Oaxaca’s location in the mountains of southwest Mexico has contributed to its rich culture being relatively protected by outside influences. Ancient native languages are spoken in villages, and the artisan folk arts, particularly weaving and pottery, are practiced with the same techniques used by the Zapotecs who built their civilization in the Oaxaca Valley. This Mexico tour explores the rich culture, history, and cuisine of Oaxaca. Visit the region’s artisan villages, ancient Zapotec ruins, markets, and kitchens while staying in the charming and vibrant colonial capital in Oaxaca City. Prepare a savory lunch using local recipes and ingredients during your Oaxaca trip.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive to Oaxaca where a private transfer is waiting to take you to your charming colonial hotel, home for the next 6 nights. The remainder of the day is free to explore and to have dinner.
Take a private excursion to Monte Alban, just outside of Oaxaca. Located in the center of the Oaxacan Valley on a hilltop 1,200 feet above the valley floor, Monte Alban is an impressive site with remarkable panoramas of the valley. Monte Alban was the capital city of the Zapotec nation, and one of the first and most populated Meso-American cities during its peak, exerting control over the communities in the valley and surrounding mountains. After visiting Monte Alban, return to the colonial gem of Oaxaca to explore the deepest corners of this beautiful city with your guide.
Visit the village of San Jeronimo Tlacohahuaya in the lush Tlacolula Valley. Tradition says that this village was founded by the Zapotec warrior, Cochicahuala, which mean “he who fights by night.” The village’s centerpiece is the main church, the Templo de San Jeronimo, with its restored, ornate organ that dates back to the 16th century.
Continue to the Zapotec village of Teotitlan del Valle that specializes in pre-Colombian weaving traditions. After a delicious lunch, visit local workshops with your guide to learn about the process of spinning wool threads and using natural dyes made from the cochineal insect, moss, and indigo. Return to Oaxaca in the evening.
Mexico is known for great cuisine, and Oaxaca is blessed with an abundance of vegetables and grains from the valley, fish from the coast, tropical fruits from neighboring states, and of course, chocolate. Today is a private cooking class with a local chef. Begin with a visit to a local market to select the key ingredients for your Oaxacan meal. Return to the kitchen for a hands-on class that follows traditional recipes and shares the secrets of Oaxacan cuisine. And of course, enjoy your masterpiece with a relaxing and delicious lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Oaxaca on your own.
Day 5: Explore Mitla, the Tree of Tule, and Hierve el Agua
Today is a full day to explore more Zapotec villages with your guide. Begin at the Mitla archaeological site. “Mitla” means “Places of the Dead”, and it served as an important religious center with tombs of ancient kings and priests and as a site for human sacrifices. Mitla’s detailed stonework mosaics are a unique example not found anywhere else in Mexico.
Continue to the Hierve El Agua mineral springs, meaning “boiling water”. This site is believed to be a sacred spot for the Zapotecs and possibly a source for irrigation. The mineral-laden water drips over cliffs, leaving mineral deposits that resemble frozen waterfalls. Bring your bathing suit for a soak in the upper mineral pools.
The last stop is Santa Maria del Tule, a small town made famous by the Arbol del Tule (tree of Tule) in the churchyard. This mighty and ancient tree that is between 2,000-3,000 years old has a diameter of 40 feet making it one of the world's largest trees and one of the oldest living species on earth. Return to Oaxaca in the evening.
Visit more of Oaxaca’s artisan villages including Santo Tomas Jalieza, known for its unique backstrap weaving, and the black pottery artists in the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec. The high quality crafts from these areas are made with the same materials, techniques, and traditions of the pre-Colombian Zapotecs. You are invited into their workshops, and a traditional lunch is prepared in a local home.
Day 7: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport to connect with a flight home. With more time, extend your stay in Mexico. Contact us for options.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 164 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 164 reviews on
9 hours ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
1 day ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner
Fiona Lonsdale
2 days ago
I spoke with at least a half dozen other travel companies, looking for a Galapagos cruise that fit our schedule and budget. Some companies could manage one or the other, but Erin was the only one who could do both. She found us the perfect cruise, at a fantastic price! And she has been quick and patient with responses to my many questions. So far, Adventure Life has been a fantastic company to work with!
Sandi T
2 days ago
Adventure Life took care of everything! All we had to do was show up when we were supposed to, which made our first trip to Costa Rica largely stress-free and incredibly fun. Our trip reps, Hannah and Mariethony, were helpful and responsive, getting back to us by email usually within a few hours. Our accommodations were all great, and we got incredibly blessed with some absolutely stellar guides and drivers.
Our Jungle & Beach trip was an excellent balance of adventure and rest. We got to try out a lot of different activities, including snorkeling, hiking, white water rafting and kayaking, while also partaking of some rest around the pool or by the ocean. We enjoyed seeing and exploring the beautiful Caribbean side of the country.
Joy Knowles
2 days ago
This was a life changing trip of a lifetime and exceeded my expectations. No details were left out during the planning of this trip by Adventure Life. The entire crew on the ship could not have been more helpful and kind. Everyone went out of their way to make this trip as pleasurable as possible.