Mexican food is a blend of indigenous (Indian) and Spanish influences. At the heart of the cuisine of this beautiful country are three very important crops: corn, beans, and chilies.
Mexico is a destination of ancient ruins, magnificent beaches, cosmopolitan cities, mariachis and tortillas! This lively country has a culture everyone is familiar with and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
ITINERARY
FRIDAY, 10 NOV 2023: MEXICO CITY
Arrive Mexico City. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.
3 nights at Zocalo Central Hotel,
In: 10 Nov 2023 Out: 13 Nov 2023
Dinner: Evening a private taco, beer and Mezcal
Tonight you´ll dive into a trio of Mexico´s beloved gastronomic delights on an evening filled with tacos, beer, and mezcal.
After a pickup from your hotel, meet your guide who´ll drive you between the famous central neighborhoods of San Rafael, Anzures, La Roma, and La Condesa to visit traditional taquerías. These tasty taco stands are a hallmark of Mexican culinary culture and emblematic of the street food scene.
Try different taco styles from the world-famous ´al pastor´ to regional delicacies, washed down with a refreshing beer or two. On your last stop, savor the smoky, sweet, and herbal flavors of mezcales accompanied by a mezcalillero (mezcal master). Learn about the cultural and gastronomic heritage of this magical pre-Hispanic spirit while soaking up the atmosphere of Mexico City’s first mezcal bar.
After an evening full of flavour, you´ll be driven back to your hotel.
Overnight: Zocalo Central Hotel (B&B)- American Breakfast Included
SATURDAY, 11 NOV 2023: MEXICO CITY
Mexico City Modern Market Tour
The soul of a city is often found in its markets. And nowhere is this truer than Mexico City.
Embark on an immersive cultural exploration around three of the capital’s most famous markets. Marvel at their colorful stalls, learn their histories, and meet the vendors with an expert guide leading the way.
The first stop is Jamaica Market, a sprawling and colorful spot famous for selling flowers and ornamental plants. Enjoy the rainbow colors and the sweet aromas of fresh flowers.
Then it´s on to San Juan Market in the capital’s historic center. Here, foodies and chefs alike congregate to pick up gourmet ingredients and imported foods from across the globe.
After, finish at Mercado Roma, a modern take on the traditional food market. Choose lunch from an array of food outlets serving everything from Mexican delights to boundary-pushing international cuisines.
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant – including drinks.
Overnight: Zocalo Central Hotel (B&B) American Breakfast Included
SUNDAY, 12 NOV 2023: MEXICO CITY
Chinampas Private Experience in Xochimilco and Casa Azul
Discover the ancient chinampas of Xochimilco on this morning nature experience in the south of Mexico City. To begin, your private guide will meet you at your hotel.
Take a 30-minute Trajinera boat ride through the Xochimilco canals to arrive at La Chinampa Del Sol. Also known as ´floating gardens, chinampas are small plots of land built on the canals, a technique used to grow crops that dates back to Mesoamerican times.
Discover the importance of this agricultural heritage system as you explore with Lucio Usobiaga, founder of the local chinampa project. Learn about agroecology and how millions of species shape ecosystems from your expert, as you´re amazed by various vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
While at La Chinampa del Sol, you´ll enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by Don Francisco Contreras, a local producer of native blue and white corn. Savor fresh quesadillas with huitlacoche (corn mushroom), pumpkin flowers, and spinach, as well as pork shawl gorditas, tlacoyos and chinampa salad. Before returning to the pier by Trajinera, you may like to include a short stop at a second chinampa where a local family runs an axolotl farm. The refuge supports the reproduction of these enigmatic and rare amphibians, on the verge of extinction, which have the unique ability to regenerate parts of the body. Get to know three types of this unusual animal at the farm, where your visit will support axolotl conservation.
Once in land, you will head to Frida Kahlo’s Blue House. The house where Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was born and later died, is now a museum dedicated to her life. Through observing her house, her art and reading her words you will learn more about this painter who has become an iconic figure in Mexico and beyond.
Dinner at leisure
Overnight: Zocalo Central Hotel (B&B) Continental Breakfast Included
MONDAY, 13 NOV 2023: MEXICO CITY – SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE (8 HRS DRIVE)
Deluxe Mexico City Pvt Tour to Teotihuacan w/Dropoff in SMA
This full-day experience takes you to one of the most important Mesoamerican sites in the Americas, Teotihuacán. The Pyramid of the Sun was built around 100 AD and is the largest pyramid in Teotihuacán and all of Mexico.
