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.

Possibilities

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:

Oaxaca 2019_A man in a cowboy hat plays guitar and sings for diners seated at colorful chairs in a rustic restaurant decorated with hearts and folk art.

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
Chef in a greenhouse examining and trimming fresh herbs with scissors, surrounded by lush plants.

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 massage 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
Oaxaca 2019_Rustic colonial-style corridor with stone arches, wooden beams, and outdoor seating overlooking a peaceful courtyard.

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.

Contemporary living room in Mexico City featuring minimalist grey sofas, a wooden coffee table, vibrant artwork, and soft natural light creating a warm, modern ambiance.

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.
Oaxaca 2020_Collection of handmade clay figures and pottery displayed against a vibrant blue wall with an orange-trimmed window in Oaxaca, Mexico, showcasing the region’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Oaxaca 2020_An older man playing guitar and singing under string lights in a cozy courtyard in Oaxaca, Mexico, as guests enjoy live traditional music during an intimate evening gathering.
Oaxaca 2020_A man gently petting a donkey in a sunny vineyard setting in Oaxaca, Mexico, capturing rural charm and connection to local farm life.
Panoramic view of the Monte Albán archaeological site near Oaxaca City, Mexico, featuring ancient Zapotec pyramids and terraces surrounded by mountain landscapes.
Oaxaca artisan painting a detailed alebrije figure, wearing traditional embroidered clothing and working in a colorful open-air workshop.
Oaxaca 2020_Interior view of Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church in Oaxaca, Mexico, featuring ornate gold altarpieces, baroque architecture, and beautifully detailed religious artwork.
Oaxaca 2020_Woman preparing traditional Oaxacan food over an open flame in an outdoor kitchen surrounded by tropical plants, showcasing authentic Mexican culinary traditions.
Oaxaca 2020_Group of travelers enjoying a festive outdoor meal together under the trees, raising glasses in a toast during a culinary experience in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca 2020_Scenic view of a traditional hacienda courtyard with a central stone fountain, rustic architecture, and surrounding gardens at sunset in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca 2020_Local artisan hand-painting a vibrant red jaguar alebrije in a colorful workshop surrounded by paints and traditional crafts in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca 2020_Woman selling fresh cuts of meat and sausages at a traditional butcher stall inside a local market in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oaxaca 2020_Group of travelers enjoying a traditional Oaxacan outdoor cooking class and tasting experience led by local chefs in a lush garden setting.
Oaxaca 2020_Local artisans in Oaxaca display colorful handwoven rugs and traditional textiles made with natural dyes, highlighting the region’s rich Zapotec weaving heritage.
Oaxaca 2020_A colorful Oaxacan dish served on a green ceramic platter, garnished with radishes, herbs, and edible flowers, showcasing the region’s vibrant farm-to-table cuisine.
Oaxaca 2020_A group of travelers exploring the vibrant colonial streets of Oaxaca City, surrounded by colorful buildings, local shops, and mountain views on a sunny day.
Oaxaca 2020_A local woman selling traditional ingredients and snacks like chapulines and dried chilies at Mercado Benito Juárez in Oaxaca City, surrounded by colorful market stalls and fresh produce.
Oaxaca 2020_Bundles of naturally dyed yarn in indigo blue and neutral tones hang to dry outdoors in Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec weaving village near Oaxaca City known for its traditional textile craftsmanship.
Oaxaca 2020_Tostadas topped with roasted seeds cooking over an open flame during a traditional Oaxacan outdoor meal, showcasing authentic local flavors and ancestral culinary techniques.
Oaxaca 2020_An elderly woman stands beside large floral arrangements leaning against the stone walls of a historic church in Oaxaca, Mexico, preparing offerings in the warm morning light.
A person uses a stone roller to grind dried red chilies on a flat stone surface, with a bowl and kitchen items nearby.
Oaxaca 2020_A woman in a colorful embroidered blouse stirs a large pot over a wood-fired stove in a rustic kitchen with brick and tiled details, capturing traditional Oaxacan cooking practices.