Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 6, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Mexico Trek® ("we," "our," or "us"). Mexico Trek® is a registered trademark in both the United States and Mexico. In Mexico, the Mexico Trek is operated by Mexico Trek Global Alliance A.C., a Mexican nonprofit organization (asociación civil) and the formal legal entity behind the program. We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website mxtrek.com and participate in the Mexico Trek program.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the site or participate in our programs.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

Submit an application to participate in Mexico Trek
Register for an account on our website
Complete logistics forms and surveys
Contact us via email or other communication methods
Participate in Trek activities and events

This information may include:

Full name and contact information (email, phone number, address)
Date of birth and age verification
University/institution affiliation and academic information
Passport and visa information
Dietary restrictions and accommodation preferences
Emergency contact information
Payment and billing information
Profile photo and biography
Social media links (LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
Travel document information (passport number, visa status)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you access our website, we may automatically collect certain information, including:

IP address and browser type
Device and operating system information
Pages visited and time spent on our site
Referring website addresses
Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Facilitate Trek participation: Process applications, manage registrations, and coordinate logistics
Communicate with you: Send important updates, announcements, and respond to inquiries
Improve our programs: Analyze feedback and data to enhance the Trek experience
Ensure safety and security: Verify participant eligibility, manage emergency contacts, and coordinate with local authorities if necessary
Process payments: Handle deposits, payments, and refunds according to our policies
Marketing and promotion: Share Trek highlights, participant profiles (with consent), and promotional materials with sponsors, partners, future participants, and the public
Comply with legal obligations: Fulfill reporting requirements and respond to legal requests

4. Photo and Media Usage Rights

By participating in Mexico Trek, you grant us the following rights:

Photography and videography: We may photograph and video record Trek activities, including your participation
Promotional use: We have the perpetual, royalty-free right to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute photos, videos, and other media featuring you in connection with:

Promoting future Mexico Trek programs and events
Marketing materials for sponsors, partners, and donors
Recruitment of future participants
Communications with speakers, leaders, and government officials
Website content, social media, and digital marketing
Print materials, presentations, and reports
Educational and nonprofit promotional purposes

Profile information: We may use your submitted bio, profile picture, and institutional affiliation for promotional purposes
No compensation: You will not receive compensation for the use of your image or likeness
Opt-out: If you do not wish to be photographed or have your image used, you must notify us in writing before the Trek begins. Note that opting out may limit certain aspects of your participation

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

Service providers: Hotels, transportation companies, activity vendors, and other third parties who assist in delivering the Trek experience
Sponsors and partners: Organizations supporting the Trek may receive participant information for networking and engagement purposes
Speakers and hosts: Event speakers and venue hosts may receive limited participant information to facilitate meaningful interactions
Emergency contacts: In case of medical emergencies or safety concerns, we may contact your designated emergency contacts
Legal authorities: When required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request
Future Trek participants: Your profile may be shared with future applicants as examples of past participants

Our FAQ page offers an optional AI assistant. If you use it, the question you type is sent to Google's Gemini service to generate the answer, and Google may use it to improve its services. We do not store your questions, and we ask that you not include personal information in them.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for any activities that occur under your account.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

Fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy
Maintain records for promotional and archival purposes
Comply with legal, accounting, or reporting requirements
Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

Photos, videos, and participant profiles may be retained indefinitely for promotional and historical purposes.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
Objection: Object to certain processing of your information
Data portability: Request a copy of your information in a structured, machine-readable format

To exercise these rights, please contact us at outreach@mxtrek.com.

Note: Deleting your information may prevent us from providing certain services and may affect your participation in the Trek.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States and Mexico. These countries may have different data protection laws than your jurisdiction. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.

10. Children's Privacy

Mexico Trek is open to participants aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18. If we learn that we have collected information from someone under 18, we will delete it promptly.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Mexico Trek (in Mexico: Mexico Trek Global Alliance A.C.)

Email: outreach@mxtrek.com

Website: mxtrek.com

By using our website and participating in Mexico Trek, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.