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We like to think of Oaxaca as the heartland of Mexican cooking. All the foods that seem so classically, elementally, Mexican – corn, chiles, moles, mezcal – can be traced back to the fertile area that surrounds this historic city.
This is true not only of the ingredients, but the cooking techniques as well. The use of smoke and fire to flavor food, as well as the practice of cooking on a comal – the large circular griddle that is essential for making tortillas – are all deeply connected with the Oaxaca region and its indigenous people. But Oaxaca is not only a point of origin for these essential items of culinary heritage, it is also a place in which they are lovingly maintained and protected. Many of the people conserving that heritage are Oaxaca’s “Cocineras Tradicionales,” a loosely affiliated guild of female cooks that often come from the area’s smaller villages and towns. On this culinary adventure, we’ll get to meet several of these traditional cooks and taste their food, as well as visit local markets to get a deeper sense of the ingredients they use and the efforts being made to safeguard them. We’ll also go beyond the kitchen, learning about Oaxaca’s long tradition as an artistic center; and even getting a chance to try our hands at one of the most famous local art forms. Of course, this being Oaxaca, we’ll also spend a day taking a deep dive into the fascinating world of mezcal, the agave-based spirit that is an essential element of Oaxacan life and culture. We’ll finish our trip with a hands-on lesson making one of Oaxaca’s most famous creations – mole – a dish that, much like this Mexican region’s rich culinary heritage itself, is the result of numerous ingredients being lovingly and carefully mixed together.
FEAST
MEET
TREK
TASTE
LEARN
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrival & Welcome
Day 2
Immersion in the Markets
Day 3
Secrets of the Artisans
Day 4
Corn, Back to the Roots
Day 5
Sunday in the Market
Day 6
The Mysteries of Mezcal
Day 7
Farewell
Meet the Crew
We are firm believers in the power of local knowledge. Our guides and the culinary masters and other artisans who are part of our trips all deeply reflect that. Meet some of Oaxaca’s finest:
Paco
Maria
Mario
Thalia
Graciela
Catalina
Mimi
Abigail
Where you'll stay
Hotel Casa de Sierra Azul
This week’s focus on deeply local experiences and places are also well reflected in our choice of accommodation. We always select boutique and independent places, ones inspired by international standards while staying loyal to the area’s local heritage – that’s the balance we seek for more than a good night’s rest.
For this week in Oaxaca, our group will be staying at the Hotel Casa de Sierra Azul, a stunning nineteenth-century villa and hotel located in the heart of Oaxaca, just blocks from the zócalo and main cathedral. With ornate wooden details and a beautiful interior patio, the villa feels like an oasis in the middle Oaxaca’s vibrant city center.
Hear what travelers are saying
A culinary firehose! A deep, deep dive into Oaxacan - primarily Zapotec and Mixtec - food culture.
Sandra A.
Our guides knew their stuff and were passionate about Oaxaca - visits to the hosts went smoothly because of the connection and relationship already established with them.
Ndubuisi O.
The depth and the passion: The people we met were all deeply rooted in their community and passionate about their subjects. This wasn't a stock package tour at all.
Michael D.
Know before you go
Pricing and Accommodation
The total cost of this trip is $3,750 per person for 2025 and $4,000 for 2026 in a shared room. For travelers wishing to have single accommodations during the trip, an additional $550 ($850 for 2026) will be due at the time of the final payment. A $500 non-refundable deposit per traveler is required to secure space on the trip. The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the trip.
Activity Level
Travelers should be reasonably fit and feel comfortable walking three to five miles each day and remaining on their feet for long periods of time. Keep in mind that Oaxaca is a bustling and crowded place!
Arrival and Departure
For flights in and out of Oaxaca International Airport (Xoxocotlán International Airport OAX), we suggest you arrive by 3 p.m. on Day 1 and depart anytime on Day 7. We’ll provide the option of booking additional nights at our Oaxaca hotel before and/or after the tour, and are more than happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in the city on your own.
Inclusions
• All accommodation throughout the trip in stylish, boutique hotels. • Professional guides throughout the entire experience. • A belt-popping experience, with all meals and drinks included in planned activities. • All activities and events as mentioned in the itinerary. • A hungry group of Culinary Backstreets travelers, excited to explore all that Oaxaca has to offer!
Exclusions
• Transportation and flights to and from Oaxaca, including airport transfers. • Food and drink outside of Culinary Backstreets Trip offerings. • If applicable, applying for a Mexican visa (not required for U.S. citizens). • Travel insurance (recommended).
Dietary Restrictions
We encourage an adventurous palate! We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, though in most cases ingredients can’t be substituted or omitted from particular dishes. If you have a particular food allergy or intolerance, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
Notes on Itinerary
Itineraries and daily schedules are subject to change. We expect to do everything listed in the itinerary, though the order may be rearranged based on weather or other local conditions.
Safety and Sustainability
We have reinforced our commitment to sustainability and safety with new guidelines to assure maximum safety of our guests on our trips while maintaining the quality of the experience. All of our experiences are designed to have minimal impact on the community and environment. For more details on our precautions, read here. Our cancellation policy is extremely flexible to deal with changes in travel plans.
Cancellation Policy
<p>You may cancel 90 days before the start of the trip and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after 60 days before the start of the trip there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 30 days there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (see our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="https://foxlabs-development.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/foxlabs-development/images_imported/For+CB+Trips_+Terms+%26+Conditions_updated2022.pdf">Terms and Conditions</a> for full details).</p>
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