Oaxaca City & Central Valley

DawnUpcoming Tours

Customize Your Oaxaca Adventure

At the completion of every program Viva Tours Abroad allocates monies to be donated to community activism projects and non-profit organizations in need in Oaxaca. The participants of each tour collectively decides what cause or project will be the benefactor of the donation. We will facilitate follow-up progress reports to the cause/project that the participants choose to aid.

Where: Oaxaca, Mexico
Best time to visit Year round
Duration: 5- 30 days
Type of Traveler: Solo travel, Families  Couples, Groups of Friends,
Price Range: $2,100-8,400

At A Glance

Explore Ancient Indigenous Cultures by day and dine in hip Restaurants with world renowned cuisine at night

The city of Oaxaca (altitude 5070 ft.) is located in the heart of two verdant valleys and has an ideal Spring-like climate. Folk art, festivals and fascinating indigenous cultures make Oaxaca one of the most magical of Mexico’s many colonial cities. Oaxaca city with its hip cafés, art galleries, and live music scene, has a relaxed feel while maintaining its colonial charm and links to its pre-Hispanic past.

Location:

Oaxaca, Mexico
The city of Oaxaca (altitude 5070 ft.) is located in the heart of two verdant valleys and has an ideal Spring-like climate. Folk art, festivals and fascinating indigenous cultures make Oaxaca one of the most magical of Mexico’s many colonial cities. Zapotec and Mixtec ruins and traditional rural villages lie just a few miles from the beautifully preserved city center. Streets around the Plaza Principal, one of the prettiest public parks in all Mexico, have been closed to traffic and transformed into pedestrian malls. Colonial haciendas house excellent restaurants featuring world famous Oaxacan regional cuisine; some offer live music at nigh ranging from jazz to tropical. Oaxaca city with its hip cafés, art galleries, and live music scene, has a bohemian feel while maintaining its colonial charm and links to its pre-Hispanic past.

How to plan your adventure

  • Browse this page for ideas & information
  • Call & speak to our destination specialist
  • Well handcraft a quote around what you want
Call 805-540-1762

Experiences

Choose from the following curated excursions

These private experiences allow you to choose the pace & the focus. We customize the itinerary to what you are passionate about.

Explore Ancient Pyramids

Visit some of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Oaxaca with a national geographic guide sharing his knowledge & expertise.

Rug weaving Village & Market visit

You can spend the afternoon visiting the homes of Zapotec weavers and walking the cobblestone streets of this village nestled in the mountains of the central valley of Oaxaca. Nearly every home is filled with family members who card, spin and color wool, often using hand-gathered natural dyes.

World class cooking demonstration

Your cooking experience will start with a visit to the Central Market where you will stroll through the aisles visiting with the vendors amongst the colorful array of region’s culinary heritage. You will return with the unique fruits, vegetables, and spices to prepare a 4 course meal that you will enjoy with some artisanal mezcal if you wish!

Spanish Language Immersion

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student of Spanish, we have a class for you at a highly regarded local school in the heart of downtown Oaxaca. The class size is small with a maximum 6 to 1 student/teacher ratio.

Visit to Artisans of Black Pottery & Alebrije Workshop

This all day excursion first begins with a visit to a market town where the town’s artisans are world famous for their black pottery (barro negro). You will then be treated to a beautiful lunch. The last stop of the day will be at a small village known for its artisans that produce the fanciful wood carvings called Alebrijes.

Visit Home Studio of World Class Artists

Oaxaca is the artistic center of southern Mexico and you can have a rare opportunity to meet world renowned artists at their home studios to intimately know their work and their process.

Natural Infinity pool & ceremonial site

Spend a morning bathing in a natural infinity pool with breathtaking views. On your return to Oaxaca visit a Zapotec ceremonial site known for it’s greco designs.

Day Of the Dead Experience

Oct. 27th – Nov. 4th is a great time to visit Oaxaca and experience the festivities & rituals of the Day of the Dead. We are in the know of which festivals and parades not to miss.

We design each itinerary around you, so these suggested experiences are a starting point so that we can tweak your vacation into something completely unique to you. Click below to fill out our online Custom Adventure Inquiry.

ONLINE INQUIRY

Activities

Travel like a local : select from these hand-picked activities

These activities help you still do what you are passionate about while traveling and support your journey

Massages from our local contacts!

We will give you access to some of the best healers & massage therapists in Oaxaca. They really take self care to the next level guaranteed.

Temazcal: Zapotec Steam Bath with world famous healer

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience a Zapotec Temezcal. Wet steam bathing has been a ritual part of Zapotec culture for 2,500 years. You may also meet and learn from a Master Zapotec healer, midwife, & herbalist.

Toltec Ceremony & Blessing

We always recommend starting your adventure with a Toltec Blessing & Ceremony. It is a 45 minute experience from a Shaman & Toltec wisdom Carrier!

Yoga & Meditation classes

Keep up with your home practice while traveling. We will connect you to the teachers & classes steeped in traditional yoga!

Mezcal Tasting

Mezcal tasting is very similar to wine tasting. It is meant to be sipped and savored to enjoy the subtle nuances of each type of Mezcal. The flavor of mezcal comes from the type of agave, climate, terroir and distillation process. We will connect you with the master of Mezcal and his one of kind Mezcaleria.

Organic Farmers Market

The Organic Farmer’s Market in Oaxaca is just beautiful. Local musicians play while you browse the fair trade handi-craft stalls, take in the colors of the organic fresh fruits & vegetables and safely enjoy traditional drinks like tejate and foods like a Tlayuda.

