Start your journey with a guided walking tour through the colorful alleys and grand plazas of Oaxaca’s UNESCO-listed city center. Along the way, enjoy a curated street food tasting experience, sampling local delicacies like tlayudas, tamales oaxaqueños, tejate, and chapulines from trusted vendors and bustling markets. Visit key landmarks such as Santo Domingo Church, Alcalá Street, and the Zócalo, while hearing the stories that make Oaxaca one of the cultural capitals of Mexico.

Begin the day with a visit to Monte Albán, one of the most important archaeological sites in Mesoamerica. Perched high above the valley, this ancient Zapotec capital features ceremonial plazas, temples, tombs, and observatories. Your expert guide will share stories and insights that bring its majestic ruins to life.

After lunch, continue to San Martín Tilcajete, a colorful artisan village where magical creatures known as alebrijes are hand-carved and painted. Learn about the symbolic meaning of these fantastical figures and take part in a hands-on painting workshop with a local artisan family.

Dive deeper into Zapotec traditions with a natural dye workshop led by artisans who specialize in ancestral techniques. Learn how pigments are extracted from cochineal insects, indigo, and native plants, and create your own color samples on wool.

In the afternoon, visit the archaeological site of Mitla, known for its intricate stone mosaics and sacred tombs. Unlike Monte Albán’s grandeur, Mitla reflects the spiritual world of the Zapotecs—an intimate and detailed view of ancient life.

No trip to Oaxaca is complete without tasting its most iconic spirit: mezcal. Visit a traditional mezcal palenque where you’ll learn about the roasting, fermenting, and distilling process behind this smoky elixir. Enjoy a guided tasting of different varieties while connecting the drink with its cultural roots.

Return to the city for a free afternoon to rest, shop for textiles or crafts, or visit an optional gallery or museum.

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Venture into the southern artisan corridor for a day dedicated to two of Oaxaca’s most emblematic crafts. Begin in San Bartolo Coyotepec, home to the famous barro negro pottery. In a family-run studio, take part in a hands-on workshop and discover the firing and burnishing techniques that give this black clay its distinctive sheen.

Continue to Santo Tomás Jalieza, a community of skilled weavers known for their intricate textiles made on backstrap looms. Meet the women behind the craft, explore their designs, and watch as centuries-old techniques are kept alive with every thread. This day offers a powerful immersion into Oaxaca’s living heritage and the artistry of its people.

Enjoy a final breakfast in your hotel, say your goodbyes, and transfer to the airport. Depart with one-of-a-kind creations and a deeper appreciation for Oaxaca’s rich, living heritage of craft and identity.