Join us for an authentic celebration of Indigenous culture during Guelaguetza, without the peak tourist crowds.

We’re excited to invite you to a one-of-a-kind experience in your Spanish-learning journey: Raíces y Ritmo, our Guelaguetza Cultural Tour. Timed before the peak tourist dates, this special edition of our Cultural Immersion Tour offers a more personal connection to Oaxaca’s Indigenous traditions, without the overwhelming crowds. In the vibrant weeks leading up to the main stage events, communities come alive with music, dance, colorful parades, and cultural preparation. You’ll practice Spanish everyday while connecting directly with artisans, local guides, and village life. From live performances to traditional foods and crafts, this tour celebrates authenticity that supports the people and preserves the spirit behind one of Mexico’s most powerful celebrations. Read on to learn more.

Spending time in a Spanish-speaking country is an incredibly rewarding way to grow your beyond the textbook Spanish comprehension. Our program is crafted to help you not only improve your Spanish by navigating daily activities, immersed in the culture, but also by sharing your experiences along the way with other Spanish language enthusiasts.

Itinerary

Celebrate one of Mexico’s most vibrant traditions through an immersive experience during La Guelaguetza. This all-inclusive tour offers artisan visits, regional flavors, and cultural activities that highlight the depth of Oaxaca’s Indigenous heritage, without the chaos of peak week. We’ve reserved a beautiful house in the heart of downtown Oaxaca, exclusively for our group. Below, we have a list of the activities that you can look forward to when you sign up for our 2026 Guelaguetza: Raíces y Ritmo tour.

  • All meals are included everyday. Alcohol at restaurants is not included. 

  • Enjoy access to meaningful cultural events like local artisan parades, and community festivals along with colorful decorations throughout the city

  • Hands-on chocolate-making workshop

  • Traditional Oaxacan cooking class

  • Visit the Monte Albán ruins, one of Mesoamerica’s most spectacular archaeological sites

  • Exclusive Fine dining experience in-house

  • Explore the beautiful Jalatlaco neighborhood, historic district and the highlights of the city of Oaxaca

  • Learn the cultural significance of the famous Tule Tree

  • Watch black pottery made by hand in San Bartolo Coyotepec

  • Meet master artisans in San Martín Tilcajete and learn about alebrijes

  • Participate in Fundación En Vía’s responsible tourism program supporting women entrepreneurs

  • Tour local artisan and mezcal fairs in surrounding pueblos

  • All tours and activities are led by trusted, experienced local guides. Every moment is thoughtfully curated for meaningful cultural connection.

Details

Duration: 7 days Date: July 11 – July 18, 2026

Price: Private Room (1 person): $2,300 | Shared Deluxe Room with 2 Queen Beds: $1,850 per person |. Shared Room – Couple Sharing 1 Bed: $1,650 per person *All fees included

Discounts and Special Deals: Group Discount: 3+ people: 10% off ticket price. Contact us for information on our Referral Bonuses. Only one discount can be used per tour.

Group Size: up to 8 people

Accommodation: A house in the city of Oaxaca exclusively reserved for our group.

Spanish level: Intermediate. You don’t need to be perfect, but you should be at a level to where you can generally handle most of the week in Spanish. We will be there to help.

Age: 18+

Fly into: Oaxaca International Airport

Physical Exertion Level: low-moderate*
*Must be able to be on your feet for hours at a time, to walk through the city and experience different activities on foot.

Inclusions: Local transportation, accommodation, 3 meals a day, and all scheduled tours and activities.

Exclusions: Flights to and from the meeting points, personal expenses, optional activities, extra days, or anything not outlined here.

About the House

We have rented a beautiful house in the heart of Oaxaca. It provides plenty of personal and communal space that our group will have exclusive access to. This includes a kitchen, and many relaxing places to sit and share experiences with the others in the group.

Key Highlights

Why before the main Guelaguetza week?

Because this is when Oaxaca shines. Streets begin to bloom with color, parades and performances start, but the crowds that make it more difficult to have real connections haven’t peaked. You’ll see artisans preparing for the fair, and you can join in local festivals and parades, while enjoying a more intimate experience with culture not diluted by mass tourism. This schedule ensures you still experience a vibrant taste of Guelaguetza, while keeping the week comfortable and focused on genuine cultural exchange.

Find Your Community with Us

Share rewarding experiences with our group of intermediate to advanced Spanish-language enthusiasts. In today’s fast-paced and often disconnected world, establishing and valuing a sense of community is more important than ever, particularly during the intensive journey of learning a new language. Our tours are designed to foster connections among like-minded individuals, sharing real experiences that focus on the passions that bring us together. Learning a new language is a deeply immersive process that demands a high level of dedication and passion to achieve your ultimate goal. Those embarking on this journey often find that being part of a supportive community of similarly driven individuals offers invaluable encouragement and inspiration. Our mission is to cultivate and nurture these communities, bringing together people eager to support and share their experiences with one another during a rewardingly in touch, ethical and culturally immersive experience.

We have rented a beautiful house in a central location to call home for the week. Here, everyone can enjoy their own private space while benefiting from exclusive access to communal areas. This setup allows us to share experiences, play games in Spanish and participate in fun activities together.

We take care of transportation after your arrival to Oaxaca, as well as accommodation and meals, with planned activities throughout the week. All you need to do is show up and enjoy! It’s the perfect blend of casual relaxation and cultural immersion without the headache of researching, planning and managing the details.

Authentic Experiences Vetted Just for You

Our carefully vetted tours provide high-quality experiences, maximizing your time and investment. We’ve spent time immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture of Oaxaca, sampling a number of activities, the good, and bad, to separate out what works and what doesn’t. Our hands-on approach cuts through the noise and our tours are designed to help you avoid the pitfalls of unreliable online reviews as well as to offer you a curated experience that you won’t be able to find elsewhere. Explore with us a seamless and enjoyable journey in Oaxaca and discover with us what it has to offer!

About Fundación En Vía

Fundación En Vía is a non-profit that we collaborate with for their invaluable contribution to this immersive experience. They are based in Oaxaca, Mexico, and are dedicated to empowering women in small towns outside of Oaxaca city that don’t often see the revenue from tourism that inflates their cost of living. En Via offers entrepreneurs interest-free loans, ongoing free education and business resources, as well as promoting responsible tourism. By offering these programs, En Vía provides support to six communities in the Tlacolula Valley. This initiative helps women improve their livelihoods, to support their families, and strengthen their communities.

During our Tour, you will spend time meeting their inspiring participants, sharing meals with their community and participating in engaging activities to offer a deeply cultural and authentic experience. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about traditional skills and practice Spanish with local entrepreneurs. This provides a unique glimpse into the lives of these inspiring people, showcasing their businesses, and welcoming communities. Expect to hear personal stories, engage in cultural exchanges, and enjoy authentic Oaxacan cuisine prepared by the entrepreneurs themselves.

For more information on Fundación En Vía and their impactful work, you can visit their official website at envia.org​.

Why Visit Oaxaca?

Oaxaca is a captivating tapestry of rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. From its colorful markets and world-renowned cuisine to its ancient ruins and bustling arts scene, Oaxaca offers a truly unique experience.

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  • Refund Policy:

    Cancellation within 30 days of the initial payment will result in a full refund, excluding any incurred payment processing fees.

    Cancellation after the initial 30 days will result in a deduction of 25% of the total price paid, in addition to any payment processing fees, from the refund amount.

    Cancellation made less than 60 days before the first day of the purchased tour will not be eligible for a refund.