Top Oaxaca Classes & Workshops

This class is led by Oswaldo, a Oaxacan chef who trained deeply in his region's traditional cooking and even wrote a book about Oaxacan bread. You won't just watch from the sidelines you'll make the mole yourself, make tortillas on the comal, put together memelas and tamales, and along the way we'll talk about why each ingredient and technique matters. At the end, we share the food, drinks, and you take the recipes home with you.

You are invited into a Zapotec family home where weaving is part of everyday life. At Casa de los Angeles, this experience is a personal cultural exchange guided by a native artisan who carries forward traditions learned from his elders. This is not a staged demonstration, but a living practice rooted in community, identity, and ancestral knowledge. You will learn about natural fibers, cochineal, and plant-based dyes prepared using traditional techniques. Working on a traditional loom, you will experience the rhythm and symbolism woven into each textile while creating your own small piece. The experience concludes with a homemade meal prepared with local ingredients — an opportunity to share stories, conversation, and a deeper understanding of Zapotec culture in an intimate and respectful setting.

Engraving in Oaxaca is a very popular artistic technique, which is characterized by its incursion into street art. In our workshop you will learn the basic skills for creating an engraving piece in a simple way and without prior experience. We will guide you throughout the entire process, giving you advice so that your result is good and so that you have a good time. Likewise, if you are already an artist you can experiment in the style of local artists. You can also learn about the historical and sociocultural context that influences the development of this artistic practice in Oaxaca and Mexico.

In the workshop, the master chocolatier of three generations becomes a true cocoa alchemist. The secrets transmitted from grandmothers to mothers and from mothers to sons flow in the workshop. the magical character of this workshop is its vision. The true magic, however, lies in his collaborative project with the cacao growers of Oaxaca. Together, they weave a fabric of flavors and sustainability, connecting the past and future of Mexican cocoa in a symphony of sweetness and commitment. Here you will learn how to make your chocolate. At the end, you will taste your chocolates and the various expressions they can find

My name is Sonia and since childhood I have had a great passion for traditional Oaxacan cuisine, and not only because I was born in this beautiful land, but also because I am so proud to have learned from the best cooks in the region. My mother always told me that there is no cooking in clay pots and charcoal, since then I have followed her advice. All dishes will be easy to replicate at home, a digital recipe will be provided. I have attended diplomas in pastries and I make cakes with organic eggs and fresh butter. I would love to welcome you to my house and share the knowledge I have gained over all these years. Classes are available in English and Spanish. We offer classes for vegans and vegetarians as long as they let me know in advance. It fills me with emotion to show you everything about Oaxacan cuisine. Welcome!

With the help of chef Carrizosa you will learn not only to prepare 4 different moles but also the story behind each dish, in addition to 4 moles we prepare 4 different tortillas and an Oaxacan chocolate ice cream for dessert.

With the help of a traditional cook, you will discover the unique flavors of traditional Oaxacan cuisine, while learning about our traditions and culture. In this class you will make delicious memelitas with your own hands, from preparing the dough to making a delicious molcajete sauce to accompany them. I will teach you recipes that you can easily repeat at home. We will cook in a traditional smoke kitchen, with utensils that have been used for generations in my family, you will discover our traditions and I will give you advice that will help you better understand and taste the dishes of Oaxacan cuisine. When we prepare the mole, I will teach you how to select the best ingredients that have given Oaxacan mole worldwide fame and recognition. Please let me know in advance if you have dietary restrictions so I can adjust the menu so you can fully enjoy the experience.

Monte Albán is an archaeological site in Oaxaca and this half-day guided tour is the perfect way to learn more about its history, the ruins and the first inhabitants. Close the travel guide and enjoy a guided adventure with commentary throughout the tour. To save time, the tour travels between sights in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you can cover much more ground than on a walking tour.

This cooking class is developed through deep research with people specialized in pre-Hispanic food, we seek to spread the heritage value of Oaxaca vegetarian food. Together with a traditional Cook we will tour the neighborhood and buy the freshest products for our dishes.

Book this small group tour led by a professional sommelier, who will take you through Oaxaca’s mezcal and mole scene. All the mezcal and mole you try will come from single families, so you really get a local feel for the area. You’ll keep costs down with this small group tour, but still have an intimate feel, since the max per group is just six guests.

