Description
Immerse into the Zapotec culture through different women and learn about their language, traditions and their handicraft skills while traveling through beautiful villages and landscapes. We’ll visit different women run families in the Valley of Oaxaca and be surrounded by beautiful colors and incredible talent of our oaxacan communities. This is an experience full of art, crafts and stories focused in supporting and recognizing women for their talented skills. Join us to be a part of it!
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Departure
C. Macedonio Alcalá s/n, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax. -
Departure Time
8:30AM -
Dress Code
Casual, comfortable and light -
Included
Bottled water – Personal Guide – Ticket – Transport -
Not Included
Lunch
Lucia –
Yeti is a gem! Her knowledge for everything Oaxaca runs deep. From the moment we met to the end of the tour, it was an absolute pleasure. It’s obvious she loves what she does and it’s felt in the way we were taken care of and the relationship she builds with everyone she encounters. A tour with Yeti is an absolute must and memorable!!! I’m grateful to have met her and experience a bite of Oaxaca through her eyes.
Viviana –
I had an amazing time touring the beautiful state of Oaxaca with Yeti. She is very knowledgeable and kind hearted. Her curated tours really showcase her thoughtfulness. Every single woman we met welcomed her and the crowd with so much warmth. The Zapotec Women Tour is a 10/10!! I definitely recommend it. 🙂
Christina Magisano –
This my second time in Oaxaca, several cultural tours taken and many good ones. Yeti’s tour tho was the best. She is very knowledgeable, you can tell she LOVES the culture, the people and teaching those of us interested in it all. You will be delighted with Yeti & the experience you have with her.
Alicia (verified owner) –
What a special day. Yeti is a tender, nuanced, and proud storyteller. She is an excellent and natural host. Every stop on our day was impactful and inspiring. I would happily do this tour again, or any tour she is leading.
Mario and Jenny Navarro –
TLDR – Book this tour, you won’t regret it!
This tour was an absolute highlight of our time in Oaxaca! From start to finish, it was an immersive and enriching experience that gave us a deep appreciation for the artistry, traditions, and resilience of Oaxaca’s Zapotec women!
From the moment we met Yeti at the start of the tour, you are greeted with her warmth, passion, and an incredible depth of knowledge. Her charisma and storytelling in English and Spanish made every stop feel personal, and it was clear that this tour was not just about sightseeing—it was about honoring and uplifting local communities and the women that hold them together.
We started at the iconic Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán before heading out via a private transport arranged by Yeti (side note: the transport provided by Mr. Basilio Donaji was notably clean, safe, and comfortable. Basilio was very kind and went out of his way to return some personal items to our hotel hours after the tour was over – literally went above and beyond.) Our first stop was Teotitlan del Valle where we learned about the intricate art of wool rug weaving, natural dyeing techniques, and the importance of beeswax candles in Oaxacan wedding traditions. Seeing the dedication and craftsmanship up close was awe-inspiring.
Next, we explored the Mercado De Tlacolula, one of the most vibrant markets in Oaxaca, and had the privilege to meet a sweet woman with the appearance of the renowned Frida Kahlo. She is Doña Beatriz, a traditional cook, who runs the “Fonda de Frida” and prepared some of the most delicious mole we’ve ever had. Every bite told a story of Oaxaca’s rich culinary heritage.
In San Marcos Tlapazola, we met an incredible women who creates stunning red clay pottery using ancestral techniques. Watching her mold clay into a perfectly symmetrical “comal” was so impressive , and supporting her work through the purchase of beautiful clay and mug felt so meaningful.
The perfect ending to this unforgettable day was at a woman-owned mezcal distillery, where we tasted exceptional craft mezcal while learning about the meticulous process behind its production. Each sip was a testament to the dedication of the women keeping this tradition alive.
This tour is so much more than just a trip—it’s a heartfelt connection to Oaxaca’s people, culture, and traditions. If you want an authentic, meaningful, and truly unforgettable experience, book this tour with Yeti! You will walk away with not just memories, but a deep appreciation for the stories and hands that have shaped Oaxaca. 💛✨ Thank you Yeti!
Alice L –
This trip was educational, inspiring, and fun! Yeti is beyond kind and accommodating. Every experience on her tour is one of a kind and truly immerses you in the Zapotec culture.
Liz @CuadradoChronicles (verified owner) –
ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS! Our tour with Yeti was one of the most enriching and unforgettable experiences we had in Oaxaca — HANDS DOWN! From the very beginning, Yeti brought a sense of warmth, purpose, and deep cultural insight that elevated the entire experience. Her storytelling and genuine connection to the communities we visited made every stop feel intentional and meaningful.
