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Welcome to Oaxaca
Tlayudona is delighted to partner with the Borchard Foundation’s Center on Literary Arts to bring you a wonderful group excursion and a calendar of optional experiences that reflect the very best of Oaxaca—Its creativity, its complexity, and its deeply rooted culture.
At Tlayudona, we are committed to regenerative travel practices that ensure your presence has a positive impact on the communities you visit. Our work centers on education and meaningful intercultural exchange, creating opportunities for travelers to learn directly from local experts, artisans, and families. We are especially dedicated to uplifting women’s narratives, ensuring that their stories, skills, and perspectives are at the forefront of every experience we co-create.
Together with the Borchard Foundation, we look forward to guiding you through a thoughtfully curated journey—one that supports community well-being while offering insight, inspiration, and genuine connection.
¡Bienvenidos!
-The Tlayudona Team
Borchard Fellow Immersive Experiences
Here is a calendar of all the workshops we have available for you. You are welcome to join as many as you’d like!
Each description has a button to access the event details and reserve your spot.
Borchard Fellow DISCOUNTED RATES apply to those who reserve prior to December 31st!*
*Your early reservation helps us plan the best transportation options and accommodate any dietary restrictions or special requirements you may have. Last minute sign-ups are welcome, subject to availability. Regular rates apply beginning January 1st, 2026.
1. Hidden Gems Of Oaxaca Architectural Stroll
Date: Wednesday, January 7th
Time: Approximately 3 hours (9:00 am – 12:00 am)
Starting Location: Tlayudona (M. Bravo 210 C, Oaxaca de Juárez, Centro)
Description: Join us for a unique & exclusive walk through the historic heart of Oaxaca, guided by Flor Cantón, a renowned architect and restoration specialist. This experience invites you to discover the history and hidden stories woven into the streets, plazas, and buildings of downtown Oaxaca.
You’ll begin in Tlayudona with a coffee and a historic overview of Oaxaca (and a chance to check out Flor’s personal library of rare prints, maps, and books). Then you’ll take to the streets to explore hidden or overlooked spots.
With her deep knowledge and passion for architecture and heritage, Flor Cantón will help you see the city with fresh eyes, appreciating the cultural layers, historical details, and stories that have shaped Oaxaca over the centuries. This walk offers you, as a writer or creative, a unique chance to be inspired by the city’s living history and gain new perspectives for your own work.
Borchard Fellow Discount: $1,270 MXN pp (Cost 2026 $1,415 MXN pp)
2. Cooking in the Campo: Tamales
Date: Friday, January 9th
Time: Approximately 5 Hours (10:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m)
Location/ Transportation: Yatareni (15 minutes) Hotel Pick-up & Drop-Off Included
Description: Let’s go to San Agustín Yatareni, a community that, although close to the city of Oaxaca, has a completely different atmosphere from what you’ll find in the colonial streets of the city. You’ll meet Juana and her family, who dedicate themselves to growing corn, beans, and squash—locally known as “la milpa.”
You’ll create FOUR types of delicious tamales: the classic black bean tamal, the chepil tamal (made with a local herb that gives it a distinctive flavor typical of Oaxacan cuisine), the rajas tamal (cooked with perfectly spiced strips of chili), and the squash blossom tamal with quesillo cheese.
Immerse yourself in this culinary experience with firewood, corn, and local ingredients. Savor the flavors of each tamal, and allow yourself to enjoy Oaxaca from a rural perspective.
Borchard Fellow Discount: $1,880 MXN pp (Cost 2026: $2,090 MXN pp)
3. Mexico and its Mezcals: Taste Your Way Around the Country
Date: Friday, January 9th
Time: Approximately 2.5 Hours (5:00 p.m – 7:30 p.m)
Location: “Rosita de Borracho” Volcanes, Oaxaca
Transportation: Not included*
Description: Just minutes from downtown, you can visit “Rosita de Borracho” where mezcal is not just a drink—it’s a gateway to the soul of Oaxaca. You’ll meet Samuel Velasco, a passionate mezcalero and cultural promoter, during a guided mezcal tasting in Oaxaca.
