Price

$1082

Available: 0 space

Secure your place on this trip with $350 deposit. Final payment due 60 days before departure.

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      • Hotels: Standard Class

      • 12/30/2023 - 01/05/2024

      • Max Participants: 16

      • 7 Days / 6 Nights

      Overview

      Experience the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Central Mexico on this short but impactful trip. Your journey begins in Mexico City, followed by the ancient Aztec capital of Teotihuacán, where you'll have the opportunity to visit the massive pre-Columbian pyramids. Next, you'll travel to Puebla, a city renowned for its beautiful colonial architecture and traditional talavera pottery. Finally, you'll end your trip in Oaxaca, where you'll be immersed in the region's vibrant culinary and cultural traditions, including a visit to an alebrijes workshop. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the best of what Central Mexico has to offer, all while earning professional development credit with other educators.

      This is a shared departure with G Adventures, which means there will be non-educator participants who book directly through G Adventures. The minimum age is 12 years old instead of GEEO's typical minimum of 18 years old.

      What's Included:
      • Guided tour of Teotihuacan
      • Orientation walk in Puebla
      • Orientation walk and market visit in Oaxaca
      • Alebrijes Artisan Community Visit
      • Cooking demonstration with local expert in Oaxaca
      • Free time in Puebla and Oaxaca
      • G Adventures Tour Leader throughout, local guides
      • 6 Breakfasts – allow $200-260 USD for meals not included
      • Standard hotels (6 nts)
      • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities by private vehicle
      What's Not Included:
      • International air travel
      • Incidentals
      • Travel health and cancellation insurance
      • Applicable visas
      • Tips or gratuities
      • Airport taxes
      • Beverages
      • Meals not mentioned in itinerary
      • Optional tours and admissions
      • Airport transfers

      Itinerary Download PDF

      Day 1: Mexico City Arrive at any time.

      Arrive in Mexico City at any time. Check into our hotel and enjoy the city. The day is free to spend at your leisure exploring the city until our welcome meeting this evening. Check the notice boards or ask at reception for the exact time and location of the group meeting, typically 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. After the meeting, you might want to head out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant to further get to know your tour leader and traveling companions. Please make every effort to arrive on time for this welcome meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us. Your tour leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up.

      Mexico City is North America's largest city with 9.2 million inhabitants in the city proper and 21.8 million in the urban area. The city is built on the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan and later became the capital of New Spain and eventually an independent Mexico. Take advantage of some free time to explore this amazing city. Opt to visit the famed "Blue House" where Frida Kahlo was born, lived, and died, or explore the Juarez neighborhood, an area teeming with restaurants, bars, parks, and boutique shops. In the historic city center, see Diego Rivera's famous mural, The History of Mexico, at the Palacio Nacional. The National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec is one of the best museums in the world.

      During a guided tour of Teotihuacan northeast of Mexico City, you will climb the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon and be rewarded with sweeping views of the archaeological site. Bring water and wear a hat and solid walking shoes. The ancient city was built around 100 BC, more than one thousand years before the arrival of the Aztec in central Mexico. The site features the impressive Avenue of the Dead and site of many of the most significant pre-Columbian Mesoamerican pyramids still standing. Later, travel to Puebla and go on an orientation walk downtown with your tour leader. The route will vary, but you can expect to see the zócalo and the artisans' market and visit the historic buildings in the city center of this World Heritage Site. Approximate travel time: 1-2 hrs by private vehicle (Mexico City to Teotihuacán), 2-3 hrs by private vehicle (Teotihuacán – Puebla)

      During a free day in Puebla, you can opt to visit a ceramics workshop, sample delicious local specialties, watch a lucha libre wrestling match in the evening, or check out the massive pyramid in Cholula. Also known as Tlachihualtepetl, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is part of a massive archaeological site west of Puebla. Built over the course of several centuries, it is the oldest continuously-occupied ceremonial center in the Western Hemisphere. The pyramid is the largest in the world by volume, covering an area of more than 45 acres and consisting of countless layers of millions of adobe bricks. The Spanish built a church at the very top in 1594. Visit the museum to learn about the site's history, explore its tunnels, and climb to the top of the pyramid for breathtaking views of nearby volcanoes.

      Travel south from Puebla to beautiful Oaxaca, where you will go on an orientation walk with your tour leader, stopping to visit one of its sprawling markets. You can expect to see the Santo Domingo Cultural Center and walk through the zócalo and the famous 20th November Market. Opt to sample some delicious Oaxacan foods along the way such as mole, tlayudas, or chapulines. After, visit the Alebrijes Artisan Community where you will meet a local artisan and learn more about how alebrijes are crafted. Alebrijes were created by a Mexican artisan named Pedro Linares, who was known for making piñatas and carnival masks. After falling ill and hallucinating, the artist decided to bring what he saw to life by creating the small figurines now known as alebrijes.  The fantastical creatures are typically made from papier-mache or wood and are native to the state of Oaxaca, where they are an important part of the region's artistic tradition. The figurines are often hybrids of different animals or have features of multiple animals, and they are typically painted in a variety of bright colors and are often adorned with intricate patterns and details. Approximate travel time: 5h-6h by private vehicle

      There's plenty to see and do during your free day in Oaxaca. Feel free to relax and shop at nearby artisan villages, or opt for optional activities like visiting the ruins of Monte Albán, the valley of Mitla ruins, and a petrified waterfall. Later that evening, the group will attend a cooking demonstration in Oaxaca with a local expert who will make a variety of authentic regional dishes. You will learn about the ingredients and taste some samples. Please note this will not be a full meal.

