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

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 20th 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

Before leaving Mexico City behind we visit the Museum of Anthropology and History with its impressive collection of artefacts from Mexico’s many civilisations. 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

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

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

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

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

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 19th 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

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.