Flavors & Aromas of Mexico - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City, Dinner in Coyoacán

Welcome to Mexico City! Known as "DF" (Distrito Federal) to locals, this metropolis of around 10 million people is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the Western Hemisphere. As such, you can expect it's filled with rich history, culture, and, of course, food. While here, you'll enjoy some of the best cuisine in Mexico, and the culinary adventure begins right away.

Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will pick you up for the ride to your hotel in the city's historic center. After dropping off your bags, you'll head out again, this time to the south of the city and the bohemian neighborhood of Coyoacán. Here, you'll take a seat at Los Danzantes. This renowned eatery is a fine introduction to the type of cuisine you'll enjoy in Mexico, as it specializes in traditional fare from the state of Oaxaca. The dinner consists of an appetizer, first course, main, and dessert—be sure to try the delicious Oaxacan mole!

Day 2: Museum of Anthropology & Chapultepec Castle

This morning, dive into Mexico's past with a guided tour of the National Museum of Anthropology. This is one of the most important museums in Latin America—its 23 rooms and outdoor exhibit spaces are home to the world's most extensive collection of ancient Mexican art. There are many pre-Columbian sculptures here, as well as ethnographic exhibits about modern-day Indigenous groups. Highlight items include the Aztec Calendar, the Olmec colossal head (a giant stone head carved out of basalt), and the jade Mask of the Zapotec Bat God.

Later, continue to Chapultepec Park. At 1,695 acres (686 ha), this is one of the largest urban green spaces in the world. It's also one of the oldest, as it was once a retreat for Aztec rulers. Besides lakes and gardens, the park contains nine museums, a zoo, and an amusement park. After walking around the park and enjoying the scenery, you'll return to your hotel and have the evening free.

Day 3: Mexico City Food & Culture Tour

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel around mid-morning to kick off the day's culinary extravaganza. First, you'll head over to the famous Mercado de San Juan, a large municipal market in the historic center. Here, you'll learn all about Mexican cuisine and its evolution, as well as sample gourmet and exotic products like fruits, cheese, and agave-distilled mezcal. You'll also get to make (and eat!) your own dishes, including sope, a thick corn tortilla topped with meat. 

In the early afternoon, you'll hop around several traditional eateries: Café Cordobés, Café Villarías, and Las Duelistas, to sample local eats. And that's just the start—there will also be a break for lunch, perhaps at the highly recommended Testal restaurant, known for its authentic Mexican cuisine, including tacos, sopes, and more.

Day 4: Day Trip to Xochimilco, Coyoacán & Casa Azul

Rise and shine! Today's adventure will take you to the southern outskirts of the city and Xochimilco. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been settled since pre-colonial times. It's known for its tranquil canals—remnants of the rivers that once crossed Mexico's valley floor and were used by the Aztecs for transport. While here, you'll travel down the canals on a trajinera (painted gondola). As you float down the half-natural, half-artificial channels, you'll nibble on antojitos (Mexican snacks) and learn about Mexican history as boats filled with mariachi musicians float past and serenade you.

From there, head to the cobbled streets and shady plazas of historic Coyoacán. The area has retained its colonial charm, as it was its own municipality from the early 16th century through the 19th century. Here, you'll visit the 16th-century San Juan Bautista Church, plus stop at a local craft fair. Then continue to La Casa Azul, the house where Frida Kahlo spent much of her life and is now a museum displaying works by Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 5: Day Trip to Teotihuacán, Transfer to Puebla

An English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel this morning for the drive outside the capital to one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Mexico: Teotihuacán. Known as the "City of the Gods," this 8-square-mile (20 sq km) site was founded as early as 400 BCE, meaning it long predates the Aztecs. During its heyday (around 500 CE), it was home to 200,000 people and over 2,000 buildings, making it the largest city in the Western Hemisphere. Rather than taking a walking tour of its wide pathways, you'll experience Teotihuacán differently—on a bicycle.

