(C) Mexico - Day of the Dead Celebrations
An Authentic Cultural Immersion Tour
Join us in Mexico as we explore the country's rich cultural history and experience the Day of The Dead Celebrations. We will start in the colorful and vibrant city of Oaxaca, founded in the 15th century and the cultural center of the Day of the Dead traditions. You will fall in love with the cuisine and stories of its indigenous people. Next we will visit one of Mexico's oldest cities, Puebla, to see some of the country's best preserved colonial architecture. Our last destination is Mexico City, named the #1 travel destination by the New York Times. If you've ever wanted to explore the richness of Mexico, now is your chance!
(C) Mexico - Day of the Dead Celebrations
October 29 - November 6, 2020Highlights
- Visit UNESCO Heritage Sites
- Participate in Day of the Dead traditions
- Admire the world's largest pyramid
- Gawk at the gilded dome of Rosary Chapel
- Learn how to cook Oaxacan cuisine
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- Small group no larger than 18
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Thursday, 29 October 2020: Arrive Oaxaca; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival into Oaxaca no later than 3:00pm. Group transfers from the airport to the hotel based on flight arrival times are included. Founded in 1529, Oaxaca, pronounced (“wa-hah-kah”), is located in an area of southwest Mexico known for its extraordinary cuisine, unique handicrafts, colonial architecture and indigenous cultures. The tour begins in the lobby of the hotel at 6:00pm. After our Welcome Meeting we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner to get better acquainted. Overnight Oaxaca - 4 nights
Friday, 30 October 2020: Local Market; Monte Alban; Cooking Class (B,L,D)
Oaxacan cooking is one of the many rich culinary contributions to Mexican cuisine and today we will learn a bit more about it. We begin our day at a local market to learn more about the ingredients used in the local cuisine and the materials used for the Day of the Dead celebrations. Afterward, w will visit the archaeological site of Monte Alban, a great city that reigned for 1200 years and features wonderful views over the Oaxaca region. The remains of this great city reveal an already advanced culture with temples, pyramids, palaces and sports arenas. This evening, we will attend a cooking class and then enjoy our freshly made dinner.
Saturday, 31 October 2020: Artisans Tour - Black Pottery, Alebrijes & Fabrics; Cemetery Visit (B,D)
The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico between October 31 and November 2. It is a festive and colorful holiday in which Mexicans remember and honor their deceased loved one. The Oaxaca region has some of Mexico's most intriguing and vibrant folk art and today we'll visit a few artisans to learn more about their work. We begin with a visit to the village of Ocotlan, known for its popular craft market and the barro negro (black pottery), which is distinguished by its color, sheen and unique designs. We'll also visit the town of Tilcajete, famous for its brightly colored wood carvings of mystic figures known as Alebrijes. And in Jalieza, we will see artisans creating elaborate and beautiful embroidery cloth products. Tonight, we'll enjoy a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant and afterward, we will visit a cemetery to see the altars with their offerings and the richly decorated graves. We will also see the colorful carpets of marigolds, sand and sawdust that adorn the streets welcoming the spirits. UNESCO has recognized Mexico's Day of the Dead festivities as a "cultural heritage event for humanity."
Sunday, 01 November 2020: Mitla Archaeological Site; Mezcal Tasting; Masquerade Parade (B,L,D)
Today, we explore the archaeological site of Mitla, "the place of the dead." This ancient city was built about 800 AD with amazing architecture and striking geometric patterns carved in stone. We will stop in Teotitlan to see where woolen and woven goods are produced, and the techniques to color them with natural dyes. We also learn about the production of a Mezcal - a local drink made from blue agave - see the distillery and definitely taste test! After lunch here, we return to Oaxaca. Enroute, we'll glimpse the Tule Tree, a gargantuan Mexican cypress that is probably the largest tree in Latin American and believed to be about 2,000 years old. Tonight, we head to San Jose del Mogote to enjoy the masquerade parade with people dressed in skeleton and devilish costumes to chase away the dead spirits. These revelers dance from house to house, receiving fruit, candy and chocolate from the family's Day of the Dead altars.