You’ll explore the deep heritage, flavors, and traditions of a variety of artisanal mezcals & agave spirits from different states of Mexico. Samuel will transport you across the country through your senses. His exclusive cozy space, extensive knowledge base and calming demeanor make this the ideal mezcal experience for novices and connoisseurs alike.
Borchard Fellow Discount: $1,800 MXN pp (Cost 2026 $2,000 MXN pp)
4. Paint your Own Alebrije: The Dream Carver Workshop in Arrazola
Date: Monday, January 12th
Time: Approximately 6 Hours (10:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m)
Location/ Transportation: Arrazola (40 minutes) Hotel Pick-up & Drop-Off Included
Description: Back by request, this year we will return to experience the art and culture of Oaxaca with the renowned Jiménez family, masters of alebrije carving. New fellows and company are encouraged to sign up, and Isa & Fam hope that some of you from last year will return to create a new souvenir and say hello!
In this workshop, you’ll create your own hand-painted alebrije while learning the stories, traditions, and symbolism behind this iconic craft. Guided by the Jiménez family, you’ll discover the inspiration and techniques passed down through generations and hear personal anecdotes about their family’s artistic journey. Enjoy a homemade local meal prepared by the family—a perfect moment to connect, share ideas, and familiarize yourself with rural Oaxacan culture.
Borchard Fellow Discount: $2,079 MXN pp (Cost 2026 $2,310 MXN pp)
5. Hands in Clay: Santa Maria Atzompa
Date: Tuesday, January 13th
Time: Approximately 5 Hours (9:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m)
Location/ Transportation: Atzompa (30 minutes) Hotel Pick-up & Drop-Off Included
Description: Let’s go to Atzompa, the “green clay” community. You’ll meet “Los Ardillas,” an artisan family dedicated 100% to working with clay. Each member of the family uses a different technique, and you’ll have the opportunity to observe them and try the ones that catch your attention.
Our hosts will guide you step by step through the process of transforming raw clay into unique ceramic pieces. They will explain where the clay comes from, how it must be mixed in order to be workable, how and when to decorate it, the types of wheels used to create different pieces, and the drying and firing process.
This workshop is for everyone: feel the earth between your fingers, create as many pieces as you like, and explore new methods while connecting with the deep roots of this ancestral art. Chow down on a homemade meal with the family and enjoy a slow travel moment.
Borchard Fellow Discount: $1,935 MXN pp (Cost 2026 $2,150 MXN pp)
6. Engraving with Ludwing
Date: Thursday, January 15th
Time: Approximately 3 Hours (12:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m)
Location/ Transportation: Tlayudona (M. Bravo 210 C, Oaxaca de Juárez, Centro)
Description: Join us for a hands-on printmaking experience in Tlayudona with Ludwing, an emerging Oaxacan artist deeply connected to the city’s rich engraving traditions. You’ll learn the basics of carving, inking, and printing while exploring why printmaking has become such an important part of local art and resistance in Oaxaca.
This workshop is part of our centrally-located series highlighting Oaxacan creators and uplifting diverse narratives. Ludwing, trained in Plastic and Visual Arts at the Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, will guide you step by step as you create your own print to take home. It’s a fun, inspiring way to connect with one of Oaxaca’s most iconic art forms.
Borchard Fellow Discount: $1,230 MXN pp (Cost 2026 $1,353 MXN pp)
7. Weaving and Dyeing in Teotitlán with Doña Josefina
Date: Friday, January 16th
Time: Approximately 8.5 Hours (9:00 a.m – 5:30 p.m)
Location/ Transportation: Teotitlan (50 minutes) Hotel Pick-up & Drop-Off Included
Description: Join Doña Josefina, from the women’s weaving collective, for a hands-on, one-day workshop. You will meet Josefina on your group excursion on the 14th and she invites any of you who are interested in creating your own piece to sign up for this interactive day. You’ll learn to dye wool in a beautiful range of natural colors using organic pigments and then weave your own original piece.
