Mexico: Mayans, Aztecs & Conquistadors Day of the Dead Festival (Oaxaca)

Name: Mexico: Mayans, Aztecs & Conquistadors Day of the Dead Festival (Oaxaca)
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.4 (5 reviews)

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16 Days from

17 Days from

CAD 6,095

Incl. taxes Excl. flights

4.4/5 from

Culture

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Culture

Activity Levels :

1 out of 7 - Leisurely

Group Size :

6 - 15

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AHMO

Lost civilisations, Spanish colonial heritage, natural beauty and a rich and unique culture

Few countries can compete with Mexico when it comes to unleashing the inner Indiana Jones in each of us. Jungle clad temples and abandoned ancient civilisations make way to colonial era towns with cobbled streets and Spanish architecture. This fusion of history has led to Mexico’s unique culture from the art of Frida Kahlo to Oaxaca’s succulent cuisine. Uncover the country’s historical and cultural layers as we journey from the highlands of Mexico City to the jungles and beaches of the Yucatan via the lands of Aztecs, Zapotec, Mayas and Conquistadors.

This relates to the special Day of the Dead Festival departure which is one day longer and spends the day celebrating the Day of the Dead festivities in Oaxaca.

Highlights

Day of the Dead festival in Oaxaca
Mexico's intense culinary and artistic traditions
From ancient temples and cities to colonial towns
Highlands, jungles and coastlines

Key Information

15 nights in a mixture of standard and comfortable hotels with en suite facilities
All breakfasts and 2 lunches
Travel by private minibus and boat
Some long drives
Day of the Dead Festival special departure

Countries visited: Mexico

What's Included

All breakfasts and 2 lunches
All accommodation (see below)
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

People, Places & Travel

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible. The small group number enables us to stay at a unique family run hotel the La aldea del Halach Huinic.
We visit a family of weavers of the Zapotec community. They make woven goods following ancient traditions that have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Purchasing items from these families provides direct support for the local economy.
We tour Oaxaca market to learn about local foods and then enjoy a cooking class with a local chef. This is a great way to gain an appreciation for the local culture while sampling the cuisine.
We eat at the Donys family restaurant “Halach Huinik” (close to Uxmal). During the visit the waiters are very pleased to have the chance to practice their English with our guests.
During the visit to the traditional Maya Village of Tixkokob, we will learn about the age-old tradition of hammock weaving at a local family’s home.
Being involved in the day of the Dead festivities in Oaxaca is a great way to learn about local cultural traditions.
Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites.
We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Our local partner is an active member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and sit on the Board of Advisors of the Oceanic Society. They are also involved in the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Working Group. This pioneering group helps to combat illegal wildlife trade and encourages responsible wildlife-based tourism by raising awareness among customers, staff, and professional trade networks.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Itinerary

Those on the group flights normally arrive in Mexico City in the evening. Land only passengers can arrive at any time.

Hotel Regente or similar

Today we head out for a day of exploring the bohemian side of Mexico City.

We start off by making our way to the south of the city and a particular house hidden behind cobalt blue walls known as Casa Azul. This is where the acclaimed artist Frida Kahlo was born, grew up and, eventually, lived with her muralist husband, Diego Rivera until she died in 1954 at the age of 47. Now a museum, the colonial house, set around a luxuriant garden, doesn’t only showcase the collections and personal effects of the two great artists but is a window into the life of affluent Mexican bohemians in the first half of the 20^th Century.

Next, we visit the quaint neighbourhood of Coyoacan (meaning place of coyotes) with its pebbled streets, colonial churches, bustling little markets and quiet squares. This area was inhabited before the arrival of the Spanish and it is said that the conquistador, Hernan Cortes, made this the first capital of New Spain.

Finally, we enjoy a relaxing ride on a pre-Hispanic boat along the peaceful waters of the Xochimilco Canals. These scenic waterways would have been used by the Aztecs and today see us enjoying a relaxing journey past floating gardens and little floating kitchens selling local food.

We will return to our hotel in the late afternoon.