Monday, 02 November 2020: Travel to Puebla; Pottery Workshop; Puebla Walking Tour (B,L)
This morning we travel north to Puebla, known as the “City of the Angels.” Upon arrival, we will eat lunch at a local restaurant and visit a local "talavera" (i.e. pottery) workshop. We'll learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage site with a city tour of the historic district. The main square features some of the best examples of the religious architecture of Mexico's colonial era. After touring, we will check in to our hotel in Puebla and the rest of our day will be at leisure. Overnight Puebla - 1 night
Tuesday, 03 November 2020: Travel to Mexico City via Cholula Pyramid (B,L)
Today we travel to Mexico City, making a stop in Cholula to see the Pyramid of Tepanampa, the largest ancient structure in the Americas, and the Church of Our Lady of Remedies. Once we arrive in Mexico City, we will tour the Zocalo, the main plaza in the city and visit the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Overnight Mexico City - 3 nights
Wednesday, 04 November 2020: Day Trip to Teotihuacan; Late Afternoon/Evening Free (B,L)
We will start with an early departure to visit one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in Meso-America, Teotihuacan, the "Place of the Gods." Here we'll admire the Temple of Quetzalcóatl, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Temple of Quetzal-Papalotl and the Pyramid of the Moon. We will also visit the Museum of Archaeology. After we return to our hotel the rest of the afternoon and evening are free to relax or go exploring.
Thursday, 05 November 2020: Mexico City Neighborhoods; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Today, discover two charming residential districts of Mexico City. We begin in the neighborhood of San Angel with its narrow cobblestone streets and tree-lined plazas teeming with craft markets, restaurants and coffee shops. We continue on to Coyoacán to stroll through its idyllic center with its arts and crafts market and see the church of Saint John the Baptist. After time to enjoy the bohemian atmosphere of this part of Mexico City, we'll get together for our Farewell Dinner.
Friday, 06 November 2020: Return Home from Mexico City (B)
Our Mexico vacation comes to a close. it's time to say good-bye. Schedule your departure at your convenience.
(C) Mexico - Day of the Dead Celebrations
October 29 - November 6, 2020Pricing
Room Share
$3,238.00Single Room
$3,869.00Non-Members
ADD $100.00Status of this Tour
Do not Display to the Web
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Airport transfers
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages other than water unless otherwise noted
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Passport fees
- Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
These Payment and Cancellation Penalty Dates apply to Mexico - Day of the Dead Celebrations, Oct 29 - Nov 6, 2020:
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Saturday, 2 May 2020: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Sunday, 30 Aug 2020: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
By submitting the Reservation Form you are providing your electronic signature that you are authorizing WTT to charge your credit card the required amount due for the tour at this time, and to charge your credit card in a separate transaction for the membership length selected, if applicable.
Travel Insurance: It is your responsibility to purchase the amount of travel insurance you determine is appropriate to protect you from the risk of financial loss should you have to cancel your tour, or should unforeseen events, due to no fault of WTT, prevent the tour from operating in whole or in part as originally scheduled.
WTT does not sell travel insurance. As a convenience, we will email you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation, however you can purchase insurance from any provider you choose.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
(C) Mexico - Day of the Dead Celebrations
October 29 - November 6, 2020Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" (on Kayak) or "Multiple Destinations" (on Expedia). For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.
Arrival Airport: OAX - Oaxaca, Mexico (Oaxaca Int'l Airport)
Arrival Date: Thursday, October 29th. Arrive no later than 3:00PM.
Arrival Transfer: Group transfers included. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: MEX - Mexico City, Mexico (Mexico City Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Friday, November 6th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Included.
Lodging / Hotels
Oaxaca: Hotel La Noria Historical Center
Puebla: Hotel Quinta Real
Mexico City: Barcelo Reforma Hotel
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour state date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Transfer from airport to hotel
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$121.00 Roomshare $242.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
Travelers are required to have a valid passport. Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
This is an "authentic cultural immersion" tour. Travelers will have some experiences that are more local than touristy.
