Traditional artisanal mezcal in glass with fresh agave plant on rustic table
🎯 PRIVATE EXPERIENCE

Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour

Based on 333 reviews

Discover the heart of Oaxacan craftsmanship.

Meet maestros mezcaleros and alebrije artisans. Learn ancestral techniques, taste authentic mezcal straight from the source, and witness the creation of Oaxaca’s most iconic folk art. This is where tradition, art, and spirit come together.

 

The Complete Experience

Mezcal Tasting with the Maestro mezcalero

Visit an authentic artisanal mezcal palenque-, meet the maestro mezcalero who've been crafting this legendary spirit for generations. Learn how mezcal is produced from start to finish, discover the difference between ancestral and artisanal methods, and taste +8 varieties from smooth espadin to wild tobala. You´ll also learn how to identify a truly good mezcal and how to avoid industrial brands that harm both your health and the enviroment. Every zip with a story and every maestro has one to tell.

Alebrije Artisan Workshops

Step into vibrant workshops where colorful alebrijes are born. Watch artisans carve copal wood and paint intricate designs. Learn about the Zapotec tradition behind these fantastical creatures and see the entire creative process from start to finish.

Ancestral Zapotec Knowledge

Discover the ancient wisdom passed down through generations. From agave cultivation to natural dyes and traditional carving techniques, connect with the indigenous roots that make Oaxacan crafts truly special.

Family-Run Traditional Workshops

Support authentic family businesses where artisans work with passion. Hear their personal stories, understand their challenges, and learn why preserving these traditions matters for Oaxacan culture.

Photo Opportunities

Capture incredible moments surrounded by colorful alebrijes, nature, beautiful views, traditional palenques, and local life. Your guide knows the best spots and will help you get those perfect Instagram-worthy shots.

Direct from Artisans

Buy authentic pieces directly from the creators at fair prices. No middlemen, no inflated tourist prices—just genuine handcrafted art and the satisfaction of supporting local families.

To secure your booking, we require a 30% deposit, which confirms your space while we coordinate the minimum group size. The remaining balance can then be conveniently settled with your guide on the day of your adventure.

What's Included:

Tour Information

Tour Highlights

The Complete Experience

This isn't just a tour—it's an immersion into Oaxaca's living cultural heritage. Every stop tells a story, every sip reveals tradition, and every carved alebrije represents centuries of artistry.

🏆

Travel Like a Local

Public Transport Adventure 🚍 We believe in offering an authentic, eco-friendly experience, which is why we’ll be traveling like a local! Public transportation will take us from Oaxaca City to San Antonio Arrazola, giving you the chance to experience local life and enjoy scenic views along the way.

🎯

Expert Local Guides

Our guides are passionate about Oaxacan culture and have deep relationships with the artisans. They translate, explain traditions, and make every moment meaningful.

👥

Full Experience (4-5 Hours)

Enough time to truly connect with artisans, taste mezcal properly, and explore workshops without rushing. Quality over quantity.

💰

Small Groups (Max 6)

Intimate experiences where everyone can interact with artisans, ask questions, and truly participate. No crowded bus tours here.

🎁 Perfect for Culture Lovers & Spirit Enthusiasts

Whether you’re a mezcal connoisseur, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about Oaxacan culture, this tour offers something special. Leave with new knowledge, amazing photos, and authentic souvenirs—plus stories you’ll share for years.

Why Choose This Tour?

Direct Access to Artisans

We've built strong relationships with artisan families over 10+ years. They welcome us (and you) into their workshops with genuine warmth, sharing techniques and stories tourists rarely see.

Authentic Mezcal Tastings

Taste real, artisanal mezcal at the source—not commercial brands. Learn to distinguish quality, understand the production process, and discover why Oaxacan mezcal is considered the world's finest.

Support Local Families

Your visit directly supports artisan families. By buying from them and bringing tourists to their workshops, you help preserve traditional crafts and provide sustainable income.

Learn Beyond the Surface

This isn't a superficial tourist experience. We dive deep into Zapotec culture, ancestral techniques, and the stories behind every carved creature and distilled agave. Leave truly educated.

