October 16th – 22nd, 2024
Your exciting trip to Oaxaca is just around the corner, promising to be a truly memorable experience! Please read the next document carefully as it has important information to help you get ready for the journey ahead. You’ll soon be exploring vibrant markets, diving into the rich flavors of Oaxacan cuisine, participating in traditional crafts workshops, and so much more! If you have any questions, just let us know!
You will need a passport to travel to Mexico. Your passport should be valid until at least May 2025 and it should have 2 full empty pages.
If you don’t have enough empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries are allowed to enter Mexico without a visa for stays of less than 90 days. As a result, no preparations are needed and you do not need to obtain a tourist visa for this trip. Upon arrival in the country, the immigration officer will simply stamp your passport and you’ll be allowed to enter.
Arrival / Departure Airport
Please note that the arrival and departure airport for this tour is the Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) and your flight to/from Mexico should be for this airport only.
Currently, Mexico doesn’t have any immunization requirements. However, as is the case when traveling to any country, it is always good to speak to a medical professional about what immunizations might be right for you and to ensure you are up-to-date with standard immunizations such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus.
Known as a captivating destination, Oaxaca is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and the warm hospitality of its people. On our 7-day journey, we’ll immerse ourselves in the heart of Oaxacan life, exploring colorful markets full of artisan crafts, and savoring the legendary culinary delights of the region. Our itinerary includes exciting day trips to a variety of locations, such as the natural wonder of Hierve el Agua, known for its petrified waterfalls, the artistic community of Arrazola, known for its alebrijes, and the ancient ruins of Monte Albán.
Throughout our trip, we’ll also have many enriching interactions with the locals. We’ll enjoy home-cooked meals with local families, participate in a hands-on weaving workshop in Teotitlan del Valle, learn the secrets of Oaxacan cuisine in a cooking class, and spend time with local artisans eager to share their age-old crafts.
Additionally, our visit will coincide with the vibrant preparations for Día de Muertos, a profoundly significant celebration that honors the deceased with elaborate altars, processions, and beautifully decorated cemeteries. This festive period is a perfect time to experience Oaxaca, as we’ll witness the colorful alebrijes, fantastical sculptures that are a hallmark of Oaxacan folk art, alongside the decorations that adorn the city.
On this tour, we’ll stay in a comfortable and convenient 4* hotel in the heart of Oaxaca’s Historical Center. Our hotel will have air conditioning in all the rooms.
We’ll use a comfortable van to travel around the state of Oaxaca. This van ensures everyone will have plenty of space as we move between destinations. Also, by not using a standard bus, we will have access to areas that larger vehicles simply can’t go.
Tap water in Oaxaca is not ideal for drinking and you should always drink bottled water. Brushing your teeth with tap water is okay, but many travelers choose to brush with bottle water instead.
All of the food provided during the tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water, so the chances of getting a stomach bug are very slim. Food at local restaurants is also safe to eat. While the allure of Mexican street food can be tempting, we recommend that you only eat from stalls your tour leader or local guides recommend.
The local currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 17 MXN.
In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $20 – $25 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.
As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are everywhere in the country. This is the easiest so that you don’t need to carry around large amounts of cash.
However, check with your bank at home as some banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.
If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices that are located all over the city.
**US dollars are not commonly accepted in Oaxaca. You must make purchases in the local currency.
**Credit cards are widely accepted at restaurants, cafes and shops in Oaxaca City. In local markets and more rural areas, cash is generally the main payment option.
Tipping in Mexico is common and expected. Here’s a general guideline:
*Tips for local guides and waitstaff at included meals are already included.
Mexico is safer than most people think. The chances of anything happening are very low as you’ll learn from our orientation on the first day of the tour. As for general travel safety, we recommend sticking with the old rule of using the same common sense you would use at home.
➜ Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.
➜ Scams – While scams in Oaxaca are not common, a few simple precautions can help you avoid them. Be cautious with street taxis, as they might not use meters and can overcharge. It’s safer to always arrange your rides through our hotel or using the Uber app. When dealing with street vendors or artists, make sure to agree on prices beforehand to prevent unexpected increases once you show interest. Additionally, if you take photos with local performers during tours, be ready to offer a tip or donation, as this is often expected. For guidance on tipping and purchasing authentic local products like textiles or pottery, please consult with your tour leader to ensure you’re dealing with reputable sources and getting fair prices.
During this trip, we can enjoy relatively consistent weather. October is an ideal time to visit Oaxaca, featuring pleasant temperatures without the intense heat. You can expect daily highs of around 82°F (28°C) and nightly lows of around 54°F (12°C).
While traveling in Oaxaca, you are free to wear whatever clothing you wish as Mexicans generally dress as they do in any Western country
We recommend packing the following items:
If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.
You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into Mexico as a tourist.
You may also bring your drones to Mexico, but please be aware of the following regulations:
Mexico uses the same plug outlet that you will find in most parts of North America. You will need Type A and/or Type B plug adapters (North American type) as these are both used throughout the country.
As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.
Mexico has generally strong internet throughout the country and our hotel will have WiFi.
For those who wish to have a data connection on their phone throughout the tour, the easiest way will be to purchase an E-SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport.
We can also set up local SIM cards upon arrival for those who wish. Just make sure you have a GSM-enabled unlocked phone in order to use a foreign SIM card.
Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.
Yes! Most days will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy a destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to eat and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.
We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.
That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!
If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com
