History & Nature in Mexico: Oaxaca & the Pacific Coast - 13 Days

Highlights

• Visit Oaxaca's Árbol del Tule, one of the oldest cypress trees in the world
• Discover the traditional cuisine of Oaxaca in a rural cooking workshop
• Snorkel with colorful fish in the underwater world of Huatulco National Park
• Ride horses to the remote beauty of Puerto Escondido's Manialtepec Beach

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Oaxaca, Explore

Welcome to Mexico! Your flight lands in Oaxaca City, the capital of Oaxaca state. Known for its culture, cuisine, and history, this colonial city is home to incredible architecture, world-renowned restaurants, and museums that showcase the region's past and present. Upon arrival, your private transfer will take you to your hotel for check-in, after which you can explore this fabulous city. 

Start with a visit to a few of Oaxaca's many museums. There's the Textile Museum of Oaxaca, which has exhibits on the processes of textile-making and its significance in the city's history, or the Museum of Cultures, where you'll find information on the history and traditions of Mexican culture. And art lovers won't want to miss the Oaxacan Museum of Contemporary Art (MACO), created by Oaxacan painter Fransico Toledo and featuring both permanent and temporary exhibits by Oaxacan and international artists.

If you're looking for outdoor space, visit the Ethnobotanical Garden, which encompasses more than two acres (.80 ha) and sits adjacent to the Church of Santo Domingo. The garden is only accessible via a guided tour and has some excellent examples of local flora, including agave, cactus, and medicinal plants known to this part of Mexico. Before returning to your hotel, stop at a local café for a sample of traditional hot chocolate or a mezcalería (mezcal drink). Later tonight, enjoy dinner at an authentic Oaxacan restaurant, where chefs from nearby communities serve cuisine from the state's eight regions. 

Day 2: Guided Walking Tour of Oaxaca, Visit a Chocolate Factory

After breakfast, meet your guide for a guided walking tour of the city. Visit attractions such as the 16th and 17th-century aqueducts, the Convent of Santa Cruz, which has a tree that grows crucifix-like thorns, and Casa Juarez, the former home of Mexican politician Benito Juárez that now serves as a museum dedicated to his life. See the Plaza de Santo Domingo, a lively square with shops and restaurants, and the beautiful Church of Santo Domingo with its impressive Baroque architecture.

Stroll through Alameda and Constitution squares while visiting local markets, sampling delicious street food from the vendors, and taking in the sensory overload of colors, sounds, and fragrant aromas. End at a chocolate factory, where you'll learn the ins and outs of traditional Oaxacan chocolate-making and try some sweet treats. 

Day 3: Visit a Mezcal Distillery, Archaeological Site & Textile Weaver

Start the day with a guided visit to the Árbol del Tule (Tule Tree), a massive cypress tree. With a circumference of over 148 feet (45 m) and an age of at least 2,000 years, it remains one of the largest and oldest trees in the world. Oaxaca's Zapotec people believed that humans originated from trees, and the tree was the site of celebrations and rituals, such as their Mixtec dance of the cypress.  

From here, continue to a local mezcal distillery and learn how this traditional Oaxacan spirit is made. Try a tasting of different mezcal beverages, then head to the archaeological site of Mitla. Located in the Tlacolula Valley, approximately 27 miles (44 km) from the city, this is considered one of Oaxaca's most important historic sites, built as an ancient gateway between the world of the living and the dead. Walk through the courtyards, see the ceremonial centers, and visit the main temple, where priests once performed sacrifices and other rituals.

End the day in Teotitlán del Valle, a village known for its wool-dying techniques and intricate rugs and tapestries. Visit a wool weaver's shop and see their process as your guide explains the meaning behind the different textiles and colors. Return to Oaxaca in time for an evening stroll and dinner out. 

Day 4: Flavors of Oaxaca: Rural Cooking Class

Today is your chance to discover the heritage and traditions of Oaxacan cuisine in a rural cooking workshop. Meet your guide and, depending on the time frame and availability, visit the villages of Teotitlán del Valle or Santa Ana del Valle, which are part of the Zapotec community in the Oaxaca Valley. Chat with the comideras (cooks recognized for their extensive culinary skills) and visit a local market to shop for ingredients.

Then, go to their home, where, under their expert instruction, you'll prepare a traditional Oaxacan meal. Learn to make dishes such as pumpkin leaf or chickpea soup, green mole with pumpkin seed, and a dessert of tenocytes (small apples) in a sweet, chocolate tamale. Sit down with your hosts and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your own two hands! 

Day 5: Day Trip to Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam & Coyotepec

Today's adventure starts at the Monte Albán Archaeological Zone, just south of Oaxaca, surrounded by mountains and valleys. Founded in 500 BC, it once served as the capital city of the Zapotecs and is considered one of Mesoamerica's most important ancient sites. See the impressive remains, which include pyramids, the Great Plaza, the North Platform, and the 300 carved reliefs known as the Gallery of Danzantes (dancers). 

Continue to the community of Arrazola, a town known for its workshops dedicated to the craft of Alebrijes, representations of imaginary animals composed of paper or carved wood. Invented by the artist Pedro Linares Lopez in Mexico City in 1936, the artisans use traditional wood carving techniques passed down through generations. Visit a local wood carver and learn more about the carvings and how they are created.

