Oaxaca, Mexico

Saturday, February 27 (D)

Welcome to Oaxaca! Travel Day and group transfer to our B&B. Settle in, relax and get acquainted with your surroundings.  This evening, we’ll gather for our first group dinner at the B&B—a perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and kick off our adventure together.

 

Sunday, February 28 (B, L)

Your day begins in Oaxaca’s historic center, where you will explore the city’s rich history and architectural heritage. We have the opportunity to stop at two distinctive textile shops to learn about local weaving traditions. From there, you continue along the lively Alcalá pedestrian walkway, a corridor filled with galleries, shops and cafés.  You will pass the San Pablo Cultural Center and the Textile Museum, noting both as excellent places to return to for deeper exploration.  Dinner on your own.

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Around midday, we will pause for lunch at a nearby restaurant, giving you a chance to enjoy Oaxacan dishes such as mole, tlayudas, or memelas.  After lunch, the tour continues into the vibrant Benito Juárez Market, where the aisles overflow with produce, spices, chocolate, and everyday goods. From there, we make your way to our guides “secret store,” a tucked‑away place with unique finds. The day concludes at the Artisans Market, where you can browse handmade crafts, pottery, textiles, and folk art, wrapping up your journey through Oaxaca’s cultural and creative landscape.   Dinner on your own.

 

Monday, March 1 (B, L)

A day trip into the mountains is in the planning stages, however, here are some highlights. Ixtlán de Juárez is a picturesque mountain town in the Sierra Norte, located about 1 hour north of Oaxaca City. The Monday Mercado Municipal de Ixtlán is an authentic, vibrant local market offering fresh produce, regional delicacies, and mountain crafts.   We will be on the lookout for handwoven textiles, embroidered huilpiles and other local crafts.  Because of the cooler, high altitude climate, we will find regional herbs, mole Amarillo (yellow mole), freshly caught trout and pan de cazuela. Tours By Sharon will be adding some additional stops to this day’s itinerary.  Dinner on your own. 

 

Tuesday, March 2 (B, L)

After breakfast, the day begins with a drive out to Teotitlán del Valle, the renowned Zapotec weaving village. You’ will settle in for a hands‑on dyeing workshop using scarves woven on traditional looms in nearby Mitla, giving you a direct connection to two of Oaxaca’s most important textile communities. Today’s focus is on both indigo and cochineal, two iconic natural dyes that have shaped Oaxacan textile traditions for centuries. Your weaving master, Bulmaro, will guide you through the entire process, offering an explanation of spinning, dyeing, and weaving that brings the craft to life through his expertise and family heritage.

 

For lunch, you will head to Bulmaro’s family home, where a homemade meal awaits. This visit also offers the chance to see the rugs he and his extended family produce—an intimate look at the artistry, symbolism, and technique behind Teotitlán’s celebrated weaving tradition.   The afternoon shifts from textiles to another cornerstone of Oaxacan culture: chocolate. You’ll visit the home of a local chocolate maker to gain an understanding of how Oaxacan chocolate is produced, from roasting and grinding cacao to shaping the final product. It’s a warm, sensory experience that highlights the deep culinary traditions of the region and offers insight into the flavors that define Oaxacan cuisine.  Dinner on your own.

  

Wednesday, March 3 (B, L)

Today is a truly adventurous day as you head out to the Mitla Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the outskirts of San Pablo Villa de Mitla. Upon arrival, you’ll meet a local guide who will lead you through the caves, where ancient rock paintings—created thousands of years ago—still mark the stone walls. The experience includes a moderate hike with a gentle incline, giving you time to appreciate both the landscape and the remarkable archaeological history of the region.

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From there, the journey continues to the village of San Marcos Tlapazola, celebrated for its potters who work exclusively in red clay. You have a special invitation into one of these homes, where Gloria will show you how she creates her distinctive pottery pieces—each shaped by hand, fired traditionally, and rooted in generations of knowledge.

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Lunch brings a shift in focus as you head to a local restaurant for a meal paired with an introduction to mezcal production. You’ll learn how agave is harvested, cooked, fermented, and distilled, gaining insight into one of Oaxaca’s most iconic spirits. The experience culminates in a private tasting, giving you the chance to appreciate the nuances of different mezcal varieties.  Dinner on your own.

