100% customisable travel idea
Art and Architecture in Mexico Between Mexico City and the Pacific, Oaxaca and Puebla
Mexico - Mexico City - Puebla - Oaxaca - Puerto Escondido
100% customisable travel idea
Mexico - Mexico City - Puebla - Oaxaca - Puerto Escondido
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, private transfer to the La Condesa district. Young professionals and artists from all backgrounds have made it one of the most pleasant and safe areas in Mexico City. It consists of wide, tree-lined avenues, cafe terraces and galleries. And enjoys a beautiful Art Deco heritage (Edificio Basurto, Edificio San Martin). Three-night stay in a charming little 20th-century building, where the atmosphere is warm and the service attentive. Each room has a different design, a fusion of modern and indigenous art. On sunny days, head up to the rooftop terrace for breakfast with a view over the city’s rooftops.
Scheduled - Mexico City by bike, in private. To explore the parks, avenues and trendy terraces of the Roma and La Condesa neighbourhoods, cycling is both a practical and enjoyable option. Spend half a day with a local guide to explore these bohemian and trendy neighbourhoods, wandering along peaceful alleyways and stopping now and then in a gallery, a bookshop or a designer boutique
. Optional - Your tickets to a lucha libre , Mexican wrestling, match at Arena Mexico: an experience that’s both popular and authentically Mexican!
Scheduled - Private visit of Mexico City. Accompanied by a guide, you explore the historic centre of the city and its main points of interest: the cathedral, the National Palace, the exterior of the Templo Mayor, Madero Street with its UNESCO-listed buildings, the Casa de los Azulejos, the Postal Palace, and finally the esplanade of the Palace of Fine Arts. Depending on your preferences, you then head to Jamaica, the most famous indoor market in Mexico City, or to the Sonora district, where sorcerers and shamans offer services and herbalist stalls line the streets. The tour continues with the National Museum of Anthropology. It brings together the finest collections of pre-Columbian and folk art, offering a lesson in pre-Hispanic and Indigenous history.
Pick up your rental car and head to Puebla.
A must-see along the way - The Cacaxtla archaeological site, where you will find the most beautiful pre-Hispanic murals in Mexico. These are located inside the palace complex, where you can admire battle scenes and depictions of anthropomorphic deities, as well as Maya-Teotihuacan pictorial art. After the visit, take the opportunity to climb the hill to reach the Xochitecatl site, which dates back to pre-Hispanic times
Two-night stay in Puebla, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, the view of Popocatepetl, which rises to over 5,400 metres (17,700 feet), is breathtaking. You settle in at a former water purification factory. Redesigned by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the building is now one of the city’s most beautiful hotels. The design ethos is apparent from the vast entrance hall to the rooms, combining modern touches with raw materials. From the balconies or the terrace bar, enjoy a magnificent view over the rooftops. On-site, you'll also find a 30-metre-long swimming pool with glass walls, a fine restaurant and an extensive wine cellar.
Things to see and do - The magnificent talaveras, glazed ceramics that cover the façades of beautiful manor houses; the lavishly decorated churches and the cathedral: the Capilla del Rosario in the Santo Domingo church, nicknamed the Eighth Wonder of the New World and famous for its 24-carat gold leaf; the main square or zócalo, one of the most beautiful in the country; stroll through the bohemian neighbourhood of El Barrio del Artista, where artists work in full view of passers-by; browse along the Callejón de los Sapos, a vibrant street where antique markets have sprung up, displaying their wares right on the pavement.
Do not miss - Cholula, about 20 km (12 miles) away, with its great pyramid topped by the church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, and, in the distance, the snow-capped summit of Popocatepetl. This pyramid, the largest ever built by humans in terms of volume, was shaped and enriched by several civilisations, including the Olmecs, Toltecs, Zapotecs and Aztecs. The conquistadors discovered nearly 400 similar buildings when they took the city in 1519. Cortès then promised to build 365 churches! In reality, only 37 were ever built. Also worth seeing: the Franciscan convent of San Gabriel Arcángel (one of the oldest in Mexico), set on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Quetzalcóatl, and the Casa Del Caballero Águila, built in the 16th century, which houses the city museum and art galleries.
A day hike to the Paso de Cortez, between Mexico’s two iconic volcanoes: Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, with a private guide.
