Oaxaca Coast Textile Study Tour: Discover the Mixtec from the Coast

Dates

December 2 - 10, 2025

price

$3,775
(double occupancy)
$4,625
(single occupancy)

about

This tour is like traveling back in time, before the Spanish arrived. Villages along the coast and mountains were able to preserve their traditional weaving culture because of their isolation—and we’ll visit several of them.

Trip Highlights

We go deep into the vibrant weaving culture of Oaxaca’s Costa Chica to learn about ancient textile techniques, natural dyes, back-strap loom weaving, drop spindle hand spinning, and pre-Hispanic native cotton. Here, cotton is spun and woven into lengths of cloth that are connected with intricate needlework to form amazing garments. 

December is the perfect time to visit the Oaxaca coast with its stunning ocean views and abundant seafood. Against this backdrop we’ll cover vast distances to visit artisans in secluded mountain villages that appear untouched by time; beauty and poverty are twin sisters here. This tour is for the adventurous traveler who is willing to leave creature comforts behind and go far off the beaten path.

Duration

9 days, 8 nights

Locations

Oaxaca State: Puerto Escondido, Manialtepec, Pinotepa Nacional, Pinotepa de Don Luis, San Juan Colorado. Guerrero State: Ometepec, Xochistlahuaca, Zacualpan

Physical Activity

Moderate

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Tuesday, December 2

Arrival in Puerto Escondido

Arrive in Puerto Escondido (connect through Mexico City or Oaxaca City) and check into the hotel before gathering for a welcome dinner. Overnight in Puerto Escondido. Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 - Wednesday, December 3

Manialtepec bioluminescence lagoon evening

After our breakfast and orientation, you’re free to linger by the pool or explore the strand. In the late afternoon we’ll participate in a Ridley turtle release—an unforgettable experience. To help repopulate the endangered Olive Ridley turtle, the Oaxacan government and local organizations nurture turtle eggs and let visitors escort hatchlings into the ocean. We’ll end the day with a swim in the Manialtepec bioluminescence lagoon and a beach dinner. Overnight in Puerto Escondido. Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 3 - Thursday, December 4

Ometepec

We’ll depart for Ometepec, Guerrero after breakfast with a stop in Pinotepa Nacional for lunch and a walk through the town market. Overnight in Ometepec. Overnight in Ometepec. Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 4 - Friday, December 5

Ometepec & Zacoalpan

After breakfast we’ll go to Zacoalpan, a bygone Amuzgo village where Jesus Ignacio and his family weave native coyuchi, green, and natural white cotton into traditional huipiles. They rescue designs from fragments of ancient cloth, and are one of only two families in the village who still grow their own cotton. Lunch is in Xochistlahuaca, home to a weaving cooperative that creates diaphanous textiles embellished with a palette of colorful designs reflecting the flora of the region. Overnight in Ometepec. Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 5 - Saturday, December 6

Pinotepa Nacional

After breakfast we head south along the coast highway, stopping at the Afro-Mexican Museum to learn about the rich cultural history and traditions of Mexicans whose roots are from Africa and the slave trade. We continue to Pinotepa Nacional for a late lunch and check into our hotel. Here we will enjoy an expoventa and demonstration with embroiderers from a town several hours away. Overnight in Pinotepa Nacional. Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 6 - Sunday, December 7

San Juan Colorado

The weaving village of San Juan Colorado is our destination for the day. We’ll enjoy a local, home-cooked lunch and visit two women’s cooperatives working in natural dyes, hand-spinning, and back-strap loom weaving. Overnight in Pinotepa Nacional. Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 7 - Monday, December 8

Pinotepa de Don Luis

After breakfast it’s back up the mountain to the village of Pinotepa de Don Luis to meet weavers who work with naturally dyed cotton. In this village, the almost extinct caracol purpura snail is the traditional color accent for many textiles. We’ll have lunch with Tixinda Cooperative members who are licensed to harvest the purple snail dye, and also see jicara gourd carvers who make jewelry and serving containers. Overnight in Pinotepa Nacional. Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 8 - Tuesday, December 9

Puerto Escondido

Today we start our 2 ½-hour journey back to Puerto Escondido for rest, exploring on your own, and packing. We’ll meet in the early evening for our Grand Finale Dinner to recap the trip and share highlights. Overnight in Puerto Escondido. Meals included: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 9 - Wednesday, December 10

Departure

Depart for home and arrive in plenty of time to prepare for the winter holidays. Meals included: None.

What's Included

Lodging

8 nights (3 nights in Puerto Escondido, 2 nights in Ometepec, 3 night in Pinotepa Nacional)

Guide

2 Bilingual guides and translators: English and Spanish

Transport

Private Mecedez Benz luxury van

Meals

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners (see itinerary for details)

Activities

Boat guided ride through lagoon and turtle release; weaving, and spinning studio visits; artisan demonstrations

Important Information

Pricing
Double Occupancy: $3,775/person (Double room with a private bathroom)
Single Occupancy: $4,625/person (Single room with a private bathroom)

Activity Level
Moderate- You should be able to stand for at least an hour and walk up to one mile on flat surfaces, unpaved paths, and small inclines.

The tour does NOT include airfare, taxes, tips, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, local transportation, and meals outside of what’s noted in the itinerary. We reserve the right to substitute artisan guides and alter the program as needed.

A $500 non-refundable deposit will guarantee your place. The balance is due in two equal payments. The second payment of 50% of the balance is due on or before July 1, 2025. The third payment, 50% balance, is due on or before October 1, 2025. After October 1, 2025, there are no refunds. If you cancel on or before October 1, 2025, we will refund 50% of your deposit received to date (less the $500 non-refundable deposit). After that, there are no refunds UNLESS we cancel for any reason. If we cancel, you will receive a full 100% refund.

You are required to carry your own international accident/health insurance that includes $50,000+ of emergency evacuation insurance. Some travel insurance options are here.

All documentation for plane reservations, travel insurance, and personal health issues must be received 45 days before the program starts or we reserve the right to cancel your registration without reimbursement.

What Other Travelers Are Saying

FAQs

Do you have
more questions?

How many people are on each tour?

For private, custom date tours, you choose the number of people. Please refer to the tour details for any restrictions. Our group tours are usually 8-12 people, but no more than 15. We intentionally keep groups small for a more intimate experience – like a local friend showing you around their favorite places.

Airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, tips, and some meals (see the tour itinerary for what’s included).
There are several options here and we can offer suggestions after you register.
Absolutely not! Anyone who is interested in art, culture, history, traditions, and personally connecting with artisans is welcome.
No. Our mission is to help these artisans support their families and keep their traditions alive. 100% of any purchase you make (you’re not obligated to buy anything) goes directly into their pocket.
Absolutely! Our tours are a great way to meet other like-minded travelers and solo travelers often join us. Our tour prices are noted in both double and single occupancy. We welcome solo travelers and those who want to share a room.
After you register for your tour we can provide hotel contact information to arrive early or extend your stay. We also offer day tours and workshops you can add onto the beginning or end of any tour.

No, you are responsible for getting yourself to and from the airport, but once you register for a tour, we’ll recommend a few safe and reliable options.

There is an ATM at the Oaxaca International Airport and many throughout Oaxaca City. Airport transportation options accept credit cards, but some restaurants and shops are cash only.

We’ll provide a suggested packing list as your tour date approaches.

Dates

December 2 - 10, 2025

price

$3,775
(double occupancy)
$4,625
(single occupancy)

Dates

December 2 - 10, 2025
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