Art + Crafts Tour | Oaxaca
Traditional Crafts of Oaxaca with Embroidery + Print Making Workshops
Oaxaca, Mexico | January 30 - February 5, 2026
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 we’ll work 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 of Oaxacan artists have embraced. We will travel out of Oaxaca City and visit one of the oldest local markets—Tlacolua—and visit local 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, mole tamales with sweet prunes wrapped in banana leaves, fresh pastries, fruit, salty quesillo (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.
This Ace Camps Travel trip is open to all skill levels. Trip Itinerary, Details and Important Notes below.
DATES
January 30 - February 5, 2026
7 Days + 6 Nights
PRICING
Shared Room - $3,995 USD
Private Room - $4,995 USD
XXXXX Room - $0,000 USD
Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below
BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP STARTS ON
AUGUST 22, 2025 AT 1:00PM PST
ART + CRAFTS TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Hands-on, traditional embroidery workshop led by a third generation, Oaxacan embroidery artist
Hands-on printmaking workshop led by an award-winning internationally exhibited, 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
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
Visit to to the Tlacolula Market, one of the oldest and largest local markets in Oaxaca
Ceremonial chocolate tasting and hands-on workshop
Mezcal experience and tasting, learning about the history, distillation process, and flavor profiles
Mole experience and tasting, learning about the history, ingredients, and cultural significance
Guided 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
Trip Prep call to meet your fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations and questions
Discover the Crafts of Oaxaca
The traditions of Mexico’s colorful folkart 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 MACO, the well-known contemporary art stronghold.
Day by Day Itinerary
Nota Bene: This is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, partner schedules, unexpected opportunities and the desires of the group.
Day 1
Friday, January 30
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 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 learn about the ingredients, how the ingredients blend to create complex flavors, and we’ll sample several varieties of mole with dinner while we get to know each other.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
Saturday, January 31
This morning we make our way to our embroidery workshop where we will learn the 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), for special guided tour with additional time to wander the museum on your own.
For dinner, we’ll share a special experience, tasting different versions of authentic cuisine from the Oaxaca region and learning about the origin of the ingredients and dishes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Sunday, February 1
We have an early start this morning as our local guide will take us on a full-day experience to learn about the handicrafts of the area. First we head to the Tlacolula market with fantastic food, colorful artisans, plants, dried chilies, seeds, famous local products, such as barbacoa, pan de yema bread, forged ironworks, textiles, household goods and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
Next we head to Teotitlán del Valle, which is world-renowned for its colorful hand-woven rugs and naturally-dyed textiles. You will learn about various natural dyeing techniques, including getting a better understanding from artisans about their initiatives to revive cochineal in Oaxaca as a primary source of red dye. We’ll visit a natural dyeing and weaving workshop where we’ll learn about Zapotec textiles.
We will also visit Doña Viviana Alávez who will demonstrate how elaborate beeswax candles are made. Doña Viviana is a master of this timeless artisanal tradition, hand pouring and forming taper candles, sculptural flowers and skulls for day of the dead. 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.
For dinner, we visit a restaurant that focuses on local ingredients and ancestral cooking techniques. We’ll taste various traditional dishes and enjoy delicious beverages.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Monday, February 2
Today we experience a guided crafts tour of two nearby villages, San Martín Tilcajete and San Bartolo Coyotepec.
San Martin Tilcajete is best known for its production of alebrijes - brightly colored, Mexican Folk Art Sculptures depicting fantastical creatures. We’ll watch a demonstration and learn about how alebrijes are made with copal and painted with natural dyes in the workshop of a local master craftsperson.
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 for the signature black clay unique to this area and each piece being shaped by hand.
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 mezcal cocktail.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5
Tuesday, February 3
Today is a day on your own to explore the city, visit some sites in nearby towns 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 Albán. 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, 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 if you’d like to continue sampling the Oaxacan cuisine.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6
Wednesday, February 4
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, then make you own ceremonial chocolate.
Afterwards, we’ll immerse ourselves in Oaxaca's vibrant art scene at a renowned printmaking studio. Oaxaca has a rich tradition in graphic arts with many younger artists using block printing methods. The surge in printmaking can be traced to protests in the early 2000’s where art became a powerful tool for social expression. Guided by an internationally exhibited and awarded, Oaxacan artist, you’ll carve and print your own design.
For dinner, we’ll share a special experience, tasting different versions of authentic cuisine from the Oaxaca region and learning about the origin of the ingredients and dishes.
We will wrap up our trip with a farewell 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 7
Thursday, February 5
After breakfast, we say a final adiós and head our own way.
We can help you share rides to the airport or get you to your next destination.
Thank you for joining us in Oaxaca!
