Culinary Tour Through Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca

This 12-day Culinary Tour Through Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca has been crafted for the food lover to experience the absolute best of Mexico’s great gastronomic hotspots.

In addition to visiting traditional markets and taking cooking classes, sample some of the region’s most important and beautiful historic sites, making this the trip ideal for those who love great food and drink served with a side plate of rich history and deep culture.

If you’d like to add or take away any of the activities, you will be happy to hear that all Journey Mexico’s itineraries are fully customizable. Speak to our expert Travel Planners and they can organize the trip of your dreams.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mexico City – Visit Mexico City’s most famous landmarks including the Zócalo, Palacio Nacional, and Metropolitan Cathedral

Mucho Mundo Chocolate Museum – Enjoy a tasting of 100% artisanal chocolate and visit this celebrated chocolate museum

Puebla – Enjoy a private tour of Puebla’s historic city center and learn all about the city’s unique gastronomy

Oaxaca – Visit the city’s highlights plus nearby archaeological ruins and villages of artisans

Mezcal Discovery – Visit San Dionisio Ocotepec and Santiago Matatlan, two towns with authentic mezcal distilleries

Cooking Class with a Zapotec family – Enjoy a regional cooking class and lunch as the special guest in a Zapotec family home

Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City

Having flown into Mexico City International Airport, you will be met by a Journey Mexico guide and privately transferred to your hotel.

In the evening, enjoy an interactive dinner experience with a private chef . Go behind-the-scenes as you join your culinary host at his home cooking space, a city apartment located in the vibrant gastronomic district of Polanco. Sip on mezcal and tequila in an intimate setting as you watch your chef create a 6-course meal celebrating Mexican culinary heritage. He´ll share insights along the way about the origins and ingredients of each dish, as well as their historical, cultural, and social relevance. As Alfredo reveals preparation techniques, cooking, and plating tips, feel free to jump in and help cook if the mood takes you!

Overnight: St. Regis Mexico City 

Day 2: Mexico City Historical Center Tour with Visit to Chocolate Museum

The days starts at Mucho Mundo Chocolate Museum for an exploration of chocolate’s rich history. The experience begins with a guided visit through the museum to understand  why cacao plays such an important part of Mexico’s past and present. For example, did you know Mexico’s native cultures would also use cacao beans as religious offerings and even as a form of currency? Next, learn the ritual way of making chocolate from scratch and a short tasting will complete the experience with a tour for your tastebuds through the different levels of chocolate.

Your adventure into Mexico’s rich past continues with an exploration of Mexico City’s historic center. Visit the architecturally stunning Metropolitan Cathedral, which was built on top of an Aztec temple by Spanish conquistadors. You will also take in great works of art by famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera and tour some of the capital’s iconic streets. Finally, you will explore the Palace of Fine Arts, one of Mexico City’s grandest and most important artistic centers.

Overnight: St. Regis Mexico City

Day 3: Taste of Coyoacán: Frida Kahlo, Cooking Class & Pairing Experience

Take a deep dive into Mexican art and gastronomy with this full day experience! Walk in the footsteps of Frida Kahlo, wander the tranquil suburb of Coyoacán, and prepare Mexican cuisine like you´ve never seen it before!

The day starts with a step into the creative world of Frida Kahlo at Casa Azul, the artist´s beloved lifelong home, for a fascinating insight into how the artist worked and lived. Preserved as it would have been in Frida´s mid-20th century Mexico, you´ll be immersed in her world as you study the painter´s personal objects and original artwork on show. Next, Soak up the charm of Coyoacán with your private guide, an area that feels more like a peaceful village than the suburb of a sprawling metropolis! Wander through cobblestone streets, leafy green plazas, and depending on time and interest, you may like to explore the local market, the heart of any Mexican neighborhood.

Meet your private chef at their cooking studio in Coyoacán and roll up your sleeves for a hands-on culinary experience. Under expert guidance, prepare a 4-course feast of Mexican flavors, journeying from traditional corn patties (sopes) with exotic bugs, to dough-less pre-Hispanic tamales (Mextlapiques), to the rich and complex notes of red Oaxacan mole. This cacao-based dish calls for an array of ingredients such as dried pasilla, guajillo and ancho chilis as well as raisins and almonds. Once finished, gather around the dining table to enjoy your efforts, with each course accompanied by a pairing and tasting of regional Mexican spirits; mezcal, sotol, and bacanora.

