Mitla, Preshispanic Caves, Chocolate Atelier and Lunch with a UNESCO Traditional Cook.

Embark on a transformative journey through Oaxaca’s living heritage. Your day begins in Mitla, the legendary Zapotec “City of the Dead,” where intricate stone mosaics and ceremonial palaces reveal a sophisticated ancient civilization. Continue to the Pre-Hispanic Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the earliest evidence of agriculture in the Americas was discovered—an extraordinary window into the origins of maize and human settlement.

From archaeology to living culture, the experience deepens as you arrive at the home of a Zapotec family, guardians of ancestral knowledge. Here, you participate in a hands-on Chocolate Atelier, toasting cacao on the comal and grinding it on a traditional metate, just as their ancestors have done for generations. Learn the cultural significance of cacao, taste different preparations, and craft your own chocolate blend before sharing a warm, comforting cup of traditional hot chocolate.

Your visit culminates with a heartfelt lunch prepared by a UNESCO-recognized Traditional Cook, who shares the flavors, stories, and techniques that embody Zapotec culinary identity. Surrounded by family, history, and tradition, you will experience Oaxaca not as a tourist but as an honored guest.

A day of archaeology, living traditions, and unforgettable flavors—designed for travelers seeking authenticity, depth, and human connection.