OAXACA CITY, MEXICO
The Crafts Of Oaxaca with Embroidery + Printmaking Workshops
March 4 - 10, 2025
Journey to the vibrant city of Oaxaca, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of indigenous traditions, cultures, gastronomy and crafts. We’ll go behind the scenes to discover the magic of Oaxaca, visiting some of the most beautiful and important cultural spaces in the country, connecting with artisans creating native crafts and indulging in the local cuisine.
We’ll immerse ourselves in the rich tradition of textiles in Oaxaca, exploring the process of natural dyeing and rug weaving, and working on our own piece of traditional Mexican embroidery. We’ll learn from master textile artists, who have honed their crafts over generations. Blending old and new, we’ll also try our hand at printmaking, a medium the younger generation Oaxacan artists have embraced. We will travel out of Oaxaca City and visit one of the oldest local markets - Tlacolua along with visiting workshops to learn about clay pottery, candle making and alebrijes - brightly colored folk art sculptures.
Often hailed as the culinary capital of Mexico, Oaxaca is famous for its mole and masa-based dishes, including tlayudas (jumbo-size tortillas topped with refried beans and meat) and tamales (the Oaxacan ones are flatter than usual and are wrapped in green banana leaves instead of corn husks). Think sweet corn tamales, molé tamales with sweet prunes wrapped in banana leaves, fresh pastries, fruit, salty Oaxacan cheese, and a full selection of fresh juices from guava, to pineapple, to cilantro. We’ll sample many of the local delicacies and we’ll learn about significance and flavors of mole, chocolate and mezcal.
Trip Itinerary, Details + Important Trip Notes below.
DATES
March 4 - 10, 2025 ∙ 7 Days, 6 Nights
PRICE
Shared Room $ 3,995 USD
Private Room $4,995 USD
Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below
ALL PLACES ARE CURRENTLY FILLED, PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE WAITLIST FOR PRIORITY NOTIFICATION OF OPENINGS
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
Hands-on, traditional embroidery workshop led by a third generation, Oaxacan embroidery artist
Hands-on printmaking workshop led by a internationally exhibited and awarded, Oaxacan artist
Guided tour from a local resident to visit Teotitlán de Valle village, including weavers, natural textile dye artisans, and the famous candle maker—Doña Viviana Alávez
A guided tour from a local resident to visit San Martin Tilcajete, best known for its production of alebrijes and San Bartolo Coyotepec for its traditional Oaxacan Pottery
A trip to the Tlacolula Market, one of the oldest and largest local markets in Oaxaca
Ceremonial chocolate tasting and hands-on workshop
Mezcal experience, learning about the history, distillation process and flavor profiles, including a tasting
Mole experience: learning about the history, ingredients and cultural significance, including a tasting
Visit to the Museo Textile de Oaxaca
Transportation to all guided tours
Accommodations at artist designed, boutique hotel
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout the trip
Discover the Crafts of Oaxaca
The traditions of Mexico’s colorful folk art and handicrafts have been passed down through generations, reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage. Today, artists still use the same techniques and skills that were used by the ancestors hundred of years ago.
In villages like Teotitlán del Valle, artisans craft intricate textiles using backstrap and pedal looms to create intricate textiles often made from wool and cotton, creating everything from rugs to garments. The art of natural dyeing harnesses local resources like cochineal, plants, and minerals to produce stunning vibrant, earthy hues, a skill passed down for centuries. Black pottery, known as barro negro, is another hallmark of Oaxacan craft, celebrated for its deep color and polished finish, uniquely shaped by the region’s distinctive clay.
Oaxacan embroidery is a vibrant expression of the region’s indigenous artistry, often created by women in rural communities. This intricate craft reflects deep cultural stories through bold colors and symbolic motifs, including animals, flowers, and geometric patterns. Each stitch is a celebration of Oaxacan identity, with designs influenced by Zapotec, Mixtec, and other indigenous traditions, resulting in wearable art that is both beautiful and meaningful.
In addition to the vibrant handmade crafts of the region, Oaxaca City boasts a rich and diverse local art community. Both the boutique galleries and the larger museums display impressive collections from independent and renowned artists, making the Oaxaca art scene an absolute must see during your visit. We highly recommend visit to the well-known contemporary art stronghold MACO.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Travel Day
Welcome to Oaxaca!
Make your way to our hotel in the city center. We will send you information closer to your departure with options for airport transfers. Please plan to arrive at the hotel no later than 5pm.
This evening we have a welcome dinner close to our hotel where we will begin our culinary journey in Oaxaca. We’ll sample various traditional dishes and delicious beverages while we get to know each other.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
This morning we make our way to our embroidery workshop where we will learn the traditional techniques used to embellish huipils—a traditional garment worn by women in specific parts of Mexico. The designs and techniques are steeped in ancient history and passed down through families. You will learn from a third-generation embroidery artist who whose work has been showcased in national and international forums. Using the techniques passed down, you will make a small piece of your own design and color.
After the workshop, we’ll make our way to the Oaxaca Textile Museum (Museo Textil de Oaxaca), where you’ll have time to wander the museum on your own. On our return to the hotel, your Ace Camps Travel Host will show you some of our favorite shops.