Exquisite Dining at 5 star Michelin worthy restaurant

Oaxaca is a juxtaposition of the ancient traditions and modern luxuries. And the dinning offerings represent this flare. Many world famous chefs have come to Oaxaca to learn from it’s unique flavors & ingredients. We will reserve you a 9 course meal at an exquisite restaurant.

Ethical Shopping to Support Local Fair-Trade Women’s Cooperatives

If you like to shop while supporting local women’s cooperatives and fair trade products, we will give you our list of our favorite haunts. The prices are right and you will support those in need.

Guided Walking Tour of Museums & Contemporary Art Galleries.

An interactive walking tour that takes you to some of the latest exhibitions in photography, graphic designs & contemporary art. We will also keep you informed about openings!

We design each itinerary around you, so these suggested activities are to help you transform your trip into something completely curated to you. Call us on (805) 540-1762 to start planning your custom adventure or click below to to start planing online.

ONLINE TRIP PLANNING

Accommodations

Choose from Luxury, Local Flare, Boutique Style, Retreat Centers, Homestay, Apartments,

Luxury 4-Star Hotel

Stay in one of the most desired neighborhoods in Oaxaca in the heart of the colonial center of downtown Oaxaca in a beautiful upscale hotel. These accommodations have 24-hour front desk service, air conditioning, daily housekeeping, multilingual staff, concierge services, and wifi.

Charming Boutique Hotel

Stay in the heart of the colonial center of downtown Oaxaca in a beautiful charming boutique bed & breakfast that is immaculately styled. You will be steps away from many places of interest, parks, restaurants, and cafes.

Apartment

Our apartments offer privacy and comfort in one of the most desired neighborhoods in Oaxaca. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, or families.

Homestay

All of the host families have been hand picked by Dawn. The home-stay experience provides opportunities to appreciate Mexican culture and use the Spanish language in a natural setting.

We take the time to listen to what you want, these suggested accommodations are just a starting point! Call us to learn more.

Call us at 805-540-1762

Reviews

"For my recent milestone birthday, Dawn provided me with an experience of a lifetime! I’d visited Oaxaca before, and I’m a savvy, solo traveler with a sense of adventure, but I wanted a deeper connection with the locals and the culture. For months, Dawn and I discussed my passions and goals for a six-week customized tour of Oaxaca. Dawn’s decades of connections enabled me to stay in an artsy, upscale loft apartment in a hip and desirable Oaxacan neighborhood, with space for friends and relatives to visit. Because of Aurora Adventures, I met famous and fascinating artists, artisans, massage therapists and master mezcaleros. Dawn’s expertise made all of this possible and I’m so grateful for the personalized touch she gave to my experience!"

Judy Sherman, Morro Bay, California

My Family and I had such a wonderful experience in Oaxaca… I especially liked how Dawn knows places and people off the beaten path and the excursions reflected this knowledge. My kids are already asking when we will be back again.

Lisa Sweatt, Pismo Beach, California

I highly recommend taking a leap, and allowing Aurora Adventures and Dawn Feuerberg to be your guide on any one of their adventures. She was on top of every aspect of our tour, from arranging dinner reservations at the most amazing restaurants, to taking us to exciting local markets, where she knew many of the artisans. I never would have known about these places and peoples. But Dawn has known them for decades, and their mutual respect & affection is obvious to all.”

Deborah Ross, Los Osos, Ca.

Your Destination Specialist

Dawn Feuerberg (AKA Aurora in Spanish)

Owner and founder of Aurora Adventures, LLC.

My longstanding relationships abroad give you access into an enriching, in depth local experience. I am both well connected and enthusiastic about sharing my access with you.

I value the genuine art of discovery travel. I create flexible itineraries that provide  you  the opportunity to make new discoveries.

Traveling for me is all about the connections. My ability to subtly bridge cross cultural connections between you and the locals abroad is what sets me apart. At a very young age I began to travel on my own seeking out and connecting with the aboriginal, the indigenous and the authentic local life abroad. Often times finding myself being the only non-native in the region. My longstanding relationships abroad give you access into an enriching, in depth local experience that is safe, comfortable and if desired,  luxurious.

Read full bio…

How to book

Call us to start planning

WE TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO YOUR NEEDS

Call 805.540.1762

FILL OUT OUR CUSTOM ADVENTURE FORM

You pick the BUDGET, DATES, FOCUS,..

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Click here to view our Cancellation Policy

Inclusions

What’s Included

All Custom Trips at a minimum include:

  • Dynamic onsite local experts & guides
  • Daily breakfast
  • Daily experiences
  • Airport transfer to/from  Oaxaca City Airport
  • Pre-departure advising
  • Detailed custom itinerary
  • Informational packet
  •  Post departure advising during trip
  • Insured, comfortable and air conditioned vehicles are provided for transportation in the host country.

What’s not included:

Airfare to and from Oaxaca, guide gratuities, excess baggage charges, alcoholic beverages, airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry fees, & other incidentals that are not included in the custom tour itinerary, immunizations or insurance of any kind.

Travel

We know the best airlines & flight times to this destination. Once you have booked your custom adventure, we will arrange the booking of your flight to ensure the most comfortable experience & arrival in Oaxaca.

Safe & Secure Travel

Your custom adventure includes:

  • Insured, comfortable and air conditioned vehicles are provided for transportation in the host country.
  • Pre-departure advising
  • Pre-departure orientation
  • Risk management & crisis management plan

note: Each participant is required to purchase  Trip Cancellation & Medical Travel Insurance.