Mexico: Oaxaca

Welcome to Oaxaca, one of Mexico's most captivating cultural destinations. Upon arrival at Oaxaca International Airport, transfer to NaNaVida Oaxaca Boutique Hotel, your home for the next ten nights in the heart of the historic city center. This afternoon is yours to settle in, relax, and begin soaking up the atmosphere of this colorful colonial city.

This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll enjoy your first taste of Oaxaca's renowned cuisine.

Meals: Dinner

After breakfast, set out on a guided walking tour showcasing Oaxaca's vibrant street art scene. Explore colorful murals and hidden corners of the historic center while learning how local artists use public spaces to tell stories of culture, identity, and social change.

The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Browse artisan markets, visit museums and galleries, sample regional specialties, or simply wander the city's charming cobblestone streets.

Meals: Breakfast

Begin the day with a tasting experience featuring Oaxaca's celebrated coffee and chocolate traditions. Learn about the region's agricultural heritage while sampling locally produced specialties accompanied by light refreshments.

This afternoon, experience the highlight of the journey: the world-famous Guelaguetza Festival. Witness an extraordinary celebration of indigenous culture featuring traditional dances, music, costumes, and ceremonies performed by communities from across Oaxaca. This colorful event is considered one of the most authentic cultural festivals in Latin America.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart early for one of Oaxaca's most spectacular natural wonders, Hierve el Agua. After breakfast, enjoy a scenic hike through dramatic landscapes surrounding the famous mineral springs and petrified waterfalls.

Relax in the natural pools while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding valleys before continuing to a traditional mezcal-producing community. Learn about the cultivation of agave and the centuries-old process of crafting Oaxaca's iconic spirit, followed by a tasting and traditional lunch with local hosts.

Return to Oaxaca this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel to the historic Zapotec village of Teotitlán del Valle, renowned for its weaving traditions and cultural heritage. Stroll through the community, visit important local landmarks, and gain insight into daily life in one of Oaxaca's most celebrated indigenous villages.

Enjoy a traditional Zapotec lunch, participate in a natural dye workshop, and learn how local artisans create the vibrant colors used in their textiles. Later, hike to Cerro Picacho for a sunset experience overlooking the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. Return to the city in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a slower pace today with a complimentary 60-minute massage at the hotel spa. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy Oaxaca however you wish.

Explore museums, shop for handcrafted textiles and ceramics, relax at a café, or seek out some of the city's acclaimed restaurants and mezcalerías.

Meals: Breakfast

Today's adventure takes you into the breathtaking Sierra Norte mountains and the community of Cuajimoloyas, part of Oaxaca's renowned Pueblos Mancomunados.

After breakfast, learn about the region's unique system of communal land stewardship before embarking on a scenic forest hike through pine and oak woodlands. Along the way, enjoy sweeping mountain vistas, diverse flora, and fascinating insights into local ecology and traditions.

Following a traditional lunch, visit the community's hanging bridge before returning to Oaxaca.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today offers a delicious immersion into one of Mexico's most celebrated culinary traditions. Travel to a nearby village and join a local cocinera tradicional for a hands-on cooking class.

Learn the techniques behind authentic Oaxacan dishes, including handmade tortillas, regional salsas, and traditional mole. Using fresh local ingredients and time-honored methods, you'll prepare a multi-course meal before gathering together to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Return to Oaxaca with new culinary skills and recipes to take home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Journey deep into the Mixteca Alta region to discover Santiago Apoala, one of Oaxaca's hidden natural treasures.

Surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs, you'll hike through a stunning canyon landscape featuring waterfalls, crystal-clear pools, and lush vegetation. Along the way, learn about Mixtec history, culture, and mythology from local guides.

Enjoy opportunities to swim, relax, and take in the extraordinary scenery before sharing a traditional regional meal and returning to Oaxaca.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a leisurely morning with time to revisit favorite neighborhoods, browse markets, or simply relax before the journey's grand finale.

This afternoon, visit Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec capital and one of Mesoamerica's most important archaeological sites. Thanks to exclusive after-hours access, you'll experience this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site in a quieter and more intimate setting while learning about its history, architecture, and significance.

This evening, celebrate your Oaxacan adventure with a farewell dinner alongside your fellow travelers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to Oaxaca International Airport for your onward journey.

As your adventure comes to a close, depart with unforgettable memories of Oaxaca's landscapes, traditions, cuisine, and warm hospitality.

Meals: Breakfast