FOUNDER & CEO

Katalina Mayorga

Hi, I’m Katalina, lovely to meet you over the internet! I am the Colombian American Founder and CEO of El Camino Travel and I never meant to start a travel company. I was born and raised in Washington State to Colombian parents, spent most of my adult life in Washington D.C.

At 20, I took a six-month break from university and backpacked on my own through South America. When I ran out of money, I ended up working at a hostel for 6 weeks in Buenos Aires and traded room and board for boxed wine and food. Don’t worry, I still graduated on time and got my BA in International Studies and Human Rights and eventually got my MA in Global Environmental Policy. Throughout my professional career, I have been lucky to work with some of the brightest minds across the world who are passionately fighting with their whole heart and soul to create a more equitable world for all. This includes innovators in Brazil, Peru, Uganda, Sudan, and Haiti. These individuals have pushed me to think big and crazy because they have shown me that these are the ideas that will change the world.

When not traveling for work, you can find me sweating it out in Hot Yoga, writing as a stress reliever, or watching cute animal videos on Sunday morning with my husband. I was recently named 1 of the 15 most influential women in travel by Conde Nast Traveler and have been featured in publications like Marie Claire, New York Times, Washington Post and Skift as a thought leader on the topics of travel and entrepreneurship.

One of the best parts of El Camino Travel has been meeting (and becoming friends) with all the inspiring and incredible travelers who go on our trips. I hope to meet you in some random corner of the world soon!

What’s at the top of your travel bucket list?

Senegal

What’s one item you could never travel without?

A bold red lipstick. See my travel tip below on why.

Top travel tip?

I try to pack light and be strategic about what I bring. However, I definitely want to be able to go day to night and feel a little fancy when it is night. The easiest way to quickly dress up any day outfit is a bold lipstick and some big jewelry. Both items do not take up much space in your luggage.