Oaxaca: Culture, Cuisine & Día de Muertos

Oaxaca, Mexico

Ho
Heart of Travel
  • Email address verified
147 reviews
Oct 28 - Nov 4, 2023
Group size: 6 - 12
Oaxaca: Culture, Cuisine & Día de Muertos
Oaxaca, Mexico

Heart of Travel
  • Email address verified
147 reviews

Oct 28 - Nov 4, 2023
Group size: 6 - 12

About this trip

One of Mexico's most vibrant states, Oaxaca oozes with rich flavor, both literally and figuratively. 

Our days will be filled with exploring Oaxaca City and the surrounding areas including the Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán, the vast agave fields, family-run mezcalerias, and enchanting mountain towns home to artisans, craftsmen, and healers. This trip also has the option to add on an additional 4 day/3 night excursion visiting Oaxaca's Pacific Coast in Puerto Escondido! 


View the detailed itinerary for this trip here. 


From small batches of smoky artisanal mezcal to complex moles, Oaxaca is a food and spirit lovers' playground. The delight to the senses is endless, you can find yourself sitting on the edge of a turquoise water pool, looking out at the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua by morning, and later conclude your evening by joining a celebratory street parade!


There's never a dull moment in Oaxaca, especially during Día de Muertos. While Oaxaca is one of México's more economically challenged states, it is rich in culture, resilience, and creativity. Not to mention beautiful Zapotec weavings as well as impressive pottery and artwork - so shoppers make sure to bring an extra suitcase to take your goodies home!


We will also get you off the beaten path by visiting women-led small businesses outside of Central Oaxaca to learn more about them, how micro-financing loans work and sustainable models for micro-financing. Lastly, we will eat A LOT of delicious food, sip on mezcal, join in parades, see amazing art, stroll through the Zócalo and have an overall amazing time. Additionally, we'll be staying at the stunning Hotel Casa Sierra Azul centrally located in the heart of Oaxaca, so you'll be able to explore at your own leisure without having to go far!

What’s included

  • 7 nights accommodations
    7 nights in 3.5 to 4 star boutique hotels
  • Fees
    Entrance fees, tickets, local guides for all activities indicated on itinerary
  • Transportation
    All transportation within Oaxaca
  • 24/7 Assistance
    Heart of Travel tour leaders (fully bilingual) available 24/7 during your trip
  • Meals
    7 breakfasts + 8 additional meals
  • Spanish immersion
    Opportunities for those interested in practicing their Spanish, just let us know!
  • Airfare assistance
    We will help you find the best flight deal for your trip

What’s not included

  • International airfare
    To/from Oaxaca City
  • Meals
    Meals not indicated on the itinerary
  • Additional tours
    Extra activities done individually during your free time
  • Tips
    Tips to local guides and tour leaders, while not mandatory, are met with deep gratitude

Available Packages

Double Occupancy 8 day/7 night

Per person price when booking double occupancy for an 8-day/7 night trip in Oaxaca.

$2,995
Deposit:$750
Single Occupancy 8 day/ 7 night

Per person price when booking single occupancy for an 8 day/7 night trip in Oaxaca.

$3,800
Deposit:$750

Available options

Additional Night Lodging
$265

Rate, per room, for an additional night of lodging at Casa Sierra Azul. 

Basic I Online Travel Spanish Course
$99

Learn the basics of Spanish for your upcoming trip with our online, self paced Basic Travel Spanish Course! Access granted within 48 hours.



Your Organizer


Ho
Heart of Travel
147 reviews
The Heart of Travel was born out of a deep-rooted love and passion for travel, art, history, food, nature, culture and adventure as well as a call to give back to the communities and people that had already provided us with so much. The travel industry has long been bombarded with double decker tour busses, beach front resorts and cruise ships, often at the expense of the local communities. As a response to this failing system, we began a boutique travel company that allows clients to explore new places in an authentic and non-touristy way, offering travelers a more intimate and unique experience all while removing the stress and hassle of researching, planning, bargain hunting, reserving and more that goes along with planning a trip or vacation.

