Overview
Early Bird pricing ends June 14. Oaxaca comes alive in the fall, especially around Día de los Muertos in late October and early November. This retreat is timed just after the festivities, when the city is still filled with color and detail, but the pace has softened. You’ll experience Oaxaca as it settles back into its rhythm. Food is at the center of everything here. Throughout the week, you’ll explore both well-known and lesser-known Oaxacan dishes, from tlayudas and memelas to tetelas, each rooted in tradition and made with care. And then there’s the chocolate. Oaxaca is known for its complex moles, often made with stone-ground cacao, chiles, nuts, dried fruits, and spices, layered in a way that reflects both time and technique. Beyond the table, we’ll explore the landscapes that shape the cuisine, including the agave fields surrounding the city and a hike to Hierve el Agua. There is also space to slow down. Afternoons are intentionally left open for reading, rest, and quiet reflection. Samantha Bahn and Deb Bass O’Brien will guide thoughtful conversations around contemporary Latin American authors and chefs, using books and cookbooks to explore the cultural connections behind the food we’re experiencing. This is a retreat designed for those who want to engage more deeply. With the food, the place, and the people they’re sharing it with.
Where we stay matters
Your tranquil oasis in the heart of Oaxaca
We’ll be staying at a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Oaxaca’s historic center, just a short walk from Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the vibrant Zócalo.
The space reflects the spirit of Oaxaca’s artistic community, with colorful murals and carefully curated pieces from both established and emerging local artists woven throughout the property. Each room feels unique and is filled with character.
Rooms are bright, airy, and thoughtfully designed, opening into sunny courtyards and cozy indoor spaces that invite you to slow down, read, and relax between experiences.
The Experience
Oaxaca
Oaxaca has "that feeling". You'll feel welcomed right away and feel the deep sense of community and culture that Oaxaca prides itself on. It’s a place that feels both vibrant and grounded, inviting you to wander slowly and take in the details.
Markets
Oaxaca’s markets aren’t just places to shop. They’re where daily life happens and where you start to understand the culture through food. In the heart of the city, you’ll move between two neighboring markets that together offer a full introduction to Oaxaca’s food culture. One is expansive and bustling, filled with stalls of fresh produce, spices, textiles, and everyday goods, giving you a sense of how locals shop and live. Just steps away, the focus shifts to food, where smoke drifts through narrow aisles and meals are prepared right in front of you. You choose what you’d like, it’s grilled over open flames, and served simply with warm tortillas, salsas, and grilled onions. It’s immediate, communal, and unforgettable.
Books and Conversation
We’ve layered literature into this experience, adding another layer of depth to the food and culture you’ll encounter. Throughout the week, we’ll focus on contemporary Latin American authors and food-centered books that explore the stories behind ingredients and the cultural connections woven through them. A curated selection of books will be sent to you in advance, so you can arrive already connected to the themes we’ll explore together.
Walking Food and Market Tour
One morning, a local foodie takes us through the markets, street stalls, and into small, home-based kitchens. We learn about cooking with the comal (a flat griddle that is used for dry cooking, toasting and charring), the use of heirloom corn and the many different types of mole that Oaxaca is famous for. You don't just taste it; you understand it.
Zapotec Cooking Experience
This is not your typical cooking class. The Zapotec people are one of the oldest Indigenous cultures in Mexico, with roots in Oaxaca going back thousands of years. Today, Zapotec communities continue to carry forward traditions in language, weaving, and food. We head to Teotitlán del Valle and begin with a visit to the local market to select fresh ingredients. We're welcomed into a home kitchen to prepare a meal together in an open-air kitchen, working with heirloom corn and cooking on a comal. The air fills with the smell of toasting chiles and warm tortillas! By the time we sit down to eat, it feels less like a lesson and more like something we’ve been welcomed into.
Hierve el Agua
At the top of 'Hierve el Agua', you can look out across the valley while soaking in water that feels almost surreal. The name translates to “the water boils," referring to the way the springs bubble up from the ground, even though the water is cool to the touch. As the mineral-rich water flows over the edge, it leaves behind layers of calcium that, over time, form the striking petrified waterfall below. We’ll spend time here hiking the surrounding trails and swimming in the natural pools before heading to a nearby community for a relaxed lunch.
Mezcal Tasting
After time at Hierve el Agua, we’ll stop for an optional mezcal tasting, offering a relaxed introduction to one of Oaxaca’s most important traditions. Mezcal is deeply tied to the region, shaped by the land, the agave that grows here, and the generations of families who have been producing it using time-honored methods. Each variety reflects subtle differences in place and process, making it as much about culture and heritage as it is about flavor. It’s a simple, social way to wind down the day and experience another layer of Oaxaca.
Bookish Events
Deb and Samantha have planned a book exchange and another book related surprise event as well. You’re invited to bring a few favorite books to trade with others on the retreat.
Yoga
On our trips, we include moments that feel less like visiting and more like living in a place. In Oaxaca, that takes shape on two mornings as we walk to a nearby studio for yoga with local instructors.
Balance
Our carefully crafted itinerary balances incredible meals and cultural immersion with adventure and plenty of down time and reading time. These days are for you to relax, enjoy and focus on striking the right balance for you!
Cobblestone Streets
Oaxaca’s cobblestone streets are part of what gives the city its character. Lined with colorful colonial buildings, small cafés, and open doorways, they invite you to wander without a plan. It’s the kind of place you explore slowly, noticing things as you go.