With your expert, guide you will explore the archeological zone while learning about the rituals, cosmology, beliefs and everyday lives of the Aztecs and the inhabitants of Teotihuacán before them.
When the visit is complete you will be driven to your hotel in San Miguel de Allende.
2 Nights at Casa Hoyos,
In: 13 Nov 2023 Out: 15 Nov 2023
Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Casa Hoyos(B&B) Continental Breakfast Included
TUESDAY, 14 NOV 2023: SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
San Miguel Privately Guided Exploration of Guanajuato City
Not Included: Gratuities, lunch
Please Note: Time for lunch can be made at a local restaurant.
On this full day exploration, you´ll get to know the intriguing city of Guanajuato.
Guanajuato is a feast of interesting architecture, culture, and colorful buildings – start by taking in panoramic vistas of the city you´re about to experience! The historical center features cobblestone streets and old underground passageways that lead towards the main square. As you stroll and observe Guanajuato´s endearing aesthetic, you´ll stop and make visits to churches, tranquil plazas, and museums along the way.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Your guide will illuminate the city´s rich history and favorite sites like Guanajuato´s university and the grand Juarez Theatre, sharing their expert knowledge with you. Celebrated Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, was born in the city and you´ll make a stop at the artist´s house museum to learn more about his life and work with a special talk. No visit to Guanajuato is complete without passing by the ´Alley of the Kiss´, where you´ll hear about the love story that gives this charming narrow street its name.
Dinner at leisure
Overnight: Casa Hoyos (B&B) Continental Breakfast Included
WEDNESDAY, 15 NOV 2023: SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE – PUEBLA (5 HRS DRIVE)
After Breakfast we drive to Puebla.
2 Nights at Hotel Quinta Real Puebla
In: 15 Nov 2023 Out: 17 Nov 2023
Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Hotel Quinta Real Puebla (B&B)– American Breakfast
THURSDAY, 16 NOV 2023: PUEBLA
After a healthy breakfast you meet your guide for a Foodie Walking Tour.
Half Day Foodie Walking Tour in the Historic Center Puebla
Meet your knowledgeable guide in your hotel lobby for an adventurous day of Mexican culinary specialties. Foodie lovers will stroll down the streets of Puebla exploring favorite traditional spots to grab a bite. The first stop on this quest is a small local place for tamales and atole.
Lunch: On this tour, you’ll eat like a true local, tasting molotes, pelonas and cemitas, some of the most traditional poblano delicacies, and then you’ll savor tacos at the Tacos Arabes stand. Along the way your guide will show you from the exterior and talk to you about some of the most iconic historic buildings, such as Palafoxiana, the first library in the Americas, and Capilla del Rosario, a chapel heralded the eighth wonder of the world. Finish with a stroll down Calle de los Dulces, a three-block street lined with sweet shops, and a stop at La Gran Fama Dulceria. Taste hand-made confections and be sure to try the camotes, Puebla’s signature candy made from sweet potato.
After this tour of culinary delights, back to your hotel to enjoy an afternoon at your leisure.
Dinner at leisure
Overnight: Hotel Quinta Real Puebla – American Breakfast
FRIDAY, 17 NOV 2023: PUEBLA – OAXACA CITY (4HRS DRIVE)
3 nights at Hotel de la Parra,
In: 17 Nov 2023 Out: 20 Nov 2023
After a healthy breakfast we depart for Puebla.
Arrive in Oaxaca in the middle afternoon. Time to relax and fresen up.
Night Delicacies
Included: Mezcal tastings and dinner (traditional Tlayuda + non-alcoholic beverage).
Not Included: Gratuities, additional beverages
Dinner: This evening experience in Oaxaca City takes you off-the-beaten-path to a local mezcal spot before savoring the city´s famous night delicacy, the grilled ´Tlayuda´!
You´ll begin at a great ¨hole in the wall¨ mezcalería, where you can taste a variety of the distinctive smoky spirit and learn firsthand about the authentic flavor of the region´s endemic agave plant.
After soaking up the atmosphere with a mezcal or two, head to a celebrated local eatery to enjoy a classic Oaxacan Tlayuda, washed down with a cold drink. These large tortillas are thin and crispy, typically smeared with refried beans and finished with a choice of toppings like chicken and beef, stringy Oaxaca cheese, crunchy lettuce, and salsa.
At the end of the evening, you´ll be driven back to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel de la Parra, – American Breakfast
SATURDAY, 18 NOV 2023: OAXACA
Oaxaca City Tour & Monte Alban Private Full Day Tour + Hot Chocolate
Note: Light breakfast at the hotel is suggested.
