Join us for seven nights and six full days as we explore the folk arts of the pueblos surrounding Oaxaca City with visits to artists’ private studios and homes.

All of our tours offer a wide variety of unique experiences while also providing chances for guests to adjust the plans to match their desired speed and intensity.

Read the tour Itinerary summary below for more details.

Throughout the trip we will have the opportunity to dine at a wide variety of extraordinary restaurants (from casual street food to fine dining). While the tour offers many unique scheduled experiences, its casual structure also provides daily opportunities for guests to adjust the plans to match their interests and desired speed and intensity.

IDENTIFICATION ~ A passport valid for 6 months beyond the tour start date is required. 

ALTITUDE ~ Oaxaca City: 5,100 ft ~  Hierve el Agua: 5,800 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 of the rooms in the hotel are on the second floor without an elevator. If this is an issue, please notify us so that we can secure your accommodations on the first floor. Electricity service is relatively stable as is cell phone service. We do not recommend drinking the tap water, however drinkable water is readily available.

 PHYSICAL EXERTION ~ Moderate Exertion (2 of 5) – This tour consists of some casual walking on uneven cobblestone streets with moderate slopes. The excursion to Mitla & Hierve el Agua requires much more physical exertion including lots of climbing without rails. We will spend quite a bit of time traveling by van over dusty, bumpy roads – those prone to motion sickness may want to bring medication.

The arrival day of the Oaxaca Folk Art tour adjoins the departure day of the Oaxaca City tour (25-01-31-MX-OAX), making it easy to do them together and receive an extra night of accommodations  at no additional cost. Simply book both tours and we'll take care of combining the packages and reserving your extra night at the hotel.

On these five days, we will venture out to the villages surrounding Oaxaca, learning about the culture, food, and people, while focusing on the folk arts. Evenings will be spent in Oaxaca City. Activities include:

•  Artists’ studio visits for ceramics (black, green glaze, & terra cotta), weaving (rugs & apparel), candle- making, embroidery, woodcarving (alebrijes & more), printmaking, contemporary art

•  Town s include: Etla, San Antonino, San Antonio Arrazola, San Bartolo, San Martin Tilcajete, Santa María Atzompa, Teotitlán del Valle, Tlacolula

•  A variety of museums and cultural sites including Arbol del Tule, San Agustín Arts Center, San Jeronimo Tlacochahuaya, Tlacolula Sunday Market

•  Artists include: Bulmaro Perez Mendoza, Carlomagno Pedro Martinez, Jacobo & Maria Angeles, Jiménez Family, Pura Sangre, Teresa & Claudio

This sixth day is a “flex day” in which guests have three options to choose from:

1. A ¾ day guided tour of Hierve el Agua and Mitla (included in tour price)

2. A ½ day cooking class including shopping for ingredients with the chef at a local market and

then lunch together (this is an additional cost)

3. A free day in town to continue exploring on your own

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

Feb 2018 •

I've been traveling to Mexico for more than 20 years, and am comfortable visiting some pretty remote regions on my own, but we really did explore artist homes and studios in pueblos I never would have discovered on my own. ~ Cari M.

Jun 2016 •

Touring with Rene and Troy was just what I wanted – interesting and off the beaten path. ~ Karen D.