Preparing for Your Journey

Sacred Celebrations: Experiencing Day of the Dead Culture and Traditions in Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca, Mexico | October 28 - November 4, 2025

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!

We are so excited to spend time with you in Oaxaca, Mexico. Your Ace Camps Travel trip will connect you to an incredible community where you’ll meet and form bonds with many wonderful individuals. Given the small-group nature of Ace Camps Travel trips, the health, safety, and well being of you, other guests, the instructors and workshop hosts, and the local communities are a key priority for us.

Please take a moment to read through this document in full as it contains important information that will help you prepare for your Ace Camps Travel trip.

GENERAL

Your Ace Camps Travel Host: Vida Forrest y Salazar

We want every aspect of your trip to be an amazing experience. To help us do that, you will have the support of an Ace Camps Travel Host who travels with the group and is there to make sure your trip runs as smoothly as possible. Vida Forrest y Salazar will be your Ace Camps Travel Host. She has been to Oaxaca several times and has a passion for Day of the Dead. While she is not a local guide, she will assist you in answering questions you may have along the way. We will send you Vida’s contact info closer to the Trip start date. If you have questions between now and then, please continue to email us at hello@acecampstravel.com.

Group Travel Etiquette

Please remember this is a small-group travel experience. It is important for you to join us with compassion, patience, and respect for everyone you interface with during your Trip. For example, if you asked to meet at a certain time, please be on time to avoid keeping the rest of the group waiting. If you choose to skip any activities or meals, please confirm your absence with the Ace Camps Travel Host directly so we’re not worried about your location or well being. 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is required for all guests that includes: trip cancellation/disruption insurance; travel medical insurance; and medical evacuation insurance. Ace Camps Travel does not sell travel insurance. If you have questions, we suggest you discuss concerns about your coverage directly with a local travel insurance provider. Please ensure your listed emergency contact has all of your travel and medical insurance coverage details.

Itinerary Disclaimer

We do our best to keep to the itinerary on the Trip Details page of the Ace Camps Travel website. However, sometimes adjustments may occur. For example, we may need to make changes to the itinerary due to inclement weather, timetable changes, or circumstances beyond our control. While we do our best to plan ahead and prevent this from happening, it may be unavoidable. It can also happen with little notice, so please bear with us if we have to make modifications to the itinerary on the fly.

Smoking, Illegal Drug Use + Alcohol

Unless it is specified on the itinerary, alcohol is not usually included with meals. If you would like to have alcoholic beverages during your trip, you will need to pay for these separately.
Ace Camps Travel Trips are 100% smoke free and we do not tolerate any kind of illegal drug use. We require responsible alcohol consumption.

COMMUNICATION

On-the-Ground Communication with WhatsApp

While on the ground in Oaxaca, Mexico, we will be using WhatsApp to communicate. Before you arrive in Mexico, please make sure you have the most up-to-date version of WhatsApp downloaded, installed, and an account set up and working on your mobile device. Your Ace Camps Travel Host, will use WhatsApp to send you daily reminders, updates, and any other important information during the course of your trip. In addition to one-on-one communication with your Ace Camps Travel Host, we’ll be creating a group chat with all registered guests where we will send updates that affect the entire group while on the trip. We encourage everyone to engage on the group chat, as it’s a great place to get to know the rest of your new Ace Camps Travel friends, discuss travel plans and ideas, and share trip photos.

Emergency Numbers

In the case of an emergency, the local emergency number to dial in Oaxaca is 911 for police, fire and medical aid including an ambulance.

Mobile Phone Usage

Here are a few other resources you may find helpful when traveling:

  • Using an ‘e-sim’ app to have data on your phone while you travel (depending on your phone model). There are several companies offering e-sims that can save money instead of roaming through your network provider. Companies like Airalo offer various options to choose from. If you are a using country specific e-sims you will need one for Mexico or you can install an “All North America” e-sim that covers both countries, which may have a slightly higher cost. 

Note: While e-sims are great, they do take some time to set up and install so be sure to spend some time before you leave your home country setting it up so you can just turn it on once you land (while we love to help where we can, our Ace Camps Travel Hosts aren’t tech support specialists).