 

Thursday, March 4 (B, L)

Today is a journey through Zapotec heritage, living traditions and colonial history.  Begin your morning in the heart of Zaachila, where the Thursday market fills the central square with color, movement, and tradition. This market has operated since the pre‑Hispanic era, when Zaachila served as the capital of the Zapotec kingdom and a major regional trading center. Today it remains one of Oaxaca’s most authentic indigenous markets, offering fresh produce, traditional foods, handmade goods, and a vibrant glimpse into Zapotec daily life. The atmosphere reflects centuries of cultural continuity, making it an unforgettable immersion into local heritage.

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Continue your journey with a visit to the Zaachila archaeological site, which reached its height between 1100 and 1521 AD. The partially explored complex includes a large pyramid and several mounds that hint at the city’s ceremonial and civic importance. Some burial mounds contain Mixtec‑influenced murals, revealing the cultural blending that occurred in the region during the Postclassic period. Much of the site remains unexcavated, preserving a sense of mystery and inviting imagination about the city’s former grandeur.

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Your afternoon includes a special visit to the home of a feather headdress maker whose work supports the traditional Feather Dance. Through her artistry, she preserves Zapotec heritage while introducing innovative techniques that keep the tradition alive. Watching her process offers a rare opportunity to understand the cultural significance of featherwork and its role in ceremonial life.

After lunch, travel to Cuilapam to visit its remarkable 16th‑century Dominican convent. The site is best known for its unfinished basilica, an open‑air stone structure with towering arches that create a dramatic and serene atmosphere. The adjoining chapel and convent buildings showcase early colonial architecture and the Dominican order’s influence in the region. Now designated a National Monument, Cuilapam offers a powerful blend of history, artistry, and landscape.  Dinner on your own.

 

Friday, March 5 (B, L)

Your exploration of the Southern Valley begins in San Tomás Jalieza, a village where textile traditions are woven into daily life. As you wander through the outdoor market, you’ll see artisans working on the pre‑Hispanic backstrap loom, producing placemats, table runners, handbags, and belts.  You will also visit the home of a weaver who works with exceptionally fine cotton threads to create miniature backstrap weavings. These tiny textiles are astonishing in their detail, and the artist’s commitment to conserving heirloom cotton seeds adds another layer of meaning to the craft, linking preservation, agriculture, and artistry.

 

From there, you continue to Ocotlán, a town known for its vibrant cultural identity. The church stands as one of the valley’s most striking architectural landmarks, its colors and ornamentation reflecting centuries of devotion and local pride. Nearby, the museum dedicated to Rodolfo Morales offers a window into the imagination of one of Oaxaca’s most beloved artists. His collages blend surrealism with scenes of village life, and the painted pillars throughout the space create an atmosphere that feels both dreamlike and deeply rooted in the region.

 

Lunch will be at a local favorite specializing in roasted meats. Expect the comforting simplicity of tasajo, cecina, chorizo, and grilled vegetables, all cooked over open flames and served with fresh tortillas.

 

As you head back toward Oaxaca City, your final stop is San Bartolo Coyotepec, a village renowned for its black pottery. Here, families have passed down their techniques for generations. The clay is shaped, polished with quartz stones, and fired in a reduced‑oxygen kiln to achieve its signature metallic sheen. Watching artisans work reveals how much patience and precision goes into each piece, and the quiet atmosphere of the workshops offers a contemplative close to your day.  Dinner on your own.

 

Saturday, March 6 (B, D)

Today your guide has prepared a morning that celebrates one of the most iconic cultural identities in Oaxaca: the women of the Isthmus, the Tehuanas. In the morning, you’ll learn about painters who found inspiration in these powerful figures — their dress, their presence, and the way they shaped visual culture in Mexico. This theme comes alive when you visit the Benito Juárez market, where the richly embroidered Tehuana huipils are displayed in all their complexity. Each garment is a tapestry of color and symbolism, stitched by hand and worn with pride by the women of the Isthmus. Seeing them up close gives you a deeper appreciation for why artists were so captivated by their beauty and strength.  Your morning ends with a stop at a restaurant to taste garnaches, a specialty from the Isthmus. These small, flavorful bites — crisp tortillas that are topped with meat, salsa, and pickled vegetables.    