You will be met in your hotel lobby for a privately guided day trip to Monte Alban, and Atzompa’s archaeological zone and pottery village (20-minute drive, 10 km) Before starting your day Enjoy a classic Oaxacan treat early this morning, before your excursion begins. With your guide, you´ll make a stop at a local chocolate shop to savor the sweetness of ¨Pan de Yema¨, a traditional bread made with egg yolks that´s perfect for dunking into Oaxaca´s famous hot chocolate. Make sure you leave space at breakfast!
Visit Monte Albán, one of the oldest cities in Mesoamerica, known for its importance to the ancient Zapotec and Mixtec people and still considered sacred by shamans today. It was once the capital of the Zapotec nation and, at its peak, one of the most populated Mesoamerican cities. Located in the center of the Oaxaca Valley, it exercised political, economic, and ideological control over other communities in the valley and surrounding mountains.
After Monte Albán, you will be driven to beautiful Oaxaca. Walk its cobbled streets, observing its vibrant squares, colonial structures, and numerous churches, and learn about Oaxaca’s historical and cultural importance. Visit the central plaza (Zócalo) and visit the largest central market in Oaxaca, where you will learn about the different local handicrafts.
Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Hotel de la Parra, – American Breakfast
SUNDAY, 19 NOV 2023: OAXACA
Teotitlan Market visit & Cooking Class w/ Zapotec Family
Inclusions: Private transportation, bottled water, and lunch
Meet your guide for a full day excursion to Teotitlan Del Valle, possibly the prettiest village in the east side of the valley. Here, there is a remarkable church with authentic art subjects from the XVI Century. On arrival, you will enjoy a guided visit to Teotitlan Del Valle market followed by a visit toa Zapotec family home to see the process of how traditional woven rugs are made. Many still use the traditional techniques of carding and spinning their own wool, then dying it with natural colors and finally weaving on solid-wood looms.
Afterwards, you will enjoy a regional cooking class and lunch as a special guest while sharing secrets of authentic Oaxacan cuisine. Oaxaca is famous worldwide for its offerings; both Gourmet Magazine and The New York Times have praised Oaxacan Cuisine as the most authentic food in Mexico. Late afternoon estimated arrival back at hotel for rest of evening at leisure.
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant – including drinks.
Overnight: Hotel de la Parra (B&B) – American Breakfast
MONDAY, 20 NOV 2023: DEPART OAXACA
Breakfast at leisure
Private Transfer to Oaxaca Airport
Depart Oaxaco and fly to Mexico City to connect with international flight.
End of Tour arrangements
RATES- LAND PACKAGE COST
Per person sharing: USD 4100 (± R72,200)
Single Supplement: USD 470 (±R8,500)
The South African Rand rate quoted above is based on the average exchange rate with the USD. Should the rate of exchange increase to above US$1.00 / ZAR 18.70 we reserve the right to adjust the price accordingly. All flights are excluded.
Deposit: 30% deposit upon confirmation, remaining balance to be paid 60 days prior
(Note: This tour will be repeated in Nov 2024)
INCLUDED
– Meet and greet upon arrival.
– Services of a qualified English-speaking local driver and guide throughout the tour.
– All transport in a luxury air-conditioned mini coach.
– 7 nights’ accommodation in 4* hotels
– 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners.
– All sightseeing and excursions as specified.
– Marita van der Vyver as hostess on the tour.
EXCLUDED
– All international & domestic flights and airport taxes (quoted and booked separately).
– Visa Fees (America Visa or Mexican visa)
– Driver, guide, and local escort gratuities.
– Drinks and meals not specified.
– Telephone bill, laundry, and any items of a personal nature.
– Comprehensive travel insurance. (Ask for a quote)
– Any items not specified.
NB! Comprehensive travel insurance compulsory before your first payment or buying your airline ticket!
FLIGHTS
International flights between Johannesburg / Cape Town via USA or Amsterdam to Mexico. Approximate flight cost per person including airport taxes:
start from R 23, 500 per person.
Domestic flight in Mexico: R3000.00
Flight costs are an estimate only and can only be confirmed on day of booking as it is subject to airport tax fluctuations.
NOTES
– This tour requires a minimum of 10 guests to offer it at the quoted price.
– Maximum tour size is 14 guests.
– South African Nationals require a visa to enter Mexico (or must have a US Visa if flying via the US to Mexico)
– Passports must be valid at least 6 months after travel date, with sufficient blank pages.
– Prices for flights, airport taxes, may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be payable by the traveller.
For more information contact : res@rufaro.co.za