Meals included: Breakfast
Where We’re Staying
We will be staying in a boutique hotel in the Oaxacan city center that’s a quiet showcase for the city’s modern design scene. We’ll be within walking distance of the city's most important cultural sites while still being just off the high traffic areas, creating a quiet refuge from the busy streets of Oaxaca.
What truly sets this hotel apart is its extraordinary artistic collaboration. Every element has been conceptualized and produced by a Mexican artist. Cooly shadowed walkways leading to patios, cactus, and hidden retreats within the walls of the hotel make for an environment open to the interpretation of each guest’s personal experience. The suites have been transformed entirely by 4 of the most renowned artists of Oaxaca: Francisco Toledo, Ruben Leyva, Jose Villalobos, Luis Zárate and the collective Fríjol Parado. The interior design is by Héctor Esrawe making each accommodation a unique art installation.
The attention given to work of local artists means this is more than simply a well-designed hotel—it is a statement about the importance of Mexican design in the international landscape.
Rooming Options
Please read below carefully and make your rooming selection on the Booking Request form.
The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.
Note: If you are two guests traveling together and would like to share one bed, please contact us for details about a shared room option.
Group Size: Minimum 8 guests, Maximum 12 guests.
All prices are in USD.
BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP STARTS ON AUGUST 22, 2025 AT 1:00PM PST
OPTION 1 - SHARED ROOM
with en suite bathroom
$3,995 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
Shared rooms have 2 separate beds. The interiors are designed by Héctor Esrawe with a modern minimal aesthetic, Scandinavian-style wooden design and contemporary Mexican-tiled floors.
Important Note! Shared Room bathrooms may have a privacy curtain instead of a door.
Initial Payment due immediately: $1,995
Final Payment due October 3, 2025: $2,000
OPTION 2 - PRIVATE ROOM
with en suite bathroom
$4,995 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
Private rooms have king-size beds. The interiors are designed by Héctor Esrawe with a modern minimal aesthetic, Scandinavian-style wooden design and contemporary Mexican-tiled floors.
Initial Payment due immediately: $1,995
Final Payment due October 3, 2025: $3,000
OPTION 3 - PRIVATE SUITE
with en suite bathroom
$6,095 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
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Initial Payment due immediately: $1,995
Final Payment due June 12, 2025: $4,100
Important Trip Details
Culinary Notes
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate severe nut allergies, vegan or dairy-free diets on this trip.
Please note that while we do our best to manage specific dietary concerns with prior knowledge, during certain meals, almost all 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.
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, you will need to submit those on your booking request form. 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.
Accessibility
Please note this trip includes includes several walking tours where the ground may be uneven such as cobblestones, gravel or unpaved roads. You should be comfortable walking or standing for long periods, as you might be standing for demonstrations. Our hotel has several sets of stairs so you should feel comfortable managing stairs without an elevator.
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
We recommend consulting a doctor, nurse, health care provider, or travel health clinic once we confirm your booking on this Ace Camps Travel trip so you know what may be required based on your individual circumstances and based on the locations you’ll be traveling to. If you have any health concerns, contact your health care provider for advice prior to booking this Ace Camps Travel trip.
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts and ends in Oaxaca City, Mexico.
The closest airport is Oaxaca-Xoxocotlan Airport (code OAX) which is 7 km (4.3 mi) south of Oaxaca city center.
Weather
Late Jan/Early Feb is a great time to visit Oaxaca. You’ll find it warm with abundant sunny skies. During the day, short sleeves are advisable with temperatures around ~90°F (~32°C) and mornings and evenings with slightly cooler temperatures in the low 70s F (~22°C). We will be walking outside on several days so we suggest light, breathable clothing and sun protections like hats and SPF sunscreen. We also recommend packing layers and an umbrella or rain shell just incase of light showers.
Included in this Trip
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 Martín 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
Transport during included meals and activities
6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Six nights accommodation in Oaxaca City
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations, and questions
Ace Camps Travel Host
An Ace Camps Travel Host will be with you through 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. This Host is not a local guide but will work with our local partners to insure 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 but not limited to room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; and all expenses during free time.
Travel Arrangements
Ace Camps Travel will send you detailed Trip Planning information when it’s time to make your travel arrangements. We usually send this information once we’ve reached the minimum number of guests required to run the trip. We’ll also send you an Ace Camps Travel “Preparing for your Journey” document prior to your trip, which will include arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information, and more.
Supplies
All workshop supplies are included, though we encourage you to think in advance about a small, simple design for the printmaking workshop.
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 to 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 any Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.
During the 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 the Ace Camps Travel Host may determine you need to mask, distance, self isolate, or depart the trip early. You are responsible for any expenses incurred from an illness, injury, or early departure including testing, treatment, isolation, accommodation, transportation, etc. and you will not be issued a refund for any unused portion of the trip. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
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.
Questions + FAQs
If you have any questions about this Ace Camps travel Trip, please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our FAQs here.
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