Compare Christmas and New Year's in Oaxaca and Puebla by Road Scholar

Day 1 Arrive Oaxaca, Check-in, Welcome Dinner Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m.

After arriving at the hotel, checking in and getting your room, take some time to unpack, freshen up, and relax.

At leisure.

At the hotel restaurant specializing in Mexican cuisine, we’ll enjoy a plated 3-course meal, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 2 Fiestas Lecture, Historical Center, Piñatas Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; uneven streets and sidewalks.

Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Unless otherwise noted, an instructor will conduct most classroom sessions and a certified expert will lead field trips. Transportation will be via bus, unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will then walk, led by a local expert, to the Historical Center where we will visit some of the most important historical buildings. Though the current city was founded in 1532, the Zapotec and Mixtec pre-Columbian civilizations had already been settled in the area for thousands of years. The city is known for these archeological sites and the large number of colonial-era structures. During our field trip we will see and learn about the Templo of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Founded by the Dominican Order, the rooms that once constituted the monastery, today house the Cultural Center of Oaxaca. The construction started in 1570 and continued over a period of 200 years, and has since undergone a complete restoration that was finished in 1999. Located next door, we will then visit the Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman, which was founded in 1528 by Dominicans. While here, we’ll get to see and learn about the second largest treasure discovery after the Tutankhamen tomb: the portentous Mixtec treasure of Tomb 7 that was found in Monte Albán.

Continuing, we’ll keep exploring the Historical Center of Oaxaca led by our designated local expert before walking back to our hotel. When we arrive, we will reconvene in our private meeting room for an introduction to the fiestas, legends, and traditions that are celebrated in Mexico. This lecture, given by our local instructor, will focus on the celebration of Christmas in southern Mexico and Oaxaca and the culture and customs associated with the holiday. Next, with our local instructor, we will have a hands-on activity to construct a piñata. A container typically filled with toys or candy, the Mexican piñata combined a similar Aztec tradition celebrating the birthday of the god Huitzilopochtli with the Spanish tradition of breaking a similar container on the first Sunday of Lent. Then, before dinner we’ll enjoy a social hour with a welcome drink and get to know our fellow travelers.

With guests at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a group activity where we will learn and participate in a traditional Posada as performers sing and act out seasonal stories. Known as Las Posadas, it is a Spanish festival that is predominantly celebrated in portions of Latin America and some of the Southwest. The festival lasts for nine days, with its last night coinciding with Christmas Eve. The nine days represent the nine months that Mary was pregnant with Jesus.

At the hotel restaurant, enjoy a buffet including a variety of hot dishes, bread, pastries, yogurt, fruit, plus coffee, tea, juice, water.

At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a 3-course lunch, including. Coffee, soft drinks, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Hotel plated meal.

Day 3 Fiestas Lecture, Arrazola, Zachila, Cuilapan de Guerrero Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Driving approximately 30 miles roundtrip; about 1.5 hours throughout the day. Walking up to 2 miles total during group activities; flat surfaces.

Beginning at the hotel, we’ll enjoy the second part of our presentation on fiestas, legends, and traditions in Mexico with our local instructor. Then, setting out via motorcoach with our local expert, we’ll travel to Arrazola, a quiet town south site of Oaxaca. The birthplace of alebrijes, brightly painted folk art sculptures of creatures limited only by the imagination, Arrazola showcases them along the streets and we’ll admire them as we walk. When woodcarving was introduced to the area in the 1950s, this art form took on a life of its own and has become internationally renowned. We’ll then board the bus and take a ride to Zaachila where we will eat lunch.

The last stop for the day will be in the town of Cuilapan de Guerrero where we will visit the Cuilapan Monastery led by our local expert. Once a formidable city with a population of over 40,000, the Spanish built the monastery to convert the Zapotec and Mixtec populations. After decades of population decline, the monastery slowly deteriorated to its current state. Today, it is a national monument under the care of the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Later in the afternoon, we’ll walk to the Zocalo to see artisans preparing for the Fiesta de Rábanos, or Festival of Radishes. Carving of oversized radishes takes place in the evening for the annual event. Named after the main plaza in Mexico City, the term zócalo has been adopted by many towns and cities to refer to their main plaza.

After a rest in the hotel, we will take a short motorcoach ride to visit and delight ourselves with the Noche de Rábanos and the carved radishes at the Zocalo, led by our local expert. Brought to Mexico by the Spanish, radishes would be carved with religious themes to promote the annual Christmas market. They then began to populate people’s tables as centerpieces instead of as part of the meal. In 1897, the city’s mayor created a formal radish carving competition, which has been help every year since its inception.

Hotel buffet.

At a local restaurant in Zaachila, we’ll have a plated meal with coffee, tea, fruit water, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated 3-course meal, including dessert, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 4 Monte Alban, Christmas Eve Dinner Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Driving approximately 13 miles roundtrip; about 1 hour total throughout the day. Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day; in the sun; significant stairs climbing the pyramids.

