From Oaxaca city: Sacred Hands of Oaxaca: Alebrijes, Textiles & Ancestral Mezcal

Tour Highlights: Sacred Hands of Oaxaca

• Guided visit to the Jacobo & María Ángeles workshop in San Martín Tilcajete, internationally renowned for their spiritually inspired alebrijes, painted with natural pigments and rooted in ancestral symbolism.
• Meet a Zapotec family of traditional weavers in Santo Tomás Jalieza and witness the art of backstrap loom weaving, with each piece telling a story passed down through generations.
• Visit an ancestral mezcal distillery, where agave is roasted in underground pits, naturally fermented, and distilled in clay pots. Includes a guided tasting.
• Traditional market lunch in Ocotlán de Morelos, prepared by Frida, a beloved local cook who shares Oaxacan flavors and hospitality through every dish.
• Intimate access to artisan homes and workshops, with meaningful exchanges far from conventional tourist routes.
• Focus on responsible travel, with the majority of your payment going directly to the host communities.
• Led by a bilingual expert guide who provides cultural context and smooth communication throughout the experience.

This is not just a tour — it’s a passage through centuries of creativity, ritual, and identity.
We begin in San Martín Tilcajete, the beating heart of Oaxaca’s magical realism, with a visit to the world-renowned Jacobo & María Ángeles workshop. More than artisans, they are cultural visionaries, blending Nahuatl cosmology with vibrant design. Walk through their studio, see live carving and painting, and hear the spiritual meaning behind each alebrije, painted with natural pigments and ancient symbology.

Next, we head to Santo Tomás Jalieza, where you’ll visit a Zapotec family of traditional weavers who still use the pre-Hispanic waist loom (telar de cintura). Here, threads are stories — of resistance, of tradition, of women’s wisdom passed down for generations. You’ll see how raw cotton becomes wearable heritage, and witness the skill, balance, and patience it demands.

From there, we dive into the sacred world of ancestral mezcal at a small, family-run distillery. Learn the slow, soulful process of roasting, fermenting, and distilling agave using clay pots, underground ovens, and traditional tools — and enjoy a guided tasting that honors the spirit of the land.

We close the experience with a warm and delicious lunch in Ocotlán de Morelos, where Frida welcomes you with handmade dishes full of flavor and heart, served in the middle of the bustling market she calls home.

This tour is perfect for curious, conscious travelers seeking true cultural immersion, and a chance to connect with the artists, cooks, and mezcaleros who keep Oaxaca’s soul alive.

Pick up in your hotel 8:30am
Jacobo y Maria Alebrijes
The second stop on our tour is at the Jacobo and María Ángeles Workshop, located in San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca. This workshop is internationally renowned for creating alebrijes, hand-carved and painted wooden sculptures that depict fantastic, colorful creatures.

During the visit, you’ll have the chance to learn about the entire alebrije-making process, from selecting and carving the copal wood to applying intricate designs inspired by Zapotec iconography.

The workshop also has a store where you can purchase certified alebrijes, which are considered art investments due to their increasing value each year. This visit allows you to appreciate the dedication and talent that Jacobo and María Ángeles bring to Mexican folk art, preserving and sharing the cultural richness of Oaxaca.

Visit a Zapotec family of backstrap loom weavers
Live demonstration and explanation of ancient weaving techniques

Optional time to browse and purchase handmade textiles

Lunch in a Traditional Market with Frida Kahlo from Oaxaca
Next, we head to Ocotlán de Morelos to meet Frida, a beloved cook and guardian of the local market. You’ll enjoy a flavorful lunch at her stand — a true Oaxacan home-cooked experience surrounded by colors, smells, and laughter. This is where food and community come together, and you’ll taste the love in every bite.

Visit to an ancestral mezcal distillery

• Walk through the artisanal production process: roasting, fermenting, and clay-pot distillation
• Guided mezcal tasting with explanation of varieties and methods

Transfer Back to your hotel around 6PM

• Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be exploring workshops and markets)
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle (we promote sustainable travel)
• Light jacket or sweater (some workshops may be cool or shaded)
• Cash for artisan purchases (many do not accept cards)
• Phone or camera (you’ll want to capture the colors and craftsmanship!)
• An open heart and respect for local culture 💛