Upon arrival, hop on a bike and cycle around the site, passing murals that decorate the structures and depict cultural and religious motifs and landscapes. Then, ride down the Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacán's main path that runs for a mile (2 km). You'll also visit the Pyramid of the Sun, the most prominent structure at 215 feet (66 m), and the Pyramid of the Moon, which towers 140 feet (43 m). Later, stop at the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (Temple of the Feathered Serpent), which has bas-reliefs of the feathered serpent deity. At the end of the tour, you'll return to your hotel in Mexico City.

Later, you'll leave Mexico City on a 2.5-hour transfer east to Puebla. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Puebla City is considered the birthplace of many traditional Mexican dishes, including mole poblano, chalupas, cemitas, and chiles en nogada. After checking into your hotel in the historical center, you can take a walk around the city, noting the colonial architecture and the painted talavera tiles decorating many buildings.

Day 6: Puebla Walking Tour & Cooking Class

In the morning, meet your guide for a walking tour of Puebla's well-preserved historic center. Start at the 17th-century Baroque Cathedral, which overlooks the Zócalo de Puebla (main plaza). Then, continue to a talavera (handmade pottery) workshop followed by the Palafoxiana Library, which dates to 1646. You'll also visit the Calle de Los Dulces (home to an array of artisanal sweet shops), the Barrio del Artista (the city's Arts District), and Barrio de Los Sapos (a historic neighborhood where you can shop for antiques), as well as the El Parián handicrafts market.

Later, you'll enjoy another experience that combines a walking tour with a cooking workshop. Meet up with a local chef/guide and take a stroll to one of Puebla's markets, where you'll discover the aromas, colors, and flavors of the city. Sample some classic street food snacks, then head over to a local kitchen, where you'll learn the art of preparing delicious mole Poblano. The reward for all your hard work is sitting down to enjoy this classic dish.

Day 7: Day Trip to Cholula & Culinary Tour

Start today with a visit to nearby Cholula for a half-day guided tour of this historic enclave. It was first settled around 200 BCE, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the country. As you stroll its colorful streets, you'll learn about its history, culture, myths, and legends.

Then, head up to the Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios, Cholula's gilded neoclassical church that dates to 1574. It was famously built atop a 177-foot-high (54 m) pre-Hispanic pyramid. The church has incredible panoramic views of the volcanoes in the Valley of Mexico. 

Part of the tour also focuses on Cholula's cuisine. In particular, corn. This vegetable has been cultivated since pre-Hispanic times and is a staple of Mexican gastronomy. It's the main ingredient in the region's handmade tortillas—a culinary tradition passed down from generation to generation. In a workshop, you'll learn every step of the process, from milling the corn to handcrafting the final product. Once your batch of tortillas is ready, you'll snack on them with a refreshing drink and dessert, like corn ice cream. 

Day 8: Transfer to Oaxaca, Stop at Tehuacán-Cuicatlan

After breakfast, meet your driver for the 2.5-hour drive south to the Tehuacán-Cuicatlan Reserve. This UNESCO-listed protected area (the name means "Place of God" in the Indigenous Nahuatl language) is rich in biodiversity and is home to 85 reptile species and 338 bird species. Its main highlight, however, is the columnar cactuses endemic to the area. On a walking tour, your guide will point out the unique cactuses that thrive here.

After the nature walk, continue driving another 2.5 hours to Oaxaca City, the capital of the state of the same name. Despite being founded by the Spanish in 1532, this city has strong Indigenous roots and boasts many pre-Columbian archaeological sites. It's home to the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples, which define the region's culture. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel and will have the evening free.

Day 9: Oaxaca Food & History Tour

In the morning, meet a local expert guide for a walking tour that combines two of Oaxaca's highlights: history and food. It begins near the historic center at the Mercado de la Merced municipal market, where you'll try fresh-baked empanadas. Then, walk over to the 17th-century Xochimilco Aqueduct and continue along Calle García Vigil, stopping for a taco break.

