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Map of Mexico City to Oaxaca including Mexico

A cultural and culinary cocktail of adventures in Mexico

Say Hola to a tour that’s more than just tacos and tequila and prepare for una buena adventure into the heart and soul of Mexico. From Aztec to Zapotec, La Copita to Pasita – travel on this cultural cocktail, that blends the best of the country’s ruins, cuisines and natural wonders into an eight-day journey through colourful markets, indigenous culture and all the Mezcal you can manage. From the fiery capital of Mexico City to the culinary paradise of Oaxaca, whether you’re hanging out in a quirky bar in Puebla, exploring the ancient ruins of Mitla or discovering the vibrant art scene of Oaxaca, you’re guaranteed to get a taste of Mexico’s magic at every turn.

Start
Mexico City, Mexico
Finish
Oaxaca, Mexico
Destination
Mexico
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
QBSI
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Visit the community of San Pedro Tlahuac where Nahuatl descendants preserve traditions from Pre-Columbian times, including chinampa farming and fiestas and ceremonies from ancient days.

  • Quench your thirst with a glass of Pasita in Puebla’s famous ‘La Pasita’ bar. Knock back this sweet liquor with your travel companions on an included visit – it’s your guides shout!

  • Learn the local lingo with a leader lead Spanish lesson en-route to Puebla. Watch the rolling hills as you practice your rolling R’s and memorise the all-important phrases, like how to order a cerveza!

  • Ditch the guidebook and make the most of your expert leader. Get all the best tips, tricks and first-hand insider knowledge to make sure you make the most of your free time.

  • Extend your time in Oaxaca or explore more places in Mexico, the options are endless when your adventure ends in this exciting city – you decide where to next!

Is this trip right for you?

  • Try to learn as many Spanish words as you can before the trip. In many of the destinations we visit, local people are reserved and/or do not speak English. Attempting to communicate in Spanish is a great way of showing you care.

  • The tropical climate of Central America means conditions can be hot and humid. Always carry plenty of water with you and stay hydrated, especially on walking tours. 

Mexico_ooxaca_city
Mexico_ooxaca_city
QBSJC_Mexico_ooxaca_city_mezcal
Build your own authentic tacos in Mexico
Smiling travellers in mezcal field, mexico
Mexican architecture of palacio de bellas artes, mexico city

Itinerary
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Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm, if you arrive earlier then why not use your free time to check out this incredible city! Modern meets ancient in Mexico City - one of the world's largest urban centres. Although crowded and smoggy, D.F. (Distrito Federal) offers a great variety of impressive museums, galleries and architecture, along with exciting night life and delicious street food. Head to the Zocalo, the city's huge central square, to see Aztec ruins or relax in one of the many parks, plazas and gardens. Or, provided you have got in early to book your ticket online, you may like to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum or book an Urban Adventures food tour. Find out more at urbandventures.com
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Mexico City - Original Markets & Street Food Tour - Urban Adventures - USD45
  • Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN250
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Due to high demand, tickets for the Frida Kahlo Museum may not be available to book locally. We recommend booking online at least one month in advance in order to secure your place. Please visit www.museofridakahlo.org.mx to purchase your ticket.

Today your leader will show you around the historic city centre. Visit Zocalo Square, a prominent central meeting place since Aztec times, and soak up the sound of rapid-fire Spanish and booming drums that fill the vast space. The dome-topped Palacio de Bellas Artes is the next must-see attraction. Within the stark white marble palace, you will find walls painted by the likes of Diego Rivera. You can spend the afternoon doing whatever takes your fancy in the heart of Mexico. Why not sit down for lunch at a fonda (a home that a family has opened to the local community as a restaurant). You can usually grab a typically delicious three course meal for less than 5 AUD. Alternatively, you might like to join an Urban Adventure to the archaeological ruins of Teotihuacan where a local guide will take you down the 'Avenue of the Dead', pointing out the famous Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Find out more at urbandventures.com
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mexico City - Leader-led Historico Centro tour
Optional Activities
  • Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN350
  • Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN80
  • Teotihuacan day-trip & Dinner with the locals - Urban Adventures - USD52
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Say Adios to Mexico City this morning and travel by private vehicle to San Pedro Tlahuac where Nahuatl descendants preserve traditions from Pre-Columbian times, including chinampa farming, fiestas and ceremonies from ancient days. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the community and then continue to Puebla. Learn the local lingo en route as your leader teaches you the all-important phrases – like how to order a cerveza! Arrive in Puebla at around 6 pm and get to know the city on a short orientation walk with your leader. The rest of the evening is at leisure so you may like to check out one of the markets where you can brush up on your bargaining skills or pick up some local handicrafts. For dinner this evening, why not try some mole poblano, a native Puebla dish that's famous all over Mexico.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Tlahuac - Community Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's driving time is approximately 3 hours.

