Overview
Oaxaca comes alive in the fall, especially around Día de los Muertos in late October and early November. Families come together to remember their loved ones, baking special foods like the sweet "pan de muerto" bread decorated with sugar skulls and spiced with anise. Colorful "ofrendas" (altars) with photos and the favorite food and drinks of the deceased are displayed and streets are decorated with garlands and marigold petals that point the way home for the deceased. We will be staying in the historic center of Oaxaca and will spend days wandering the streets and taking in the colorful "ofrendas" (altars) and decorations made from flowers, as well as stunning "tapetes de arena" (sand tapestries). We'll visit a cemetery for a candlelight vigil, attend lively parades and spend time with two local communities outside of central Oaxaca as they celebrate their traditions for Día de los Muertos and share the experience with us. This pre-retreat add-on for Día de los Muertos takes place over 4 nights before our Culinary Immersion retreat in Oaxaca. These two experiences are designed to be paired together, but please get in touch if you are interested in booking it standalone. There are two free days in between this experience and the Culinary Immersion so that you have time to visit other areas in Oaxaca or have down time if you will be attending both this and the Culinary Immersion.
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 in common areas and locally woven textiles. There is also a pool in a central courtyard and a rooftop terrace with lovey city views.
Rooms are bright, airy, and thoughtfully designed, opening into sunny courtyards, making it a perfect oasis in the historic center.
The Experience
Oaxaca
Oaxaca has some of the most unique and vibrant celebrations and decorations for Día de los Muertos. We'll explore central Oaxaca, as well as several indigenous villages outside of Oaxaca during this Día de los Muertos Experience. We will wander around the historic center, attending parades, seeking out altars and sand tapestries prepared for the celebrations. 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. We will visit several markets in central Oaxaca, as well as in Teotitlán del Valle during Día de los Muertos and will see the unique products available specifically for these celebrations like pan de muerto, marigolds, sugar skulls, and more!
Teotitlan del Valle Experience
With a local guide, we will have a special opportunity to visit smaller villages outside of Oaxaca where the celebrations are sacred and have been done in the same way for generations. We will head into a Zapotec village just outside of Oaxaca to learn about and participate in Día de los Muertos traditions in Teotitlán del Valle. We will start by visiting a market to buy flowers, fruit and other items to use as offerings on the Día de los Muertos altars. We will then visit the home of a host family and learn about their traditions and how Zapotec and Catholic traditions have merged. At sunset, we will head to the local cemetery to visit the tombs of our host family, followed by visits to the altars of their neighbors.
San Gabriel Etla Experience
We will visit this small town of 500 people to participate in their traditional way of honoring their ancestors. We will meet with our host family and perform a small ritual and create our own altars to honor ancestors. We will then visit a marigold field to construct our own bouquet to leave as an offering in the local cemetery. As the night progresses, there will be fireworks and a festive atmosphere. We'll have dinner with our host family and then enjoy the parade, music and dancing.
Xoxocotlán Cemetery Visit
The Pantheon Xoxocotlán is well-known for its nighttime candlelight vigil, sand tapestries and brass bands during Día de los Muertos celebrations. This celebration draws many locals and visitors and has a festive atmosphere. We will wander around the cemetery, taking in all of the celebrations.
Balance
Our carefully crafted itinerary balances unique cultural experiences and sightseeing with plenty of down time and time for independent exploration. There will be two days in between the end of Día de los Muertos and the Cultural Immersion so that you have plenty of free time to relax in Oaxaca or visit another city in the region. We are happy to help with arranging to extend your hotel in Oaxaca or set up transport to other cities.
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 or be paired up with a roommate! These rooms have two double beds and lots of space. You will also have a private, ensuite bathroom.
FROM$2,800.00/pp
Double Occupancy: King Suite
Expect to share a King bed with a partner or friend in this room! This room has a private, ensuite bathroom and a balcony that overlooks the pool. This can also be booked single occupancy, contact us for more details.
FROM$2,700.00/pp
Double Occupancy: Comfort Quadruple Room
Share a room with a friend, or be partnered up with a roommate. These rooms feature two double beds, a desk and lots of space! You will also have a private, ensuite bathroom.
FROM$2,800.00/pp
Itinerary
Previous
Next
Our Curated Día de los Muertos Experience
AM
Relaxed group breakfast
Free time to explore historic center, see colorful streets, altars and sand tapestries. Explore on your own or with one of our hosts!
Sample special dishes only found in Oaxaca around Día de los Muertos
PM
Group Welcome Dinner
Tour with local guides to nearby indigenous villages to learn about and experience unique traditions to honor ancestors that vary by locale
We'll share meals with host families, visit markets to procure items for offerings and building altars, spend time in our host families' homes and walk around villages to take in the festivities
Evenings will also involve attending parades and celebrations and a candlelight cemetery tour
What's included
What's Included
Pre-trip & Logistics Support
Transportation to and from Oaxaca Airport (OAX)
Accommodation at boutique hotel
Welcome drink
All breakfasts
Three dinners and three lunches
Two cultural tours to local villages for DDLM
Visit to Xoxocotlan Cemetery
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
Amy Heinemann
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.
Anna Klimmek
Anna Klimmek is a trained chef, certified health coach, wellness educator, and outdoor mindfulness guide who helps people create healthier, more balanced lives through food, movement, and meaningful outdoor experiences. As the founder of Happy Food MN, she combines her culinary background from Le Cordon Bleu and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Anna is also the creator of Breakthrough Adventures, an outdoor adventure project designed to empower women through outdoor cooking, yoga, nature experiences, community, and self-discovery. She is certified as an Outdoor Mindfulness Instructor through Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and recently earned her certification as a Ceremonialist through In My Elements, Temple of Remembrance Program in Bali. A graduate of Green Lotus Yoga & Healing Center’s 200-hour yoga teacher training program, Anna brings together food, mindfulness, ritual, and adventure to inspire lasting personal transformation and help women step into life with greater clarity, confidence, and connection.
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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 everything really optional?
Yes! This is your trip. Every scheduled activity is available to you, and you are in no way pressured to join any or all of them.
There is freedom in doing what you would personally like to do, each day.
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 area, we're here to help!
Check out the noncomprehensive list below:
- Massage/Spa Services
- Walking around the historic center
- Mezcal tasting
Why do you require travel insurance?
As experienced travelers who’ve learned to expect the unexpected, we require travel insurance.
Travel insurance helps protect your investment in the retreat and provides coverage for unexpected events such as illness, injury, family emergencies, travel delays, lost luggage, or trip interruptions.
Because retreat payments are subject to our cancellation policy, we require all guests to carry travel insurance so they have protection if plans change unexpectedly. It's best practice to purchase a policy shortly after booking (and we provide a recommended insurance provider in your confirmation email).
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!