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you are taking photos and would like to share them as a part of our trip story please tag your posts and/or stories on Instagram with @acecampstravel or hashtag #acecampstravel

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE

Please fill out the Arrival and Departure Form so we can monitor for any delays or travel issues.

Arrival Information: October 28, 2025

This trip begins and ends in Oaxaca, Mexico. The ​closest International Airport​ to Oaxaca is Xoxocotlán International Airport (Airport Code OAX).

Ground Transportation and Getting to the Hotel: The drive from the airport to our hotel will take between 20-40 minutes, depending on traffic. One easy way to get to our hotel is by taxi. You can buy a taxi ticket at the official airport taxi window. There are other options such as taking the public colectivos for a more budget friendly option or getting a private transfer for a more personalized option. The hotel also offers airport pick-up and drop-off which you can arrange directly with them.

Note: If you decide to take a taxi, make sure you go to the official taxi line to get a taxi (don’t be fooled by the entrepreneurial folks who approach you in the terminal or at baggage claim). 

Hotel check in time is 3:00 pm. If you arrive earlier than 3:00pm, you can drop off your luggage at the front desk and they will store it for you until your room is ready. All hotel rooms have been preassigned using the name you provided on your Booking and Registration form. There are plenty of restaurants, shops and places for some sightseeing within walking distance of the hotel.

Additional Considerations for guests in Shared Rooms:

  • If you are in a shared room, you will meet your roommate after they check in or during our Welcome Drinks before out dinner.

  • If you are a light to moderately light sleeper we strongly encourage you to bring ear plugs, a sleep mask, and install a white noise app on your phone with earphones to assist in your personal slumber. 

  • As a reminder to guests staying in shared rooms, the bathroom may be separated by a heavy curtain not a door. 

Helpful App for Jet Lag

Help manage jet lag with Timeshifter.

Welcome Dinner: October 28, 2025

Once we’re all settled at our hotel in Oaxaca, we’ll be hosting a casual meet + greet welcome dinner so you can get to know the group. Please plan to arrive at our hotel no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, if you want to join the welcome dinner. This will give you enough time to check in and get settled before dinner. We’ll share more specific details about when and where to meet for dinner a few days before the Trip start date. If you aren’t able to join the welcome dinner, your Ace Camps Travel Host will be in touch with you to make sure you have all the information you need to join the group the next morning.

Departure Information: November 4, 2025

On our final day of the trip, Tuesday, November 4, 2025, we do not have any activities planned so you can depart at any time. You are welcome to enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out time is 12:00pm. If you depart later than 12:00pm, you can drop off your luggage at the front desk and they will store it for you until you are ready to depart.

If you are leaving from Oaxaca International Airport, the hotel can help you arrange for a taxi or private transfer.

HOTEL

We will stay at:

About the Hotel Azul in Oaxaca: October 28 - November 4, 2025

Hotel Azul is renowned for its focus on local artists. The rooms have been designed by master artists, featuring their work and unique design perspectives with a minimalist aesthetic.  Here you’ll find a unique blend of contemporary comfort and vibrant cultural expression.

Location + Getting Around: Hotel Azul Oaxaca is an intimate, boutique hotel in the heart of Oaxaca.  The hotel is centrally located, within easy walking distance to the historic center of Oaxaca. You’ll find many shops and restaurants within walking distance as well. If you need a taxi, the hotel front-desk staff can help you call one.

Additional Considerations for guests in Shared Rooms:

  • If you are a light to moderately light sleeper we strongly encourage you to bring ear plugs, a sleep mask, and install a white noise app on your phone with earphones to assist in your personal slumber. 

Amenities + Food: Hotel Azul also features Campante Bar, with a rooftop view overlooking the city, Cocina Azul de Oaxaca restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Pabilo Cafe offering coffee and pastries, Oaxacan choices and light snacks.  In your room you’ll find typical hotel amenities like filtered water, a mini fridge and soap.

HEALTH

Illness (including COVID)

Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we make the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Please keep in mind while traveling with a group, you may need to take additional precautions.

