1. Oaxaca: Ocotlan de Morelos Cultural Experience and Tour
The trip begins with pickup from your Oaxaca de Juarez accommodation and heads deep into the Central Valleys of Oaxaca to the colorful and friendly town of Ocotlan de Morelos. The first stop of the day is the town's main church, a place of emblematic significance for the community which is decorated in Neoclassical details. Continue the tour to Ocotlan de Morelos' traditional plaza, where residents and craftsmen from nearby towns meet every Friday to sell and trade products from the region. Follow your guide through the plaza and soak up the unique atmosphere of this vibrant hub, then stop by a cafe to taste Tejate, also known as the ‘drink of the God’s’. The next stop of the tour takes you to Santo Tomas Jalieza to visit a small community dedicated to the art of Waist Loom, a pre-Hispanic textile technique. Listen to the history of this craft as you watch local people creating colorful clothes, bags, and other unique pieces by looming cotton threads. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, taste a selection of delicious Oaxaca delicacies while learning more about the culture’s traditions and people. The final stop of the tour is San Martin Tilcajete, a small township bursting with colorful crafts and handmade trinkets. Wander around the town and admire the array of incredibly elaborate art works, which have been created by local people inspired by nature.