Activities in Oaxaca
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Amigos del Sol
Professional, good-value school popular with travelers. Begin classes any weekday – call the director ( [tel] cell phone 951-1968039) between 8am and 9am, 3pm and 4pm, or after 8pm, or send an email the day before you want to start. No minimum duration and no registration charge. Students starting on Monday should arrive at the office at 8:30am.
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Instituto Cultural Oaxaca
ICO's popular seven-hour-a-day program includes intercambios and workshops in arts, crafts and culture; many classes are held in the school's spacious gardens and terraces. There's a US$55 registration fee.
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Academic Tours in Oaxaca
Academic Tours in Oaxaca offers recommended customized tours geared to clients’ personal interests, with full-day trips for two to four people typically costing M$3575 to M$4290. Particularly fascinating tours visit the religious sites in Yanhuitlán, Coixtlahuaca and San Pedro Teposcolula.
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La Casa de Mis Recuerdos
A marvelous, aesthetic décor prevails throughout this 10-room guesthouse. Old-style tiles, mirrors, masks and all sorts of other Mexican crafts adorn the walls and halls. The best rooms overlook a fragrant central garden; two have air-con and two have a shared bathroom. The large breakfast, a highlight, is served in a beautiful dining room. Host Nora Valencia also offers cultural tours and cooking classes. There’s a minimum stay of three nights. The owners also offer a B&B with similarly excellent breakfasts in two beautifully decorated smaller houses not much further from the center: Encanto Jalatlaco (Niños Héroes 115; singles/doubles including breakfast M$1170/1560; [n…
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Rancho Buenavista
Based at a ranch west of Monte Albán, Rancho Buenavista is perfect for active travelers interested in regional rock-climbing, mountaineering, hiking and mountain-biking expeditions, with varied grades of difficulty. Durations are from half a day up, and the guides are professional, friendly, qualified and experienced. There are accommodations for 20 people at the Rancho in ecocabins with private bathrooms and communal kitchen, costing M$300 per person including breakfast. Most half-day activities cost M$500 to M$600, one-day outings are around M$600 to M$800, and two days’ hiking, biking or climbing around Apoala is M$1100 to M$1400. The ranch also staffs a contact offic…
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Tierraventura
The very well-organized Tierraventura, run by a multilingual Swiss and German couple, offers a big variety of trips and activities focused on hiking, nature, meeting locals, traditional indigenous medicine and cooperating with local community tourism projects. Local guides accompany travelers wherever possible. Tierraventura can take the logistical work out of visiting places like the Pueblos Mancomunados. It also offers rare opportunities to learn about traditional medicine though a partnership with CECIPROC, an NGO working to improve health in indigenous communities, and the traditional medicine center at Capulálpam. On most trips prices range between M$700 and M$1100 p…
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Centro de Esperanza Infantil
The Centro de Esperanza Infantil is a nonpolitical, nonreligious center that sponsors and cares for kids who, without assistance, could not attend school. Many of these children shine shoes or sell gum to help with their families’ daily survival. The center has a dining room, a library, computers, classrooms and a small kindergarten, and has helped some kids continue education right through to university. The staff does a great job and welcomes donations, sponsors, volunteers and visitors. Volunteers can help with meals, the on-site medical center, admin work and classes such as art, crafts and English, and even a half-day of assistance is helpful.
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Ollin Tlahtoalli
This small operation is quickly earning a reputation for pragmatic language learning and progressive volunteer programs that focus on indigenous cultural preservation and tutoring programs for Oaxacan artisans interested in learning English. Ollin is the best option for students interested in getting beyond chalkboard grammar lessons and into the surrounding communities. Contact the school in advance for class schedules.
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Casa Crespo
Amiable Óscar Carrizosa gives classes for small or large groups at his guesthouse at 10:30am daily. Options include pre-Hispanic cooking, colonial cooking and festival food. Normally you’ll plan a menu with six dishes and two drinks, buy the ingredients at market, then cook and eat your meal – four to five hours total.
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Seasons of My Heart
This cooking school at a ranch in the Valle de Etla is run by American chef and Oaxacan food expert Susana Trilling. It offers classes in Mexican and Oaxacan cooking, from one-day group sessions (most Wednesdays) to weeklong courses, plus fascinating culinary tours around Oaxaca state and other Mexican regions.
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La Casa de los Sabores
Pilar Cabrera, owner of La Olla restaurant, gives classes from 9:30am to 2pm on Tuesday and Thursday at her guesthouse in central Oaxaca. Participants (minimum four, maximum eight) prepare and eat one of 15 five-course Mexican or Oaxacan menus on offer, usually including some vegetarian dishes.
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Oaxaca International
Has classes limited to four students and can be tailored for professionals. The basic course focuses on conversation while the more intensive courses include some literature, grammar and a range of workshops (tortilla making, ceramics, dancing etc).
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Ecoturixtlán
Ecoturixtlán is the community tourism organization of the small town of Ixtlán in Oaxaca's Sierra Norte. The Oaxaca office provides information and reservations for comfortable forest cabañas, guided hikes and other activities.
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Soléxico
Professionally run school with branches in Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta, so students can split time between locations. Can arrange language study combined with local volunteering (mainly with children).
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Transportadora Turística Jade
You can book guided tours at Transportadora Turística Jade, which has offices within the Hotel de la Parra and is recommended for its personalised service.
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Expediciones Sierra Norte
This well-run and successful rural community organization offers walking, mountain biking, horseback riding and accommodations in the Pueblos Mancomunados area.
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Becari Language School
Medium-sized school where you can start any Monday morning. Optional extras include classes in slang, Zapotec language and woodcarving, and volunteering.
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Bicicletas Pedro Martínez
Bicicletas Pedro Martínez rents out good mountain bikes. Besides selling bikes and equipment, it also offers bike tours.
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Zona Bici
Zona Bici rents out good mountain bikes. Besides selling bikes and equipment, it also offer bike tours.
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