Oaxaca July Group Trip Guelaguetza 2024

PHOTOS BY:  ERICA CONNOLLY 

Join us in Oaxaca for a once-in-a-lifetime experience and learn more about:

• Indigenous Zapotec culture
• Traditional Oaxacan Cuisine
• Magical Surrounding Towns
• Guelaguetza Festival 

Details:  This boutique trip is designed to be an intimate and submersive cultural experience. Luisa values each and every relationship she has developed with locals in Oaxaca and she will be introducing you to many people in her community who she considers like family.  If you want an authentic look into Oaxaca and you love artisan craft, food, culture, and adventure then this is the trip for you. 

About Luisa: Luisa is a Mexican-American journalist who has worked for both national and local news stations. She left the news world to launch her own company, Mexico In My Pocket. Mexico In My Pocket's mission is to show people a side of Mexico often overlooked in the media world. By the end of this trip, you're guaranteed to fall in love with Mexico and you'll want to start planning your next adventure to this amazing part of the world.

About Rubén: Rubén Vasquez will be your tour guide during this trip. Luisa has been working with Rubén since 2021 and values and trusts his insight as a local Oaxaqueño. Rubén has joined Luisa on all of her trips to Oaxaca and knows every artisan she works with personally. He is a proud Oaxaqueño who truly cares about showing more people all of the beauty that Oaxaca has to offer and Luisa is proud to partner with him for our Guelaguetza 2024 trip.

About Guelaguetza: Join us in Oaxaca for one of Mexico's most famous cultural experiences known as Guelaguetza. During the month of July, Indigenous communities from all over Oaxaca come together to celebrate their unique differences and cultures through traditional dance, parades, and more.

Trip Dates & Pricing:

DATES | July 18-24, 2024, 6 nights and 7 days

TRIP PRICE | Starting at $3500 per person
Double Occupancy = $3500 per person | $1750 DEPOSIT DUE TODAY
Single Occupancy = $4500 | $2250 DEPOSIT DUE TODAY

HOW TO JOIN | To join this trip, you must submit an application and be approved.

APPLICATION FEE | To avoid non-serious inquiries, we are now requiring a $95 application fee. Once you submit your application fee, we will email you an application. 

If your application is approved, you will have two weeks to pay the non-refundable deposit and to send the signed Terms & Conditions agreement + a copy of your travel insurance.

If you do not submit payment within two weeks, you will forfeit your place and we will offer it to the next applicant in line.

The remaining payment is due on June 18, 2024. Up until June 18, 2024 you can give up your trip spot at any time; however, you will forfeit the non-refundable deposit.

If your application is NOT approved, you will receive an email with a gift card code which will be redeemable at our online store.

*APPLICATIONS CLOSE APRIL 1ST*

Itinerary & Overview: 

DAY 1: WELCOME TO OAXACA CITY. Since we'll all be arriving to Oaxaca city this day, the first half of the day will start as a free day. Take this opportunity to do sightseeing, visit the market, textile museum, and/or Santo Domingo. In the evening, we'll have dinner at one of our favorite Oaxacan restaurants. Get ready to savor mole, fresh corn tortillas on a comal, and a chocolatito de agua.

DAY 2: MOLE COOKING CLASS WITH TRADITIONAL OAXACAN COOK FEATURED IN VOGUE MAGAZINE Head to Etla for a mole cooking class with Luisa's friend Mimi and her son Charlie. Mimi is a traditional Oaxacan cook who will teach us recipes which have been passed down four generations.

DAY 3: GET READY FOR THE PARADE Brunch at one of our favorite Oaxacan restaurants. Later in the afternoon we'll secure a spot to watch the Guelaguetza street parade! 

DAY 4: WELCOME TO TEOTITLAN DEL VALLE. We're headed to the village which is famous for its Zapotec rugs and floral candles. We'll meet the artisans and learn more about both of these beautiful crafts.

DAY 5: GUELAGUETZA FREE DAY: Guelaguetza festival begins. This day will be treated as a free day because Guelaguetza tickets are purchased on a lottery basis. If you join us for this trip, we will walk you through the steps to secure a ticket, but it is not guaranteed that you will get tickets for the auditorium showing. Some of you will attend the Guelaguetza festival at the auditorium at Cerro del Fortin, while others will attend a local town's showing.

