Oaxaca Native Crafts

The rich culture of Oaxaca comes to life on this unforgettable six-day tour of private excursions, native crafts, and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Begin with a privately guided exploration of the ruins at Monte Alban before touring the city of Oaxaca itself. Then, head to two Zapotec villages, Tlacochahuaya and Teotitlan del Valle, to witness their traditional cultures.

After, go on a cycling adventure through Oaxaca Valley. Stop for beautiful landscape views and to visit local landmarks such as the Tule Tree, small villages, and farming fields. Enjoy lunch with a local family and end with a mezcal-tasting experience.

Finally, dive into Oaxaca’s native crafts with a tour of three artisanal villages – San Bartolo Coyotepec, Santo Tomas Jalieza, and San Martin Tilcajete – each of which specializes in creating different artisanal pieces.

PHOTO GALLERY

Oaxaca Street City Culture

HIGHLIGHTS

Oaxaca city – Go on a private tour of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Oaxaca, visiting its major landmarks with an expert guide

Zapotec villages – Visit Tlacochahuaya and Teotitlan del Valle, two beautiful and traditional Zapotec villages, for a private tour

Artisanal villages – Tour three artisanal villages – San Bartolo Coyotepec, Santo Tomas Jalieza, and San Martin Tilcajete – to meet the artisans and see how they make their products

Cycling tour – Ride through stunning Oaxacan villages, past natural wonders, and alongside gorgeous views on a private cycling experience

Monte Alban – Enjoy a private tour of the Monte Alban archeological site, once the capital of the Zapotec civilization

Day 1: Arrival to Oaxaca

After touching down at Oaxaca International Airport, enjoy a private transfer to the hotel. Check-in and settle into the charming hotel, Casa Oaxaca, home for the duration of the vacation.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 2: Monte Alban and Oaxaca City

Go on a privately guided tour of the ruins at Monte Albán, which was once the capital city of the Zapotec nation and one of the most populated cities in Mesoamerica. Located in the center of the Oaxacan Valley, it exercised political, economic, and ideological control over other communities in the valley and surrounding mountains.

After, return to the colonial gem of Oaxaca to explore the deepest corners of the city with a local guide. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Oaxaca City is a wondrous blend of colonial charm and indigenous culture.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 3: Tlacochahuaya & Teotitlan del Valle

Journey into the Tlacolula Valley to visit two of its traditional Zapotec sights. The first stop is Tlacochahuaya, a small village of just over 2,000 residents who still speak the language inherited from the ancient Zapotec settlers. Here, enjoy a privately guided tour of its market (one of the oldest in Mesoamerica) and the temple of Tlacochahuaya. Also visit its village square, home to the 16th-century Church of San Jeronimo.

After, continue to the Zapotec village of Teotitlan del Valle, a traditional weaving town known for its colorful, naturally-dyed, hand-woven rugs and its elaborately decorated hand-made beeswax candles. Along the way, enjoy a taste of the region with a traditional lunch.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 4: Private cycling tour with Tule Tree visit

Experience the beauty of Oaxaca’s valley with an unforgettable cycling trip. Begin by riding through farming fields and small villages, stopping off for beautiful landscape views. Pass through the village of Santa Maria del Tule to admire the famous Tule Tree, an ancient cypress tree that holds the Guinness World Record for having the largest circumference in the world. Also, cycle through Tlacochahuaya and Teotitlan del Valle.

Stop for fresh fruit and a rest as the guides load the bikes on a van to be shuttled to the second stage of the adventure. The next cycling trip stops at San Baltazar Guelavila to meet Miss Serena and her family, who will be preparing delicious homemade food using traditional techniques.

After lunch, cycle through the mountains, stopping to take pictures of the gorgeous vegetation and terrain. After the journey, which includes a visit to the Salinas River and caves, head to a local distillery to see the mezcal-making process and to taste some of their excellent drinks.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 5: Visit San Bartolo Coyotepec, Santo Tomas Jalieza, and San Martin Tilcajete

Today, uncover the artisanal heritage of Oaxaca, a place famous for the creativity of its people since pre-Columbian times. Visit a series of towns on the outskirts of the state capital, with each one specializing in a different product.

Visit San Bartolo Coyotepec, experts on the fabrication of black-clay ceramics cooked in subterranean furnaces; San Martin Tilcajete, where artisans carve and paint brightly colored whimsical animals known as alebrijes; and Santo Tomas Jalieza, where artisans make bags, rugs, and belts. If time permits, visit Ocotlan market (Fridays only).

Throughout the day, visit artisans’ workshops and homes to see first-hand how their high-quality crafts are made. Also, enjoy a traditional lunch in one of the artisan’s homes and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to shop and sample the local food.

Overnight: Casa Oaxaca

Day 6: Departure from Oaxaca

Receive a private transfer from the hotel to the airport for onward flights 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.