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Metanoia International
Why Metanioa Exists
About
We believe the key to a hopeful future lies in courageous collaboration.
At Metanoia International, we partner with institutions and communities to create eye-opening experiences rooted in purpose and measurable impact.
Alongside local community partners, we host groups and design hands-on experiences that enrich lives and create opportunities.
Mission
Metanoia International is dedicated to providing ethical and sustainable tourism experiences in El Salvador.
By working alongside local partners, we offer unique tours that highlight the culture and daily lives of Salvadorans, fostering an awareness of global citizenship among travelers and providing resources for locally-owned initiatives.
We aim to create high-impact experiences for travelers that benefit the communities they visit.
Values & Partnership Ethos
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Rooted in Relationships – We walk alongside our partners—locally and globally.
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Community-Devoted – We co-create programs that honor and uplift community leadership.
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Structure for Impact – We facilitate powerful experiences, where individuals are moved to start their own impact journey for individuals around the globe.
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Action + Reflection – We equip people to act with purpose—and to learn from what happens next.
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Institutional Alignment – We align projects and experiences with the strategic goals of participating organizations.
Sustainable Ethical Tourism
Metanoia is an example of sustainable ethical tourism. This is different from traditional tourism, which often leaves undesirable impacts in its wake. Instead, sustainable ethical tourism is based around three general pillars:
1. Community-Centered Partnerships
Tourism should strengthen — not strain — the places we visit. Ethical travel starts with respecting local leadership, listening to community priorities, and ensuring that benefits flow directly to residents.
2. Environmental Responsibility
Travel leaves an impact — our role is to make it a positive one. Sustainability means minimizing harm while amplifying stewardship of natural resources.
3. Transformative Learning & Reciprocity
Ethical tourism is an exchange. Travelers should gain humility, understanding, and skills while leaving behind respect and resources that endure.
Meet the Salvadoran Team
Locally-led experiences are an essential part of the Metanoia experience.
Our local tour guides are trained and equipped with the resources and translators needed to take participants off the beaten path and into the hearts of stories that matter.
At the heart of our work is Carmen Díaz.
She leads on-the-ground logistics, helped shape our mission, and has empowered 10+ local youth to take ownership of this experience as Cultural Tour Guides!
As a respected community leader, she connects our efforts to existing locally-owned initiatives to support their missions, such as our community partner, the Liceo Juan Calvino School. Read More
