The idea of being a guide has always attracted me; being able to share my knowledge, experiences, and places with others, while combining several of my passions such as a love for constant learning, riding mules, and serving others. Being a guide is not just a job for me, but a way to connect with people and the environment around us. I would like to take on this responsibility with enthusiasm, preparation, and commitment, bringing the best of myself to provide memorable and meaningful experiences for those who visit us. I am committed to proudly representing my culture, promoting respect for heritage, and contributing to the development of responsible and humane tourism.

I live in the Sierra de Santa Martha, a place surrounded by nature, where I deeply enjoy rural life. I love animals and greatly value my connection to the land. I’m passionate about connecting people with the places they visit. I’m motivated by telling stories—explaining the value of a medicinal plant, the meaning of a ceremony, or the history behind a mountain. Every visitor is an opportunity to plant seeds of respect and admiration for our culture, for our natural surroundings, and for Indigenous peoples. I’ve discovered that being a tour guide is not just a profession—it’s a way of life that allows me to share who I am and where I come from. It means being a bridge between cultures, proudly showing who we are, and at the same time, learning from others.

Hello, I’m Azucena Arce, an 18-year-old girl. I’ve lived my whole life on the ranch, and of course, always in contact with nature. I’ve spent years dreaming of developing my skills toward a single goal, and I believe I’ve found something that could make that dream come true. I want to establish myself as a guide, leading tourism groups to remote areas, improving my English skills, and offering the best of myself as a guide. I’m fascinated by being connected to nature, I love traveling and meeting new people—and what better way to do that than by working as a tour guide?

I was born in Puerto Adolfo López Mateos, BCS. I first trained as a guide in the 1990s, and came to Loreto for what I thought would be a few short years of work as a kayak guide; but I fell in love with guiding - being out on the water and sharing the islands, coasts, arroyos and mountains with visitors. 3 years turned into 25! I began leading mule-pack trips into the Sierra San Francisco and la Giganta around 8 years ago. These days I split my time between kayaking and mule expeditions - two activities I love deeply. My journey has been driven by curiosity and a passion for sharing the natural and cultural treasures of the Gulf of California and its mountains with others.

I am grateful for having been able to care our lifestyle for 50 years living outdoors on the coastline and the mountains of Baja California Sur. I’ve always ran our tours as a way to make a link between visitors and the cultural history of BCS; many of our guests return again and again, having forged their own friendships and respect for the people of the Sierras. To keep on sharing and getting folks out on the trail I have handed the reins over to my daughter, and I am happy that she is retaining our common vision of training young local women as guides, helping to support their economy and culture, via a model of Community Based Tourism.

I grew up on the trails of Baja California Sur with Saddling South, a company my mom built out of her love for mules, the sierras, and the communities they hold. After studying marine biology and now pursuing veterinary medicine, I’ve circled back to carry the business forward into a new chapter. My focus is continuing my mom’s tradition fo keeping our adventures feel like trips with friends, immersed in the real world of ranch life and connected to place, while opening more space for local women to step into guiding and leadership roles. My long-term vision is to see Saddling South evolve into a women-led cooperative that sustains both travelers and the ranching communities we work with.