Overnight: St. Regis Mexico City 

Day 4: Explore the markets of Mexico City

Walkthrough the captivating neighborhood of Roma, made internationally famous by the Oscar-winning movie of the same name. Learn all about the area´s history, get insider tips on the best boutique shops, and explore its unique architecture

After, visit a local market and learn more about Mexico´s vast and rich culinary heritage.

Overnight: St. Regis Mexico City

Day 5: Private Transfer to Cholula via Paso de Cortes, traditional lunch

Heading out of Mexico City to explore the stunning town of Cholula, you will drive through Paso de Cortes, a mountain pass 3,600 meters above sea level with incredible vistas over mountains and volcanoes.

After taking some time to enjoy the views, continue on your journey. We recommend stopping along the way to enjoy a regional lunch of fresh blue corn quesadillas stuffed with chicken tinga or squash blossoms and a warm cup of atole or coffee.

After, head on to Cholula, considered by some to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. Explore the town as your guide explains more about its most famous landmarks, including the Great Pyramid of Cholula (Tlachihualtepetl) which stands an enormous 55 meters high.

Overnight: Banyan Tree Puebla

Day 6: Foodie Walking Tour in Puebla

Meet your knowledgeable guide in your hotel lobby for an adventurous day of Mexican culinary specialties. Foodie lovers will stroll down the streets of Puebla exploring favorite traditional spots to grab a bite. The first stop on this quest is a small local place for tamales and café. On this tour, you’ll eat like a true local, tasting molotes, pelonas and semitas, some of the most traditional pobalano delicacies, and then you’ll savour tacos at the Tacosa Arabes stand.

Along the way your guide will show you some of the most iconic historic buildings, such as Palafoxiana, the first library in the Americas, and Capillo del Rosario, a chapel heralded the eighth wonder of the world. Finish with a stroll down Calle de los Dulces, a three-block street lined with sweet shops, and a stop at La Gran Fama Dulceria. Taste hand-made confections and be sure to try the camotes, Puebla’s signature candy made from sweet potato.

If interested, after your culinary tour, you may optionally (not included) visit the Barroco International Museum or the Amparo Museum.

• The Barroco International Museum (closed on Mondays) is designed in its entirety—from its architectural structure to its conceptual dimensions—to explore the complex Baroque essence of the 17th and 18th centuries, while also highlighting features of the contemporary Neobaroque.
• The Amparo Museum (closed on Tuesdays) has one of the finest collections of Mexican art in Latin America including everything from pre-hispanic to modern day pieces.

Upon completion, your private driver will take you back to your hotel to spend a leisurely evening on your own.

Overnight: Banyan Tree Puebla

Day 7: Morning at Leisure & Private Puebla Cooking Class

Puebla is a gastronomic center and home to some of Mexico’s most important and well-known recipes. You will meet your driver in the hotel lobby for a private transfer to the Cooking School for an interactive culinary experience. Accompanied by the chef, you will visit the local market to hand pick the freshest ingredients to use in the creation of your selected recipe. Once the food is prepared, you will be able to sit together and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Please verify availability for this service and confirm booking at least one week in advance.

Overnight: Banyan Tree Puebla

Day 8: Private transfer to Oaxaca, evening mezcal and tlayuda tour / Oaxaca Night Delicacies Private Experience

After being privately transferred to Oaxaca, you will have some time to relax in your beautiful hotel before an evening that will bring a smile to any foodie’s face.

The tour will take you off-the-beaten-path to where locals enjoy outstanding mezcals, a classic Mexican spirit, and on to try a Oaxacan night-time favorite, tlayudas, which are often called “Mexican pizzas”.

The tour begins at a great local “hole in the wall” mezcaleria, to try a variety of mezcals, learning all about this complex spirit created from the famous agave plant. Then, head to a popular, clean, and delicious local favorite to sample a great grilled Oaxacan tlayuda with your choice of toppings, and a cold drink — plus, if you arrive on a Friday or Saturday night, you will be treated to live music.

This evening experience in Oaxaca City takes you off-the-beaten-path to a local mezcal spot before savoring the city´s famous night delicacy, the grilled ´Tlayuda´!

You´ll begin at a great ¨hole in the wall¨ mezcalería, where you can taste a variety of the distinctive smoky spirit and learn firsthand about the authentic flavor of the region´s endemic agave plant.