Hotel Regente or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Starting the day in Mexico City, we visit the historic centre on a walking tour based around the Zocalo (main square) and the Cathedral Metropolitana. Our exploration will start in the capital’s main square, known as the Zócalo, but officially named the Plaza de la Constitución. Considered one of the biggest squares in the world, and just as it was an important gathering place for the Aztecs, it remains so in modern day Mexico, often hosting book fairs and concerts. On the North side of the Zócalo is the Metropolitan Cathedral. The largest Cathedral in the Americas, it was constructed over the Aztec temple, the Templo Mayor, as a sign that the Spanish were now in power. We continue to the Museum Mural of Diego Rivera. Our tour finishes outside of The "Palacio de Bellas Artes". Construction of this massive neoclassical building began in 1904, on the remains of the Santa Isabel convent, under the Italian architect Boari. It has an art nouveau style and its facade is made of marble from Carrara.

We then visit the Museum of Anthropology and History with its impressive collection of artefacts from Mexico’s many civilisations.

Hotel Regente or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

The ancient city of Teotihuacan reached its zenith around 1,000AD when it was the 6th biggest city in the world with a population of about 125,000. Amongst the avenues and structures are the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, the 3rd and 4th largest in the world. We explore this impressive archaeological zone with an expert local guide to unearth some of the site’s secrets.

Starting our journey south we head towards the city of Puebla (about 2.5hrs). In the late afternoon we arrive in Puebla de los Angeles, the City of Angels – so called because of a legend that claims angels came down from heaven to place the cathedral’s bells in the towers when builders were unable to do so. The colonial city is known for its traditions, especially its handicrafts, including blue-and-white pottery, and its cuisine that is some of the best in Mexico.

Hotel Colonial Puebla or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

We spend this morning discovering the city of Puebla which has been given UNESCO World Heritage Site for its colonial architecture. We visit the Patio de los Azulejos and the ex-Convent of Santa Rosa, both of which provide classic examples of how ‘talavera’ tiles were incorporated into buildings, inside and out. Early settlers who came from Talavera de la Reina in Spain introduced these tiles and associated ceramics. Today the glazed pottery has become synonymous with Puebla.

After our city tour we continue our journey and drive towards another Mexican World Heritage City, Oaxaca (about 4.5hrs). With a colonial centre of shaded pedestrian streets, bright, clear light, indigenous traditions and a creative atmosphere, Oaxaca has attracted and inspired many artists and artisans alike.

The city boasts such sights as the beautiful zocalo (main square), the Cathedral and the vast Convento de Santo Domingo, along with museums, fascinating markets and charming inns.

Hotel ABU or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

A long day full of new experiences that will take you closer to understand the myth and history of the Day of Dead; the whole day is laid out to see the Day of the Dead festivities and traditions!

Our day starts with a typical breakfast in the local market of Ocotlan de Morelos. Here we get to learn about traditional Oaxaca dishes such as a typical chocolate drink, stuffed chilies, enchiladas or stew with almonds, as well as experiencing the market on this special day, complete with alters set up for the Day of the Dead. From here it’s on to San Martin Tilcajete where we discover the pre-Hispanic wood-carving tradition known as ‘Alebrijes’ in the work shop of the artisan Jacobo Angeles. Next we visit the black clay work shop of Miguel Fabian in San Bartolo Coyotepec before moving on to the archaeological site of Zaachila where we learn about pre-Hispanic tombs.

This afternoon embrace the Mexican celebration of their ancestors! We join a local family in their home for lunch, where we get to have some traditional Mole and other regional dishes. The family will also invite us to see their ‘Shrine for the Dead’ and introduce us to the language Zapoteco. We will take part in the Day of the Dead parade in the local town before visiting the local graveyard at night, listening to brass bands, and watching the entire town fill the cemetery to decorate the graves of their loved ones to then sit by their side all night.

