Why It Matters

Mexico : Oaxaca

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Oaxaca

EXPLORE

The timeless color and culture of local art, meeting traditional weavers and sculptors in mountain villages

CONNECT

With traditional Oaxacan ingredients and flavors: rich mole sauces, spiced chocolate, street tacos, the finest craft mezcals

LEARN

And celebrate Oaxaca’s connection to tradition and the earth, evident in art, food and shaman rituals experienced first-hand

Why Oaxaca

Oaxaca is soulful and vibrant, and it packs in so much of the complex, fascinating culture of Mexico. Walk colorful markets and hike ancient Zapotec pyramids all in one day. Oaxaca's cuisine will blow your mind, the mezcal is better than anything you've ever tasted. Come for rich history, artistry, and gastronomic traditions—come to experience the heart and soul of Mexico.

ONLY WITH MO/AD

You and your group will be a part of it all—at artist studios, ancient ruins, local markets, street-food stands, hacienda hotels—from Oaxaca City to San Sebastián Teitipac. We tour ancient Zapotec pyramids and meet traditional weavers, go on the hero’s journey of mezcal at the agave farm of a multi-generation mezcalero, prepare a farm-to-table feast. Discover more than you thought possible in one lifetime.

Your Private Experience

Who It’s For

Our Oaxaca is for cultural connoisseurs as much as the Mexico novice. If your group is a lover of traditional art, stunning scenery and really, really good food, look no further.

When to Travel

Oaxaca is a year-round destination with weather that rarely disappoints. Experience cultural festivals like Día de Muertos in November, or opt for the warm summers and extend your trip to include a beach getaway.

Make It Yours

Want to delve deeper into ancient indigenous culture? Always dreamed of hands-on cooking the best traditional foods? A mezcal master class? Whatever your interests, we'll craft your unforgettable Oaxaca retreat.

Day by Day

Focus your MO/AD Retreat how you want, or even extend it into the Yucatán or Mexico City for a deeper look into the country. Here’s our favorite way to explore:

Day 1

Get your bearings with a food-centric walk through the city’s cobblestone streets and bustling central markets, a true feast of the senses led by a local expert. In the evening, toast the start of your adventure with local mezcal—of course—then have terrace seats overlooking Oaxaca’s flood-lit cathedral domes for an open-air dinner.

  • Private street-food tour
  • Hands-on mezcal tasting
  • Dinner at one Oaxaca's top kitchens

Day 2

Oaxaca’s sense of art is vibrant, ageless—and everywhere. Journey to its source in the Mixtec Mountains and meet nationally renowned ceramicists Manuel Reyes and Marisela Gómez. They’ll invite you into their home studio, sharing their art and stories, then treat you to a home-cooked meal. In the afternoon visit the Casa de Artes San Agustin gallery, then explore Oaxaca City into the evening to catch its irresistible nightlife along the lit-up zocalo.

  • Ceramics studio visit and home-cooked meal
  • Visit Casa de Artes San Agustin

Day 3

Get the true Oaxacan farm-to-table experience at an urban farm on the edge of the city. Learn the art of making mole, tamales, and get a hands-on look into the local flavor profiles. Then, feast and enjoy all the local delicacies you had a hand in preparing. Freshen up back at the hotel, then head out on a private, guided street-food dinner, savoring the unforgettable flavors of Oaxaca.

  • Farm experience and lunch
  • Street-food walking tour and dinner

Day 4

Start at the hilltop ruin of Monte Albán, easily one of Mesoamerica’s grandest architectural sites. Work up your appetites for lunch in San Martin, a feast of succulent barbecued meat cooked the traditional way. Then, take a quick drive to meet up with a fourth-generation mezcalero in Santa Catarina Minas. Learn how these passed-down, timeless techniques turn agave hearts into one of Oaxaca’s famed exports. If you’re seriously into mezcal, ask us how to dive even deeper on your retreat and take full advantage of this angelic spirit.