For dinner, we will learn about the history and significance of mole in Oaxacan cuisine. Often labeled the “Land of Seven Moles, ” there are endless variations of this complex dish. We’ll about the ingredients, how the ingredients blend to create complex flavors, and we’ll sample several varieties of mole with dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
In the morning, we’ll visit a local chocolatier and learn about the history and significance of cacao in the Oaxaca region. Far more than a sweet treat, cacao has a long history of importance in the indigenous cultures of the area, being used medicinally, spiritually, and even as a form of currency. You’ll do a tasting of different chocolates and then make you own ceremonial chocolate.
Afterwards, we’ll head to a local studio to learn about printmaking in Oaxaca. Oaxaca is a vibrant center for the arts with a rich tradition in graphic arts. There are more than 20 active printmaking studios here. Many Oaxacan graphic artists use traditional block printing methods. The current printmaking goes back to the protests of 2006 in Oaxaca City when the young artists formed the group ASARO (Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca) and made prints supporting their political cause.
Guided by a internationally exhibited and awarded, Oaxacan artist, you’ll carve and print your own design.
For dinner, you can eat at our hotel, either on the terrace or in the dining room, or head out for a meal at a restaurant of your choice. No matter where you go, we recommend ordering a smoky mescal cocktail.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
Today we experience a guided crafts tour of the two nearby villages of San Martin Tilcajete + San Bartolo Coyotepec.
San Martin Tilcajete is best known for its production of alebrijes {Mexican Folk Art Sculptures}. We’ll watch a demonstration and learn about how alebrijes are made with copal and painted with natural dyes in the workshop of Jacobo & María Ángeles.
Next, we visit the craft village of San Bartolo Coyotepec which is best known for its barro negro—black clay pottery. This pottery is world famous, with the signature black clay unique to this area and each piece is shaped by hand.
We will finish our day with a taco dinner while we learn about mezcal, its distilling process and flavor profiles. You can sample some mezcal or opt for a non-alcoholic cocktail.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Today is a day on your own to explore the city or get out to visit some sites or go on an excursion. One of the essential things to do in Oaxaca is get lost wandering around the city’s many markets. You’ll find delicious local food at a low price as well as plenty of interesting souvenirs.
One of the most popular things to do in Oaxaca is take a day trip out to the ruins at Monte Alban. Built by the Zapotecs, this is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Latin America. If you love seeing and learning about the local flora and fauna when you travel, you’ll want to be sure to hit the botanical gardens, a short walk from the hotel.
If you want to get out in nature, a day trip out to Hierve el Agua is a must. Here you’ll see amazing rock formations that resemble cascading waterfalls. It’s a great place to spend half a day hiking and enjoying nature.
While you are out and about, you’ll have lunch and dinner on your own and we can share many of our best recommendations to continue sampling the Oaxacan cuisine.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6
We have an early start this morning as we head to the Tlacolula market. The Tlacolula Sunday market has fantastic food, colorful artisans, plants, dried chilies, seeds, famous local products, such as barbacoa, pan de yema bread, forged ironworks, and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
Teotitlán del Valle is world-renowned for its colorful hand-woven rugs and naturally-dyed textiles. Our local guide will take us on a full-day experience where we’ll learn all about the handicrafts of the area. A main aspect of the day includes getting a better understanding from artisans about their initiatives to revive cochineal in Oaxaca as a primary source of red dye. You will learn about various natural dyeing techniques and visit a natural dyeing workshop.
We will also visit Doña Viviana Alávez who will demonstrate how elaborate beeswax candles are made. At 75, Doña Viviana is a master of this timeless artisanal tradition. The first thing that strikes you is the inviting aroma of beeswax, filling the air with a warm scent akin to that of sweet honey.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
After breakfast, we say a final adios and head our own way.
Thank you for joining us in Oaxaca! We can help you share rides to the airport or get you to your next destination.
Meals included: Breakfast
Where We’re Staying
Hotel Azul Oaxaca is a tiny boutique hotel in the Oaxacan city center that’s a quiet showcase for the city’s modern design scene. The attention given to work of local artists means Hotel Azul Oaxaca is more than simply a well-designed hotel—it is a statement about the importance of Mexican design in the international landscape.
Every element of Hotel Azul Oaxaca has been conceptualized and produced by a Mexican artist. Cooly shadowed walkways leading to patios, cactus, and hidden retreats within the walls of Hotel Azul Oaxaca make for an environment open to the interpretation of each guest’s personal experience.
ROOMING OPTIONS
Please read below carefully and make your rooming selection on the booking page
Group Size: Minimum 8 guests and maximum 12 guests.
All Prices are in USD.
ALL PLACES ARE CURRENTLY FILLED, PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE WAITLIST FOR PRIORITY NOTIFICATION OF OPENINGS
SHARED ROOMS PRICE
The fee for this trip is $3995 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Initial Payment due immediately: $1,995
Final Payment due November 15, 2025: $2,000
Room Notes: Shared rooms have 2 separate beds. You will share a room with one other guest for the duration of the trip. Important Note! Shared Room bathrooms may have a privacy curtain instead of a door.
