contributing to the problem. They’d pass through these places with no awareness of the footprint they were leaving behind, often unintentionally harming the very places they came to experience. At the same time a lot of people in my life (friends, family, coworkers) kept asking how they could join me on my trips. They wanted to travel, but with someone who knew the ropes and in a way that felt more meaningful and responsible.
That’s really how Mundial Eco Tours was born. I wanted to create a different kind of travel experience, one that goes beyond sightseeing and actually benefits the people and environments we visit. I believe travel is powerful but only if we do it intentionally. The decisions we make: where we stay, who we hire, where we eat… they all matter. They can either uplift local communities and protect the natural world, or contribute to the problem.
Fast forward 10 years, I get to do what I love most: helping others experience the world in a way that’s thoughtful, authentic, and impactful. What matters most to me isn’t just that people leave with beautiful memories, but that they walk away with real connections and the knowledge that their trip made a difference.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think anything worth doing ever is. One of the hardest parts in the beginning was building trust. I was essentially asking complete strangers to not only invest their money, but to put their safety and travel experience in my hands. That’s a big ask when somebody is flying halfway across the world to meet me for the first time.
Over the years, word of mouth has been huge for me. Partnering with other hosts, collecting honest reviews, and simply doing right by my clients has helped build that trust to where I now have a large client base that I consider friends.
On top of that, the behind-the-scenes logistics of international travel are no joke. Managing transportation, accommodations, and activities across different countries is a challenge. I also have to account for the inevitable delays or unexpected hiccups. But that’s also where my experience comes in. I have learned to expect the unexpected and my ability to problem-solve on the fly has reached new heights.
At the end of the day, we all learn from our struggles and they make me better and better with each trip.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I run a travel company called Mundial Eco Tours, where we specialize in small group trips that are rooted in cultural connection, sustainability, and respect for the places we visit. For me, our mission goes way beyond just planning trips. My goal has always been to help shift the way people think about travel.
What sets us apart is the way we intentionally work with small, locally owned businesses, indigenous families, and grassroots conservation projects. I want our travelers to know exactly where their money is going. To know that it is directly supporting local economies and helping conserve the environments that make these places so special.
For me, it’s not about checking destinations off a list or chasing Instagram moments. It’s about slowing down, connecting with local people, learning from them, and making sure our presence leaves a positive impact. I built Mundial around that philosophy and one of the things I’m most proud of is the feedback I hear from guests. People thank me for the real, off-the-beaten-path experiences, for the opportunity to see a side of a country that most tourists miss.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is being out in the world. There’s something about standing in a place completely different from where you come from. Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, supporting local families through my work, and watching travelers walk away from a trip with a new perspective, all those moments remind me why I do what I do.
Aside from my tour groups, it’s the simple things I experience when I am in new places on my own. Sharing a meal on the side of the road with new friends, travel delays that end up making my day 100x better, or sharing stories with people I just met. My lifestyle is unconventional to most people, I essentially live out of a backpack, but the trade off is seeing the world and I am grateful for it everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mundialecotours.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mundial_tours/?hl=en
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/VkYjYvz
Image Credits
Priscilla Horta & Ian Breland
