Fun Things to Do

Dia de las Muertos- Day of the Dead - Oaxaca, Mexico

A wonderful cultural experience! Come visit the beautiful Mexican state of Oaxaca and partake in the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) festivities. Experience the altars, the comparsas and the wonders of a unique Oaxacan celebration.

For most Mesoamerican people, including the Zapotec of central Oaxaca, a very fine line separates the world of the living from the world of dead. On el Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) this line dissolves and, for a time, the two worlds co-exist in supernatural harmony. For two days, November first and second, the dead return to their former homes on earth to eat, drink, sing songs, to be entertained and to visit with their loved ones.

Join our tour

Sunday, October 28th
We will receive you at Oaxaca’s International Airport, from there we will take you to the Hotel La Provincia located in the heart of the city center of Oaxaca, just 3 blocks away from Oaxaca’s main plaza, the Zocalo. Hotel La Provincia is housed in an old colonial building from the XVIII century and restored twice in the XIX and XX centuries. This small but comfortable boutique hotel is a living example of a typical “Oaxacan House,” with two large patios. In the second half of the XX century it was the house of the town chronicler of the city of Oaxaca.

Monday, October 29th
We will start the day with a Oaxacan breakfast served in the hotel restaurant, then move on to Oaxaca’s Institute of Culture and a comprehensive seminar concerning the history of Oaxaca and its many monuments. After this lecture we will visit the archeological site of Monte Alban, once considered the capital of the Zapotec people between the years of 500 B.C. and 800 A.D. After visiting Monte Alban we will visit Arrazola, town of the Alebrijes (or animal woodcarvings).
Next we will lunch at the Restaurant Catedral, where you will eat the best Oaxacan mole negro (Black Mole) in the all of the city. Mole negro is an exquisite sauce comprised of Oaxacan chocolate and many other local spices. The blend of flavors is truly a unique experience. Next, an informative walking tour of the city will be conducted, followed by an evening of freedom. Explore any of the wonders that may have caught your eye throughout your guided tour, or simply relax in preparation for the next day!

Tuesday, October 30th
For your second day, breakfast is served at the Hotel, with the days adventures re-convening at the Instituto Cultural de Oaxaca. Here we commence with a hand-on mask-making workshop. The Dia de los Muertos masks (maybe link this to a picture) are very important in the celebration of the day of the dead, particularly in the comparsas because the masks are the most distinct influence of the Venetian Carnival in the Day of the Dead’s comparsa parade. After the workshop we shall visit the Santo Domingo Cultural Center (museum) and Church. Squeeze in a quick lunch somewhere because this day is packed with adventure!
In the afternoon we shall visit Santo Domingo’s Ethno-Botanical Garden and receive a special tour by its designer and creator Alejandro De Avila. After the exotic garden, we shall move on to the market “Benito Juarez” to gather ingredients for our traditional cooking class on Mole Negro, (Black Mole) which will take place on the following Thursday.

Wednesday, October 31st
Another delicious breakfast shall be served at Hotel La Provincia, followed by an insightful and educational lecture (at the Instituto Cultural de Oaxaca) entitled “When Two Worlds Meet in Oaxaca,” given by Shawn Haley. This seminar will discuss the importance of the Day of the Dead celebration, as well as its traditional practices in great diversity and detail. After the lecture , an excursion including many surrounding villages is offered. This trip is comprised of Mitla, Teotitlan del Valle and El Tule, home of the infamous, grand Tule tree. In between Mitla and Teotitlan, lunch will take place at “El patio,” a restaurant situated in the pleasant valley of Tlacolula.
In the evening, we will eat dinner at a restaurant called Asador Vasco, located in the lively Zocalo center of Oaxaca. El Asador Vasco is situated in a beautiful historical building, once the Oaxacan headquarters of Don Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, one of the most important leaders of the Mexican Independence. After dinner we will visit the cemetery of Xoxocotlan. This cemetery is very traditional and will be teeming with Día de los Muertos decorations and activities!

Thursday, November 1st
After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet at the Instituto Cultural de Oaxaca to partake in the anticipated cooking workshop. You will discover the secrets of the traditional Mole Negro (black mole), which is considered the most traditional dish of the Day of the Dead celebration. After creating this delightful dish, with the mask you made on Tuesday, you will participate in the Instituto’s traditional comparsa parade and construct your own altar. In this construction, it is customary to include pictures of your own departed loved ones, so be sure to bring them along if you choose to partake in this. Participating in such a ritual is an important aspect of embracing the culture’s reverence of life and death. The world of the living must celebrate and honor the world of the dead!
Midday we will break for a delicious lunch at La Biznaga restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit the comparasas of Etla and the city of Oaxaca.

Friday, November 2nd
After a Oaxacan breakfast, a Salsa Class at the Gardens of ICO. This day’s excursion includes a trip to Ocotlán de Morelos, Jalietza, and San Bartolo Coyotepec, the capital of the Barro Negro (Black Pottery).
At night you will have dinner at the Hotel Camino Real, which is housed in a Dominican exconvent from the XVI century. Here you will also view the most important show of Oaxaca, The Guelaguetza. After this show you will visit the cemetery of San Felipe del Agua for more Day of the Dead revelries! After the visit to the cemetery of San Felipe del Agua, we will have a Salsa dancing night at Candela.

Saturday, November 3rd
A unique breakfast experience awaits at “El Pochote”, a farmer’s market selling natural produce in downtown Oaxaca. This day’s excursion will be to Hierve el Agua and to a Mezcal Factory in the Tlacolula Valley. Free afternoon for shopping and packing then Salsa Night at Candela Salsa club.

Sunday, November 4th
Transport to the airport and fly home.

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