PRIVATE ROOM PRICE
The fee for this trip is $4995 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Initial Payment due immediately: $1,995
Final Payment due November 15, 2025: $3,000
Room Note: You will have a private room for the duration of the trip
Important Trip Notes + Details
Accessibility
Please note this tour includes several walking tours where the ground may be uneven such as cobblestones, gravel or unpaved roads. You may also be on your feet for a couple of hours at a time. You should be comfortable walking or standing for long periods.
Culinary Notes
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, you will need to submit those on your Booking form so we can check with our partners in Oaxaca to ensure there are no concerns. Please note that while we do our best to manage specific dietary concerns with prior knowledge, during certain meals, some dishes will be served family-style or served a specific way per local traditions and it will not be possible to change or provide alternate options. Additionally, we cannot accommodate severe nut allergies.
We cannot accommodate any allergies or dietary restrictions if you do not advise us when you submit your initial booking request.
Please contact us before booking if you have any questions.
Who is this Trip for?
This trip is for the open minded and patient traveler. You should be eager to learn and work hands-on with local, skilled artisans and be curious about regional culture and cuisine.
This is an immersive adventure and best suited for those who enjoy traveling as a part of a small group.
Travel Health
Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or travel health clinic as soon as we confirm your booking on the Trip so you know what may be required, based on your individual circumstances. If you have any health concerns you should contact your health care provider for advice prior to booking this Ace Camp Travel trip.
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts and ends in Oaxaca City, Mexico.
The closest airport is Oaxaca-Xoxocotlan Airport (IATA code OAX) which is 7 km (4.3 mi) south of Oaxaca city centre.
Weather
March is a great time to visit Oaxaca. You’ll find it warm and breezy, with abundant sunny skies. During the day, short sleeves are advisable with temperatures around 25.5° C (85°F) but in the mornings and evenings it can be cooler with temperatures around 13°C (56°F). We recommend packing layers and an umbrella or rain shell just incase.
Included in this Trip
Six nights accommodation in Oaxaca City
Six breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners
Transport during workshops, tours, and included meals
Hands-on, traditional embroidery workshop with a skilled local expert, supplies included
Hands-on, printmaking workshop with a skilled local expert, supplies included
Guided tour to visit Teotitlán del Valle village, weavers and natural textile dye artisans and the famous candle maker—Doña Viviana Alávez
Guided tour of San Martin Tilcajete, best known for its production of alebrijes and San Bartolo Coyotepec for its traditional Oaxacan Pottery
Trip to the Tlacolula Market, one of the oldest and largest local markets in Oaxaca
Ceremonial chocolate tasting and workshop
Mezcal experience, learning about the history, distillation process and flavor profiles, including a tasting
Mole experience: learning about the history, ingredients and cultural significance, including a tasting
Visit to Museo Textil de Oaxaca
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout the trip
Ace Camps Travel Host
An Ace Camps Travel Host will be with you throughout your trip, dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible experience. Your Host is there for any questions or concerns, to look out for the health and safety of the group and to help resolve any issues that might arise. The Ace Camps Travel Host is not a local guide but will work with our local partners to ensure the right combination of pace, information, and duration. Our local partners are deeply knowledgable in the culture and customs of the area and will be there to share their knowledge and passion with the group.
Not Included in this Trip
International roundtrip airfare; required Travel Insurance; alcoholic drinks; activities and food and beverages not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, spa services, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; and expenses during free time.
Travel Arrangements
Ace Camps Travel will email you when it is time to make your travel arrangements. This email will be sent approximately 90 prior to your trip start date unless you book within 90 before the start of the trip. We will also send you an Ace Camps Travel preparation document prior to your trip. It will include a detailed itinerary, arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information and more.
Questions + FAQ’s
If you have any questions about this Ace Camps Travel trip, please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our FAQ’s here.
Travel Insurance
As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we require all guests to have Travel Insurance that at minimum covers both medical emergencies and trip cancellations. Cancellations 180 days or fewer prior to the trip start date will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy which is one of the many reasons we require all guests have Travel Insurance.
For full details on our Travel Insurance requirements, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Health + Safety
Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we put the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Individual guests are responsible for ensuring they meet all destination and layover country requirements and laws including various Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.
During our trip, if you feel unwell, exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the Ace Camps Travel Host to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and/or viral nature of your illness there may be a need to mask, distance, self isolate, or remove yourself completely from the trip which will be determined by the Ace Camps Travel Host with the best interests of the group health and safety as the main priority. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance.
For full details on our Health and Safety Policies, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
If you choose to cancel your trip for any reason, you must do so via email to hello@acecampstravel.com. If we receive written notice 181 or more days prior to the Trip start date, we will refund your initial payment, less a $1,000 cancellation fee. If we receive written notice 180 days or fewer prior to the Trip start date you will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the Trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, pandemics, illness, personal, family or medical emergencies, or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this and other reasons, we require you to purchase Travel Insurance.
Be sure to read our Terms and Conditions for full details on Booking and Payment, Cancellation by You and Trip Changes and Cancellations.
SUPPLIES
All workshop supplies are included.