In the days leading up to and during your Ace Camps Travel Trip, thoroughly washing your hands, wearing a KN95 mask if you feel ill or if you display symptoms of illness, and keeping a safe distance from others who exhibit signs of illness are small, but impactful, things you can do to keep the trip safe for everyone. Please make sure you bring KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, and a few COVID tests on the trip in case you or those around you start to have symptoms of an illness.

During the trip, if you feel unwell, please alert your Ace Camps Travel Host immediately, wear a mask, and keep a safe distance from others until we know more about your situation. If you 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, viral nature of your illness, and where we are staying, 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.

Per the Ace Camps Travel Terms and Conditions, you are responsible for any additional costs if, due to illness, including COVID, you have to leave a trip early as determined by a health care provider or the Ace Camps Travel Host. This is one of the many reasons we require you to purchase travel insurance.

Medications and Vaccines

You should consult with your doctor and a specialized travel doctor to determine if you need any vaccinations, prescriptions, or special considerations based on your medical history/conditions and based on the you’ll be traveling. For example, you may want to ask about a wide spectrum antibiotic in case of gastrointestinal or other infections and how to prevent Dengue Fever. The CDC has several vaccine, prescription and over the counter recommendations for travel to Mexico and a travel doctor will be able to assist you in confirming what is right for you.

If you are already taking prescription medication make sure you bring enough with you to cover your time in Mexico and then some. When you pack, make certain you have all your required and important medication in your carry-on luggage.

We encourage you to travel with medications that can help you if you encounter health issues. Here are a few common concerns you may want to consider bringing medications for, though what you choose to travel with is up to you and/or you and your doctor

  • Diarrhea/Dysentery

  • Motion sickness, if car or bus rides affects you as we have several days with long car rides over uneven and bumpy roads

  • Nausea, indigestion, or an upset stomach

  • Mosquito bites - we recommend an EPA Registered Insect Repellant as Dengue Fever can be an issue in Mexico

  • Constipation

  • Minor aches and pains

  • Minor and severe allergies

  • Cold/flu symptoms

  • Minor cuts and bruises

Stomach Issues 

Stomach issues can occur when traveling and eating new types of cuisine. We strongly recommend bringing various medications to ensure if you have any issues, you are able to manage them and continue enjoying your trip.

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever is present in Mexico and it is possible to contract it from mosquito bites. We suggest wearing EPA-registered mosquito repellent such as DEET at all times. You may also consider wearing light-weight long sleeves and pants. 

Eye Glasses + Contact Lenses 

If you wear eyeglasses, it is advisable to carry an extra pair on the trip. If you wear contact lenses, you may want to bring extra contacts and an extra pair of back-up regular glasses.

General Fitness 

To take full advantage of your trip to Oaxaca, Mexico it is best to be in good health. Sightseeing, particularly in warm weather can be tiring. On this trip to Oaxaca we will be walking to all of our activities and meals inside the city. For our activities outside of the city, you may be standing during explanations or demonstrations.

Water

Tap water is not safe to drink in Oaxaca. Our hotel has a provides each bedroom with bottled water. When otherwise necessary only drink bottled water which is available in shops and restaurants. You can easily purchase bottled water throughout Oaxaca but we recommend bringing your own bottle to save on one-time plastic usage, and refill it at the hotel.

Note: Avoid brushing your teeth with tap water, and avoid opening your mouth while showering/bathing.

SAFETY

While many areas of Oaxaca are considered safe for travelers, it’s important to remember some areas will have high incidence of crime and petty theft. It's important to remain aware of your belongings and aware of your surroundings. Here are a few specific safety considerations:

  • When walking around, keep your bag zipped and in front of you. Cross-body bags can shift to your back which makes then an easier target for pickpockets.

  • Be extra cautious if walking around alone, after dark. If you’re walking home after dinner in the evening, try to go with a fellow traveler.

  • Avoid openly showing your valuables, such as phones, cameras and jewelry. 

    • Given how much we use our phones for navigation or photos, we suggest using a phone lanyard so your phone can’t easily be grabbed out of your hand (and to avoid dropping it!). 