Drive to Oaxaca.
On the way - The Zapotitlán Botanical Garden, partly created to bring together the valley’s most iconic cactus species. The rest of the garden has been left in its natural state, with only interpretive trails laid out for observation tours. Here, the column-shaped cacti (Neobuxbaumia tetetzo) can reach up to 10 metres (33 feet) in height and can be two centuries old.
Oaxaca, the capital of the eponymous state, sits on the slopes of the Sierra Madre del Sur at an altitude of 1,540 metres (5,052 feet). The volcanic plains gradually transition into rugged mountain landscapes, with candelabra cacti guiding you through this desert world. Upon arrival, settle in for three nights at a 16th-century manor recently renovated by its owner with the help of architects, artists, designers and contemporary artisans. At the heart of this house are a sun-drenched colonial-style patio, an antique water fountain and hammocks strung between stone columns. All the rooms are decorated with terracotta tiles, tropical plants, blown glass and woodwork. Each morning, enjoy a breakfast of regional specialities served around the dining table.
Scheduled - Private visit of Oaxaca. Oaxaca de Juarez received its city status in 1532. It was quickly given everything needed at the time to hold such a status: a parade ground, administrative buildings, churches, convents, and warehouses. The straight streets are lined with single-storey houses. Today, this complex is remarkably well preserved, despite persistent seismic activity. In short, Oaxaca exudes irresistible charm. It is also a very lively city, deeply shaped by indigenous culture, evident in its many markets. The historic centre, dating from the 16th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the zócalo, the cathedral, the Santo Domingo religious complex, which includes the church and the former Dominican convent that houses the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures, the regional museum housing the treasures of Monte Alban. You will discover all of this with your own private guide.
Things to see and do - The CASA, the San Agustín Cultural Centre, is an arts school in the Etla Valley, set in one of the region’s major textile factories: the Fábrica de hilados y textiles La Soledad Vista Hermosa. The project was initiated by one of the Mexico's leading painters: Francisco Toledo. This former factory, now fully restored, hosts workshops, concerts and exhibitions. Also worth seeing: the village of San Martín Tilcajete, where you can visit a large workshop with wooden sculptures finely decorated with Zapotec motifs called alebrijes. This workshop inspired Pixar Studios for the animation film “Coco”, a tribute to the traditions of the Day of the Dead in Mexico.
Return of the rental vehicle.
In the morning, private transfer to Oaxaca airport, where you catch a short flight to Puerto Escondido on the Pacific coast. New private transfer and three-night stay in a peaceful haven set on the ocean shore. Originally, this stretch of untouched coastline was transformed into a private paradise for beach lovers. Here, you reach the pinnacle of beach luxury - a relaxed form of elegance, enhanced by charming bungalows, each perfectly appointed with their own private pool. The restaurant expertly prepares locally-caught seafood. The setting is ideal for enjoying surfing and kayaking.
Already planned - Your tickets for the Casa Wabi Foundation,,an artist residency founded in 2014 by Bosco Sodi, about 30 km (19 miles) from Puerto Escondido. A great admirer of Tadao Ando, the Mexican artist managed to convince the Japanese architect, winner of the 1995 Pritzker Prize, to design this creative retreat, which now includes a multipurpose complex, six villas, two studios, an art gallery and a magnificent botanical garden. Here, there are no doors or windows - just three walls poured in grey concrete, sheltered by an impressive roof in the style of a local palapa. An opening lets you admire the Pacific on one side and the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range on the other.
A late-summer atmosphere reigns in Puerto Escondido. This small port nestled among coconut trees is known for its hippie vibe and huge waves. Seasoned surfer? Zicatela. New to this? La Punta. Family atmosphere? Playa Principal. Swimming or snorkelling? Manzanillo or Angelito. A romantic walk? Bacocho. In Puerto Escondido, there is a beach for every mood, every hour of the day, every activity. Simply follow the impulse of the moment. Beyond the high hills that rise above the bay lies the hinterland, dotted with small villages and bustling markets. You can also enjoy boat trips, horse riding or birdwatching. At dusk, sip a cocktail while watching a special Pacifico sunset
. Optional - Access to your hotel's temazcal, the traditional Mexican sauna.
Private transfer to the airport and international return flight. Night on board, arrival the next day.
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