Highlights of Mexico: Oaxaca to Mexico City

Welcome to Mexico! Arrive in Oaxaca late this evening and transfer to your hotel.

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre, Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most beautiful cities. Today, discover this UNESCO-recognized urban center on a sightseeing tour.

• Make your way around Plaza de la Constitución, viewing the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption as you go
• See the Church of Santo Domingo, a former Dominican monastery
• Stroll along Calle Macedonio Alcalá, a pedestrian street named for the talented Mexican musician
• Learn how chocolate is made at a local factory and enjoy a tasting
• Browse the stalls of Benito Juárez Market and 20 de Noviembre Market

Travel to the town of San Bartolo for a cooking demonstration and welcome lunch at a local family’s home.

• Meet the family, learn about the dishes you’ll be eating, and opt to help cook
• Enjoy a welcome drink of mezcal, tequila, or beer with some antojitos, light snacks from Oaxaca
• Sit down to enjoy multi-course welcome lunch

Later, head to a pottery workshop to learn about the town’s famous black clay pottery and watch a demonstration to see how it’s made.

Spend a free morning in Oaxaca or add an excursion.

This afternoon, visit a textile workshop in Teotitlan del Valle, a village famous for producing traditional Zapotec wares.

• Learn how the artisans use natural dyes and wool to create rugs, sarape shawls, and clothing
• Watch the family members demonstrate how to use a loom and learn different weaving techniques

Then, continue on to an organic mezcal distillery.

• Join a local guide on a tour of the agave farm
• Hear how artisanal Mezcal is produced, from cooking and crushing the agave piñas to distilling the liquor
• Discover the smoky flavor mezcal is known for as you sample three different varieties

Spend a free evening in Oaxaca or add an excursion.

Travel to Puebla and explore the city on a short walk with your Tour Director.

• Pass through the Main Square, which reflects the Old Spanish style
• Walk through tree-filled plazas and past fountains
• See the Municipal Hall of Puebla and the city’s cathedral
• Arrive at a local restaurant where you’ll try the chocolatey mole poblano, a regional specialty, during an included dinner

Get to know the UNESCO-protected City of Angels on a food-themed walking tour led by a local guide.

• Enter Mercado Carmen Serdán, one of Puebla's traditional food markets
• Step inside several local eateries to try local food like chalupas, quesadillas, tacos, enmoladas, and sopes
• Learn about the region's culinary traditions along the way

Spend free time in Puebla or add an excursion.

Travel to Mexico City and explore the waterways in the Xochimilco neighborhood.

• Board a vividly-colored, open-air boat known as a trajinera
• Float through the canals along Lake Xochimilco, which are the last remaining remnants of the water network built and used by the ancient Aztecs
• Enjoy Mexican street snacks, as well a beer or glass of wine, aboard the ship
• Listen to mariachi bands play songs as they pass by on their own boat

Spend a free evening in Mexico City or add an excursion.

This morning, set out to explore Mexico City’s UNESCO-protected city center on a guided tour.

• Pass by Alameda Central park and the Art Nouveau Palacio de Bellas Artes, the city’s cultural hub
• Walk through Plaza de la Constitución, colloquially known as "El Zócalo"
• Enter Palacio Nacional, home to the Federal Treasury and National Archives, to view Diego Rivera’s famous murals depicting events from Mexican history
• Pay visits to the Metropolitan Cathedral and Templo Mayor, an archaeological site and museum

Spend free time in the Mexican capital or add an excursion.

Enjoy a free day in Mexico City or add an excursion.

Later this evening, join your group to raise a toast to your trip at a farewell dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.