Keep your valuables safe:

To avoid petty theft or pickpocketing, especially in crowded city centers and markets, we suggest leaving any valuables you don’t need at home. Avoid wearing flashy watches or expensive jewelry.

Get an international data plan or eSim for your mobile phone:

We strongly encourage you to have an international data plan on your phone so you can always have access to Google Maps for navigation and WhatsApp for communication with your Ace Camps Travel host, in case you get separated from the group. See notes about mobile e-sims above in the Communication section.

MONEY

Cash + Credit Cards

The national currency in Mexico is Mexican Pesos (MXN).

While most places inside the city of Oaxaca accept credit cards, you may encounter a few small places that don’t. Many street vendors people without a brick and mortar business will only take cash. Most rural locations (shops, markets, restaurants) usually operate on a cash-only basis but credit cards may be accepted in larger shops and restaurants. When we travel outside of the city, some of the artisans we meet will only take cash. In these cases, you will need to get your pesos before we leave the hotel as we won’t have the ability get pesos after we leave the city.

Most ATMs in Mexico accept international cards. ATMs are generally widespread in Mexico and there is one a few blocks from our hotel. They are almost always open and will provide Mexican pesos to anyone with a card connected to one of the global networks. ATMs are by far the quickest and most efficient way to get access to local currency in Mexico.

Note: There can be times when an ATM is out of money or has trouble with your card but there is usually another option not too far away that you can try. 

Gratuities

Tips and gratuities for your guides, group drivers, workshop hosts and group meals are taken care of by Ace Camps Travel. However, there are some places during your trip that you may choose to leave a tip: 

  • Hotel Azul: If you feel you have received excellent service from housekeeping we encourage you to leave a daily tip in your room.

  • Hotel Azul: If porters assist you with your bags, we encourage you to tip them in that moment or if you don’t have any pesos, you can leave something for them at the front desk.

Tipping standards in Mexico are usually 10-20% of the bill, you can feel safe tipping at 15%. When you are on your own either in the city or eating at the hotel, it is customary to tip at restaurants and bars and to taxi drivers if they help with your luggage. If you take any tours, it is also customary to tip the tour guide.

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

Day of the Dead

We have the wonderful privilege of learning about this tradition from several local perspectives. Celebrations may vary based on region or city or even from family to family. While there is no one right way to celebrate Day of the Dead, there are a few general guidelines that can be helpful.

  • Respect - While we will encounter fun and lively celebrations, at its root, Day of the Dead is about honoring those who have passed. It is a time to celebrate those people and celebrate life in general. It is not meant to be a sad or somber event however, we should always remember for every activity we observe or participate in, there is someone who has lost a loved one. When we attend the cemetery celebration, we will be observing families in a sacred place and should conduct ourselves accordingly. You should request permission before taking any photos of someone else’s altar or family celebration.

  • Open Mind - This may be a tradition that is not celebrated in your family or culture so it’s best to bring an open mind when observing practices that seem different to what you’ve experienced. We will have local guides to share context with us and they are great people to ask questions to help us better understand what we are seeing.

  • Fun - This tradition is meant to celebrate life and you’ll see that reflected in the food, singing, dancing and parades. You’ll even see it in the bright colors associated with the celebrations. Take part in the lively celebrations and joy that surrounds this special time.

  • Crowds - This is the busiest time of year in Oaxaca, which can mean crowds and delays are unavoidable. Come with a patient and adaptable mindset as things may take longer than expected or we may need to change our plans last minute. Like with any major holiday, traffic, long lines and additional people are the prices we pay for experiencing some of the special events that only happen once a year.

WHAT TO BRING 

Now onto the fun stuff - what should you bring?!? Below are some suggestions, based on our experience. Oaxaca is a smaller city but if you’ve forgotten something, you will likely find most common items you may need, though you probably won’t find the brand you’re used to nor will there be as many options as you’re used to, so please keep this in mind when you’re planning and packing.