Reviews

This tour was a highlight of our trip to Guatemala. Easy booking, clear communication, on-time pick up with flexibility, informative, personal, and a great experience!
By Kimia P for Antigua Coffee Farm Tour with Don José on Nov 19, 2024
MS
It was an Amazing time and travel. There was never a dull moment. The food was great but at times wished we had a little more. I have already began to recommend Heart of Travel to a couple of friends. Thanks for such a memorable trip.
By Martha S for Experience Día de Muertos in Oaxaca, México on Nov 15, 2024
The trip was great! Cris was a wonderful tour guide and all of the activities were enjoyable. She personalized the trip for everyone. In addition, I had dietary restrictions, which were able to be addressed.
By Christine W for Experience Día de Muertos in Oaxaca, México on Nov 14, 2024
The trip was such an immersive experience that gave us the opportunity to meet generous people who opened their homes and places of business to us. I loved the hands-on experiences - making our own lithograph prints, painting our own alebrijes, helping to make mole and other traditional meals, and participating first-hand in altar decorating. Dilan was an incredible tour guide with tons of knowledge, energy and connections that made each visit personal and meaningful. Our native tour guide, Victor, was also incredibly knowledgable and came with a different perspective to appreciate. Oaxaca is a magical place with rich culture, history, art, food, mezcal and people.
By Emily W for Experience Día de Muertos in Oaxaca, México on Nov 12, 2024
This was such an incredibly special experience for me. I lost my father in 2009, and after losing my mother earlier this year, I wanted to connect with our Mexican culture. Dia de Los Muertos is full of such beautiful traditions I never knew about. It was the perfect way to honor my lost loved ones. The group is full of diverse people who come together through our love of Mexico. The excursions are filled with beautiful landscapes, natural treasures, archeological sites and skilled artisans. I can’t recommend this trip enough!
By Valerie A for Experience Día de Muertos in Oaxaca, México on Nov 12, 2024
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References

I cannot recommend Heart of Travel more enthusiastically! We took a trip to Guatemala to see the Giant Kite Festival in Sumpango. It was important to us to learn about Guatemalan culture, people, history, food, and have authentic experiences where we could get to know people. From my very first conversation with the team, I felt confident in their experience and that our values aligned. They absolutely exceeded expectations - everything was perfect! The travel arrangements, hotels, restaurants and activities were all impeccably well executed. The variety and intimate nature of all our activities was superb, as was our amazing guide, Selvyn. His passion for his country and people is heartwarming, his knowledge of culture and history is encyclopedic. He is a consummate professional, taking care of everything we could possibly have needed or wanted. He is also a tremendously warm and wonderful person who we felt really fortunate to get to know. The work by the entire team behind the scenes to ensure a magically seamless trip is impressive. We fell in love with Guatemala; the beauty of the country, warm smiles of the people, amazing food, rich history, and an incredibly well-planned tour led by an expert guide - what's not to love?! You will love Heart of Travel!
By Angela D on 20 Nov, 2024
Heart of Travel is the best for magical and ethical vacations! Chelsea and her incredible team first won me over in Guatemala in 2023 as they planned a beautiful trip that allowed us to see and experience so many different places, people, and things. A helicopter ride, a volcano hike, spa day, meeting the most badass Mayan weaver!!, a once-in a lifetime sunset tour in Tikal - done. I'm still trying to get over this trip lol. They knocked it out of the park again in Cuba for NYE! Chelsea and the spectacular Paloma had us dancing multiple nights away, eating the BEST food, and seeing ALL the sights while also giving us ample opportunity to support the Cuban people and educating us on why that is so important. You will leave their trips with new memories, new friends, and possibly, some new perspectives. Do it!!!
By Amber S on 08 Feb, 2024
KL
Words can’t begin to express the way this trip impacted me! Every single person we met was so amazing, so kind, and truly opened their hearts and lives to us! Cuba, you have left an undeniable mark on my soul… Your people, your colors, your food, your history… Thank you for sharing this world with us! Cannot wait for our next trip! We love you 🥰
By Krista L on 24 Jan, 2024
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