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The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You might wander the city, rest, or explore a neighborhood that catches your eye. Later, we will regroup in the early evening at Llano Park, where the energy shifts as the street food vendors begin to set up. This is the start of your street food tour, a walk through Oaxaca’s nighttime flavors. We stop at several local stands, each offering a small bite that reflects the creativity and comfort of everyday cooking — tacos, memelas, esquites, or whatever the vendors are serving that night. The tour ends in the Jalatlaco neighborhood, where dessert becomes the final taste of the day.

 

Sunday, March 7 (B, L)

We’ll start early with a quick breakfast so we can beat the crowds to Hierve el Agua, which translates to "the water boils." From a distance, this breathtaking rock structure looks like a cascading waterfall frozen in time, but it’s actually a series of ancient mineral deposits perched on a limestone mountain. At the edge of the cliffs sit two gorgeous freshwater pools fed by natural springs. Packed with calcium carbonate and magnesium, these mineral-rich waters are famous for their healing properties. You’ll have time to take a refreshing dip, wander the trails, or simply take in the incredible cliffside views.

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Leaving Hierve el Agua, we’ll visit the workshop of Arturo Hernandez to witness the intricate art of traditional weaving. Arturo is a master artisan who began using a backstrap loom at just seven years old, learning to dye threads using all-natural ingredients. Over the years, his deep passion for textiles led him to master both the backstrap and pedal looms. During our visit, you’ll get an insider’s look at his creative process and see how these vibrant, handcrafted textiles come to life.

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We’ll cap off our excursion with a truly remarkable meal at Caldo de Piedra. Here, you’ll experience caldo de piedra (stone soup), an ancient Chinantec dish prepared with fresh seafood, local herbs, and vegetables served in a hollowed-out gourd. The magic happens when red-hot river stones, heated to 900 degrees, are dropped directly into the broth, flash-cooking the soup in under four minutes. If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, the menu offers plenty of other delicious local options as well.  Dinner on your own.

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Monday, March 8 (B, D)

After breakfast, enjoy a free morning and afternoon to explore the city at your own pace. Downtown Oaxaca and the lively pedestrian walkways are filled with fantastic shops, artisan galleries, and vibrant markets. You might choose to visit the magnificent Basílica de la Soledad, stroll through the lush Ethnobotanical Garden, or discover local weaving traditions at the Oaxaca Textile Museum. If you’re looking to pick up regional treats or souvenirs, another stop at the bustling Benito Juárez Market is always a great choice.

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If you’d like a curated walking route through Xochimilco, head up García Vigil and stop by ARIPO (located at #809) for an incredible selection of authentic local crafts. Continuing further up the street, you’ll encounter the ancient stone arches of the aqueduct running along Callejón Rufino Tamayo. Built between 1727 and 1751, this historic landmark once carried fresh mountain water from San Felipe directly into the city center. Crossing Niños Héroes brings you into the charming Xochimilco Quarter, known for its bright street murals and colorful banners floating overhead. Be sure to stop by Corazón for handcrafted artisanal chocolate before looping back to Andador Alcalá, where you’ll find plenty of lively cafes, boutiques, and galleries to wander through.

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We will reconvene with the group tonight for dinner – location details to be announced. 

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Tuesday, March 9 (B,)

After breakfast, group transportation will take you to the airport for your flight back to the United States.

 

​​​​​​​B - Breakfast 

L - Lunch - includes non-alcoholic beverages

D - Dinner - includes non-alcoholic beverages

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*Excludes:

• Airfare

• Travel insurance

• Alcoholic beverages

• Meals not included in itinerary

• Non-group transportation to/from airport

• Medical expenses

• Personal purchases

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PRICE

$3,000 per person (double occupancy). Two beds and two people sharing one room, with private bath.

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$3,400 per person (single occupancy). One bed and one person in a small room with private bath.    

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$3,600 per person (single occupancy in a double room). Two beds and one person in the room. with private bath.

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Any tour questions can be directed to

Sharon Giles at toursbysharon@gmail.com

 

TOURSBYSHARON.COM