
Discover Oaxaca, Mexico
Culture, art, and history - January 26 to February 4, 2026
This trip is run together with the OSHER chapter at Boise State University. Participation is limited to OSHER members.
Non-members may be interested in this alternative trip to Oaxaca in 2026.
Discover Oaxaca, Mexico
January 26 to February 4, 2026
Nestled on a plateau in the Sierra Madre mountains, Oaxaca pulses with an energy, a captivating blend of flavors, colors, and deep-rooted traditions that pulls travelers into the heart of Mexican culture. This UNESCO World Heritage city enchants with its well-preserved colonial architecture, lively markets, and an incredibly welcoming spirit. As you wander its cobblestone streets, ornate churches stand proudly beside bustling plazas, each corner revealing a piece of history.
Venturing beyond the city limits, the landscape transforms into a stunning tapestry of arid valleys dotted with agave fields. Mountainous villages are where indigenous cultures thrive most, each thread enriching Oaxaca's unique cultural fabric.
At the heart of Oaxaca's allure lies its celebrated culinary scene, a testament to centuries of tradition that has earned it the title of one of Mexico's gastronomic capitals. Oaxaca's cooking is deeply entwined with its strong indigenous heritage, primarily from the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples, whose culinary legacy continues to flourish.
Oaxaca culture can also be discovered in its rich traditions, folk art, historic sites, as well as a thriving contemporary art and music scene.
What truly distinguishes Oaxaca is the genuine warmth and open-hearted hospitality of its people. Whether you find yourself in a bustling market, a charming neighborhood, or an elegant restaurant, locals eagerly share their traditions and personal stories. You'll find yourself easily drawn into conversations with Oaxacans, gaining insight into Oaxacan and indigenous culture, traditional crafts and cooking, and the deep history of the city and the region.









Oaxaca doesn’t disappoint
This is the second time Travel Fever Tours has teamed with OSHER at Boise State University to visit Oaxaca.
In short, Oaxaca does not disappoint. From the elaborate street murals, to the food and crafts, Oaxaca is a unique location. It’s a place that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Dates: January 26 to February 4, 2026
Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
Cost: $4300 (see below for details)
Maximum group size: 15
More:
This trip is run in partnership with the OSHER chapter at Boise State University
Trip Details
(Click + to expand)
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January 26 to February 4, 2026 (9 nights - 10 days)
Total cost of the tour: $4300
Supplement for single occupancy: $550
Deposit required to reserve a place on the tour: $450
(Places in the tour are limited to 15 and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend that you reserve your place early!)Payment schedule
$450 deposit. The deposit is refundable through September 1, 2025.
$1925 initial payment (Due September 1, 2025)
$1925 final payment (Due November 1, 2025)
All payments are refundable if we need to cancel the trip due to government restrictions or unsafe travel conditions.
** Earn a $300 discount when you bring or refer a friend.
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Cooking class
Excursions and special activities throughout the week
Pick-up and drop-off at designated airport at designated times
9 nights lodging
9 dinners with appropriate amounts of alcohol and breakfasts
Local transportation by van and driver
What’s not included:
Airfare & Travel Insurance
Lunches
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We will stay at the Hotel Casa de la Tía Tere, a short walk from the historical center of Oaxaca. The hotel features comfortable rooms, an inviting pool, and pleasant outdoor spaces for breakfast and general relaxation.
Learn more about the hotel at: www.casadelatiatere.com
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Dinners will be taken at special local restaurants throughout the week. Breakfasts are at our hotel. Appropriate amounts of alcohol are included with dinners. On some days, we may have our main course of the day at lunch, rather than at dinner.
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To extend your trip, and take some time to catch up on your sleep before the tour begins, you may wish to arrive early in Oaxaca.
You can also extend your trip with a visit to the Mexican coast or Mexico City.
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Your deposit is non-refundable after September 1, 2025 unless, of course, the trip is canceled for any reason by Travel Fever Tours. Natural disasters, political instability, or low enrollment would form the basis for canceling a trip. After that date, payments you make are nonrefundable.
You will be contacted once the trip reaches minimum enrollment so that you can proceed with purchase of your flights and make other travel arrangements. In all cases, review of enrollment numbers will not take place any later than the date of the First Installment payment.
Note: This trip will involve a reasonable amount of walking both within and outside the city of Oaxaca. Within the city there are cobblestones and other uneven surfaces. You should be able to walk distances, as city dwellers do, over uncertain surfaces to participate in this trip.