Boarding the bus, we will begin our field trip to Monte Albán, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Mexico with the most spectacular views. One of the greatest Mesoamerican cities, it served as a political and economic center for the Zapotec from roughly 500 BCE to around 500 CE. One of the defining features of the city are the carved monuments, or Danzantes, lining the Main Plaza. After the site visit, we will walk to the Monte Alban Site Museum and observe many of the artifacts excavated from the area, including the impressive collection of Danzantes.

We’ll then return to the hotel where the remainder of the afternoon will be free to relax and freshen up for dinner. We’ll then walk to the main square for dinner.

At leisure. You may wish to take this opportunity to attend Christmas Eve Mass or partake in other holiday celebrations.

Hotel buffet.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a buffet meal featuring Mexican food with a variety of main dishes, soups, and salads, plus coffee, tea, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At a restaurant in the main square, we will enjoy a delicious and festive 3-course plated Christmas Eve meal. Coffee, fruit water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 5 Santa Maria del Tule, Mitla, Teotitlán Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Driving approximately 60 miles total; about 3 hours, with stops. Walking approx. 2 miles; up to 1/2 mile under direct sun; bring hats, sunscreen, water bottle.

With a local expert, we will depart to Santa Maria del Tule. This used to be marshland filled with bulrushes, which the Aztecs called “tulle,” and cypress trees. We’ll stop in the town center where El Árbol del Tule is located, a 2,000 year old Montezuma cypress tree that is the widest tree in the world with a diameter of almost 40 feet. Continuing, we’ll go to Mitla, an archaeological site that is an important representation of Zapotec culture as it features unique and intricate geometric and mosaic work. Well-preserved thanks to the dry climate, Mitla was the residence of the high priest, whom the Spanish likened to the Pope, and served as the main religious center for the Zapote.

Our exploration will continue with a visit to Teotitlán del Valle, a small village known for its handmade textiles from local materials. While here, we will visit a local family for a demonstration on the carding, dyeing of wool, and process of how to make it into a rug on a loom. The village was originally founded by the Zapotec under the name Xaguixe, meaning “at the foot of the mountains,” and still retains much of its original culture. The Spanish then renamed the site Teotitlán del Valle; Teotitlán meaning “land of the gods” in Nahuatl. We’ll then return to the hotel.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

At a local restaurant just outside Mitla, we’ll enjoy a tasty buffet specializing in different kinds of moles, a variety of salads, main dishes, and desserts, plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated 3-course meal including dessert, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 6 Josefino Children's Home, Benito Juarez Film, Oaxaca History Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Driving approximately 4 miles total; about 1 hour, with stops. Walking approx. 1/2 mile total; mostly in the shade.

Boarding the bus, we will then transfer to visit children at the Josefino Children's Home with our local expert where we’ll have the opportunity to play with the orphanage’s children and break the piñatas made earlier in the program.

We’ll then return to the hotel. Take some time to relax and freshen up. Next, we will be joined by our instructor for a lecture that will build on our knowledge of Oaxaca and its history stretching back 3,000 years.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a meal featuring a variety of Oaxaca dishes from the region of Isthmus, plus fruit juice, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Hotel plated meal.

Day 7 The Magic Hands of Oaxaca, Ocotlan Route Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Driving approximately 56 miles roundtrip; about 2 hours total throughout the day. Walking approx. 1 mile throughout the day; flat surfaces.

In the meeting room with our instructor, we’ll settle in for a lecture on the magic hands of Oaxaca, during which we will take a closer look into the local ethnic groups, diversified customs and traditions of the area, the artistry of the people, as well as the fashion of the buildings, clothing, and decorations. Setting out from the hotel, we will head to the town of Coyotepec, meaning “many tigers” in the Zapotec language. The town is known for the black pottery that is produced there. For many centuries, black pottery has been produced with a dull finish, but when Doña Rosa Real Mateo started polishing and giving the pottery a shiny finish, they become more attractive and the industry grew. At Doña Rosa’s black pottery workshop, a descendent of Dona Rosa’s will give us an expert demonstration and overview of the entire process, from how they work the clay all the way to the finished product. Continuing our field trip, we’ll then go to Ocotlan de Morelos where we will visit the Dominican church and convent that were founded in the 16th century. The temple has been recently restored and the former convent that served as a jail until recently was also renovated. While here, we will also get to see some of the local artwork, including some from famous local artists as Rafael Morales.