DAY 6: SAN MARTIN TILCAJETE We'll head to the land of the alebrijes (Oaxacan spirit animals) where local artisans will conduct a reading and tell you exactly which spirit animal you are. Make sure to pack pesos!  

DAY 7: DEPARTURES & GOODBYES You're officially ready to explore Oaxaca on your own! Some of you will extend your trip (for an additional charge), while others will head back to your casitas. The choice is yours!

Note: The trip itinerary starts at 6 p.m. local time on July 18th.

SPOTS AVAILABLE |  15 spots only.

What the Trip Includes:

• 6 nights at Boutique Hotel in Oaxaca.
• Transportation to and from airport..
• Majority of meals. Unless noted otherwise.
• Activities mentioned on Itinerary.
• Spanish & English Translation.
• Private Driver to surrounding areas. 
• Visit artisan studios and learn about the craft.
• Tips for all meals, hotels, drivers, and activity guides.
• Cooking class with traditional Oaxacan cook.
• Sorpresas I can't share on here with you, but that you'll enjoy!

What the Trip Does Not Include:

• Alcoholic beverages.
• Airfare and/or other means of travel to/from Oaxaca
• Packing materials
• Incidental expenses
• Required travel insurance
• Meals not listed in itinerary
• Extra excursions or events you plan on free day

REVIEWS:

To read more reviews, click here.

"A week in Oaxaca with Luisa and Mexico In My Pocket was the best way to dive deep into the soul of the region. She connects the group with the spirit of Oaxaca by granting access to homes, shops, and stories of local artisans and chefs. Luisa has carefully taken the time to cultivate relationships with so many locals, which in turn opens the door to experiences for her groups that would be difficult to access without her." - Erica Connolly, Dallas Texas.

"On our trip to Oaxaca, I could tell that Luisa really put her heart and soul into showing the city and people she loves so much. She put together an incredible trip that felt so personally connected to the land and culture. Not only was it an honor to join on my first trip to Mexico, but it was so moving to witness American Mexicanas connect to their own roots. Luisa is truly creating such a unique and beautiful space that I haven't seen offered anywhere else." - Brit Alveno, Northfield, Minnesota

"My trip with Luisa and Mexico In My Pocket was nothing short of magical. I am a seasoned solo traveler and there is no way I could have created this experience on my own. The relationships Luisa has cultivated and the effort she puts into her planning is analogous to the artisans she highlights. The through-line is passion. The food I experienced, the beauty I witnessed, and the people I met were extraordinary. I'm leaving Mexico with a full heart." - Shannon Velasco, New York City

"Luisa, words can't explain how much I appreciate the experience you curated for all of us. I have traveled a lot, especially to Latin American countries, but never have I ever felt so immersed in a culture. Because of you, I got to meet so many inspiring local artisans and powerful girls in our group. I admire how you, using your own actions and words, help create a more holistic and colorful picture of a highly stigmatized country like Mexico. Now I can proudly and wholeheartedly say, Mexico is also in my pocket." - Stella Sun, China

"I always heard that Oaxaca is the heartbeat of Mexico. As a Mexican-American, I needed to visit this magical place. As a non adventurous person, traveling to Oaxaca, on my own was not happening. Then comes Luisa / Mexico In My Pocket and plans this immersive, stress free trip and it was finally my chance! This trip, was exactly that! I don't know how she did it, but she brought together a group of strangers on the trip of a lifetime! This trip was filled with a deep understanding of Oaxacan culture, food, and art, in a safe, stress free environment. The bonus, unexpected friendships, a lifetime of memories and a deeper understanding of myself. Can't wait to join her on the next adventure!" - Rosie Fregozo, San Mateo, California

"Memorable doesn't even begin to describe my trip with Luisa to Oaxaca. She created a trip that allowed me to experience the beautiful artisans and culture of this region. I'm so happy to share this experience with the people that went with us. I cannot thank Mexico In My Pocket enough for this moment in my life." - Anna Bass, Houston, Texas

INQUIRIES:

For more details, including our hotel accommodations, cancellation policy, terms and conditions, please email luisa@mexicoinmypocket.com.