When packing, be aware that we’ll be doing several night activities which will be cooler than daytime. We’ll attend an event held in a cemetery, so respectful clothing like pants or mid-length skirts is appreciated. On a different night, we’ll be taking part in a parade where fun, bright clothing is appropriate. These two events take place at night and will be on uneven ground so make sturdy, comfortable walking shoes your first priority.

General

  • PASSPORT (make sure it has at least six months on it) and consider bringing a photocopy and/or passport photos. In the (hopefully!) unlikely event your passport gets lost or stolen, an extra set of passport photos can make it easier for you to get a replacement) 

  • Travel plug adapters, depending on the country you are traveling from. Adaptor type A or B, the same that are used in the US, are the most commonly used plug type in Oaxaca.

  • We highly recommend bringing a fold up, empty duffle bag with you and if you end up purchasing things, you can store your breakable items in your luggage and softer items in the duffle. If you purchase larger items, like a rug, the shop can give you the best tips for getting it home. Some places will ship to your home country for a fee but that cost can add up quite quickly, especially for breakable items like pottery.

For Day of the Dead

  • 4 x 6 photos or paper printouts of loved ones who have passed. We will learn about Day of the Dead by participating in some traditional practices, including putting photos of our loved ones on altars. We strongly recommend you bring paper or photo copies and not original pictures in case something is damaged or not returned.

  • Face cleanser or face wipes. We will have the option to have our faces painted like skeletons and while it washes off with soap and water, it can take a little extra scrubbing. Some facial cleanser/face wash or face/makeup wipes can help speed up the process.

  • Secure, small bag. This is the busiest season in Oaxaca, with many people out celebrating. In some instances we will be in very crowed areas and it’s important to keep your belongings safe. We recommend bringing a small cross-body style bag that you can wear in front of your body. Some travel bags have the ability to lock the zipper which is excellent. A less fancy, but also simple solution is an S-biner, a small, double sided, locking carabiner. You can get them at REI, Amazon, or local shops that carry carabiners. This can lock two zippers together or one zipper to another spot on your bag making it very difficult for pickpockets to open.

  • Earplugs or white noise machine if you are a light sleeper. We recommend high quality foam or sleep focused noise dampening earplugs, such as Loop or using white noise from a music streaming service like Spotify. Since Day of the Dead is a time for celebrations we will likely hear music, parades, fireworks and people gathering during our time together. As many of these celebrations take place at night, you may hear them in your room.

Clothing

  • Layering pieces, including a light jacket, and scarf or shawl, for cool mornings and evenings, with much warmer daytime temperatures

  • Rain shell and/or small umbrella (rain showers are always a possibility!)

  • Modest clothing for our activity at the cemetery

  • Optional - fun, festival clothing for our parade activity

Footwear

  • Comfortable and supportive footwear you feel comfortable walking in for moderate distances and on a variety of terrain. This Ace Camp Travel trip includes workshops and demos where you’ll be standing, walking tours and parades and activities where you’ll be on your feet for several hours.

Personal Items

  • Glasses and/or prescription sunglasses if needed

  • Earplugs (high quality foam or sleep focused noise dampening, such as Loop)

  • Toiletries kit, including your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, if you are particular or there are certain brands you prefer to use while traveling

  • Sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher, sunhat, sunglasses, and lip balm with sunscreen

  • High quality bug spray

  • Tissues

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Hand sanitizer

  • KN95 masks–in an effort to keep our group as safe as possible, you may be asked to wear a mask

Luggage

We suggest keeping important items in your carry-on in case your luggage gets lost en route to Oaxaca. We also suggest putting AirTags in your luggage so you can track their location, in the event they get lost in transit. 

Weather 

October/November in Oaxaca usually sees daytime highs in the 80s F with lows in the evening in the 60s F. Expect warm, dry weather during the day with cooler mornings and evenings, though rain showers are always a possibility.

THANK YOU AND SEE YOU SOON!

Thank you for taking the time to review this information, we hope these details help with your travel planning and prepare you for your time exploring Oaxaca and Day of the Dead. If you have questions between now and then, please continue to email us at hello@acecampstravel.com. See you in Oaxaca!