      Our program ends in Oaxaca this morning. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO trips in the same year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off of the lesser value program(s) (up to 3 programs). If you don’t see a program that interests you that pairs with this trip, but still would like to extend your time abroad, let us know. We will work with you to find a non-teacher trip from our tour operator’s much larger catalog. Even better, if you are an educator, we can still offer you a discounted price on the trip you choose! We can also book extra hotel nights for you in Tulúm.

      Details

      Frequently Asked Questions
      Please click here to go to our general FAQ, which has essential information that applies to all of our programs.
      Resources to Learn & Teach about Mexico
      Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.
      Terms and Conditions
      It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.
      GEEO Program Confirmation Process
      We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.
      Cancellation policy
      All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.
      • If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
      • If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
      • If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use
      Trip Notes
      • WINTER TRIPS: Please note that some sites, museums, and restaurants may be closed over Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. It is recommended that you check the operating hours of any sites or establishments that you plan to visit to avoid disappointment. It is also common for prices for meals and other services to increase during peak tourist seasons or holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s. Additionally, we may need to alter the itinerary on and around these holidays to maximize your time during your trip. Hopefully, you will be able to experience some local customs and traditions and see how people in other parts of the world experience the holidays. Traveling over Christmas and New Year’s can allow you to see a destination in a different light. You may be able to attend local festivals, try traditional foods, see special decorations, and participate in cultural activities that can add an extra layer of festivity and cheer to your trip. Overall, traveling over the holidays can be a fun and rewarding way to learn about and experience another culture.
      Group Leader Description
      All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
      Fitness Level
      This trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
      Single Travelers
      Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org to request a single room.
      Joining Instructions
      Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Please note: Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at which you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details! If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. Most travelers to Mexico City arrive at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX). Other nearby airports include Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport (TLC), but they are not as convenient for travelers as MEX. There are several transfer options, including bus, metro, and taxi. The usual taxi fare from MEX to the city center is $250-300 MXN (approximately $15 USD). On the metro, you can take Line 5 from Terminal Aérea Station, change to Line 1 at Pantitlán, and continue to Cuauhtémoc, which is a 5-minute walk to the hotel. A one-way fare is only $5 MXN (about $0.25 USD). If you would like to discuss the options and get help making a plan for your airport transfer, please reach out to our team at GEEO.
      Emergency Contacts
      Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. G Adventures Office San Jose, Costa Rica During Office hours (Weekdays 9am-5pm Local Time): +506 4001 8474 After-hours emergency number: +51 997 582 712 If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999 If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
      Packing List
      Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and downstairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. Health & Safety
      • N95/KN95 face masks (at least a few just in case there is an outbreak within your group)
      • Hand sanitizer
      • Rapid Covid tests/antigen tests (at least 3)
      Suggested Checklist
      • Raincoat and/or umbrella
      • Personal clothing for warm to hot weather
      • Sturdy walking shoes – running shoes are fine too
      • Sport sandals or flip-flops
      • Daypack
      • Sunblock
      • Sunglasses
      • Sun hat
      • Water bottle
      • Watch or alarm clock
      • Toiletries
      • Camera
      • First-aid kit, including lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking
      Optional Checklist
      • Travel pillow
      • Money belt
      • Phone/Tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
      • Chargers for electronics as well converters/adapters, if needed
      • AirTags or Tile trackers
      • Packing cubes
      • Earplugs
      • Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don't go crazy here
      • Ziplock bags
      • Reading/writing material
      • Hand sanitizer/baby wipes
      Document Checklist
      • Passport (with photocopies)
      • Travel insurance (with photocopies)
      • Airline tickets (with photocopies)
      • EUR/USD cash
      • Credit or debit card
      • G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
      • Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
      • GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure
      Laundry
      Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry, so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
      Passports and Visas
      All GEEO trips require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double-check the information we provide below by searching here. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Mexico. Non-American participants should check with their government or nearest Mexican Embassy to find out if they need a visa.
      Money Exchange
      It is uncommon to pay for optional activities, souvenirs, and meals on credit card in the areas this trip visits, so be prepared with a combination of USD cash and local currency to pay for these on-trip costs. The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso (MXN). Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank prior to traveling. ATMs generally only dispense local currency, not USD. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of cash U.S. dollars and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds. You will be able to exchange USD to local currency along the way, but please be advised that slightly torn notes and notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 50 USD (or equivalent).
      Tipping
      Although not compulsory, tipping is expected and is an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you throughout your tour. It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers, such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your CEO tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also, at the end of your time in each country, if you felt your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is also very much appreciated. The precise amount is entirely a personal preference; however, 30-45 USD per person can be used as a guideline.
      Vaccinations
      We legally cannot give you any medical advice. However, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis, and polio. It is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. GEEO recommends contacting Passport Health, (http://www.passporthealthusa.com/) which has travel clinics throughout the U.S. Please take this seriously!
      Flights
      We find the best prices for flights are often available 60 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. We advise that you wait until this trip is confirmed before booking non-refundable and non-changeable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. Your trip begins in Mexico City and ends in Oaxaca. Most travelers to Mexico City arrive at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX). Other nearby airports include Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) and Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport (TLC), but they are not as convenient for travelers as MEX. The airport in Oaxaca is Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX).
      Plugs and Converters
      There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers. The adapter is the plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two to three-pronged power cord to match the prongs required by the local outlets. The transformer changes the local voltage to that required by your device. Electricity in Mexico is the same as in the U.S. and Canada: 110 Volts, 60 Cycle. You do not need a transformer or converter.
      Expectations
      Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.
      • The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury as we are trying to keep these trips as inexpensive as possible.
      • You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
      • Many of our programs occur in locations where it is very hot during the day. Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometimes include day hikes with your daypacks.
      • We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
      • Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring, and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.
      Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!
      Itinerary Disclaimer
      While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
      Weather
      Central Mexico has warm weather in December and January, with high temperatures around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit and little to no rain.