After soaking up the atmosphere with a mezcal or two, head to a celebrated local eatery to enjoy a classic Oaxacan Tlayuda, washed down with a cold drink. These large tortillas are thin and crispy, typically smeared with refried beans and finished with a choice of toppings like chicken and beef, stringy Oaxaca cheese, crunchy lettuce, and salsa.

At the end of the evening, you´ll be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 9: Oaxaca City Morning Private Tour & Cooking Class with Market Visit

Explore the city of Oaxaca with your personal bilingual guide. You will learn about the city’s cultural and historical heritage, while visiting markets, chocolate makers, museums and art galleries. On this half-day experience, you will have a chance to try some of Oaxaca’s regional delicacies like hot chocolate and grasshoppers, after your city tour you will be driven to your culinary experience.

On this tasty half-day private experience, you´ll visit a typical market in Oaxaca City before creating your own meal at a local cooking school and restaurant. Upon arrival you´ll meet your private cooking guide, Oscar Carrizosa. Oaxaca is a culturally rich state in Mexico that’s home to 16 ethnic groups, each with their individual language, traditions, and cuisine. Oscar has visited many local villages to study directly with these communities, developing his knowledge and practice of traditional Oaxacan cuisines.
After selecting the menu, you´ll be creating today you´ll head out to learn about typical Mexican ingredients, walking the 10 minutes to a local market. Meandering through the space, take in the sights and smells as your cooking guide talks about the fundamentals of Mexican cooking, like colorful and flavorsome dried chilies. After visually exploring, it´s time to step into the kitchen and get hands on.

Your ingredients will be ready and waiting when you get back, measured and prepared for your selected menu. With the guidance of your chef, you´ll spend the next couple of hours chopping, grinding, and frying to create 3 salsas, 3 types of tortillas, an appetizer, soup, Oaxacan mole, and a dessert.

Once completed, take a seat and enjoy your delicious feast, accompanied with wine, beer, or a shot of Oaxacan mezcal.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 10: Teotitlán del Valle morning market visit, cooking class with local Zapotec family

Meet your guide for a full day excursion to Teotitlan Del Valle, possibly the prettiest village in the east side of the valley. Here, there is a remarkable church with authentic art subjects from XVI Century. At arrival, you will enjoy a guided visit to Teotitlan Del Valle market followed by a visit toa Zapotec family home to see the process of how traditional woven rugs are made. Many still use the traditional techniques of carding and spinning their own wool, then dying it with natural colors and finally weaving on solid-wood looms.

Afterwards, you will enjoy a regional cooking class and lunch as a special guest while sharing secrets of authenticOaxacan cuisine. Oaxaca is famous worldwide for its offerings; both Gourmet Magazine and The New York Times have praised Oaxacan Cuisine as the most authentic food in Mexico. Late afternoon estimated arrival back at hotel for rest of evening at leisure.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 11: Full-day excursion to Mitla Archaeological Site and mezcal tasting

During this full-day experience you will journey through the valley of Oaxaca starting with the archeological site of Mitla to explore its mosaics and tombs. You will then visit different pueblos which make premium Mezcal at simple, yet authentic, distilleries.

Arriving at the ceremonial center of Mitla, the site is famous for its intricate mosaic work that is found in no other Mesoamerican center. The mosaics, made from finely cut and polished stone, were fitted together without mortar and set against a deep-red stucco, which remains vibrant in much of the site today. You will be led on an exploration of the site by your guide and have the chance to enter the tombs found there.

Your time at Mitla will also include a visit to the 16th Century church built on a pre-Hispanic platform that now functions as an atrium. It is one of the clearest expressions of Mesoamerican and Catholic synchronicity found in the region and is home to fragments of original codices (Mesoamerican writings).

Having explored Mitla, you will head far from the tourist track to the mezcalerias in San Dionisio Ocotopec, San Baltazar Chichicapam and Santa Catarina Minas where they produce quality mezcal using varied distillation methods. Visiting the producers in each town, you will learn how donkey-power is still used in the fermentation process and learn about the differences between distillation using the traditional copper still and the pre-Columbian clay still. Upon tasting a variety of mezcal, you will appreciate the wide-ranging and distinct tastes of the spirit that can depend so much on the agave used and how it is distilled.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 12: Departure Day

Today you will be picked up for your onward flight home.

Dates

Our trips are fully customized, allowing us to build your itinerary for any time of the year.

Prices

Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.

Please note, our pricing guideline is a starting from price and is not necessarily applicable to the suggested hotels contained within the suggested itineraries on this web site. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.