From there, make the 20-minute drive to the village of Cuilapam, where you'll visit the 16th-century former Monastery of Santiago Cuilapam, a fortress-like complex with an elaborate basilica and baptismal font, as well as beautiful murals. Break for lunch, then conclude the tour with a visit to Doña Rosa's Black Pottery Workshop in Coyotepec, where you'll learn about the history of black pottery in the Oaxaca region. 

Day 6: Cultural Excursion to Ixtepeji, Hike to Cuajimoloyas Community

Meet your guide this morning for a hike through the enchanting Ixtepeji forest, a communal eco-park with a variety of trails and copses of pine and oak trees. Trek along the peaceful wooded paths, taking in the wild mushrooms and flowers as your guide discusses the importance of protecting the forest of the Sierra Norte, making your way to the Indigenous community of Cuajimoloyas. Here, most residents still speak the ancestral Zapotec language, and traditions are deeply preserved. Learn more about rural life and the cultural roots of the people who call the forest home, returning to Oaxaca City in the afternoon.

Day 7: Fly to Santa María Huatulco, Afternoon at Leisure

Your next destination is Santa María Huatulco or just Huatulco as locals call it. This coastal town is part of Huatulco National Park, declared a protected reserve in 1998, and home to more than 30 natural beaches, nine different bays, varied marine life, and mountain ranges. The town also sits near Copalita Ecological Park and Ruins, where you'll find remains of relics that include temples, a ball field, and a large ceremonial center. 

Depart your hotel in the morning and take your private transfer to the airport for the 3.5-hour flight. Upon arrival, a driver will take you to your hotel, where the rest of your day is free. You can visit beaches such as Playa San Agustín, a stretch of sand with shallow waters and restaurants along the shore, or Playa La India, which sits in Chachacual Bay. If you'd prefer to spend time in town, stop by the Museum of Oaxacan Art to see hand-carved masks and alebrije (whimsical carvings), finishing with a fresh seafood dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 8: Discover Huatulco National Park 

Get to know the underwater world of Huatulco with an excursion to Huatulco National Park. Together with your guide, start with a gentle hike into the park, then hop onboard a waiting boat to travel out on the Pacific Ocean. Your captain will navigate the turquoise waters, stopping in those spots where you're most likely to see tropical fish and other marine life. Swim, snorkel, and relax, admiring the scenery and learning more about the creatures that reside in these waters.

Day 9: Explore Oaxaca's Sierra Madre del Sur: Jungle Hike & Waterfalls

Tour the wonders of the Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico's massive mountain range extending more than 600 miles (1,000 km) from southern Michoacán into eastern Oaxaca. Meet your guide and head out, stopping at various viewpoints, then take a short hike to the Copalitilla (Magic) waterfalls, a set of gorgeous cascading falls with clear, swimmable pools. 

After swimming, visit a nearby village to learn about coffee farming, sip delicious coffee, and see the medicinal plants that grow here and the products the residents create from them. Close the day with a regional meal of chicken mole, beans, and tortillas prepared by community cooks. 

Day 10: Visit the Beaches & Bays of Huatulco 

Make it a beach day at Huatulco's white sand beaches, quiet coves, and secluded bays. Start at Playa Santa Cruz, easily the most popular beach in town. The waters here are calm with no waves, making this the perfect spot for families and activities such as snorkeling and paddleboarding. Amenities include multiple restaurants, markets, and equipment rentals, and you can also charter a boat if you'd like to get out on the water. 

If you'd prefer something more secluded, consider the beaches of Cacaluta Bay. The bay, one of the largest in Huatulco, is also one of the most difficult to access, as you can only get there by boat or hiking for 20-30 minutes through the woodlands. Once you get there, however, you'll find it all worth it as you stroll along the vast, empty shoreline of Cacaluta Beach. Nearby, you'll find Arroyo Beach, a much smaller stretch of sand that is equally beautiful.

Speaking of snorkeling, you can enjoy phenomenal underwater time at Playa La Entrega. The beach can be accessed via land or boat (or paddleboard if you're feeling adventurous!), and there are plenty of food options and equipment rentals. Spend your afternoon with the hoards of tropical fish that frequent the live reefs here, ending with a fresh seafood dinner at a nearby restaurant. 

Day 11: Transfer to Puerto Escondido, Sea Turtle Release at La Escobilla

The final leg of your tour takes you to Puerto Escondido, a lively resort town known for its beaches and nightlife. Check out of your hotel and meet your driver for the scenic, two-hour drive, stopping at La Escobilla Beach, a natural protected area where endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles make their nests each year.

Depending on the season, you may have the opportunity to see the massive nesting of the adult turtles or watch the hatchlings make their way to the sea, learning more about how Mexico is working to preserve this species. Tonight, settle in your hotel at Puerto Escondido and spend an evening in town. 

Day 12: Horseback Tour to Manialtepec Beach

Spend a day at the isolated paradise of Manialtepec Beach, meeting your guide in the morning for a guided horseback ride. Say hello to your friendly horses and, after a safety briefing, mount up and make your way through grassy fields and along gentle trails, arriving at the beach in time for a welcoming glass of mezcal and a lunch of regional dishes.

Swim and sunbathe on the beach, then see more of this photogenic lagoon via kayak. Cruise the waters with a local expert as they share the secrets of this region's remarkable diversity and rare flora and fauna. Stay in time for sunset, then saddle back up for the journey back to town.

Day 13: Return to Huatulco, Depart

Your time in Mexico ends today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer back to Huatulco, where you'll catch your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels! 

More Great Mexico Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other Mexico itineraries, explore different ways to spend 13 days in Mexico, or discover the best time to visit Mexico.