Meet your Tour Leaders
Mimi Marchev, Tour Leader
Roberto Cruz, Tour Leader
Mimi Marchev
Mimi is a highly experienced tour leader with Travel Fever Tours. Her extensive background includes a decade as an Academic Director for SIT Study Abroad, where she led US college students on semester-long academic programs in Chile and Mexico.
Beyond her work with SIT Study Abroad, Mimi has directed programs in Oaxaca for various organizations, including the River Gallery School, Maine Audubon, and several US universities.
Mimi holds a Master's degree from SIT Graduate Institute. She has held several positions, including Academic Director for SIT Study Abroad programs in Valparaiso, Chile, and Oaxaca, Mexico, and more recently worked at SIT headquarters in Vermont, supporting the global SIT Study Abroad staff within the Legal and HR departments. She also holds a law degree.
Currently retired and a permanent resident of Mexico, Mimi resides in Oaxaca, where she is active in the community. She serves on the Board of Libros Para Pueblos and provides translation and interpretation services to local non-governmental organizations.
In organizing this trip, Mimi utilizes her extensive network of contacts within Oaxaca's academic, cultural, and culinary communities to arrange for speakers, guides, demonstrations, and other activities.
Roberto Cruz
Born and raised in Oaxaca, Roberto attended high school in Los Angeles where he became proficient in English. Roberto has over 20 years of experience teaching both English and Spanish as a foreign language. He served as Academic Coordinator of the Harmon Hall School of English in Oaxaca.
Roberto’s experience living in two countries with disparate cultures and languages has resulted in a life-long interest in the connections between language and culture and he often gives lectures and leads workshops on Oaxacan culture and language. Increasingly, he is called upon to lead groups in Oaxaca and the surrounding areas.
“For me, this trip will be up there with “one-of-lifetime” beautiful experiences, because it was well organized, with a tone of flexibility. Every single one of the daily excursions was fascinating, enjoyable and interesting,.”
“The whole trip to Oaxaca was delightful and very comfortable, including the hotel’s pool and patio, a welcome oasis on warm sunny afternoons! The cultural experiences were exceptional, and really made me want to experience more of this very special region.”
Tour Activities
Here's some of what we’ll do in Oaxaca:
Excursions:
Walking tour of Oaxaca's historic center.
Visit to a women's weaving cooperative in Teotitlan del Valle (for woolen rugs).
Alebrijes (colorful Oaxacan folk art) animal painting workshop.
Visit to the Monte Alban archaeological site.
Culture
Visits to major traditional public markets in and around Oaxaca City.
A visit to the Tlacolula Sunday market and "tianguis" (open-air market), including a meal at a local restaurant specializing in Oaxaca's traditional moles.
A hands-on workshop on the history, cultural significance, and making of Oaxacan chocolate.
Museum and gallery visits:
Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca
Museo de Antropología de Rufino Tamayo
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
Cuisine
Dinners at top restaurants and local market experiences.
"Comida típica" (traditional food) at village restaurants during excursions.
A hands-on cooking class with an experienced Oaxacan chef.
Meals will be at a variety of locations, including local restaurants, traditional markets, village homes, food cooperatives, and fine restaurants with internationally renowned chefs.
More about Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is located in the interior of southern Mexico at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The city enjoys a warm climate and has seen increasing tourism, though it has avoided the extensive development found in Mexico's coastal areas. Oaxaca attracts a mix of visitors, including Mexicans from other parts of the country, Europeans, and North Americans.
Situated in a mountain-ringed valley, Oaxaca's historic center reflects its Spanish colonial heritage. The city is regarded as an important cultural center by both Mexican and international visitors.
The city center features pedestrian streets, outdoor cafes, galleries, and craft shops. Numerous public markets are located within walking distance of the central plaza (zócalo), including a wrought-iron bandstand, a cathedral, botanical gardens, and the Templo de Santo Domingo.
Oaxaca is also characterized by its ethnic diversity. The surrounding villages offer opportunities to observe this diversity, and over 15 indigenous languages are spoken in the region, in addition to Spanish.
Where We’ll Stay:
We will stay at the Hotel Casa de la Tía Tere, a short walk from the historical center of Oaxaca. The hotel features comfortable rooms, an inviting pool, and pleasant outdoor spaces for breakfast and general relaxation.
The Hotel Casa de la Tía Tere’s website is at: www.casadelatiatere.com
Reserve this trip today:
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