Things to do in

San Martín Tilcajete

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.

Experience 3 of Oaxaca's traditional art processes on this guided tour. Learn about the Alebrije art process, barro negro (black mud) pottery, and how the residents of Teotitlan Del Valle make their traditional hand-dyed rugs. Meet your guide at your hotel and hop in the car that will take you straight to your first stop, San Martin Tilcajete. Here, learn all about how alebrijes, traditional wooden fantasy figures, are made and discover how they became an emblem of Oaxaca. Next, head to San Bartolo Coyotepec. Learn how barro negro pottery is produced and all the products it can be used to make. Refresh and reenergize with a tlayuda, a traditional Oaxacan street food dish. Afterward, head to Teotitlan Del Valle and admire the traditional hand-dyed colorful rugs. Finally, visit The Tule Tree, the widest tree in the world, before heading back to your hotel.