      Costs

      Please keep in mind that this trip offers some free time to pursue activities that interest you. Make sure you look over all of the optional activities and note these additional costs when deciding whether you can afford this program. The prices below are rough estimates for budgeting your trip.
      Tour Company Fee
      See our price in the top right corner
      Optional Activities
      $0-50 USD (during free time)
      International Airfare from the United States
      Roughly $600-900 USD If you require assistance in booking your international airfare, we would be happy to help you.
      Insurance
      $79-200 USD Please note: It is mandatory for all of our travelers to have Emergency Medical insurance that covers both emergency evacuation and repatriation to the sum of $200,000 USD. We also strongly recommend purchasing cancellation insurance as well.
      Tipping
      We recommend $25-40 USD total for your G Adventures tour leaders. Budget another $30 for tipping local guides and drivers.
      Meals Not Listed in the Itinerary
      $200-260 USD
      Laundry, Drinks, Phone Calls, etc.
      Make sure you budget for these types of expenses
      Souvenirs
      Variable. At your personal discretion.
      Non-Educator Donation
      $100 USD (Suggested donation) This is only for non-educator guests traveling with an educator on a GEEO trip. Educators and retired educators should not make this donation.

      Optional Activities

      Most optional activities are booked and paid for locally in the local currency. You do not have to decide in advance for which activities you would like to sign up. The prices listed are based on the latest information we have received from our participants and G Adventures. They are not guaranteed to be accurate. Please feel free to use them as a guide for budgeting your trip.
      Mexico City
      Museum of Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul): $120 MXN per person Visit the famed "Blue House" where Frida Kahlo was born, lived, and died. Her lifelong home is open to visitors, and the museum is filled with original furniture from when she lived there with her husband Diego Rivera, as well as some of Frida's personal items, including letters, art materials, original works of art, and handcrafted kitchenwares. National Museum of Anthropology: $64 MXN per person The National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec is one of the best museums in the world with a vast collection of sculptures, jewels, and handcrafts from ancient Mexican cultures. It would take hours to see everything, but guides are available outside the museum for about $200 MXN ($10 USD) and may be helpful, especially if you don't read Spanish well.
      Puebla
      Cholula Ruins: $20 USD per person
      Oxaca
      Monte Albán Tour: $500 MXN per person The Zapotec site of Monte Albán dates back to 500 BC and features platforms, pyramids, plazas, and a ball court sitting on a leveled mountaintop. Be sure to visit the museum to see artifacts, Olmec carvings, and stele excavated in the early 20th century. Valley of Mitla Ruins: $500 MXN per person The Mitla ruins are the remains of a pre-Columbian city that was a major ceremonial and political center for the Zapotec civilization. The name "Mitla" is derived from the Nahuatl word "Mictlan," which means "place of the dead," and the site was believed by the ancient Zapotecs to be a gateway to the underworld. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are known for their elaborate geometric designs and mosaics, which are made from small, finely cut and polished stone pieces set into the walls. Mole Cooking Class price varies You can also take a cooking class and learn how to make mole. In Oaxaca, there are at least seven different versions of this popular made-in-Mexico sauce cooked with ground chili, chocolate, and sesame seeds. Take a guided trip to the local market and let your senses get lost in the spices, colors, and smells. Following your cooking class, sample your tasty creation. Mezcal Factory Tour approx. $40 USD per person The Valley of Oaxaca is also renowned as the birthplace of mezcal. Not to be confused with tequila, this distilled liquor is made in small batches from a variety of species of agave (spiky green plants that look like the tops of pineapples). Sample different types, including white un-aged mezcal (often sold with an agave larva inside), along with reposado and añejo (aged) batches. Grab a slice of orange that's coated in salt and mixed with chili and ground worms.