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Barbara M profile picture
Barbara M
21. January, 2025.
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Great tour!! Our guide Raul Valencia was wonderful. He took us away from the typical tourist areas to smaller interesting points of interest in Oaxaca including great food and bakery options. Raul shared points of history and culture that added to the enjoyment of this worthwhile tour.
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Emma
21. January, 2025.
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Perfect walking tour Incredible tour!! David was so friendly and passionate to be from Oaxaca. We learned about the history, art and food in Oaxaca, visited markets and did a chocolate tasting, with no pressure to buy anything. Would 100% reccomend if you’re in Oaxaca.
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Escape252534
11. January, 2025.
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Highly recommend Really good tour with Dijon. Highly recommended during your first day to get the history of Oaxaca and recommended places which will help you as you explore Oaxaca during the rest of your trip. Dijon is very knowledgeable and discussed a lot of history of Oaxaca so that we understand the present.
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poppi001
14. December, 2024.
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A great introduction to Oaxaca We really enjoyed the tour around Oaxaca with Dejan. He was very passionate and knowledgable about the city and the local and national history. A great introduction to Oaxaca.
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Greg M
5. December, 2024.
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Perfect introduction to Oaxaca Seriously awesome tour! Tony was absolutely excellent - very friendly and personable. My friend and I both felt we got so much out of the tour. The perfect way to get acquainted with the city and the culture. Gracias de Canadá!
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Elody E
27. November, 2024.
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A great tour to visit the highlight of the city We booked the tour for our first evening in Oaxaca, and Laura was our guide.We had a really nice tour with her, she’s full of energy and very nice. She shared with us her favourite places for eating and for visiting.Thank you !Elodie & Pierre
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Milo W
25. November, 2024.
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November Tour Fantastic experience, very informative, friendly and fun. Tour guide was enthusiastic, entertaining and welcoming!
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Valerie H
13. November, 2024.
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A must do in Oaxaca City! It was simple awesome! Can recommend 100%! We learned so much and our guide was so great! Small groups, really interesting places and insights in local life!
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Nick L profile picture
Nick L
9. November, 2024.
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Food tour - Outstanding! The food tour with Rauel exceeded expectations. We had a fantastic day casually walking the city and experiencing magnificent food and drink of the local area. Rauel's knowledge and passion of the local community, and being a all round great bloke, made this a tour we won't forget!
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Mikayla S
9. November, 2024.
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Food tour - come with an empty belly! We had such a great time with Raul on our food tour of Oaxaca. Raul was so incredibly kind, easy going and my husband and I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with him. We visited lots of different markets and stores to try the local cuisine, with Raul being very flexible to see what we had not tried since arriving here and what we liked. He also explained a lot about the food while we were eating as well as the history of those dishes or food groups. Just when we didn’t think we could fit another single thing in, we finished our tour at the Smoke Alley which was such a fantastic experience. Our Spanish is very limited so it was so great to have Raul order and show us this!Overall, we recommend this tour and thank you so much Raul!

Why Choose Us?

A Food Walking Tour for Every Budget
Discover the heart of Oaxacan craftsmanship
Explore Oaxaca’s Vibrant Markets

How to Book

Please note that our tours require a MINIMUM OF TWO PARTICIPANTS  to operate. We recommend booking with a friend, ASK VIA EMAIL if someone already booked or checking our calendar for existing tour dates if you are traveling solo

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PRIVATE CITY TOUR

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FREE WALKING TOUR

Discover the heart of Oaxaca with tours available every day! Choose a time that works best for you and join the adventure.

Monday to Saturday

Morning: 10:00 a.m, 11:00 a.m

Afternoon: 1:00 p.m and 4:00 p.m. 

Sunday

10:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m, 4:00 p.m

En español
Tours en español 10:00 a.m y 4:00 p.m (lunes a viernes)

Free Walking Tour
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Nota. los TOURS EN ESPAÑOL son unicamente de (lunes a viernes )10:00 a.m y 4:00 p.m
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TIME
Sunday only 10:00am, 1:00pm and 4:00pm available

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Meeting point free Walking Tour

Schedule: Monday to Saturday: Morning: 10:00 a.m, 11:00 a.m. Afternoon: 1:00 p.m, 4:00 p.m, 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 10:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m, 4:00 p.m.

FODIE TIP WALK

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Reserve your spot today and dive into the rich, colorful world of Oaxaca’s most iconic markets!

 $1,100 Mexican pesos with all food tastings included.

Duration: 3 ½ hours of immersive market exploration.

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Thanks for being ready to explore with us

Our tours need a buddy system—we require a minimum of 2 foodies to run each adventure. If we don’t meet the magic number, no worries! We’ll pop into your inbox to offer you another date or time so you don’t miss out on the fun.

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Dietary Restrictions & Preferences