The morning will focus on dyeing wool and other materials with a variety of plant-based pigments, while a hearty brunch and traditional lunch will keep you fueled for the day. In the afternoon, you’ll move on to weaving, guided step by step by Doña Josefina, and create your own piece to take home with a design of your choice.
Borchard Fellow Discount: $3,960 pp (Cost 2026 $4,400 MXN pp)
january 14th Borchard Fellow Group Excursion
The Borchard Foundation invites you to this exclusive route curated for you by Tlayudona. This day is designed as a moment to connect, reconnect, and enjoy Oaxaca together while experiencing a memorable mix of people and places. We’ll begin at the Atzompa Archaeological Site, where we’ll explore this impressive pre-Hispanic village and its history. Afterwards, we’ll head to Teotitlán del Valle to visit a collective of women artisans who will welcome us into their fascinating interwoven worlds of revolutionary women’s organizing and craft- making.
It is a pleasure to share this dynamic excursion with all of the 2026 Borchard Fellows & community!
Borchard Fellow Group Excursion
Date: Wednesday, January 14th
Duration: Approximately 9 Hours (8:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m)
Location: Santa María Atzompa & Teotitlán del Valle
Includes: Transportation, Entry Fees, Two Meals, Guided Tour of Atzompa, Talk & Demonstration in Teotitlán, Museum and Cultural Center Visit
Not Included: Souvenir purchases, optional tips for drivers, translators, or site guides.
Description: The Borchard Foundation invites you to visit a newly-excavated Zapotec settlement located in Atzompa. It is a satellite center of Monte Albán that formed part of its political, economic, and ceremonial system during the Classic period (approx. AD 200–900). You will be guided through its high-status palace units and its three ball courts by our hosts, the “Ardilla” family from Atzompa and architect Flor Cantón.
At the end of the tour, you’ll enjoy delicious tamales and say goodbye to Flor and the “Ardilla” family before continuing your journey to Teotitlán del Valle.
You will arrive at the home of our host, Doña Josefina, who—together with the women’s weaving collective—will give you a warm welcome and share stories about their work and daily life. This group of women spearheaded the shift in their village to allow women to participate in their local indigenous governance system, and fought to gain voting rights and the right to participate in a sales economy as heads of their households. Their stories are inspiring, complex, and thought-provoking.
You’ll have the chance to watch a demonstration of Teotitlán del Valle’s natural dyeing and weaving techniques, and afterwards, you’ll enjoy a delicious homemade meal prepared by our hosts. During your lunch, you’ll be able to exchange stories and ideas with Doña Jose and the collective. You’ll end the day with a full belly and a happy heart.*
*Those who are interested can join Josefina to visit Teotitlán’s downtown area, the village’s Community Museum and Cultural Center.
We recommend having breakfast at your hotel before departure, as you’ll need energy for the visit. The sun can be strong, so wearing a hat and sunscreen is advised. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Please bring Mexican pesos for optional purchases, tips, etc.
Contract Our Transportation Services
Book our Tlayu-mobile for your private group of up to five people! First time fellows are encouraged to book this service to experience the most iconic destinations in Oaxaca—Hierve el Agua‘s petrified waterfall, Mitla & Monte Albán‘s archeological sites, and the famous Private Groups of 1–5 Participants
Create your own route or we can help you design a fully personalized itinerary. All our drivers are certified, licensed, insured, and native to Oaxaca. Their local experience makes every trip unique. Some of them are bilingual, or an optional bilingual companion can join you to make sure everything is clear and easy during your visit.
At Tlayudona, we are committed to safe, respectful, and inclusive travel. Our team is trained to offer a professional service that allows you to feel safe, welcomed, and comfortable no matter your gender, orientation, ethnicity or ability.
Any questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at tlayudona@gmail.com with the subject: Borchard Fellow.