Oaxaca de Juarez

Culinary & Nightlife

Discover what makes Oaxacan gastronomy so renowned. Visit a local, bustling market together with a chef to shop for the freshest of ingredients. Taste the traditional flavors and learn the techniques of Oaxacan cooking as you prepare authentic dishes alongside a chef who will explain what makes them unique for the region.  Start this fully interactive class exploring the main markets of Oaxaca city accompanied by the chef who will help you to identify the best and fresh ingredients on the list. Decide what dish to prepare between two suggestions by the chef. Then, get started cooking as you learn how to prepare one of the traditional meals that proudly represent an important cultural part of the beautiful Oaxaca state. During the lesson, the chef will also explain the benefits about each of the representative ingredients of the region, and which the locals prefer for the preparation of their dishes.  Prepare additionally some handmade tortillas and typical drinks to accompany your dish, such as Tejate, Chilacayota and Margaritas with Mezcal. Feel free to ask any question you have about and, of course, enjoy your traditional meal.

Start the excursion with the famous and most notable Tree of Tule, cataloged as the thickest in the world. With a little imagination between the branches and the bark of this majestic tree, you can visualize different animals and silhouettes that have formed over the years. Next, visit a place full of colors with the Zapotec weavers indigenous people at Teotitlán del Valle.  Famous for making their rugs, bags and sheep wool sheep, which are dyed with ancestral techniques with natural pigments, these weavers highlight the use of the great cochineal. End the tour with the typical drink of this beautiful state; the last stop will be in a Mezcal palenque.  Of Oaxacan origin, Mezcal is internationally recognized for its body, color and smell. It is worth mentioning that there are several presentations and flavors of mezcal, enjoy some of the different flavors that are offered, from the aged mezcal to its diverse and delicious mezcal creams.

Learn about two of the most distinctive commercial and artisan activities in the state of Oaxaca with a papermaking and Quesillo (Oaxaca cheese) tour. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in central Oaxaca and venture about 20 kilometers (around 12.5 miles) north of the city center to the Etla District, where traditional Quesillo and paper are made.   First, you will visit a former hydroelectric plant located in San Agustín Etla, where a community is dedicated to the production of paper using natural fibers of the region, such as tree bark, branches, flowers, pigments, and cotton. Next, check out the spectacular Arts Center of St. Augustine, housed in the former La Soledad Yarns and Fabrics Factory, which was founded in 1883 and manufactured raw blankets from cotton. The abandoned building has been remodeled into a modern ecological arts center presenting contemporary art and culture exhibitions. Finally, discover the secrets of locally made Quesillo and its unique flavor. Learn all about this famous cheese, which originated in Oaxaca, has gained international recognition, and is an important ingredient in Mexican gastronomy. You'll also visit the Etla market, well known for being located in the area where Quesillo originated, before returning to Oaxaca City.

Oaxaca is one of the most Instagrammable cities in Mexico, with its colourful and detailed streets, stunning views and unique urban street art. On this tour, you have the chance to capture the highlights for your feed. Accompanied by a professional tour guide, you will take in the cultural and historical sights, both from a first-hand perspective and with photos by a professional photographer to share on your Instagram. You will visit some of the most photogenic places in the downtown area, including the surroundings of the Santo Domingo Temple, Calle Morelos and Calle Reforma. You’ll continue to the neighbourhood Barrio Xochimilco, then onto Andador Turistico, Teatro Macedonio Alcala and finally Calle de Abasolo. Other less-known corners will be explored so you have unique and beautiful photos for your travel keepsakes, as well as lifelong memories of this popular Mexican town.

Tour a local market to pick up ingredients, then cook a traditional food recipe with your expert chef. Learn about local ingredients and meet producers of fresh vegetables. Pick up ingredients grown organically nearby and harvested that very morning. After touring the market, return to the kitchen for the class to prepare your dish. Learn how to prepare a delicious salad, a vegetarian main dish, and a dessert in the traditional way. After cooking, its time to share the food with everyone. Enjoy a collective meal together as you taste the rich flavors and feelings of Oaxaca.

Taste three different wild mezcals from Oaxaca. Learn about the history, production methods and ancestral knowledge of this traditional drink. Enjoy tasting mezcals from different regions of Oaxaca. Learn about the origin of the drink with an agave manual. Discover the myths that influence its history. Let your expert show you gastronomic elements to combine a good mezcal, and create for you a unique sensory experience.