Eventually, you'll reach the former convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, home of the Museum of Cultures, which houses Monte Albán's Tomb 7 (one of a number of pre-Columbian tombs). Here you can refresh yourself with one of the city's famous artisanal ice creams. Finally, stroll along the Baroque buildings and Novo-Hispanic mansions of Calle Alcalá before ending at the Plaza de la Constitución. Reward yourself with a nourishing cup of Oaxacan spiced hot chocolate.

Later in the evening, you'll enjoy a very special dinner reservation. Take a seat at a famous local restaurant specializing in traditional cuisine created by chefs from Indigenous communities and which represent various regions around Oaxaca. At the end of the meal, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 10: Day Trip to Monte Albán, Visit Local Villages

After breakfast, head just outside Oaxaca to the ruins of the great Zapotec city of Monte Albán for a three-hour tour. Founded in the sixth century BCE atop a hill in the Oaxaca Valley, it's the largest pre-Columbian site in Mesoamerica, covering 4 square miles (10 sq km). It was the capital city of the Zapotec people for a staggering 13 centuries (500 BCE to 800 CE), and features awe-inspiring landmarks like the North Platform, the Great Plaza, Los Danzantes (bas-relief stone sculptures depicting dancers), ball courts, and more.

Next, you'll visit historic landmarks and villages filled with talented artisans creating handicrafts and works of art. The first is Arrazola, known for its alebrijes—colorful folk-art carvings and sculptures often depicting fantastic creatures. Later, visit the Ex-Monastery of Santiago Apósto, a jewel of Dominican architecture that dates to 1570 and is where General Vicente Guerrero, revolutionary general and ex-president of Mexico, was executed by firing squad in 1831. The journey ends in Coyotepec, where you'll visit a local woman's workshop specializing in black-clay pottery. 

Day 11: Transfer to Latuvi, Jam & Bread Workshop

Leave Oaxaca in the morning on a 1.5-hour transfer into the highlands and Latuvi. Nestled in the lush mountains of the Sierra Norte, all around this Zapotec Indigenous town are sweeping views of verdant landscapes, cloud forests, and cascading waterfalls. Upon arrival, you'll check into your accommodation.

Then you'll spend the rest of the day with the locals. Latuvi is known for agriculture and fruit cultivation—the residents' primary source of income. It's a community effort in which they combine their resources to produce jams utilizing fruits harvested in the area. You'll even get to participate in a jam workshop. After lunch, you can join an optional bread workshop—the products of both classes will make for a great snack later in the day. 

Day 12: Hike in Benito Juárez National Park

After breakfast, meet your driver for the ride into Benito Juárez, a highland community and national park. Lace up your hiking boots because, on arrival, you'll hike up to a viewpoint. The scenic trail will take you through forests and across suspension bridges up to the mirador (viewpoint) offering sweeping views of the Sierra Juárez and the central valleys. If the day is clear, you'll be able to see the snowcapped cone of Pico de Orizaba. There will be a break for a traditional lunch, after which you can continue exploring the area. You'll overnight in Benito Juárez.

Day 13: Visit a Family Farm, Transfer to Oaxaca

Enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast this morning—literally. A local family in the Benito Juárez community will invite you to their farm and home, where you'll share a meal and learn about the day-to-day activities of running a farm in this highland region. Even better, you'll also participate in a workshop and learn to prepare handmade tortillas. Lunch will also be on the farm and is comprised of regional dishes using local ingredients. Then it will be time to say goodbye to your new friends and transfer back to Oaxaca City, where you can spend your last evening in Mexico relaxing.

Day 14: Depart Oaxaca

With a full heart and stomach, it's time to bid farewell to Oaxaca and Mexico. In the morning, meet your driver for the transfer to the airport, where you'll catch your international flight home. Adiós!

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