This is our most off the beaten path tour where we go down many a goat trail in the mountain regions of coastal Oaxaca. We explore the coast of Oaxaca north from Puerto Escondido which is rich with mangrove lagoons, bioluminescent waters, world class birding and turtle nesting grounds. Its also rich with indigenous culture and traditions going back millenia before the Spanish arrived. We visit with people who still practice the ways  of their ancestors including potters, bakers, weavers, spinners & mask makers in 5 different communities. In each town, we have local guides as cultural ambassadors. They also serve to translate as many of the people we visit speak only their indigenous language.  Most rarely host tourists. A special focus of this trip are the deep weaving traditions and we visit with masters of the craft and have the opportunity to learn and buy maker direct from some of the finest weavers in all of Mexico.

The traditions are old, the coconuts fresh, the tortillas delicious and the people are, sometimes shy, but mostly incredibly generous, charming and fun.  Grateful to be guests on their land.

Our four star hotel in Puerto Escondido has two pools and an on site delicious vegetarian restaurant. The lodgings in Pinotepa  are basic and clean with a pool which you will love at the end of a hot humid day. This trip is for intrepid travelers - high end dining and luxury hotels are not the goals. Authentic cross cultural experience are. In fact we rarely if ever see tourists once we leave the coast. 

You’ll be hard pressed to find a trip advisor restaurant review for many of the places we visit, but the street side stands and home cooking we encounter make for a very deep dive into regional cooking and slow food. Sesame cookies, fresh coconut, bone broth stew, fermented pineapple drinks, nixtmalized corn, banana leaf tamales, candied papaya and homemade hooch all make appearances. Truly a local cuisine. 

This may be ground zero for slow fashion. We visit communities that have been raising cotton for thousands of years and still wear clothes they make from hand spinning. We’ll  see the five colors of native cotton and hear from farmers raising cotton as part of their milpa tradition. We also learn about the tiny mollusk “milked” to make a colorfast  purple dye  We have many opportunities to buy maker direct from some of the finest traditional weavers in all of Mexico. Each community has its distinct look and we will take a deep dive into indigenous fashion. 

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS

Your $500 deposit is non refundable and holds your place. Final non refundable payment is due 30 days before the start of the trip. Please be committed  to this trip  Failure to make your final payment in 30 days before the trip may  forfeit your deposit and your place. We only offer refunds if the tour is cancelled because of government imposed restrictions and or lockdowns in which case there there will be a full refund This is the rare exception to our no refund policy. We feel we have to offer this as planning travel under Corona has uncertainties. 

INSURANCE -

Medical Travel insurance will be required for this trip as we will be in a remote location. We also recommend trip cancellation insurance as well for your own peace of mind. Lots of people like https://www.travelinsure.com and they cover both.

We’ll enjoy a beach sunset welcome dinner and get to know one another and set our intentions for the trip and review our itinerary. Plan on arriving at our hotel in Puerto Escondido (which is about 30 minutes from the airport) by 6 pm. Please note, our itinerary is subject to change. 

A day to get our bearings. We’ll start at the local mercado - eating and drinking all manner of strange and wonderful foods , learning about local handicrafts and end with lunch at a local hot spot. Afternoon to relax poolside or explore more. Late afternoon we visit a magnificent beach with a turtle release sanctuary and learn about conservation efforts. 

We leave bright and early on our way to Pinotepa Nacional our home base for the next five days  En route we stop in Tututupec, a town that has been continuously inhabited for a couple of thousand years. We visit the tiny community museum which houses many important artifacts from this ancient culture. Later a young man, working to revive his towns traditions, gives us our fist introduction to  natural dyes and traditional clothing. Learn about the huipil, the pazuhuanco  and the falda. Evening in Pinotepa Nacional. 

Today we delve deeper into the story of cotton visiting with permaculture farmers reviving the ancient tradition of growing cotton without chemicals. We’ll also visit an innovative weaving cooperativa and learn about native cotton and natural dyes. The day ends with a visit to the village maskmaker and most likely a dip in the pool back at our hotel. 

Another deep dive into slow fashion when we visit Pinotepa de Don Luis famous for the purple dye they extract from the purpura shell. The mollusk is endangered and we learn about their efforts to save it while also practicing  their weaving traditions. We also learn about gourd carving and how it functions in town traditions. The lively market and town church round out our visit. Late afternoon we visit one of the last potters at her humble home and workshop in the village of San Pedro Jicayan. 

We check back in with our favorite family in Don Luis.  All the daughters weave, the men (and one daughter) carve gourds and they have a side gig as performing acrobats (can’t make that up). We never know what’s in store when we visit. We are overhwelmed with their generosity in sharing their culture 

We have a more relaxing day today stilling, nibbling and shopping our way through the Pinotepa market.  Afternoon we head to the coast for sun and fun  and learn more about AfroMexican culture. Time to integrate. Evening in Pinotepa.

We return to the coast today but first we stop at the Mixtec village of Huazalotitlan. We are honored to meet with a  group of town elders who carry on the traditions of their ancestors. This town is known more for embroidery than weaving and we learn the story of the two headed eagle. Plus a chance to meet with woodcarvers and learn some more local legends. Always a special stop and one rarely visited by tourists. 

Back at the Santa Fe, time to relax poolside, get a massage or do last minute shopping. Optional deep sea fishing or swimming with dolohins for early risers. Early afternoon we head out to Manialtepec Lagoon for some world

class birdwatching and a sunset dinner on the beach. We’ll raise a glass to us and our magnificent journey and the wonderful people we have met along the way. 

Relaxed and renewed. You thought you were coming to learn about village life and indigenous clothing and textiles, instead your faith in humanity is restored and you did learn a little something about slow fashion. 

Alison Albrecht & I first traveled together in 2017 on an R & D trip during which we navigated language and bovines and many many curvy roads exploring the backroads of Tlaxiaco and the coast. We learned so much, made friends and had so much fun - I am delighted she continues to join me as person who keeps the boat afloat, purveyor of happiness and my personal live Your best life coach as we travel together down many a goat path.