Food is the cornerstone of Mexican culture and you won’t find a more authentic experience than a small-group cooking class inside a local family’s kitchen. Step inside and learn about Oaxaca’s rich culinary heritage before preparing your own meal on the “brasero”(traditional brick stove). Meanwhile, get to know your hosts as they share their own stories of life in Oaxaca.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT: IT IS NOT A RESTAURANT, I DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF A CHEF I am Minerva Lopez and I am a traditional cook from Oaxaca and I have more than 40 years of experience in pre-Hispanic and traditional cooking. I invite you to spend a day at my house, with my family, my culture, it is an authentic experience where you will learn to cook as I learned, as if it were with mom! Our groups are small which makes for an intimate, family experience The market that we visited is the largest in Oaxaca and it is not touristic, where the locals go to buy our fresh and organic ingredients, here it is possible to adapt our menu to your tastes There are vegan, vegetarian and meat lovers options. At home away from the city in a small town, our outdoor wood stove is the best place to cook. Everything we will eat is prepared at home MORE THAN A CLASS IS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF FLAVORS AND KNOWLEDGE

Travelers, we invite you to live a unique and unforgettable experience in Latin America! Join our special workshop where you can print a work of art alongside a talented local artist whose approach to agri-food is the first of its kind in the region. This activity will allow them not only to explore their creativity, but also to immerse themselves in an artistic initiative that transcends borders. In 2024, all the works in print will become a collective experience to share the vision and art of travelers like you with the whole world. Reserve your spot now and be a part of this extraordinary fusion of art and sustainability! Do not miss this unique opportunity to leave your artistic mark in Latin America!

No trip to Puerto Escondido would be complete without riding the waves of its famous Pacific swell. Master the art of surfing, regardless of your ability, during a surfing lesson limited to only eight other travelers, to ensure you receive personalized attention. Plus, you can choose from several start times to suit you.

Start with a warm welcome and a refreshing homemade fruit drink Get hands-on making tortillas from scratch (yes, you’ll make your own!) ‍ Cook a traditional Mexican main dish full of rich, authentic flavors ️ End on a sweet note with a delicious homemade dessert ✨ Join us for a fun, friendly, and truly authentic cooking experience you’ll never forget!

Learn how to make traditional Oaxacan dishes from a local chef with this interactive private cooking experience. Gain knowledge and discover the heritage of Oaxacan cuisine, as you’re shown ancient methods and utensils. Make recipes from across the region on a traditional wood stove called the "Lorena," including empanadas, arroz con leche, mole, and more.

The ancient Zapotec city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte Alban sits about 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) west of Oaxaca. With this tour, explore the hilltop archaeological site with a guide and enjoy views overlooking the Oaxaca Valley. That leaves enough time to visit the artisan towns of Arrazola, Cuilapam de Guerrero, and San Bartolo Coyotepec. Plus, round-trip transportation from your hotel in downtown Oaxaca is included.

What makes this experience special is the combination of personalized coaching, local knowledge, and a relaxed environment designed for beginner surfers. Unlike crowded surf lessons, our sessions maintain small instructor ratios, allowing for individual guidance, clear feedback, and a more comfortable learning experience in the water. Our local instructors combine surf coaching with ocean awareness, safety fundamentals, and beginner-friendly techniques to help you build confidence from your first waves. Each lesson takes place at the best beginner-friendly surf spot for the day (usually Carrizalillo, La Punta, or another beach selected based on wave and safety conditions). More than a surf lesson, this is an authentic Puerto Escondido surf experience focused on progression, ocean connection, and enjoying the process of learning to surf.

Discover the tastes and textures of Oaxaca during a cooking workshop right in the heart of the city. Join a small group and visit a local market to gather ingredients for your class. There's no set menu, so the group can select which traditional dishes to make. Learn about the origins of each dish and several techniques during your hands-on class. Your tour end with the delicious meal that you've created.

Learn about Mexican culture and arts while having fun and expressing your creativing with this activity. You'll visit the village of Arrazola and meet a family of artisans who have been making alebrije folk art sculptures for decades. Learn about the carving and painting process, then get the chance to paint your own animal figurine. Keep your creation as a souvenir to remember your time in Mexico.

Discover Oaxaca's most magnificent pre-Columbian archaeological site on a tour to Monte Alban, which is perched on a vast mountaintop expanse with spectacular 360-degree views of Oaxaca Valley. In the company of an expert guide, explore the complex filled with pyramids, ceremonial rock carvings, a huge ball court, and 170 excavated tombs.

In this class, you will learn about the origins of cacao, where it is produced, and its importance throughout the history of Mexico and Oaxaca. We will explore different types of cacao pods and their unique characteristics, connecting you to the roots of this iconic ingredient. You will then create your own artisanal Oaxacan chocolate, learning each step of the process—from roasting and peeling to grinding and transforming cacao into oaxacan chocolate. We work closely with local producers to ensure an authentic and high-quality experience. Along the way, you will also learn how chocolate is traditionally enjoyed in Oaxaca, both as a drink and as a food, giving you a deeper appreciation for its cultural significance.

Explore Monte Albán, a pre-Columbian archaeological site in Oaxaca, on this all-day guided tour. The ruins offer a glimpse into Zapotec and Mixtec culture. Also, visit an alebrije workshop to watch artisans carve and paint Mexican folk art sculptures and stop to see black clay ceramic pottery being produced. Plus, enjoy a buffet of traditional Oaxaca food (not included in the price). Hotel pickup is included for your convenience.