Today is free for you to explore at your own pace. Perhaps check out one of the many well-maintained churches and buildings, go for a hike near one of the area's looming volcanoes, or visit the Great Pyramid of Cholula – containing five miles of tunnels and ancient history with the enormous Popocatepetl Volcano serving as a backdrop. Puebla is also Mexico’s culinary capital, so why not head out and indulge in some street food such as chiles en nogada (stuffed chillies covered in creamy walnut sauce). For something a bit more dramatic, check out a Lucha Libre show, the famous Mexican sport where masked musclemen combine wrestling and theatre in a memorable performance. This evening, head out for an optional group dinner before joining your leader for a drink at La Pasita. Pasita is a sweet liqueur made of raisins, served in a caballito (tequila glass), and decorated with a cube of fresh goat cheese and a raisin stuck on a toothpick. This bar is particularly famous because of its particular way of serving the pasita – quench your thirst with this delicious beverage, listen to the story behind the fame, and admire the bar’s unique decor.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Puebla - Visit to La Pasita Bar
Optional Activities
  • Puebla - Santo Domingo Church and Rosary Chapel (entrance fee) - MXN20
  • Puebla - San Pedro Art Museum (entrance fee) - MXN45
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Get cosy with the locals as you travel by local bus to Oaxaca where a culinary paradise will await you – this is a great time to crack a book or take a nap. Stretch your legs with an orientation walk once you arrive, and the rest is up to you. A beautiful old colonial town, Oaxaca is full of graceful arcades and colourful markets. Descendants of the Zapotec and Mixtec indigenous people selling colourful woven blankets and shawls populate the markets – a great place to shop for textiles and margarita flowers. The city is also known for its arts scene, including folk art, fine art and dance as well as its many unique regional dishes – and you should feel free to let your nose lead the way – tamales de rajas (chilli and tomato tamales) are a good place to start, a delicious hand-held meal that’s been a staple in the area for thousands of years.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today's travel time is approximately 4 hours.

Check out more of what Oaxaca has to offer on a full day tour of the city and the surrounds. Meet your local guide this morning, who will take you to the Mitla ruins, which were once the religious centre for the Zapotec, an indigenous people of Mexico. Enjoy a mostly plant-based lunch of regional Zapotec specialities such as yellow tamales and flavoursome soup. Later, sip on the famous, tequila-like local booze, mezcal, at a mezcal factory and visit the Tule Tree, a 1500-year-old tree that's over 11 metres in girth. Head back to your hotel and if you still have the energy, the evening is free for you to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy Oaxaca’s nightlife.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
  • Oaxaca - Guided full-day tour including the Tule Tree and a Mezcal distillery
  • Oaxaca - Lunch with Zapotecan Family
Meals Included
  • Lunch

Today is a free day to explore Oaxaca at your own pace. Why not try your hand at whipping up the local cuisine with a cooking class, or venture to Hierve el Agua which is a group of stunning natural rock formations where the minerals resemble cascading waterfalls, or perhaps visit to the archaeological site of Monte Alban and check out the amazing view across the three legs of the valley of Oaxaca. Alternatively, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the streets and take the opportunity to feast on some regional delicacies, including the delicious banana-leaf-wrapped ‘tamales’ to the spicy baked chilli and lime grasshoppers, there's no shortage of unique and delicious fare, usually sold by the lovely old ladies of the markets. Season depending, a folkloric ballet performance is an also a great optional activity.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1300
  • Hierve el Agua - Petrified waterfalls (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN630
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Your adventure comes to an end this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Oaxaca, speak to us about arranging additional accommodation ahead of time (subject to availability).
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

2 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Private vehicle, Public bus, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Mexico City - Leader-led Historico Centro tour
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Tlahuac - Community Visit
  • Puebla - Visit to La Pasita Bar
  • Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
  • Oaxaca - Guided full-day tour including the Tule Tree and a Mezcal distillery
  • Oaxaca - Lunch with Zapotecan Family

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Mexico City to Oaxaca trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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