Celebrate Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

A driver will meet you at the airport and take you to the wonderful Quinta Real Oaxaca boutique hotel in the historic downtown area. 

You’ll have time to unpack and refresh before we meet at 6 PM for a welcome drink and snacks with a stunning view of the historic Cathedral. 

Then, we'll depart for the cemeteries with the trip leader and our beloved local guide, Coco, who will explain the Day of the Dead beliefs and significance. This is not a somber event. It's a welcoming home of departed spirits and a chance for families to commune with their ancestors. Tonight, in addition to the appetizers we'll have with our drinks, we'll sample local street food. 

You may want to consider arriving a day early to shake off that travel fatigue because your first and second nights will be late. 

Rest will come easy tonight.

After a hotel breakfast, we’ll tour the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. This beautiful cathedral's construction began in 1585, along with the museum, an absolute treasure. After the cathedral tour, we'll walk about the central part of town to discover the beauty of the colonial buildings, all painted in vibrant colors. We'll also explore the neighboring district of Barrio de Jalatlaco. You're in for a visual treat.  

Lunch is at one of our favorite places, Casa Oaxaca. The salsa there is to die for. 

After lunch, we'll have some free time to shop or relax, but hurry back to the hotel by 4 pm. Leticia, your trip leader and Day of the Dead officanado, will help you dress up in the personalized headdresses she's made for you. You'll also don an appropriate outfit and make-up, so you're all ready for our excursion tonight.

We'll have a simple meal of Oaxacan Tlayudas. It's like a Mexican pizza but way better! This is the quintessential homey, feel-good food of Oaxaca.

Then, we're off to explore the neighboring town of San Augustin de Etla. Parades and festivities for the Day of the Dead will continue throughout the night! You'll sip Mezcal tonight, so get your party shoes on and prepare for a late one!

Sleep in a while today. We're heading out to enjoy a proper Mexican breakfast at Florecita, a small market nearby. Try the delicious hot chocolate, and if you're adventurous, some chapulinas (grasshoppers). They are quite good, providing extra protein on your morning tortilla.

After breakfast, we’ll head to a nearby village, where the people make handmade rugs. Crafters have been creating and hand-weaving rugs in this town for nearly 1000 years. We’ll stop at the women’s cooperative, our favorite, and enjoy a simple homemade lunch nearby. We'll also visit a pottery maker or two in a different town. The town specializes in black pottery for which the region is famous.

Once back in town, we'll make one more stop at a wonderful artisan craft store containing almost any homemade item you've ever wanted from the area, including stunning Huipils.

Dinner is on your own tonight.

Today, we'll delve deep into the richness of Oaxacan cuisine and its classic ingredients. The state of Oaxaca may be one of Mexico's poorest, but it’s rich in heritage thanks to the diversity of the indigenous peoples.

This morning we’ll drive to our chef and cooking instructor's home. She and her son have created a gorgeous outdoor covered kitchen. You’ll get to make your own homemade tortillas, memelitas, and so much more. Then, we’ll enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Use your afternoon to rest, shop, or explore the modern art museum MACO. It's in a gorgeous old colonial building in Oaxaca’s historical district.

After a rest at the hotel, we'll dine on the elevated über fresh cuisine of a talented female chef at Lucina Cocina de Humo. She focuses on heirloom tomatoes and is famous for her tomato displays. Her food, often smoked, is out of this world!

Today, we'll have a hearty breakfast to coat our tummies for what's to come.

We'll drive outside the city for a comprehensive tour and learn how to make artisanal Mezcal. Even if you've told yourself you don’t like Mezcal, this experience will change your mind. Our guide is one of the most knowledgeable people on the subject in Mexico, and he is also a producer.

After an excursion including multiple tastings, we’ll stop at a famous market for a late lunch.

This afternoon, enjoy much-needed time on your own. Take a nap after two late nights or shop some of the superb stores in central Oaxaca City.

Tonight we dine in style at Origen, one of the prettiest places in town. It serves elegant cuisine that will surely knock your socks off!

We'll arrange transport back to the Oaxaca airport for those heading home.

We have more in store for those staying for the trip extension.

Today's excursions take us to two epic sites. We'll stop at Mitla, an important Mixtec archeological site. The 30-40 minute drive will take us up to almost 5,000 ft above sea level. Up here, you're surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountain range.

Then, we'll head to Hierve El Agua, a petrified or frozen waterfall, complete with soaking pools, a site of unparalleled natural beauty. Take plenty of photos and don't forget to bring your swimsuit if you'd like to take a dip.

After the sightseeing, we'll sit down for a local lunch and then drive back into town.

We'll meet again for a meal at Teocintle, a unique experience that you won't soon forget. Experience a Michelin star-worthy tasting menu in a glorified garage. This is a secret "hole in the wall" that attracts serious foodies.

After breakfast, we're off to Monte Alban, a pre-Columbian settlement that was the Zapotec center for around 1000 years, from 500 BC to 500 AD. As we tour, the guide will explain the pyramids and the cultural significance still strong in Oaxaca today.

A stop at the small shop is not to be missed. The jewelry designed according to ancient archeological finds is well worth a look.

Today’s late lunch is an exciting one. A trip to Alfonsina is more of a pilgrimage than a lunch stop. It was voted best restaurant of the year by New World Magazine several years back, but you’d never know it from its humble appearance. Chef Jorge León began his journey back home by working first at Casa Oaxaca and then Pujol (voted the best restaurant in the world several years ago in Mexico City), and now he is at his happiest in his family compound working outdoors and creating whatever he wants for his small cadre of diners. You are guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face.

Rest, recover, or shop this afternoon.

Dinner tonight consists of drinks and appetizers at a nearby restaurant!

It is hard to leave Oaxaca, but somehow, we must all muster the courage. No doubt you'll depart with a suitcase full of handmade treasures, a heart full of memorable experiences, and - the best part - new friends made! 

Our driver will escort you to the airport around 10 or 11 am to take a flight home.