Things to do in

Oaxaca

Start your tour by being picked up in Oaxaca early in the morning by your tour guide and start the ride. Stop at Teotitlán del Valle, a village of weavers in which you will learn how they use ancient techniques to paint wool and wave rugs forming majestic designs. The next stop will be Hierve el agua, the petrified waterfalls one of 30-meter height, and another one of 12-meter height. Admire these waterfalls that are formed by carbonated water and offer beautiful views of the mountains, perfect to take great photos. Get a chance to swim in the mineral pools and take a walk with local guides and take in the spectacular surroundings of nature. The last stop is a Mezcal Factory where you will learn the process of the elaboration of the authentic mezcal and also get to taste some of the different flavors of Mezcal. To finish your tour, you will be taken back to Oaxaca.

Explore the archaeological area of Oaxaca built by the Zapotecs. Learn about its big plazas, truncated pyramids, and the court for playing tlachtli (a type of ball game). Hear about the underground passageways and more than 100 tombs at the site from your professional tour guide. Start your day by being picked up in Oaxaca City, and begin your journey to Monte Alban. Next, visit the town of Arrazola town and fall in love with the authentic wooden figures called Alebrijes. Watch the interesting creation process of these figures which involves carving and painting. Head to Cuilapam de Guerrero town and visit a Dominican Ex-monastery of the 16th-century, known for its unfinished basilica and prominent open chapel. End your magical tour in the town of San Bartolo Coyotepec and meet local artisans who specialize in black pottery (Barro negro). Learn about the techniques used since pre-Columbian times.

Get ready to discover some of the best places of Oaxaca State. Start with a visit to Santa Maria el Tule, home of one of the most extraordinary natural beauties including the  giant tree (The Tule Tree), with a height of 40 meters and a diameter of more than 50 meters. It is said it´s more than 2000 years old, which makes it perhaps one of the biggest and oldest living things in the world. You'll then make a little stop in the small town of Teotitlan del Valle, famous for its home-made textiles. One of the day's highlights will be a visit to Mitla, which in Nahuatl means "Place of the Dead". Mitla used to be a ceremonial center of the Zapotecs and it´s now famed for its outstanding mozaics on its walls, a unique style of decorating in Mesoamerica. You'll  continue the excursion with an adventurous ride to Hierve el Agua, where you'll have the chance to see the petrified waterfalls and take a refreshing dip into the mineral baths while enjoying the breathtaking landscape. Conclude the day in the most typical way; at a mezcal distillery. Learn about the traditional production process and you won´t leave before you have tasted Oaxaca´s sacred liquor.

Pre-book your entry ticket to Oaxaca’s Microenormous and enjoy an immersive art experience that combines the essence of a theater show with digital and contemporary art installations and a performance by four actors within different spaces. Two drinks are included in your visit. Located in a historic house in downtown Oaxaca, this theater show is a unique art happening that guarantees an unforgettable immersive experience. During your visit, four actors will guide you through several rooms, creating a performance that fuses music, movements, images, lighting, and interpretations. Each installation is a chapter, and each chapter tells a story about the current world. Walk through each room and stimulate your five senses as each space presents a unique sensorial experience. Approach and enter each space without restrictions, because in this immersive theater show, you become the main character.

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.

Immerse yourself in Oaxacan culture on this day trip. Visit the most important archaeological site in Oaxaca, Monte Albán, located in the majestic urban center. This area was known as the religious, political, and economic center of the Zapotec civilization. Walk around the square and explore the Site Museum.  Don't forget to bring your camera to take pictures from the top of the archaeological structures. Next, you'll visit San Antonio Arrazola, a magical place of colors and traditions, where the famous artisans will teach you how they carve copal wood. Learn the process of creating the magical figures called "Alebrijes", which represent the innovative spirit of the Oaxacan soul, part of an ancestral tradition of the Zapotecs. Finally, stop at Cuilapam de Guerrero, a Mixtec town famous for its 16th-century Dominican ex-monastery, and San Bartolo Coyotepec, a small town of adobe houses where you'll witness the process of making beautiful black clay figures.

Start the day at 6:00 AM with pickup from your hotel in Puerto Escondido. Head straight to the beach to board your early-morning sightseeing boat. Over the course of your 3-hour cruise, gaze at the stunning, crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean, revelling in the beauty of the Oaxacan coast. Keep your eyes open for the panoply of sea life that call the waters surrounding Puerto Escondido home. Spot marine life such as whales, dolphins, or massive sea turtles. As you jet through the waters, your expert captain will find the best spots to give you the best chance of seeing the sea’s most beautiful marine life. Relax as you cruise through the calm waters, enjoying the sunrise over the pristine sea, and let nature surprise you with its beauty. After your cruise, you’ll head back to the dock to get the transportation back to your hotel.

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in La Crucecita and heads to Huatulco. Hop onboard your private yacht then set sail onto the glistening coast, watching out for dolphins along the way and soaking up epic sea views. Cruise by the area’s many white sandy beaches and beautiful bays, including Santa Cruz, Organo, Maguey, Cacaluta, and Chachacual. Sunbathe on deck and sip on a refreshing beer, or cool off with a swim in the sea and go snorkeling in search of colorful marine life.  There’s also time to stop at a bay of your choice for a stroll along the shore. You can grab a bite to eat at one of the many seafood restaurants, and get a taste of traditional cuisine. At the end of an unforgettable day, enjoy drop-off back to your hotel.

Visit the community of Ventanilla, a protected Natural Reserve where you'll enjoy a 15-minute nature walking tour. Then board a panga boat driven by a local skipper to see the different types of mangroves in the region and observe different species of reptiles, including crocodiles, and birds. Next head to Mazunte. The town's name is derived from the large blue crab that was abundant in the area a few years ago. Here you'll visit a natural cosmetics workshop and learn about the production process. This workshop is an important cooperative in the community. Then, visit the Mexican Center for Turtle Research where the focus is on responsible conservation. Discover the importance of taking care of this local creature and learn some of the challenges faced by the species. Finally enjoy some time at Zipolite beach, an open sea beach where you'll have approximately 30 minutes to explore and take pictures, before you head to Puerto Angel for a meal (at your own cost) at a restaurant facing the sea. At the end of the tour, you'll be dropped off at your hotel.

Enjoy a tour of the extraordinary archaeological zone of Monte Alban, declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. Monte Alban, constructed on a plateau at 1,940 meters above sea level, is one of the most representative archaeological sites in Mexico. With pyramids, a court for the pre-Hispanic ball game, among many other mystical constructions, take this chance to explore cultural traces from different civilizations, such as the Olmecs, Mixtecs, and Zapotecs.  Continue to the town of Coyotepec, famous for its ceramics production, followed by a visit to the convent of Cuilapam. This Dominican convent dates back to the 16th century and was the site of the execution of one of Mexico's heroes from the Independence War, Vicente Guerrero. Finally, visit the village of Arrazola and head to a workshop to see how the famous Alebrijes (wood-carved fantasy animals) are made.