Hotel ABU or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our next exploration of Mexican history takes us to the Zapotecan site of Monte Alban. Whilst the name dates back to a Spanish landowner in the 16th-century, previous names come from the Mixtec word ‘Sahandevul’ meaning ‘At the foot of the Sky’ or the Zapotecan ‘Danibaan’ meaning ‘Sacred Mountain.

In 500 BC the Zapotecans moved into the Oaxaca region and began the monumental task of levelling the top of a 1,600m high mountain that intersects and divides three valleys. Here they built the city of Monte Alban with a maze of subterranean passageways, rooms, drainage and water storage systems.

We later return to Oaxaca and explore the cobbled streets and vibrant squares and churches of the historical town. We also visit the Museum of cultures Santo Domingo.

Hotel ABU or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Oaxaca is possibly the most famed region in Mexico for its cuisine and we get more acquainted with it as we head for a cooking class, learning dishes that can easily be recreated at home. The exact menu can change but we generally learn how to make two types of tortilla, three different salsas, guacamole, mole, a starter, a soup, a desert and a drink. We visit a local market where different ingredients are showcased and explained before returning to the restaurant for our class and a succulent lunch.

The afternoon is free to wander around Oaxaca on your own.

Hotel ABU or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

A short distance from Oaxaca is the village of Teotitlan del Valle known for its colourful, hand-woven rugs and our first stop today. From here we continue to the Don Agave distillery to taste some mescal. Distilled from agave plants, mescal is different to tequila and is most popular in the Oaxaca region. After this tasting we drive on to Tehuantepec where we spend the night (total drive time is about 7hrs plus stops)

Hotel Calli or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Drive to San Cristobal (about 6hrs plus stops).

One of Mexico's most popular cities with visitors, San Cristobal de las Casas is filled with cobbled stoned alleyways of whitewashed buildings with red-tiled roofs that give onto plazas and picturesque arcades.

Arriving in San Cristobal in the afternoon, we have a short orientation tour of the historic city before checking into our hotel.

Hotel Casa Mexicana or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a free day to explore San Cristobal at your own pace. Wander the colonial streets, take in the lively cafés, or buy handicrafts produced by the local Tzotzil indigenous groups with their different colourful dress. It’s also possible to do an optional boat trip through the Sumidero Canyon and/or visit one of the traditional Mayan communities who live in the villages surrounding the city (see money section for prices).

Hotel Casa Mexicana or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

The road we take towards Palenque is very windy but picturesque. En route we visit the waterfalls of Agua Azul (after about 5hrs driving plus stops). Agua Azul is a group of beautiful waterfalls that create wonderful natural pools and has been a protected area since 1980. Due to the strong and unpredictable currents we do not recommend swimming at this location.

Following a stop at the falls it’s a further 2.5hrs to the town of Palenque, named after the nearby impressive ruins.

Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Emerging from the jungles of the Chiapas’ low-lying hills is one of Mexico’s most impressive ruins: the Mayan site of Palenque. The temples, sanctuaries and pyramids, with their sculptured walls and ceilings are some of the best-preserved and finest examples of Mayan buildings despite the city-state having peaked over 1,300 years ago in the 7^th century.

We explore this magnificent site before continuing on the road towards the Yucatan Peninsula and the Caribbean town of Campeche (about 5hrs plus stops).

Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the colonial town’s best feature are its impressive city walls built to protect it from the constant attacks by English and Dutch buccaneers and pirates during the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

Hotel Lopez or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

About two hours drive from Campeche is our second Mayan site: Uxmal. Quite open, it is in contrast to the jungle-ruins of Palenque we visited yesterday. This site, which dates to the late classic era (500-800AD) and features the Pyramid of the Magician; the Nunnery Quadrangle with long, elaborately carved facades; and a ball court where a traditional ball game was played, sometimes ending in human sacrifice.

Having worked up an appetite we have lunch at a local Mayan family restaurant. Here we get to eat Pollo Pibil and Cochinita Pibil – slowly cooked pork and chicken. The meat is roasted for about 5hrs along with achiote paste and wrapped in banana leaves. This is a typical Yucatan dish and representative of the local cuisine.