  • Private tour of Monte Albán
  • Traditional lunch in San Martin
  • Mezcal farm tour and tasting

Days 5 - 6

Our Oaxaca isn’t all about the city. Pack up and head out to a 300-year-old hacienda retreat in the mountains. On the way, you can stop at Teotitlan del Valle, a Zapotec weaving village. See demonstrations by artists and learn to make generations-old recipes with a local family. It’s the perfect stop-over before kicking back by poolside to enjoy the sunset from your private corner of Mexico. The hacienda can arrange hiking, bike riding or horseback riding, book a message or take part in a guided sweat-lodge experience. For the spiritually minded, partake in cleansing ritual with a local shaman.

  • Private transfer to hacienda
  • Visiting Zapotec weaving village
  • Home-cooked meal with Zapotec family
  • Meet local shaman

Where We Sleep

A peaceful oasis in Oaxaca City, a historic hacienda gone chic in a private valley of mountains—our accommodations are small-scale and boutique, the ideal ways to get acquainted with Oaxaca life.

Oaxaca City

Off a central side street, a few blocks from the zocalo and central shops, a street gate opens into a breathtaking oasis that’s our Oaxaca City home. Serenity reigns in thoughtful garden spaces with palm trees, covered walkways and an outdoor patio bar.

San Sebastián Teitipac

A 300-year-old hacienda tucked away in the mountains, each room features a mix of traditional and contemporary designs. Enjoy spa treatment and comfortable lounging, plus hiking, horseback riding and biking. It’s relaxing, private and the ideal place to soak in the golden sunset with a cocktail in hand.

People Love MO/AD’s Oaxaca

“
I loved eating goat just after it was lifted from the pit, sipping on a mezcal.
Diana C.
“
This is more than just a trip. It’s authentic and joyful, and a powerful reminder of why we travel.
Scott M.
“
The meals made for us in local homes were just heavenly.
Andrew B.

FAQs

  1. How many people are itineraries suitable for?

    Our itineraries can be tailored for groups of any size, whether it’s a small, intimate group of six or a larger team or group of 100 or more.

  2. What makes a MO/AD Retreat different?

    Our retreats capture the spirit of a culture and destination, tailored to your objectives, harnessing the potential of shared experiences. Our retreats serve as a vibrant platform for self-discovery, where we share connection and leave with growth, fun and inspiration.

  3. How does it work?

    We start by learning about your organization and goals. Our team takes care of all the details and supports to ensure all the logistics and communications are seamlessly managed. We also work with you to incorporate in your ideas for the retreat.

  4. What services are typically included?

    Our services cover the full retreat experience. We offer white glove support to you and your group, from detailed planning and day-to-day itineraries to local insights about the destination, on-site logistics, and 24/7 dedicated assistance. Our degree of curation, personalization, care, and local connections sets us apart.

  5. How far in advance should I plan a retreat?

    Preferably nine to twelve months in advance (earlier for holiday travel). We typically stay in unique, in-demand boutique and luxury hotels where advance reservations are important to secure the best accommodations possible.

  6. What activities do you offer?

    We curate your MO/AD Retreat to ensure the experiences are authentic, immersive, and included in your trip price. Our relationships unlock unprecedented access to the pioneers behind global initiatives and cultural movements.

  7. How much will it cost?

    Retreats typically include accommodations, private airport transfers, private transportation for all day trips and excursions, privately guided tours with local guides, exclusive VIP access and activities, and most meals. MO/AD Retreats typically cost $1,000 to $3,000 per person, per day, and vary by destination, time of year, number of people in your group, and types of activities you prefer.

  8. What's not included?

    MO/AD Retreats do not include roundtrip airfare to/from your destination, travel insurance, hotel incidentals, and any activities and meals not included in your itinerary.

  9. What deposits are required?

    After learning more about you, your interests, preferred style of travel, dates, and budget, we will present you with initial ideas and examples of what we can plan for you. In order to confirm your itinerary and reserve accommodations, a 25% deposit is required. The balance of your trip cost is due  120 days prior to travel.