Oaxaca

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Use the code OAXACA (or OAXACAPLAN if you’re using a payment plan) to save $499 or more. Sale ends Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.

Offering mouth-watering food, the best mezcal in the world, and tons of history, it’s no surprise people fall in love with Oaxaca. It’s a city of colorful buildings, scenic rooftop restaurants and bars, street art, historic Spanish colonial churches, cobblestone streets, picturesque parks, and so much more. Located in southwestern Mexico, Oaxaca has been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec peoples before the Spanish arrived.

During your week here, you’ll explore markets, eat amazing food, learn from local experts, and tour nearby mezcal farms where you’ll meet producers of some of the best mezcal in the world. Using our local connections, you’ll get experiences not available with other companies as we created a customized itinerary with our local friends and partners.

This tour focuses heavily on the city’s culture, history, and cuisine. If you’re the kind of person who wants a more authentic and nuanced experience, this tour is for you.

Tour Itinerary

Arriving in the vibrant city of Oaxaca de Juarez, your Oaxaca trip officially kicks off! Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the day to explore on your own. In the late afternoon, we’ll have an orientation meeting followed by a group welcome dinner at one of our favorite restaurants where you’ll meet your guides and fellow travelers.

Included meals: Dinner

Today, we’ll start with a walking tour through the beautiful cobblestone streets to see the famous Santo Domingo square, the Zocalo, and sprawling local markets like Benito Juarez. After the tour, we’ll take you to one of our favorite street food vendors that serves traditional Oaxacan street food.

In the afternoon, you’ll have a couple of hours to relax before an evening food tour. We’ll visit several restaurants to sample all sorts of traditional Oaxacan cuisine (and mezcal!)

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we’ll head straight into the heart of the largest archeological site in Oaxaca, with a half-day tour of Monte Alban. Monte Alban is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was one of the most important cities in ancient Mesoamerica. We’ll have a knowledgeable and passionate local guide walk us through the history of the various plazas and historic structures all while enjoying scenic views of Oaxaca Valley. After we return, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore on your own. For dinner, we’ll take you to a friend’s restaurant for an incredible mezcal tasting experience (optional) and a wonderful dinner of homemade recipes made by our friend’s family (included).

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal, a spirit distilled from agave, and an important part of Mexican culture. Mezcal’s roots are proudly in Oaxaca, where more than 70% of Mexico’s mezcal production happens. We will visit two family-owned palenques and learn about the unique production process that is unlike any other liquor spirit. We’ll also make a visit to some agave fields where you’ll be able to walk amongst the fascinating plants that make mezcal. We’ll enjoy a delicious traditional lunch as a group (and some more mezcal, of course) before ending the day with a visit to Tule, the world’s widest tree. 

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, we will visit La Central (the Central de Abastos Market), the largest market in Oaxaca.We’ll be guided by Oaxaca’s famous influencer, Mario Come Oaxaca. The market is located on the outskirts of town and features hundreds of local vendors selling everything from food to pottery, clothing, electronics, toys, and even livestock. Come hungry as we will be eating a lot during the tour. You’ll have the opportunity to shop for local goods and crafts here. You’ll have the afternoon to yourself before we meet again for an optional group dinner.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, we’ll drive inland for a full-day tour visiting one of Mexico’s most spectacular natural treasures, Hierve el Agua,. Hierve el Agua is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Mexico. These petrified waterfalls are a set of cliffs and natural limestone rock formations that resemble frozen cascades of water. You’ll have a chance to hike and swim here too. On our way there, we will enjoy a traditional breakfast in the home of a local family.

On our way back we’ll stop in the town of Mitla, named a Pueblo Magico by the Mexican government in 2015. Mitla is home to the second most important archeological site in Oaxaca. We will quickly visit the ruins, stroll the local market, and have some local snacks before driving back to the hotel. We will end the day with our final dinner as a group.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, our tour ends. We’ll be around to help anyone getting to the airport or that has questions about staying longer.

Included meals: Breakfast

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Tour Essentials

Accommodation

You’ll be staying at a restored colonial mansion, located right in the heart of central Oaxaca. This quaint hotel offers a beautiful courtyard garden, on-site restaurant, private bathrooms, air conditioning, and you’ll be sleeping in at least a full-sized comfortable bed.