After lunch it’s about 1.5hrs drive to Merida. A number of the city’s buildings, including the cathedral, were built using Mayan stones found on this site and, along traditional colonial architecture, features 19^th century houses built in a French style.

Arriving mid-afternoon we have a walking tour of Merida, returning later to enjoy the main square which is particularly delightful at night.

Hotel Caribe or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Our first stop is at the traditional Mayan village of Tixkokob where local families practice the age-old craft of hammock weaving.

After learning about how hammocks are made we continue to the ‘magic town’ of Izamal. Once a Mayan settlement, the name means ‘Place of the God of Medicine’. The town is covered in buildings painted yellow and white and is known for the 16^th century Franciscan monastery built on top of the base of a huge Mayan pyramid (which was probably once larger than the Castillo in Chichen Itza).

From here we transfer to Chichen Itza, possibly the best known and most impressive of all Mayan sites (total drive time of about 3.5hrs plus stops).

Hotel Chichen Itza or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our final day starts with a visit the most famous Mayan temple city: Chichen Itza. Having spent the night near to the site means we can get in nice and early before the hordes of day-trippers coming from the beach resorts.

Chichen Itza served as the political and economic centre of the Mayan civilisation and thrived from around 600 to 1200AD. The pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars and the Playing Field of the Prisoners can still be seen today and demonstrate the extraordinary commitment to architecture, space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and possibly the greatest, of Mayan pyramids.

This afternoon we drive about 2.5hrs to Cancun airport in time for the group flight. This is where the tour’s land only portion ends.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Mexico

Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

If flying via the US, you will have to clear immigration during transit. In this case, you will be required to get an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (US$21) prior to flying. Please see our USA visa page for more information.

Vaccination

Mexico

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. Additionally, dengue, zika and chikungunya are known risks in places visited on this trip. All are spread by biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxes available, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts and 2 lunches included.

Breakfast generally consist of fruits, cereals, beans and eggs.

Meals vary in price from around $15-20 USD for lunch and $15-30 USD dinner. A beer costs on average $3-5 USD.

There is a lot more to Mexican cuisine than fajitas and tacos and we have the opportunity to discover the wealth of dishes on offer. In Oaxaca we attend a cooking class, the exact dishes we learn to cook can vary but generally include tortillas, salsas, mole (chocolate based savoury dishes) and guacamole. We also learn about Mexican drinks, in particular by visiting a mezcal distillery.

Note - Drinking water will be provided on the bus in large containers to minimize the amount of single-use plastic bottles; please bring a refillable bottle with you.

Weather Charts

Chichen Itza

Is this trip for you?

Covering a lot of ground from Mexico City to Cancun does mean there are some long drives – some of which are on windy mountain roads. Some of the trip, in the lowlands of Chiapas and the Yucatan in particular, is likely to be hot and humid, especially in the summer months – drinking plenty of water and dressing in loose cotton clothing will help. Whilst this is a leisurely trip, walking city tours. as well as visits to various pre-Hispanic sites. does mean a lot of time spent on our feet. Many of the areas visited on the trip are at high altitude and some short walks (normally one to three hours) are planned. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this trip.

Please note, this trip includes a water-based excursion on the Xochimilco Canals where local safety standards may differ from those you are used to. There are unlikely to be personal flotation devices (i.e. lifejackets or buoyancy aids) available for you to use on the activity. If you cannot swim you should not take part in this activity/excursion. If you are concerned about taking part in this activity, please discuss with your leader at the start of the tour so they can make alternative arrangements.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Susie M

Reviewed November 2022

This is a great trip - very colourful!

This was a really well -planned full itinerary with little down time and early starts every morning!

The traffic in Mexico City meant that journeys between locations always took a long time but Berto, our driver was very calm. On the first day you are still recovering from the long day of travel but the visit to the Frida Kahlo House was very worthwhile and the canal boat “dodgems” at Xochimilco was great fun!

It was nice to get out of the City to the site at Teotichuacan the next day – the large pyramids are stunningly impressive but you can no longer climb them.