Digital Detox
This is your chance to step back from the noise. Here, away from pressure and the constant buzz from your phone, there’s space to reconnect: with yourself, with others, and with the environment around you. There’s no right way to unplug. You choose what feels useful based on where you are and what you need.
We Give Back
5% of the profit goes straight to Oaxaca Youth Empowerment. This nonprofit is the principal U.S. funder of Centro de Esperanza Infantil, a non-profit in Oaxaca, Mexico, that supports nearly 600 students by paying education costs, providing meals, offering tutoring and psychological services, and providing cultural enrichment activities.
Accommodation
Double Occupancy: Deluxe Double Room
Share a room with a friend! These rooms have two double beds and lots of space. You will also have a private, ensuite bathroom.
FROM$3,850.00/pp
Double Occupancy: King Room
Expect to share a King bed with a partner or friend in this room! This room has a private, ensuite bathroom.
FROM$3,850.00/pp
Single Occupancy: Standard Double
Have a room with two double beds all to yourself! This room also has a private, ensuite bathroom.
FROM$4,150.00/pp
Single Occupancy: Deluxe Double Room
Enjoy a room to yourself! These rooms feature two double beds, a desk and lots of space! You will also have a private, ensuite bathroom.
FROM$4,350.00/pp
Single Occupancy: King Room
Enjoy a room to yourself with a King bed! This room has a private, ensuite bathroom.
FROM$4,550.00/pp
Itinerary
Previous
Next
A Typical Day
AM
Relaxed group breakfast
Morning activity:
- Friday: yoga, followed by food & market tour in central Oaxaca
- Saturday: yoga, followed by Zapotec cooking class
- Sunday: Hierve el Agua hike and lunch in rural village
- Monday: Free day to explore the historic center of Oaxaca!
- Tuesday: Departure day
PM
Free time for reading or exploring Oaxaca
Book discussions and exchanges
Group dinner
What's included
What's Included
Pre-trip & Logistics Support
Transportation to and from Oaxaca Airport (OAX)
Accommodation at boutique hotel
All meals aside from lunch and dinner on the free day
Welcome drink
Walking food and market tour
Hierve el Agua tour
Arrival gift
Mezcal tasting
Yoga classes (2)
Zapotec cooking experience
Book Club discussion
Book exchange and other bookish events
Two books shipped to you prior to retreat
Curated itinerary
Down time to read, rest, or explore
What's Not Included
Roundtrip airfare to OAX
Travel insurance (we have recommendations for you to explore)
Any meals during traveling that take place before or after you meet the group
Specialty drinks (smoothies or alcoholic beverages)
Additional Activities or Spa Services
Hosts
Samantha
A lifelong educator and trip leader, Samantha brings two decades of experience inspiring curiosity and connection in and beyond the classroom.
As a co-founder of Book Club Salida, she loves weaving together stories, travel, and conversation to create meaningful shared experiences for readers and adventurers alike.
Deb
Deb is a seasoned teacher and who believes books—and travel—open doors to connection and wonder.
With nearly twenty years in education, she now channels that passion into curating experiences (and book lists!) that spark reflection, creativity, and community through Book Club Salida.
Amy
Amy is an avid traveler and loves hiking and other outdoor adventures, food and architecture. Her favorite way to discover new countries and cultures is through their culinary traditions, markets and natural landscapes.
After leaving her corporate job in NYC, she has been traveling around the world. In total, she has visited 142 countries.
Gallery
FAQs
What is the cancellation policy?
Deposits are refundable for 10 days.
If cancellation occurs more than 120 days prior to the retreat start date, you will receive a 50% refund, less the deposit.
Cancel 90-120 days prior to retreat start date and receive a 25% refund, less the deposit.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations that occur 90 or fewer days before the retreat start date.
However, we CAN apply your deposit to a future AWAY retreat!
We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance to cover issues related to cancellation.
What is the payment policy?
A 25% deposit is required to reserve your spot on the retreat.
The remaining balance is due 120 days before the retreat start date.
Please reach out if you'd like to chat about a payment plan that might work better for you.
Is it okay to opt out of an activity?
It's so okay, we don't even call it "opting out".
We applaud you for doing what feels right for you.
Can my dietary needs be accommodated?
Yes! There are options for vegetarians, pescatarians, omnivores and carnivores alike.
Gluten-free diets can be accommodated as well.
Are vaccinations recommended or required?
You may read about the current CDC recommendations and guidelines here.
Is there WIFI?
Yes. While it’s nice to unplug from the outside world, many of us have lives at home that require some communication.
We understand. There is WIFI in rooms and around the property.
May I see a list of available activities in the area?
If you'd like to schedule one of the many activities that are offered around the island, we're here to help!
Check out the noncomprehensive list below:
- Massage/Spa Services
- Walking around the historic center
- Mezcal tasting
Do you require travel insurance?
As experienced travelers who’ve learned to expect the unexpected, we require travel insurance.
You will receive recommendations after booking (or ask in advance)!
What is on the packing list?
You'll receive a packing list which will include things like:
✔ Layers for cooler evenings
✔ Dresses, shirts, shorts & pants
✔ Sun hat & sunglasses
✔ Hiking boots or walking shoes
✔ Activewear for excursions
...and not much else!