After enjoying breakfast at your guesthouse, we’ll head to San Antonino Castillo Velasco, a town known for its talented artisans who create one of the most distinguished regional costumes. Their ornate technique is characterized by fine multicolored embroidery called “San Antonino,” that originates from the indigenous attire of women in the Central Valleys. The town is called “the land of flowers,” a subject which inspires much of the artisan’s embroidery. The most detailed pieces can take up to nine months to make.
From the hands of a fifth generation women-owned workshop: We’ll see textiles made with silk and cotton threads, from simple to complex, in a range of applications — dresses, blouses, shawls, and men's shirts with distinctive finishing and embroidery. (See if you have the eagle eyes to spot the family’s signature design detail woven into each garment!) Try on and purchase special items for your wardrobe
After, we’ll head to San Martin Tilcajete and have lunch al fresco at Azucena Zapoteca. The restaurant offers a delicious introduction to the region’s most beloved pre-Hispanic recipes.
Well-fed and ready for more culture, we’ll head into the village, for an introduction to an icon of Mexican culture - the alebrije. (You might have seen them in Disney-Pixar’s Coco.) While it was technically Mexico City-born artist Pedro Linares who first dreamt up the alebrije, it is Oaxaca’s gifted artisans who have transformed it into one of Mexico’s most beloved craft traditions.
Today, more than 150 families across San Martin Tilcajete and neighboring towns work in the tradition. Colorful animal figurines featuring ancient mythical creatures, alebrijes are mostly made of copal wood, meticulously hand carved, and then painted. Depending on the size of the piece, the full process from start to finish can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to many months or even years.
We’ll visit one of the most famous families of artisans, which trains apprentices in the craft and whose work is in international museum collections. Enjoy a tour through their practice, craft, and all the many patient steps it takes to bring an alebrije to life.
In the afternoon, we’ll head back to Oaxaca City for you to enjoy your last night exploring the sights and sounds of the city before you have to pack and head home.
Need dinner plans? Sunday night is the best night to enjoy street food, alongside Oaxacan families. We’ll share our favorite stalls list for you to plan by!