Join us for ten nights and nine full days as we dive deep into the folk arts and culture of Oaxaca City and the surrounding region.

Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico, has a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations, notably the Zapotecs and Mixtecs, who established significant settlements like Monte Albán around 500 BCE. The region later experienced conquests by the Aztecs in the 15th century and

Spanish colonization in the 16th century, which led to a complex blend of indigenous and colonial cultures that persists today.

The state is celebrated for its diverse indigenous culture, impressive colonial architecture, and important archaeological sites. The capital city, Oaxaca de Juárez, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oaxaca exhibits a fascinating blend of ancient traditions and modern influences.

Even today, we find 16 separate indigenous groups spread throughout the state of Oaxaca. On this tour we will spend time exploring both the city of Oaxaca and many of the surrounding villages including: Etla, San Antonino, San Antonio Arrazola, San Bartolo, San Martin Tilcajete, San Maria Atzompa, Teotitlán del Valle, and Tlacolula. Most of these villages are known for a specific style or type of folk art. We will have an opportunity to see many types, including: candle-making, ceramics (black, green glaze, & terra cotta), gold jewelry (filigree & cast), Jicara carving, weaving (rugs & apparel), and woodcarving (alebrijes & more). In Oaxaca City we will have the chance to visit with printmakers and contemporary painters.

Oaxaca is famous for its unique cuisine, including traditional dishes like mole, tlayudas, Oaxacan chocolate and mezcal. The local markets are great places to experience authentic Oaxacan food, and we will visit several, including Tlacolula Sunday Market. Throughout the trip we will have the opportunity to dine at a wide variety of extraordinary restaurants (from casual street food to fine dining).

Limited to 12 travelers

While the tour offers many unique scheduled experiences, its casual structure also provides daily opportunities for travelers to adjust the plans to match their interests and desired speed and intensity.

IDENTIFICATION ~ A passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the tour start date and has at least 4 blank pages for entry/exit stamps is required. 

ALTITUDE ~ Oaxaca City: 5,100 ft ~  Hierve el Agua: 5,800 ft ~ Monte Alban: 6,400 ft

WEATHER ~ February in Oaxaca is typically extremely dry with night temperatures in the upper 40s and daytime in the lower 80s

ACCOMMODATIONS ~ We stay in a boutique hotel equipped with air conditioning and heaters in the rooms. Two rooms are on the second floor without an elevator. Please notify us if this is an issue so we can secure your accommodations on the first floor.

PHYSICAL EXERTION ~ Moderate Exertion (2 of 5) – This tour consists of some casual walking on uneven cobblestone streets with moderate slopes. Travelers with step-tracking devices often find they walk over 10,000 steps per day. We spend quite a bit of time traveling by van over dusty, bumpy roads – those prone to motion sickness may want to bring medication. The optional excursions to Monte Alban & Mitla and Hierve el Agua require more physical exertion, including

lots of climbing without rails.

Wednesday 2/3 – Travel/Arrival day – the only scheduled event this day is our welcome dinner.

Thursday 2/4 – Wednesday 2/10 We will spend three days exploring Oaxaca City and four days visiting the surrounding villages. All evenings will be in Oaxaca City. The itinerary includes:

• Visits to over a dozen artists’ studios including: Jacobo & Maria Angeles, the Jiménez family, Teresa & Claudio, Pura Sangre, Pepe Cruz, Ixrael Montes, Bulmaro Perez Mendoza

• Exploration of cultural sites including Arbol del Tule, Teatro Macedonio Alcala, Zocalo, Botanical Gardens, various local markets, and many historic cathedrals & churches.

• Visits to several museums including: Textile Museum and Museum of Oaxacan Painters

• Optional Private Mezcal Tasting: led by a Mezcal Cantador specializing in small batch independent Mescaleros

Thursday 2/11 – Choose your own adventure day with three options:

1. Hierve el Agua & Mitla ~ This is a full day (7–8 hour) guided tour to the natural wonder of Hierve El Agua and the archaeological site of Mitla. Our guide & driver will meet you at the hotel at 8:30a and ferry you on a 1-1/2 hour drive to Hierve El Agua. Once there, our guide will give you the "lay of the land" and release you to hike, explore, soak in the pools, and enjoy nature on your own for about two hours. This site has very little shade, and depending on the route you choose, it can include significant climbing. Be prepared for these conditions to fully appreciate the site. Then you'll have lunch (your cost) and travel to Mitla where you'll have a guided tour of this site, returning to the hotel around 4p. We pay for transportation, toll fees, entrance fees, and your guide. You are responsible for any additional costs including souvenirs, meals, and snacks.

2. Cooking class and lunch ~ This is a half day (4–5 hour) experience led by Chef Gerardo at La Cocina Oaxaqueña. You'll be picked up around 8:30a and taken to a local market where you'll shop with the chef for ingredients for the day's lunch. Next you will join the chef in the kitchen as he shows you tips and tricks for making authentic Oaxacan cuisine, including homemade corn tortillas. You will be an active participant in the kitchen, helping him cook.  Finally, you'll get to sit down and enjoy your freshly prepared lunch.

3. Self-guided adventure ~ If you select this option, you will have the full day to explore the city at your own pace (we'll have a list of other places we haven't seen that you could consider).

Friday 2/12 – Choose your own adventure day with three options:

1. Monte Alban (UNESCO World Heritage archeological site) ~ This is a half day (4–5 hour) guided walking tour of the amazing Monte Alban archaeological site. Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel at 8:30a and take you to the Monte Alban site overlooking Oaxaca City. This site is on top of a mountain, has very little shade and includes significant walking and climbing on ancient stone steps. Be prepared for these conditions to fully appreciate the site. We provide the guide, entrance fee, and transportation to and from the site. You are responsible for any additional costs including souvenirs, meals, and snacks.

2. Printmaking Workshop (create your own print using the linocut process) ~ This is a half day (3 hour) activity held at one of Oaxaca's many famous printmaking studios. Starting at 9:00a, your printmaker guide will demonstrate the techniques of block printing and then guide you in creating your very own small block and up to three impressions of the block, all while enjoying mimosas and snacks. No printmaking experience required.

3. Self-guided adventure ~ If you select this option, you will have the full day to explore the city at your own pace (we'll have a list of other places we haven't seen that you could consider).

Saturday 2/13 – Travel/Departure day – there are no scheduled activities this day

Feb 2025 •

A truly terrific tour of Oaxaca city's cultural and culinary delights. Everything was perfect and well organized: the comfortable hotel, the excellent/interesting meals, the pace of the walking tours around the central historic district to see superb churches, museums, shops, galleries, and graphic studios, plus visits to painting and pottery studios on the outskirts and the incredible Monte Alban archeological complex nearby. We packed a lot into six days and were grateful for the Camiba team's friendliness, competence, insights, and humor. Loved our traveling companions, too. Highly recommended. ~ Barbara D

Jan 2025 •

I have been to Oaxaca several times, but never have I had such an amazing experience. Troy and Rene really go above and beyond to make sure you experience the heart and soul of a place. What a wonderful travel experience.

~ Kathy B

Feb 2024 •

With a focus on Art and Architecture (of course I would add good food and cocktails) Camiba has always been able to find the most wonderful artists wherever we travel. I am always delighted with the caliber of artists I have been able to meet. Private invitations to artists studios is unique to Camiba Cultural Tours. ~ Wally W

Mar 2020 •

I could have never, in seven days, figured out where all the artisans were and had the same experience. Would highly recommend. Can't wait for my next adventure!

~ Cheryl