Mexico: Culinary Capitals

Head out from your hotel to explore the fascinating attractions in this bustling city. Begin your exploration at Centro Histórico, the historic center of the city which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Amble around the Zocalo, or the main square of the city, which has a rich heritage dating back to Aztec times. Walk past hotels, shops, and government offices that border the square, which is also a popular venue for cultural performances such as Aztec dances and concerts. Stroll over to the National Palace with its imposing façade of red volcanic rock as your local expert narrates the historical significance of the structure. Stop for a closer look at the vibrant murals painted on the façade of this building by renowned Mexican artist Diego Rivera. Head over to the stunning Metropolitan Cathedral built upon sacred Aztec land. Get a glimpse of the soaring buildings that line Reforma Boulevard as you drive along this arterial road before pausing for photographs at the Independence Monument, a victory column on a roundabout. Explore the National Museum of Anthropology, known for its Mesoamerican collection of artifacts, before returning to your hotel. (Full Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness Level: Easy. Please note that all museums are closed on Mondays. Do carry sunscreen, wear comfortable clothes, and don shoes appropriate to the season.)

Traverse the vibrant streets of the cosmopolitan Polanco district, in search of exotic flavors to tantalize your taste buds in this walking tour. Accompany your private guide through the serene streets of this historic area that is home to trendsetting restaurants and eateries. Walk past the lovely squares and elegant fountains as your guide leads you to seven different restaurants to sample the best in Mexican cuisine. Stroll past quaint specialty food shops, street stalls and ethnic diners as you get valuable insight into the area’s rich culinary past. Listen to your guide narrate interesting anecdotes about the beautiful mansions and its residents. (Half Day; Private Activity and Private Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy. Please wear comfortable footwear as there is quite a bit of walking involved in this activity.)

Early morning, drive past the mountainous landscape of Puebla valley, and reach the atmospheric town of Cholula. Visit the Great Pyramid of Cholula, one among the world’s largest pyramid structures, with an Aztec temple complex set against a magnificent backdrop of snow-capped Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes. Hike up the hill to see the brightly colored 17th-century church that features beautiful interiors with traditional Mexican music, and enjoy panoramic vistas of the countryside. On the other side, explore the archaeological area of this pyramid that houses ruins and artifacts from 10 centuries ago. Admire the many murals while you navigate a maze of unending tunnels. Midday onwards, soak in the baroque city of Puebla nearby. At the historic square, step inside the Santo Domingo church and marvel at the gilded interiors of Rosary Chapel. Drop by the art neighborhood of Los Sapos, a haven for Mexican antiques shopping, and browse through exquisite Talavera pottery souvenirs at the El Parián market. (Full Day; Time: Morning; Private Activity & Transfer; Notes: Wear comfortable clothes, and walking shoes.)

Begin your visit to Oaxaca with a complimentary orientation walk on arrival. Follow your guide through the UNESCO World Heritage city center, and learn about the history and indigenous culture of the Mexican city. As you amble through its historic streets, enjoy a glimpse of Oaxaca’s highlights and get helpful recommendations from your guide on what to eat and see during your time in Mexico’s culinary capital. (Duration: 1-2 hrs; Time: flexible; Private activity; No transfers; Starting point: hotel or directly from airport; Entry fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please note that this activity can only be done on the day you arrive in the city; In case your arrive late in the evening, it can be done the next day in combination with another activity)

Enjoy exploring downtown Oaxaca and sample some delicious food and cocktails during this evening walking tour. Meet your local guide and set off. Walk past historic structures and iconic landmarks and discover why this place is considered as Mexico’s culinary capital. Stop at four different locations in Centro de Oaxaca, where you will taste a wide variety of traditional foods and drinks. Sip on artisanal mezcal and hand-crafted cocktails. Tuck into rich mole sauce, flavorful tacos, and the classic chile en nogada that consists of poblano chiles in walnut sauce. Along the way, learn about the influence the area’s varied geography and indigenous cultures has had on its cuisine from your knowledgeable guide. Interact with chefs and bartenders as you dig into the dishes and beverages they’ve created. Make your way back to your hotel once the tour wraps up. (Duration: half day; Time: 1600 hrs; Private activity; Starting point: downtown Oaxaca; Meals included: food tastings and beverages; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Vegetarian and dairy-free options available; Fitness level: easy; Please note that the walking tour covers a total distance of approximately 1 mi)

Tour Monte Alban, a pre-Columbian archaeological site of Zapotec and Mixtec ruins, accompanied by a local guide. View the architectural remains including terraces, pyramids and canals built around the Great Plaza. You will come across a series of stone structures that depict scenes of religious ceremonies and rituals. Then there is the Ball Court, an influence of Teotihuacan culture, El Palacio, an elite habitat, and the Observatory. Next, head to the town of Santa Maria Atzompa, which is famous for its pottery. Step into a workshop, where the master craftsman demonstrates how pit-fired pottery is designed with rudimentary tools. View cookware such as comales, platters, pots and bowls, handcrafted to perfection. Try your hand at creating earthenware, using locally sourced black clay. After lunch at a restaurant, drive to Centro de las Artes de San Agustín (CASA), which hosts art and craft exhibitions. Take in the architectural beauty of this majestic edifice, a restored early 20th-century textile mill, before wrapping up your visit. (Duration: full day; Time: 0830 hrs; Private activity & transfers; All entry fees are included; Meals included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)

Head out to visit the Mesoamerican archaeological site of Mitla, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide. The complex consists of five main groups of structures, each with several rectangular patios, bordered by long, narrow rooms. See door frames adorned with painted friezes or decorated with mosaics, and walls with intricate geometric patterns. Inside the main plaza, you will find cruciform lithic tombs and six stone columns that were used to support the roof of a temple. Next, proceed to Mitla’s open-air artisan market and browse through stalls selling traditional clothing, bracelets and carved stone figurines. Then, dine on Oaxacan specialties at a local restaurant in the area before driving to a family-owned artisanal mezcal distillery in the town of Matatlan. Arrive at a ‘Palenque,’ mezcal farm and take a guided tour. Learn to distinguish the different agave plants, used to produce the alcoholic beverage. Acquire knowledge about the production process and sample varieties of mezcal, before returning to Oaxaca. (Duration: full day; Time: 1030 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Travel time to activity: 1.5 hrs each way; All entry fees are included; Meals included: lunch & mezcal tastings; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy-moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Min age: 18 yrs for tasting mezcal)

Head out from your hotel to a local market where you will find a variety of fresh organic produce. Accompany your local expert across the market, picking out exotic ingredients for your cooking session. Enjoy the fascinating overview of the region’s culinary heritage as narrated by your local expert. Discover the various facets of the unique vegetables, fruits, and spices that you will use in your culinary class. Try your hand at grinding spices with a stone mortar and pestle along with other traditional techniques to bring an authentic Mexican flavor to your dishes. Under the guidance of your local expert, master the art of making tortillas and quesadillas from scratch. Learn to char chili peppers directly on the flame as you go about preparing the mole or main dish, a soup, salsa or dessert. Sample some excellent mezcal or local alcoholic beverage before you settle down to relish the meal you cooked. After a hearty al fresco lunch on the patio, drive back to the hotel armed with the recipes and a souvenir of your memorable experience. (Half Day; Private activity; Meal Included: Lunch; Fitness Level: Easy)