The best time was in Oaxaca as we spent 4 nights at the same central hotel and we had plenty of opportunity to soak up the festive atmosphere and see plenty of costumes and parades. The food is very good here and, of course, we learned how to make some salsas and mole.

We were lucky enough to spend time at the cemetery with a family where the son was playing the guitar and singing ballads to the dead relatives – very moving and atmospheric.

Monte Alban was my favourite archaeological site, partly because of the stunning views but Palenque was lovely because of its jungle location with the howler monkeys screeching in the background and the fact it was possible to climb the Pyramid of the Cross to have a view across the site.
Unfortunately, we only had less than an hour at Uxmal as we arrived late in the afternoon and our visit to Chichen Itza was quite short as we had to leave for the airport.

We did so many extras and Arturo always ensured we had good places to eat and drink!

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to single something out as the trip itinerary was so diverse and enjoyable but my least favourite location was San Cristobal, although I did buy some fabulous hand-painted wooden masks there! We did a sneaky swim in a small cenote too - the water was crystal clear and a pleasant temperature - so refreshing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was absolutely smashing! He always had a smile on his face, was super organised and packed so much into the day. He had a great sense of humour and really gelled with the group. He was really charming and kind too. We always had so many questions about the history and culture which he was able to answer very knowledgeably.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes are somewhat misleading on some points: Currency - really get mostly in Pesos to cover what you will be spending on food and drinks. I only used USD for the tips and the additional boat trip in the canyon. Eating out is relatively expensive and a 15% tip is usually applied. You can use credit cards in the more touristy areas but usually cash is preferred. Packing - I was led to believe a warm jacket and jumper would be required so I ended up taking some non-essential items. It is generally very warm and humid and balmy in the evenings so no jumpers or jackets required. I only wore a fleece when we had to leave San Cristobal at 4am. A denim jacket was fine. But DO take a raincoat - we got absolutely drenched in flash floods in Puebla. Girls - ignore the comments about shorts not being acceptable. They are commonplace both with tourists and locals - and essential when climbing up pyramids! Skirts very impractical.

Suggestions

Yes, there are far too many long bus journeys and the minibus was crammed full - for a large group, couldn't a larger coach be used so there is a bit more space to spread out? There were some bus politics going on which wasn't always pleasant. Unfortunately, the journey from San Cristobal to Palenque was not only on winding mountain roads but was through a lot of community areas where there are speed humps so the drive was quite slow - we were on the bus 8 hours - and also very bumpy and jolty. We seemed to do quite a few "sales" stops. I would prefer these are kept to a minimum as they were quite time consuming and the products so expensive - probably geared for visitors from the US - and they are en route so not optional. I would probably cut out the visit to the tile factory in Puebla and the painted wooden artefacts outside Oaxaca - these tours were quite long. and the wood carvers was full of coach parties and the products 100s of USD! I wasn't keen on the black pottery or the rug weaving either. I don't remember having so many sales visits on Exodus trips before. On the other hand, the hammock maker was very amusing and the Panama hat maker was interesting and both were short and sweet. All the hotels were clean with plentiful hot water and large comfortable beds. However many of the breakfasts were disappointing with few choices.

Patrick O'Connor

Reviewed November 2022

Mexico Day of Dead Festival started 27 October 2022

Very good trip overall. The local guide was extremely knowledgeable, highly motivated. The hotels were variable good to very good. The bus was somewhat crowded. I managed to find some vegetarian selection at each location. Local people were quite friendly and ready to help, despite my very limited spanish.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed pyramids at Teotichuacan, especially walking to temples of the Sun and Moon on the Avenue of the Dead. Also Mayan pyramids at Uxmal, Chichen Itza. Wandering the streets of Oaxaca, Campeche, Merida.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The local guide Arturo was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer most questions in great detail. He was highly motivated, even arranging hotel staff with umbrellas to meet group at the entrance to Hotel Regente in Mexico City during heavy rain, and helping to carry guest bags to the bus. Arturo showed us where there were good restaurants, shops, foreign exchange bureaux. My spanish is quite limited, so Arturo was helpful to translate so that I could find vegetarian selections at the restaurants. The bus driver Alberto was well motivated and able to get group to destination in good time, despite heavy traffic in larger cities like Mexico city, and securing baggage. Good rapport between the local guide and driver. Both were accommodating and ready to assist us travellers.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to learn as much spanish as possible, English spoken little outside main tourist areas. Bring sun screen for daytime, and rain gear for nights, still heavy rains in mid-November. Cooler at night in high elevation areas, esp. San Cristobal, Oaxaca, Puebla.

