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Oaxaca
A Journey Into the Heart & Soul of Mexican Cooking
Dec 09 - 15, 2026
Feb 18 - 24, 2027
Where
Oaxaca
Group Size
6 - 12 Travelers
Duration
7 Days, 6 Nights
Price
From 4,000 USD / person
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
Oaxaca is a city of history and tradition, and some of its richest legacies relate to cooking. After settling into our hotel, which is located in the walkable historic center of town, we’ll gather in its lovely courtyard and get to know each other, our trip leader and learn what the exciting days ahead hold for us.
After our drinks, we’ll head out for a very special dinner at Zandunga, where chef and founder Aurora Toledo celebrates the pre-Hispanic cooking of her home region, Oaxaca’s Isthmus. Here the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean, resulting in an utterly unique kind of cuisine.
Day 2
Immersion in the Markets
Day 3
Secrets of the Artisans
Day 4
Corn, Back to the Roots
We begin this day with an early expedition, a rewarding hike to the Mitla caves, a crucial part of the story of corn and how it became so central in Oaxacan life, as this is where the earliest archeological evidence of the domestication of maize was found. Here we will explore the caves and view some of the beautiful prehistoric paintings discovered inside them. After our hike, we’ll head to the farmhouse of our guide, where we’ll feast on meal made using the freshest ingredients possible. Here we will also get a chance to see the work of the guide’s father, a celebrated local textile artist. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a traditional meal at a local institution famous for its tlayudas, thin, wood-fire tortillas covered with a myriad of toppings, including different types of cured meats and sausages. Sitting down with locals, who are especially opinionated about their favorite tlayuda spots, we’ll try a number of different topping combinations and join in the fun of this Oaxacan culinary tradition.
Day 5
Sunday in the Market
Day 6
The Mysteries of Mezcal
Today we’ll head out of town and into the countryside to learn all about the making of mezcal and the important role this agave-based spirit plays in Oaxacan culture. We’ll make our way to a palenque, an artisanal distillery, where the mezcalera will walk us through the process of making the drink: from collecting the agave to bottling the mezcal. Unlike many mezcal makers, this woman is a farmer as well, working toward sustainable solutions to keep up with the global mezcal craze. Along with a mezcal tasting, we will also have a rustic country-style lunch at the palenque, eating dishes made from items freshly collected from nearby fields and cooked over an open fire. In the evening, we’ll have a very special farewell dinner at Cocina de Humo, where chef Thalia Barrios Garcia works culinary magic with fire and smoke. There, seated before the chef, we will witness indigenous culinary traditions which spring to life in her hands and at the hearth of this one-of-a-kind restaurant.
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
Arturo
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 our 2026 trip 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.
Hotel Boutique Na’Ura Centro
For our February, 2027 trip in Oaxaca, our group will be staying at Hotel Boutique Na’Ura Centro, a charming colonial-style boutique hotel set in the heart of the historic center. Just a couple of blocks from the Zócalo, it offers easy access to Oaxaca’s markets, restaurants, and cultural landmarks, making it an ideal base for exploring the city. The hotel features a traditional central courtyard, a rooftop terrace with city views, and an on-site restaurant serving Mexican cuisine, blending classic Oaxacan character with modern comforts. We’re happy to arrange additional nights at the group’s hotel, just email us or use the chat below.
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
<p>The total cost of this trip in 2027 is $4,200 per person in a shared room. For travelers wishing to have single accommodations during the trip, an additional $850 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.</p>
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
<p>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 trip, and are more than happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in the city on your own.</p>
Inclusions
<p>• All accommodation throughout the trip in stylish, boutique hotels. </p><p>• Professional guides throughout the entire experience. </p><p>• A belt-popping experience, with all meals and drinks included in planned activities. </p><p>• All activities and events as mentioned in the itinerary. </p><p>• A hungry group of Culinary Backstreets travelers, excited to explore all that Oaxaca has to offer!</p>
Exclusions
<p>• Transportation and flights to and from Oaxaca, including airport transfers. </p><p>• Food and drink outside of Culinary Backstreets Trip offerings. </p><p>• If applicable, applying for a Mexican visa (not required for U.S. citizens). </p><p>• Travel insurance (recommended).</p>
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
<p>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, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="/safety-and-sustainability">read here</a>.</p>
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://culinarybackstreets.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/culinarybackstreets/images_imported/For+CB+Trips_+Terms+%26+Conditions_updated2022.pdf">Terms and Conditions</a> for full details).</p>
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