This trip is designed for those who wish to travel to Oaxaca City and the surrounding Oaxaca Valley communities. Visits to the various Oaxaca Valleys are designed to introduce you to the talented artisans and their rich craft traditions. In the Eastern Valley, we visit the weavers and natural dyers of Teotitlan del Valle. In the Southern Valley, we make numerous stops in pottery, wood carving and weaving communities. In addition, our visits are designed to coincide with most important weekly markets in the Valley, such as Fridays in Ocotlan and Sundays in Tlacolula. Let us introduce you to Oaxaca and their numerous and rich craft traditions!

• Visit homes and workshops of local artisans
• Go to the best galleries, shops and coops
• See pre-Hispanic motifs in ancient ruins that are used in craft designs today
• Visit coops dedicated to environmental and community sustainability
• Special tour of the Botanical Gardens
• Learn about the history and use of cochineal

Download Complete Itinerary (PDF)

• Day 1: Arrive Oaxaca City, where you will be met at the airport and transfered to our lovely accommodations. Depending on arrival time, we will have a leisurely stroll to the Zocalo.
• Day 2: Today we have a guided walking orientation tour of Oaxaca City, to include: the Zocalo, Benito Juarez Market, Garcia Virgil Street, Santo Domingo Church and Botanical Gardens. Our late lunch, or "comida" is at the famed Marco Polo Restaurant, where the wood fired fish is brought in daily. Free evening to explore and shop. (B,L)
• Day 3: Today we visit one of the best weekly markets, or "tianguis" in Tlacolula, where locals come in from neighboring villages to shop for the week. Here, we will also see the best baroque architecture in the area. Back in Oaxaca City, we enjoy a free weekly concert in the Zocalo by the Oaxaca Symphony Orchestra. Our lunch is at Casa de Abuela, where we can taste several mole types and the local favorite, "chapulines", or grasshoppers! Free evening to explore or sit in the portales listening to the marimba. (B,L)
• Day 4: Today, we visit the first urban center of Mesoamerica, Monte Alban, where we will learn about early Zapotec Civilization. After our guided tour, we relax in the on site cafeteria, bookstore and museum before heading to lunch at La Capilla. After lunch, we stop in the craft villages of Arrazola and Aztompa to see the whimsical "alebrije" wood carvings and pottery. (B, L), evening is free.
• Day 5: Today we can attend an optional cooking class or a nature hike in the Valley. (B, L)
• Day 6: Today is Market Day in Etla, including a visit to San Jose Mogote, Suchilquitongo, and visit to a hand made Paper Workshop. Lunch en route. In the evening, we head for Zocalo for dancing to the State Marimba Band. Guayaberas required! (B,L)
• Day 7: On the east side of the Oaxaca Valley, we visit the ancient ruins at Mitla to see the strong design motifs carved in the stone walls. We then stop in Teotitlan del Valle, a Zapotec community known for its weaving traditions. Lunch is at Tlamanalli restaurant. On our way home, we stop to see the amazing tree in Tule. (B,L)
• Day 8: The Ocotlan Market is one of the most colorful in the Valley, and a favorite among locals. In Ocotlan, we visit the former Dominican Convent that is now a Museum established by famed Oaxacan artist, Rodolfo Morales. On this Southern Craft Route, we stop in San Antonino to see their beautifully embroidered blouses, Tilcajete for extraordinary whimsical "alebrijes", Jalieza for back strap woven belts and bags, and Coyotepec for the black burnished pottery, made famous by Dona Rosa. Tonite we have a special farewell dinner at Cafe Casa Oaxaca
• Day 9: Return home or Extend one night

Arts and Crafts of Mexico, Chloe Sayer
Great Masters of Folk Art, Banamex Collection