Suggestions

Hotels good to very good. My room at Hotel Regente somewhat small. Few hotels had coffee machines and coffee in rooms (only Chichen Itza provided coffee machine and coffee, Tehuantepec had coffee machine but no coffee). The group bus was fully packed and could be uncomfortable in certain seats, as I have joint pains. The pooling of tips for hotel staff, driver is a very good idea. I found the optional Sumidero canyon boat trip at Tuxtla well worth it!

Peter Stocker

Reviewed November 2022

Mexico Day of the Dead Oaxaca

An excellent introduction to the sights , sounds and culture of Mexico. It involved long days travelling on occasion, and a larger bus would be an improvement. The one provided had the exact number of seats for the passengers so there was no possibility of spreading out, the seats in the back being particularly cramped.

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly liked the visit to Teotihuacan and walking along the Avenue of the Dead from the Citadel to the Pyramid of the Moon. Chichen Itza Was also spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo Romero was excellent, very knowledgeable and worked really hard to make everything run smoothly.

Ruth Green

Reviewed December 2019

Pleasure & Pain.....

A great trip that could have been SO much more! My husband & I mostly enjoyed the first half of this trip, chosen especially to see the Day of The Dead celebrations in Mexico. The accommodation was pretty good throughout with some lovely colonial hotels, some with lovely swimming pools. Unfortunately we often arrived far too late in the afternoon, to enjoy those facilities and the next day we were off again on the tour. Very disappointing.

Travelling for the whole trip in a minibus (this was mentioned in the trip notes to be fair, but we have never had to endure this in any 7 of our previous Exodus trips, always having had much larger coaches) with no spare seats, unable to be fully comfortable or recline our seats, on some very long journeys (albeit with comfort breaks) spoilt the trip for us. Being in very close quarters with our group for several hours each day, some of whom we felt were selfish & insensitive to the needs of their fellow passengers, was at times, a strain & caused a lot of tension.

In retrospect I think the tour could perhaps should be cheaper and split into two separate trips. So that those who wish to experience the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca can and perhaps add on another separate tour with the Yucatan & Mayan pyramids for those that want to experience the history. The first half with maybe more time in Mexico City to experience all that it has to offer.

We are no strangers to ‘full on’ Exodus trips, having been to Peru last year,also China, Russia, Cuba & India twice. However this trip felt exhausting to us, mainly because of the travelling conditions in the minibus, nearly all the road journeys were longer than the ‘estimates ‘ in the trip notes. It was also very unfortunate I was ill in Oaxaca & had to see a doctor for antibiotics and steroids. To be honest we felt that to appreciate the country, more time is need in some of the towns – Merida & Campeche especially.

Most Inspirational Moment

Personally it was experiencing the Day of the Dead in the evening, with the families in the cemetery. The atmosphere was incredible. To see the decorated shrines and just be there with everyone, was a joy! I loved the skeleton figures everywhere and the rich colours of the marigolds on the altars. Oaxaca was a terrific place to see & feel the celebrations. We also had a great time at Frida Kahlo's house,in Mexico City even thought here were long queues, our guide had prebooked so we got in without too much waiting. I wasn't prepared for the scenery to be so varied either-vast plains,mountains, jungles, forests.... Seeing the Gulf of Mexico just as the sun set was magical! Unfortunately in Oaxaca, we were very disappointed when told by our guide that although printed in the itinerary, we were not going to have lunch with a local family, take part in the parade or go to the family's shrine in the evening. Many of the group wanted to dress up, have their faces painted and really immerse themselves in the experience. In fact that was why we had chosen Exodus, because it offered those things. But it was not to be. Perhaps the trip notes should reflect this in future, so as not to disappoint clients.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was all things to us all. From being a mine of information about his country's history, culture & religion, he was always willing to go the extra mile - from providing medication when we were ill ( a bad cold struck most of us down during the trip) to providing a fruit plate & bananas for my husband when he suffered an upset stomach and was unable to leave the hotel in Oaxaca for 2 days. Arturo took us to some very good restaurants so we could experience the variety that is Mexican cuisine - despite my dislike for chillies! He was always patient and mostly helpful. We especially had a good time with him in Oaxaca watching the dancing in the square from the restaurant balcony.