(C) Mexico - Day of the Dead Celebrations
October 29 - November 6, 2020Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 65% Easy
- 30% Moderate (multiple walking tours and altitude)
- 5% (driving distances)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 5 Lunches
- 5 Dinners at a combination of hotels and restaurants
Selections for the included lunches and dinners will highlight the local cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
Keep in mind that, in Mexico, meals tend to be later than in the United States. Lunch is typically served about 2 pm and dinner about 8 pm. Please be prepared with snacks, if needed.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general the temperature this time of year is around 70 degrees during the day, dropping to the low 50s at night. Early October typically marks the end of rainy season, but rain remains a possibility. We suggest you monitor weather apps before you depart for the most current information.For worldwide weather refer to http://www.accuweather.com/en/world-weather.
For This Trip You May Want—
- Smart-casual wear if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners and the ballet.
- Lightweight but warm jacket/sweater for the cool mornings and evenings or the unusually brisk day.
- Inexpensive rain poncho or travel umbrella, just in case
- Swimsuit if you would like to swim in hotel pools
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
Good Packing Habits—
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use, the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance and the restrictions imposed by other forms of transportation.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- We strongly recommend you bring only one suitcase no larger than 26 inches high as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle, plus 1 carry-on. The small or medium-size in a 3-piece luggage set easily meets this requirement and should be plenty roomy for this length of trip.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient.
- Steps exist at most hotel entrances. On occasion the coach must unload passengers and luggage some distance from the hotel entrance.
What are the health recommendations for this tour?
The standards for health and hygiene in Mexico are decent, however you should only drink bottled water and do not use ice made from tap or well water.
The possibility of contact with mosquitoes exists in Mexico, especially during the rainy season. You can significantly reduce the chance of being bitten by wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and pants) and using a quality mosquito repellent. Consumer Reports recommends brands containing 20% Picaridin or 25% DEET as the best defense against all types of mosquitoes and biting insects. Avoid natural or herbal based repellents as they do not provide adequate protection from being bitten.
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
Only you can determine your need to stay in contact while traveling. Internet access is available in most hotels, sometimes for a fee.
- If you are bringing a cell phone, contact your cell phone service provider before departing about adding international calling and/or texting features. Texting internationally is often less expensive than placing a cell phone call.
- Learn how to make an international call BEFORE you leave. Consult your cell provider and check out the web site www.HowtoCallAbroad.com.
What are the electricity requirements for this tour?
You may need to purchase an adapter. To determine the electric plug configuration needed for your destination, refer to http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.html. A universal adaptor supports a wide variety of sockets/plugs. You should also check your electronic devices for voltage compatibility. Many countries operate on 220V or 230V, which differs from most of North America. Most of today's electronics (laptops, phone chargers etc.) are multi-voltage and will work worldwide automatically, without a transformer. Consult your owner's manual for further details.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- Mexico's official currency is the Mexican Peso.
- Credit cards are widely accepted in most destinations. Many banks charge a currency exchange fee (anywhere from 3%-10%) on most transactions. Check with your bank. There are credit cards that impose no foreign transaction fees.
- Debit cards can be useful for cash advances. ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash as they are found in most airports and big cities and tourist areas. However, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work overseas. Some foreign countries limit the amount that can be withdrawn daily. You must know your PIN number for your debit card to use ATMs. Always use caution when withdrawing money.
- Most ATMs are in English and Spanish but when withdrawing, the money amount will always be shown in Mexican pesos.
- Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money.
- Exchange $100+ into local local currency so you have cash upon arrival. Be sure to keep smaller denominations of cash on hand for taxis, small purchases, etc.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- In Mexico, some restaurants add a service charge (propina) around 10%. You do not need to tip more if this is added to your bill. If a service charge is not included, it is customary to leave a tip of 15%.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $7-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
Travelers are required to have a valid passport. Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
This is an "authentic cultural immersion" tour. Travelers will have some experiences that are more local than touristy.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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