What sets this tour apart is the way it centers the voices and artistry of Zapotec women. Yeti introduced us to several incredible artisans — each a master of their craft, and each with a powerful personal story. She shared these narratives with such care and respect, helping us appreciate not just the beauty of their work, but the history, resilience, and cultural heritage behind it.
The visits to the workshops were intimate and inspiring — from weaving with natural dyes to ceremonial candle-making to traditional red clay pottery. We were welcomed into their spaces, given insight into their techniques, and even got to try our hand at a few things ourselves. These hands-on moments made it all the more memorable and meaningful.
We also enjoyed a delicious lunch at a lively local market, where the food, colors, and energy gave us yet another layer of connection to the region. Try the gorditas – they were my favorite!
This isn’t just a tour — it’s an EXPERIENCE rooted in tradition, community, and care. If you’re visiting Oaxaca and want something that goes beyond the surface, I can’t recommend this enough. It left a deep impression on all of us, and I’m so grateful to Yeti and the artisans for sharing their world with such generosity. I could go on and on about how much I loved this, but experience it for yourself – you won’t regret it! BOOK THIS TOUR!!!!! ♥
Amber and Leyla (verified owner) –
This tour was an unforgettable highlight of our time in Oaxaca—deeply immersive, meaningful, and beautifully led by Yeti. Her warmth and genuine connection to the communities made every moment feel personal and impactful.
We started at Teotitlán del Valle where we witnessed incredible wool weaving, natural dyeing, and candle-making traditions by Indigenous women who shared their remarkable process and stories with us. Afterwards we went to San Marcos Tlapazola where we watched a skilled and accomplished Indigenous woman create pottery from red clay using ancestral techniques. The day ended with a tasting at a woman-owned mezcal distillery, where we learned about the craft behind each bottle and sipped exceptional mezcal.
This tour offers more than just sights—it’s a deep, respectful connection to Oaxaca’s culture and the women who preserve it. If you want an authentic and moving experience, book this tour with Yeti. You’ll walk away with lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for this incredible region. Thanks for sharing this with us, Yeti!
Maria Luisa Peliti (verified owner) –
It was an unforgettable experience. Yieti is a passionate guide who perfectly conveys the profound meaning of this tour. It’s not just a tour to learn about craftsmanship, but a journey into the history of wonderful and tenacious women who possess ancient knowledge and who have been able to create their own world despite social and cultural challenges. Wonderful and authentic craftsmanship. It takes more than just two eyes to see all the beautiful things they are capable of producing.
Catalina L (verified owner) –
La experiencia fue excepcional. Todo está muy bien planeado, desde la logística hasta las visitas, cada parte del recorrido te permite conocer de cerca los procesos y técnicas que hay detrás de cada pieza artesanal.
Lo que más me sorprendió fue la honestidad con la que se comparten las historias y los métodos de trabajo; no hay filtros ni discursos forzados, solo una conexión real las personas que lo crean. Yeti, nuestra guía, fue increíblemente amable y apasionada. Se toma el tiempo para explicarte a fondo las historias de cada una de las artesanas que conocimos, generando una experiencia profundamente humana y enriquecedora.
Es realmente admirable el trabajo de todas las mujeres que participan en este proyecto. Son ellas quienes, generación tras generación, han sostenido a sus familias y preservado sus tradiciones. Vale totalmente la pena tomar un tour así, dedicado a reconocer y honrar a quienes históricamente han sido el pilar de nuestras comunidades y culturas.
Paola –
I was fortunate enough to experience the Zapotec women tour with Yeti and I am so grateful. She provides an incomparable experience and her deep pride for Oaxaca shines through. Each moment is thoughtfully curated and truly provides an authentic experience. She cares deeply about responsible tourism and I’m so glad I was able to meet Yeti and share this experience alongside my friends. I cannot wait to return and do another tour with Yeti!
Aura –
Yetti is the best tour guide I’ve ever had. Her passion for her country and her knowledge of the history mixed with the beautiful people she introduces you to is so magical. Looking forward to more opportunities to learn from her.
Denise (verified owner) –
AMAZING!! Best thing we did in Oaxaca. Yeti is so kind and speaks perfect English as well as Spanish. I should preface this by saying this was our first full day in Oaxaca and I bought so much stuff I already cannot buy anything the rest of the trip and that’s after buying an extra duffel bag. Yeti has such a special connection with these wonderful women artisans and we really appreciated being welcomed into not only their workshops but their homes. All of these women live their lives how they want to some against the grain of traditional society. It was nice to share in their stories and get to buy from some collectives that might not see such high traffic. I learned so much and can’t recommend this experience more.