Advice for Potential Travellers

.Be prepared for long journeys - with little in the way of 'enjoyable' food when travelling from place to place! Motorway services & cafes do not cater for gluten free diets - so take snacks with you - cereal bars, small packs of dried fruit & nuts etc. You can buy snacks but the food is very 'plastic'! . Take Mexican pesos with you - although US dollars can be exchanged, you are not always near an ATM or bank. . If you like crafts, Mexico is a wonderland. Make sure you have room in your case especially for souvenirs of the Day of the Dead. We experienced some VERY heavy rain one day but generally the weather is good in October/November - take a brolly/packable waterproof in your rucksack. . Take headphones, iPad/tablet, Kindle, book etc to pass the time on long road journeys.

Suggestions

Everything is as I mentioned in my overview. Mexico is a fascinating country but having had this experience with Exodus I wouldn't go back.

Keren Trimnell

Reviewed November 2018

Brilliant trip

This trip packs a lot in – culture, Mayan sites, eating, seeing local craftsmen at work, and just soaking up the atmosphere in the old Spanish colonial towns. Around and about in Mexico city, beautiful Puebla, San Cristobal and then lots of Mayan sites.
The hotels were all good (had one slight problem in one of them but hopefully Exodus can get that sorted out for future trips).
There are some long travelling days due to the distances which need to be covered, but it’s worth it and a lot of the scenery is just amazing to see.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hahaha - cannot pick just one: climbing the sun pyramid and almost, just almost, making it to the top (vertigo got me); seeing Mayan carvings in an old tomb on top of a hill; some of the restaurants were wonderful; all the Day of the Dead "stuff"; watching the sunset on the seafront; swimming in a Cenote; Teotihuacan; Uxmal; Palenque and Chichen Itze.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was one of the best tour leaders I've had - from meeting the group at Mexico City airport, with a big smile, he was there for us for the whole time, sorting out any problems, answering millions of questions, and generally making sure everyone was ok. And, that smile never wavered. I'd also like to mention Fernando, our driver. He was brilliant as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's hot and you will get sweaty climbing the pyramids - pack for that. Take a swimming costume - a couple of the hotels have pools which are brilliant for cooling down. I took hiking boots, but didn't wear them, walking sandals were fine for all the sites. I didn't get bitten and didn't use deet, but I did wear long sleeves and I think all the hotels had aircon (units). You can get washing done in Oaxaca (about £1 per item), which might be helpful. A brolly would probably be useful - it did rain a couple of times (the tropical rain that comes down hard, then stops). This trip packs a lot in but there's still a lot more to see and I'll definitely be going back.

Suggestions

This is in no way intended to be criticism: Adding a day onto the end of the trip would be good - so that you can go around Chichen Itze and go back to the hotel, get showered, wash hair and change and pack, rather than going straight to the airport and changing there. It would also give people who wanted to an afternoon to go back into Chichen Itze, if they wanted to. Keep the Cenote - we loved it. If you could do something to shorten the long travelling days and maybe add in some minor Mayan sites (but they may be further along the route), that would be good but, then again, I don't think anyone would have wanted to miss the hotels (especially the one in Puebla) - if shortening the days meant changing the hotels. Arturo did make sure we had banos stops and coffee stops and there were nibbles to buy to eat.

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