Transport

During the trip, you’ll have a dedicated van that will transport us to all of our planned destinations outside of Oaxaca Centro. While in the center, you’ll be walking everywhere.

Meals

Daily breakfast, one lunch, and four dinners are included. Aside from mezcal tastings on tours, alcohol is not included.

Sustainability

We aim to offer as sustainable an experience as we can. Trash is recycled whenever possible. We avoid mass tourism activities that cause harm to the environment and/or do not benefit local communities.

Small Groups

This tour will have 8-16 travelers on it so we can provide a great small group tour experience. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy unique, rewarding activities that would not be accessible with more people.

Expert guides

You will be led by an expert tour leader who will always be around to provide extra information, create spontaneous experiences, join the group for all of activities and meals and ensure that the trip is as informative, fun and memorable as possible! You will also have excellent licensed, local guides for walking tours, activities and excursions.

What’s Included

What’s Included

  • Accommodation in the heart of Oaxaca
  • Transportation, including driver
  • Activities & entrance fees listed
  • All included meals listed above
  • Local tour guides during activities
  • Expert tour leader

What’s Not Included

  • Flights to/from the destination
  • Any passport/visa fees
  • Meals not listed
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Optional activity fees
  • Some tips

Reviews

“I love The Nomadic Network tours because they are off the beaten path, tend to attract all ages of free spirited, fun, and adventurous people. I met a lot of solo travelers which was inspiring.”

– Dave, Oaxaca

“Taking a Nomadic Network tour is like having a friend show you around one of their favorite cities. You don’t feel like a tourist as you dig into the local culture.”

– Scott & Dana, Oaxaca

“We had a fabulous time on our Oaxaca trip. The local tour leaders were friendly, organized and so knowledgeable! We got a great sense of Oaxacan food, drink, culture and art from the diverse activities and adventures we had.”

– Caedmon, Oaxaca

“As a solo traveler I’d never been interested in taking a group trip but when I saw TNN was doing a tour in Oaxaca, I knew it would be different from the typical tour. Every activity was curated to really connect with locals, the culture, food, mezcal, and adventure. I felt like I was traveling with a bunch of friends and it was one of my most memorable trips!”

– Vanessa, Oaxaca

“Our Nomadic Network tour to Oaxaca was a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience!! The team did a fantastic job of curating great food & cultural experiences that were very unique to the Oaxaca region! In addition, our hotel was right across from a lovely park in the heart of Oaxaca city – making it very convenient for exploring the city.”

– Eric, Oaxaca

“I fell in love with the friendly, quaint city of Oaxaca. Our small-sized group of 14 strolled and shopped in town, viewed majestic ruins, feasted on local art and murals, danced in the lively Zocalo, and frequented local establishments for scrumptious food and drink. Our Nomadic Network tour was a truly authentic and intimate experience!”

– Phyllis, Oaxaca

FAQ

Currently, there are no visa requirements to enter Mexico if you are a US or Canadian citizen, but you do need a passport that has at least 6 months validity. Upon arrival in Mexico, immigration will stamp your passport with a tourist visa that typically allows for a 180-day stay (some airports will provide a printed slip instead). There is nothing you need to do ahead of time for this. While it is unlikely you’ll be asked, some immigration officers will ask to see a return ticket or proof of onward travel upon entry.

Please note that we do not offer visa assistance. It is your responsibility to determine what entry requirements might be necessary based on your nationality.

Fly into and out of Oaxaca International Airport (OAX).

  • On the first day, our orientation meeting generally takes place in the evening, around 6pm. It’s best to arrive by the afternoon so you have enough time to get settled in before we meet up. 
  • On the last day, you can depart at any time. We’ll have breakfast available for you and the rest of the day is yours to explore. You are always welcome to extend your stay if you so choose, just let us know what your plans before and after the tour will be.

No. Before the start of the tour, we’ll send you specific information on how to get to the hotel via public transportation, taxi, or Uber.

