Why Oaxaca is Mexico’s best-kept secret for cultural and active travel

The cultural vibrancy of Oaxaca is unmatched in Mexico. Not only is it a hub for craft tradition, but it’s located in the heart of mezcal country. Beyond that, the city and its surrounding region are home to incredibly rich, diverse and exciting Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. Experience Designer <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/meet-the-designers/dane-tredway">Dane Tredway</a>, who creates all our Mexico trips, used the iconic holiday to design a one-of-a-kind Limited Edition trip, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/oaxaca-traditions-dia-de-muertos">Oaxaca: Traditions and Dia de Muertos</a>,&nbsp;that helps travellers experience a different side to this country. Here, Dane shares what he learned while on the ground in Oaxaca, what makes the city so magical and what to expect from this immersive holiday.&nbsp;Tell us about Oaxaca.&nbsp;The perception of a lot of travellers is that Mexico is a beach destination. They've done the Mayan Riviera, maybe they've done Mexico City, and folks may have heard of Oaxaca, but wouldn't be able to pinpoint it on a map. But there is so much opportunity to explore the vibrant culture here, and enjoy the outdoors, both by biking and hiking, while staying at design-led boutique hotels. And, with Oaxaca being known as one of the best places in the entire country to celebrate the Day of the Dead, both in terms of the history and the festivities that happen, it’s something very different.&nbsp;&nbsp;Can you explain the Day of the Dead?&nbsp;It is quite nuanced. There are several different days of festivities – the core is from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. In the first few days, people are creating altars for family members, and it's more of a time of quiet reflection amongst families. As festivities progress, it becomes more of a celebration of life. The idea is that they're welcoming the dead back into the land of the living, and it's a time to rejoice and reconnect with full-blown celebrations that include parades and marching bands. There are several different villages around the city of Oaxaca, and in each of those villages the ceremonies are a little bit different.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And the public is not just welcome but encouraged to join in on the celebrations?&nbsp;Yes, at a lot of the festivities, not only are visitors welcome, but also encouraged to participate. You’ll be walking through the parade, and people are handing you mezcal shots and you're dancing. You're very much encouraged to participate, as opposed to looking in from the other side of the looking glass.&nbsp;

What’s the style of this trip?&nbsp;I treat it like a sojourn-style trip, something you would find in B&amp;R’s archives. Travellers will have one home base, and you'll do day trips from there. It is a really good format for this itinerary, because there's a lot happening in the city itself that we can access on foot, and at the same time, it’s easy to get out into the surrounding countryside to do some biking, hiking and exploring of some of the smaller villages that also have their own celebrations.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was very hard to edit this itinerary, because there's so much going on. You want to show off everything there is to offer in the region at this time of year. The fact that there's not as much driving and moving from A to B allows for more opportunities to participate in some really cool, interesting cultural activities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Can you share some more details on the biking and hiking?&nbsp;This is a Level 2 trip. We'll be doing most of our physical activities early in the morning, because it does get very hot there. The biking routes are relatively easygoing and of moderate distances. Two of our rides are in almost desert landscapes. One goes through mezcal country, so you’ll be bicycling through agave plantations and past mezcal distilleries. And on one ride we end up at Tlacolula Market, the oldest continuous market in Mesoamerica where we’ll have a guided tour.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When it comes to hiking, Oaxaca is relatively flat, but it abuts the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, so one day, we will get up into the mountains to hike through the Pueblos Mancomunados. These are eight villages that have banded together in a joint ecotourism program project. They were traditionally mining towns. Realizing that there was permanent damage happening both to the environment and culturally – they felt that they were losing some of their local traditions – so they started this project to re-embrace Zapotec culture and traditions. We will hike between two of the villages with a local Zapotec host and local guide. It feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Oaxaca, and is a really nice pairing with some of the other things that we have going on.&nbsp;&nbsp;What are you most excited for travellers to experience?&nbsp;Day of the Dead aside, Oaxaca is a really vibrant, approachable city – and it’s ideal for a cultured traveller, who is looking to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds. That's quite unique in Mexico, and something I think travellers will really respond to.&nbsp;&nbsp;Explore our <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/oaxaca-traditions-dia-de-muertos">Oaxaca: Traditions &amp; Dia de Muertos Limited Edition trip here</a>.&nbsp;

Uncover Oaxaca’s rich culture, Day of the Dead festivities and design-forward boutique stays. It’s the ultimate destination for luxury active travel in Mexico.

Discover Mexico

Mexico offers far more than just beaches—especially when your journey winds through the culturally rich heart of Oaxaca and the storied landscapes of the Yucatán Peninsula. In Oaxaca, the rhythm of life is rooted in centuries-old traditions: vibrant street markets brim with textiles, pottery and smoky mezcal, while ancient Zapotec ruins like Monte Albán rise above the valley. In Yucatán, a different cultural tapestry unfolds. Cities like Mérida pulse with music, pastel-coloured buildings and a thriving arts scene. Beyond the cityscapes, dense jungles guard majestic Mayan ruins like&nbsp;Chichen Itza. Cenotes—natural limestone sinkholes filled with crystal-clear water—offer a mystical alternative to the beach. And the food and the people? Equally unforgettable.

A spicy adventure

Mexico | Butterfield & Robinson | Luxury Travel

Luxurious Stays

Off the Beaten Path

Exclusive Access

Mexico hums with colour, flavour and culture. Where smoky mezcal flows from generations-old distilleries and markets pulse with energy. Kayak quiet mangroves and unwind in design-forward haciendas that feel blissfully off the map. Hike and bike the Sierra Norte’s quiet foothills, wander Monte Albán’s ancient heights and embrace the warmth of the people—and the food. Vibrant, layered and full of soul, Mexico doesn’t follow a script. It dances to its own rhythm.&nbsp;

Mexico Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Authentic Food

Active Adventure

Local Connections

Oaxaca is Mexico's tastiest secret—mezcal trails, ancient ruins, and mole worth crossing borders for. Pedal past giant cypress trees, hike between Zapotec mountain villages, and explore vibrant markets,&nbsp;hidden canyons and the sun-soaked Pacific Coast. With boutique stays and locals who turn every encounter into a fiesta, this adventure serves up Mexico’s soul—with extra salsa.&nbsp;

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Experience Designer

Markets to Coast in Oaxaca, Mexico | Butterfield & Robinson

Immersive Cultural Experiences 

Multi-Active Adventure

Step into Oaxaca when it’s at its most magical: Día de Muertos, when streets glow with colour, music fills the air, and ancient rituals honour the dead. From bustling markets and hands-on cooking workshops to candlelit altars and late-night parades, every day blends active adventure with intimate, immersive encounters—celebrating life, honouring the past, and creating memories that will linger long after the candles burn out.

Mexico

Why Oaxaca is Mexico’s best-kept secret for cultural and active travel

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