Visiting the last town along the Ocotlan Route, we will stop in Jalietza where we will receive a demonstration on belt weaving by local craftswomen. The townsfolk are known for their handmade embroidered cloth and leather belts. After the demonstration we will return to Oaxaca and meet at a designated time in our private meeting room at the hotel to watch a film focusing on Benito Juarez, one of the most influential figures in modern Mexican history. Leading La Reforma del Norte, or “The Reform of the North,” he is credited with bringing federalist, liberal policies to the Mexican government. At the end of the film, our local expert will answer and lead any discussion questions.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

Along our route, we will enjoy a 3-course meal at a popular vegetarian restaurant, plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Hotel plated meal.

Day 8 Free Time, Cultural Event: La Guelaguetza Show Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Driving approx. 2 miles total; about 1 hour, with stops. Walking approx. 1/2 mile throughout the day; flat terrain.

Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Oaxaca. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Free time. Continue seeing and doing what interests you most.

Boarding the bus, we’ll take a short ride from the restaurant to Casa de Cantera where we will experience La Guelaguetza. A local tradition, La Guelaguetza is an event celebrating indigenous culture with dancing, costumes, and parades. More than half of Oaxaca’s population is made up of indigenous people and their culture remains an important part of their identity. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

On your own to enjoy what you like.

At a local restaurant overlooking the zócalo, we’ll have a 3-course meal, plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 9 Transfer to Puebla, Walking Downtown Puebla Puebla City, Puebla

Driving approx. 220 miles total; about 4.5 hours throughout the day, with stops. Walking approx. 1 mile throughout the day; mostly flat surfaces and cobblestone streets.

Once checked out of the hotel, we will board the motorcoach and transfer to Puebla where we will check into the hotel.

Then, setting out from the hotel led by our local expert, we’ll go on a walking field trip to the World Heritage Site of downtown Puebla. We will make stops at the Templo de Santo Domingo, a world Heritage Site; the Chapel of Rosario, also called the House of Gold; Casa de los Muñecos, the Doll House, a baroque house from the 18 century with beautiful talavera tile; and a final stop at the artisan Market “El Parian.” The area was unsettled during the Aztec empire, having served as the location for “flowery wars” between the Aztec alliance and their rivals. Until the establishment of Puebla in 1531, the area was known as Cuetlaxcoapan, or “where serpents shed their skin.” Today the city is known for its diverse architecture and Talavera pottery in addition to being one of the largest cities in Mexico.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

At the hotel restaurant featuring Mexican cuisine, we’ll enjoy a 3-course meal, plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At the hotel, we’ll have a 3-course meal, plus coffee, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 10 Amparo Museum, Free Time Puebla City, Puebla

Walking approx. 1.5 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 1 hour at the museum; 1 flight of stairs.

Walking from the hotel, we will visit the Amparo Museum, one of the most important historical museums in the country. Founded by Mexican businessman, Manuel Espinosa Yglesias, as the Amparo Foundation, it was created to promote social learning and culture in Mexico. Gathering more than 3,500 pieces of art from Pre-Columbian to contemporary times, it boasts one of the most significant collections of Pre-Columbian art in any private museum in Mexico. The museum itself is housed in what was originally the San Juan de Letrán hospital, built in 1538 as the city’s first health institution.

Free time. On your own to see and do what interests you most.

At leisure.

At the hotel restaurant, we’ll order plated meals from a select menu featuring a variety of choices including hot egg dishes, pancakes, chilaquiles, fruit, yogurt, bread and more, plus coffee, tea, water.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a buffet lunch, including coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Hotel plated meal.

Day 11 Santa Maria Tonantzintla, San Francisco Acatepec, Cholula Puebla City, Puebla

Driving approx. 25 miles roundtrip; about 2 hours, with stops. Walking about 1 mile throughout the day; mostly flat surfaces and cobblestone streets in the sun; significant stair climbing at the pyramid according to personal preference. Photographs are not allowed at Santa Maria Tonantzintla.

We will then set out from Puebla for a field trip to some colorful churches of the area, starting out with Santa Maria Tonantzintla, considered the maximum expression of the indigenous baroque. In Mexican culture, Tonantzin was a goddess identified with the Earth, and the Franciscans allowed the natives to enter this church. As an expression of artistic concerns, the church was declared a historical monument on November 11, 1933. Our next stop will be at San Francisco Acatepec to see its fascinating multicolor façade, which designed and created between the years 1650 and 1750. Considered a masterpiece of the Mexican baroque style, it was constructed with talavera poblana and red brick.