Natalie Moreno –
Yeti is an absolutely amazing guide. She dives deep in her culture and shares with us the history, evolution, and current events of Oaxaca and Mexico. I have done multiple tours with Yeti and will continue to do more in the future because I learn something new each time. I especially love the Zapotecas women’s tour as it focuses on the women of this community that went against the norms and who are creating and shaping different futures for themselves and their families.
Natalie Johnston –
This was my favorite experience in Oaxaca by far. What sets Yeti apart from other tour guides are the relationships she has with the women crafters. You can tell that there is mutual care and respect between her and the women we visited. Weaving, candle making, and pottery were all featured and the artists allowed us to participate in fun and interactive ways. This is a must do for anyone wanting to go a bit deeper to learn of indigenous practices.
C Al-Mardini (verified owner) –
This was the best tour I’ve ever done!
Ingrid (verified owner) –
My family and I had a phenomenal time with Yeti, meeting the phenomenal women artisans encompassed on this tour. At each home studio, we felt genuinely welcome and had the unique opportunity to witness the craft and deep expertise that has developed inside these multi-generational Zapotec families. Thank you Yeti, for the curation and storytelling along the way. We learned so much and really appreciated your thoughtfulness and attentiveness throughout the day!
Rebecca (verified owner) –
This was a great tour! It was so great to see the Zapotec women who are leaders in their crafts show us how it’s done. Their creative skill and strength as women was admirable. We went to a couple small towns to visit these women, and was great to see life outside of Oaxaca centro. Yeti was a well-informed and gracious host. I wanted to do a tour that felt more authentic, and this was just what I wanted! I also made some friends on the tour 🙂
Marlies (verified owner) –
I had a fantastic experience with Yeti. It’s difficult to find tours while traveling that truly contribute to the community, and especially to women’s empowerment. Yeti has gathered the right women around her, whose talent and progressive approach are visible and tangible within the Zapotec community. If you want a truly authentic experience, choose Yeti and her company. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience.
Kirstie (verified owner) –
Truely the best tour I’ve been on. Yeti is incredible, and the women are so inspiring. I loved learning their stories. The tour felt so authentic and welcoming- Yeti has done such an incredible job curating this experience and I could not recommend it more!
Tess (verified owner) –
This was the absolute highlight of our time in Oaxaca – don’t miss this amazing tour! Yeti is a super knowledgeable, approachable and kind guide and has curated a truly magical day. She has fostered genuine relationships with the artisans we visited and as a result we felt like we were being welcomed warmly into the artisans homes and their worlds. I would do it all over again! Incredible!
Erwan (verified owner) –
This tour has been the highlight of our trip to Oaxaca. I have already recommended it to all the people I met since and truly hope that many more will take the opportunity to do it. We met incredible women with inspiring life stories, all of this guided by Yeti who has been an amazing tour guide.
Carmen Aiken (verified owner) –
I am so grateful to Yeti and all the incredible artisans of this tour (Doñas Viviana and Viviana and Alberta.) Yeti is a wonderful, passionate, kind and engaging human and guide who has so much expertise and has built such incredible relationships with the makers in the valleys. The tour is a perfect day and adapts to the desires and pace of the group. I so enjoyed learning about each special expertise of each workshop – weaving, candles, pottery, y mezcal. I was on a short trip taking a Spanish intensive and especially appreciated the ability to ask questions, converse, and learn in two languages. Meeting and talking to Doña Alberta y her sisters was especially special and brought me so much warmth. I’m also so glad I saved my pesos for this trip to get these handcrafted works of art – I will treasure them greatly. To relieve all this learning and Yeti’s experience and thoughts about the geography we are travelers and guests in was so meaningful. It was my only full day of the trip and I’m so glad I was able to find this. Do not sleep on it! Gracias por todo Yeti!
Karen L. –
Our family loved the time we spent with Yeti on the Zapotec Women’s Tour. As it was a small group,
Yeti was able to accommodate some mobility challenges. Yeti is so warm and open. She’s very knowledgeable about the region’s history, and very respectful of the wonderful women we visited. This tour was the highlight of our trip. We were honored to be in the presence of the inspirational craftswomen, and learn their stories. Book this tour. You’ll
Be so glad you did!
Juliana –
So glad we booked this tour and got to meet Yeti! Her knowledge and passion to help these amazing women was so incredibly inspiring! The Zapoteca Women tour was so special! We got to learn about weaving, candle making, and barro rojo all led by trailblazing women! I am so glad my young daughter and son got to experience this! These women are so inspiring and there is so much knowledge and love in their art. Come prepared to want to take everything home hehe
We will definitely be contacting Yeti for any future tours in Oaxaca!