During our tours, the weather in Oaxaca is generally dry and warm. In the spring, temperatures range from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 27 Celsius) with plenty of sun. In the fall, it’s a bit warmer with lows in the mid-50s F (12° C) and highs in the mid-80s F (29° C).

We will send you a packing list ahead of time to help you prepare. There are no strict expectations for dress code, however, dressing relatively modestly will help you avoid unwanted attention. We recommend loose, comfortable clothing. If visiting any religious sites, dressing a bit more modestly would be respectful.

As a woman, there is nothing super out of the ordinary to be concerned about. When it comes to safety, don’t wear flashy jewelry, try to stay in pairs or groups (especially at night), and use common sense.

Mexico uses standard North American plug outlets (Plug Types “A” and “B”), so if you’re coming from the US or Canada, you won’t need an adapter.

As for electricity, most mobile phones, laptops, and other devices can handle all types of voltage when charging. The standard voltage in Mexico is 127v/60Hz. Check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 220V. If that range is listed on the charger, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour. You won’t need a converter, only the plug adapter (if you’re joining from a country other than the US or Canada).

Cell service in Oaxaca City is quite good, however, during the day we travel to areas that may have no service at all, so prepare to be out of service for several hours at a time. While our hotel has good WiFi, the connection is not always reliable and may be spotty at times. Most US cell service providers now include Canada and Mexico in their plans, but if yours does not, you can consider activating the international plan from your network at home, purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival or purchasing an e-sim online. All of these options will ensure you have a good connection throughout the tour.

We’ll be staying at a restored colonial mansion, located right in the heart of central Oaxaca. This spot feels like an old colonial home with a beautiful courtyard garden, on-site restaurant and bar, en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and you’ll be sleeping in at least a full-sized comfortable bed.

Twin share rooms:

  • If you are traveling solo, you’ll be paired with someone of the same gender in a room with two full beds.
  • If you book two spots, you’ll get the entire room for you and your travel partner. 

Private rooms:

If you’d like to get your own private room, you can add that option at checkout for $250 USD. There are a maximum of 12 single rooms available. Private rooms run on a first come, first served basis.

Yes.We can book additional nights for you at the hotel prior to or after the tour as long as you let us know 30 days in advance (the earlier the better). As soon as you provide us with the dates, we will confirm availability with the hotel and provide you with payment instructions.

This tour requires a certain level of physical activity. Please note that the trip can involve somewhat long days, walking tours, and hot temperatures. While there is no strenuous hiking involved on this tour, you should be prepared to be on your feet a lot.

Daily breakfast, 1 lunch, and 4 dinners are included. You can refer to the itinerary to see which ones. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice. Aside from mezcal tastings on tour, alcohol is not included and can be purchased at your own expense.

No. The hotel will provide you with a water bottle each day and you can easily purchase additional bottles at any convenience store. At restaurants, you may ask for agua de casa (filtered water) by the glass or to refill your water bottle.

You should budget an average of $30-40 USD per day for all your extra needs. Most of your expenses are covered in your trip price, but you will need cash for non-included meals and any additional purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc.) as well as activities you do on your own. Certainly bring more money if you plan to shop!

Yes, you will be able to withdraw cash in Mexico. We recommend using ATMs which are available in cities and will dispense Mexican pesos. However, please check with your home bank as many banks charge foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money from an ATM overseas. Learn how to avoid paying extra fees here.

If using an ATM machine is not an option, the second-best method is to simply bring US dollars in cash that you can exchange at money exchange booths or banks located all over the country.

Tips for local experts and included meals are already included. Generally, tipping in Mexico is not as common as in the West, but in some cases it is expected. Here’s a general guideline:

  • Restaurants and bars: 10-20%
  • Hotel staff: 20 pesos if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
  • Local guide & driver: At the end of the trip, we recommend that everyone gives about $10 USD per day as a tip. Our tour leader will collect this before the farewell diner so we can all present it as a gift together.

Find our general FAQ here to get any of your other questions answered.

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Book with confidence. Your deposit is 100% refundable for 30 days after your booking is made, as long as it’s 60 days prior to departure, so you don’t lose out in case your plans change.