Our field trip will continue to Cholula and the Great Pyramid, one of the largest pyramids in the world. With the widest base of any pyramid in the world at a length of a quarter mile, the pyramid stands 180 feet tall. Built in four stages over a period of 800 years, it was the primary temple to Quetzalcoatl. Following a period of population growth, the pyramid became abandoned until the Toltec-Chichimecas overtook the city and built a new temple atop the pyramid. The temple remained overgrown after the arrival of the Spanish and remained undisturbed until the 19th century, except for the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios church on top. Believed to have been settled around the 4th century BCE, there were originally two villages near water sources that are part of the eastern half of the city. Various waterways made the land ideal for agriculture, allowing the city to grow and prosper. These waterways also mean the city enjoyed an advantageous position as a stop on several major trade routes, thereby helping it to become a major mercantile center. Rather than destroy the city, the Spanish built a second city next door. Both of these sections came to be part of the city of Cholula, with one side having a predominantly indigenous population and the other being largely Spanish. We’ll then return to the hotel.

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel plated meal.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy plated meals including coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a special 3-course plated meal, including dessert, to celebrate New Year's Eve. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 12 To Mexico City, Anthropology Museum Mexico City, D.F

Driving approx. 87 miles one way; about 2.5 hours. Walking approx. 1.5 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 2 hours at the museum.

After checking out of the hotel, we will then board the motorcoach and transfer to Mexico City. Upon arrival, we will begin with a field trip at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, or the National Anthropology Museum. One of the most visited museums in Mexico, this large and prestigious museum built in the 1960s houses over 52,000 pieces in 23 exhibition rooms. Among the pieces displayed are artifacts from the Teotihucans, Toltec’s Mexicas, Mayans and other cultures. One of the most important items we will see with our expert is the Aztec Calendar carved in stone.

After lunch we will continue exploring the prestigious Anthropology Museum. Departing on time to check in our hotel and to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure.

Hotel plated meal.

At the Anthropology Museum, we’ll have a buffet meal featuring a variety of main dishes, soups, and salads, plus coffee, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a Mexican buffet featuring a variety of salads, meats, and various hot dishes as well as a variety of desserts. Coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 13 Teotihuacan Archaeological Site, Mexico Past & Present Mexico City, D.F

Driving approx. 30 miles one way; about 1.5 hours, with stops. Walking approx. 2 miles throughout the day; direct sun; elective activity to climb stairs up pyramids; bring hats, sunscreen, water bottle.

Transferring from the hotel via bus, our field trip will begin with a visit to the Teotihuacan Pyramids and its archaeological site where our local expert will introduce us to Teotihuacan and explain how it became the 6th largest city in the world between 150 BCE and 450 CE. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the pyramids are the centerpiece of the holy city that once hosted a population of at least 125,000 people. Some of the most famous temples include the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, and the Temple of the Plumed Serpent.

After we return to the hotel, we will have some time to rest and recover before joining our instructor in our private meeting room for a lecture on the past and present of Mexico.

At leisure.

At the hotel, the buffet features Mexican and international cuisine including a variety of hot dishes, bread, pastries, yogurt, and fruit, plus coffee, tea, juice, water.

At a local restaurant, the buffet will feature a variety of main dishes, soups, and salads, plus coffee, tea, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Hotel buffet.

Day 14 Modern Mexico Lecture, National Palace, Frida Kahlo Museum Mexico City, D.F

Driving approx. 17 miles total throughout the day; about 1.5 hours combined. Walking approx. 2 miles throughout the day; flat terrain; standing for up to 1 hour at the National Palace. No food or water is allowed inside the National Place or museum.

Through a lecture given by our local instructor in a private room at the hotel, we’ll become more acquainted with modern Mexico’s present economic and political situations. One of the largest and most populous countries in the world, Mexico has one of the world’s largest economies and is one of the most visited countries. We will then set out into the city via bus for a field trip to the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. Sometimes referred to as the Zócalo Cathedral for its location, it is the largest cathedral in the Americas and home of the Archdiocese of Mexico. Built in phases from 1573 to 1813, it was inspired by Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The National Palace is the seat of the executive branch of the Mexican government. Located on Mexico City’s main square, much of the materials remain from the original palace that belonged to Montezuma II. Returning to the bus, we will ride to Coyoacan for lunch and a visit to Frida Kahlo Museum.

Next, we will continue walking with our local expert in the neighborhood of Coyoacán on our way to visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as Casa Azul. The museum is housed in the building where Kahlo spent most of her life. It was donated, along with its contents, by her husband, Diego Rivera, in order for it become a museum in her memory. While here, we will admire many exhibits of Frida’s work, as well as some personal items that are on display. The museum displays works of art by the couple and other artists, in addition to displaying the lifestyle of Mexicans artisans and bohemians in the first half of the 20th century. We will also be able to enjoy some of Diego Rivera's work and, after visiting the museum, feel free to walk the beautiful gardens in the property. After we will return to the hotel by bus, the remainder of the afternoon will be free to freshen up and relax before our farewell dinner.

We’ll then gather with our Group Leader for a review of the program and to discuss transfers for the conclusion of the program. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a 2-course plated meal, with soft drinks, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner buffet, with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.

Day 15 Program Concludes Mexico City, D.F

Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.