Cultural Activities

Begin your Oaxaca adventure with a comprehensive Welcome Tour and Program Orientation. Explore the historic city center, visiting key sites like the Zócalo and Santo Domingo, while also discovering practical amenities such as cafes with WiFi and places to purchase school supplies. The program orientation will address all your questions regarding academics, health and safety, host families, communication, and activities, ensuring you're fully prepared to make the most of your stay.

Oaxaca City's wide array of museums have fascinating fixed and temporary exhibitions to discover more about Oaxaca's rich traditions and history. Oaxaca City boasts nearly 100 galleries and museums, offering a rich cultural experience. We'll guide you through a selection of the best and most varied fixed and temporary exhibitions, including the Textile Museum, San Pablo Cultural Center, and the Stamp Museum, to discover more about Oaxaca's fascinating traditions and history.

Experience the charm of Jalatlaco, one of Oaxaca City's oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods, on this captivating walking tour. Wander through cobbled streets adorned with colorful murals, discover hidden gems among the lovely cafes housed in stunning colonial buildings, and soak in the rich history and artistic spirit of this enchanting barrio.

Explore the historic Xochimilco Neighborhood, a vibrant area where the past comes alive. Marvel at the ancient aqueduct, an engineering feat constructed between 1727 and 1751 to channel vital fresh water to the city. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage as you engage with talented local artisans, whose families have honed their craft for generations, showcasing their exquisite textile and intricate punched metal art.

Visit the most beautiful of Oaxaca's churches! Built between 1570 and 1608, the Santo Domingo Church features a dazzling array of baroque ornamentation and gilded ceilings, crafted by artisans from across colonial Mexico. Housed next to the church in what was once a monastery, the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures displays extraordinary treasures—including jewelry, bone, and clay artifacts—from the tombs of Monte Albán and other archaeological sites. Behind the church, you'll find a tranquil ethnobotanical garden filled with plants endemic to Oaxaca.

Mexico boasts the oldest printmaking tradition in Latin America, and today, Oaxaca stands as a vibrant mecca for this art form. Immerse yourself in the unique woodcut technique, where you'll learn to carve your own image or design onto a wood plate using specialized tools. Then, apply ink to transfer your one-of-a-kind creation to paper, a truly authentic Oaxacan experience.

Enjoy a fun-filled bowling night, a great opportunity to socialize, practice your Spanish in a casual setting, and experience a popular local pastime. This activity promotes friendly competition and memorable moments with your fellow students.

This is a wonderful opportunity to take home some of the authentic flavors of Oaxaca to share with friends and family. Oaxaca is renowned for its unique and diverse culinary traditions. At the top of this list are the iconic moles, with at least eight basic varieties made in the region, including: negro (black), amarillo (yellow), coloradito (reddish), almendrado (almonds), verde (green), rojo (red), manchamanteles (tablecloth stainer), and chichilo negro. Some of these complex moles boast more than 20 ingredients! Other typical and delicious dishes you might learn to prepare include tamales, tlayudas, entomatadas, and empanadas de mole amarillo. Join us at Sabor Antiguo to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Oaxacan cuisine.

Get some exercise and learn some new dance moves! You'll learn the steps to salsa, merengue, and cumbia.

Alebrijes, the vibrant fantasy creatures, were first conceived in Mexico City in the 1940s by Pedro Linares. After experiencing vivid hallucinations during a high fever, Linares began carving and painting these now-famous figures. On this workshop, you will visit the renowned Jimenez workshop and museum in Arrazola. This influential workshop is celebrated for its significant contribution to the art of wooden Alebrijes and is one of the largest producers of these beautiful works. In Arrazola, Alebrije artisans are dedicated to planting sustainable forests of Copal, the sacred tree essential to their craft and future livelihood. Beyond observing the intricate creation process, you'll have the unique opportunity to paint your very own Alebrije, immersing yourself in the fantastical world of these beloved folk art creations.

Enjoy a relaxing evening with a movie night, offering a chance to unwind and experience local cinema or culturally significant films. This activity provides a comfortable setting to enjoy a nice night out.

The experience culminates in a farewell event where all students gather to celebrate their journey and bid their goodbyes.

Guelaguetza comes from the Zapotec word meaning “offering” and reciprocal giving between people and communities, which is the foundation of traditional Oaxacan society. It was the term used to describe the ceremony and celebration held each year to honor the gods in return for sufficient rain and a bountiful harvest. Today the Guelaguetza celebration takes place every July in and around Oaxaca. Beautifully costumed dancers from the seven regions of Oaxaca State perform elaborate dances handed down from generations past. Before the festivities begin, the delegations make colorful processions through the streets of Oaxaca. One of the most famous dances, the Zapotec Feather Dance, is a passionate and symbolic reenactment of the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

Visit CASA, an impressive art school and exhibition space housed in a beautifully restored 1883 textile factory with modern touches. Next door, discover a handmade paper workshop founded by Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo. Witness the fascinating process of paper-making from various pulps and see how it's transformed into notebooks, jewelry, and even shirts!