Oaxaca for Foodies
Jan. 1 to Jan. 6
Yum! Sun! Fun!
Oaxaca’s archeological sites, preserving the legacies of the Zapotec and Mixtec cultures have earned its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but that is not the reason The New York Times identified Oaxaca as one of “The 25 Experiences You Must Have” (and one of only five in all of the Americas). Oaxaca earned that distinction on the unique wonderfulness of its food, which combines indigenous traditions with complex Spanish mixtures of spices. The culinary culture here is world class, but not fussy. Fine dining here is casual and often close to the hearth.
Our five days will be spent sampling a variety of food and also mezcal, which Oaxacans drink in great variety in numerous fun mezcalarías, some with live music. Oaxaca is a very welcoming place!
We are partnering with a Oaxaca-based LGBTQ+ tour group for 2-3 excursions outside of the city, including the archaeological sites of Monte Albán and Mitla, the petrified waterfalls and mineral pools of Hierve el Agua, visit artisans in Teotitlán de Valle where you will see how wool is dyed and woven in ways that are traditional and unique to this region. We will not only enjoy mezcal in bars, we will also visit a distillery.
This Trip is Designed For:
- Queer Men: gay, bi, trans, cis and nonbinary, all ages (21+) and body types
- International Adventurers because diversity rocks
- Spanish and English speakers alike (¡Hola! Hello!)
- Connecting while experiencing Mexico’s best cuisine, Zapotec and Mixtec archeological sites dating back thousands of years, a beautiful Spanish colonial urban center, and a ridiculous amount of contemporary and indigenous arts.
Included in Your Package:
- Five nights in your choice of private or shared room
- Two extraordinary dinners, three lunches, and all breakfasts
- Excursions to archeological sites, artisans workshops, the Centro de las Artes de San Agustin, and opportunities to learn how to prepare some traditional dishes
- All fees and tipping for group meals and tours
- Contact with Oaxacan GBT men who will be happy to spill the tea
Available, but Not Included:
- Time to explore art galleries, museums, and markets on your own or with your new buddies. We’ll provide lots of suggestions and let the group take it from there on days we don’t schedule formal excursions
- Most meals
- Whatever mess you make in the mezcalarías and gay bars we visit
- Transportation to/from your hotel (Get in touch with us after you book your flights or know your bus schedule; we might have some shared transportation options. We’ll do our best to make this easy!)
YOUR GUIDES
Wallace Bachman
Wallace is a New Yorker living in Mexico City. He launched OUTcdmx in 2023 to provide another platform for gay/bi/trans men to connect and experience the magic of Mexico through a queer lens. His vision includes partnering with queer creatives locally to give them greater visibility
and because they’re fun people to know!
He’s been to Oaxaca and Zipolite many times over the past two years and takes enormous delight in sharing their magic with you. Zipolite for its beautiful beaches, men, sunrises and sunsets, the freedom one experiences there, and opportunities to rest and regenerate. Oaxaca for its remarkable food culture and art, both of which remain close to their indigenous roots.
Issvan Duarte
is a Zapotec plastic artist and philosopher from the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca. He takes queer aesthetics and transforms them in a way to perpetuate the mother culture of the indigenous peoples.
Issvan is the Founder and Director of the Taller Código Tonal y Galería de Arte, where he shows his work and teaches art. In his workshops, he shares his academic knowledge as well as his lived experience of the ancient Zapotec peoples of Oaxaca.
He looks forward to interpreting your “tonales” (animals, plants, elements and magical objects that mark us at birth) while we learn Zapotec cosmology and the art of engraving—all while under the mischievous influence of mezcal
Sebastian Molina
Sebastian is a native of Veracruz, Mexico, who relocated to Oaxaca in order to live outrageously and break into the tourism industry. He has worked in some of Oaxaca’s top restaurants, and is currently a mezcalero—OUR mezcalero—at Mezcalogia, arguably Oaxaca’s best mezcal bar, featuring the finest mezcals and live music in an intimate atmosphere five nights a week.
He is crafting mezcal flights as you read this and is also doing his part to ensure that we experience the full range and beauty of Oaxaca’s culinary scene.
Edgar (Jimmy) Ángeles
Jimmy is an out and proud native Oaxaqueno and government certified tour guide. He is sole proprietor of his own LGBT travel services company, Oaxaca Gay Tours, which partners with a larger Oaxaca tour company (hence his excellent access to a fleet of vehicles to accommodate different size groups).
Jimmy chose to work in the tourism sector because he loves the beauty and culture of Oaxaca and wants to share that with tourists. It also allows him to "travel without traveling" because he gets to meet and get to know people from other cultures and traditions.
What to Expect
MONDAY, JANUARY 1: ARRIVAL
- Continuing from Zipolite - We will travel by Lineas Unidas bus from Zipolite to Oaxaca, arriving around 4-6 pm
- Others - Please share your arrival times with Wallace (WhatsApp +1 646-236-3920) to coordinate travel to Viajero Oaxaca Hostel.
- Meet 6-7 pm - We’ll gather on the hostel’s lovely roof terrace for drinks and stories. Most of us will need to eat, and we can discuss nearby informal options, including mezcalerías and even street food (not included).
TUESDAY – FRIDAY, JANUARY 2-5: EXCURSIONS, CITY WALKS, COOKING, FINE DINING, ART
We are partnering with local gay tour operators and artists to create experiences that include:
- Archeological Sites - Monte Albán and Mitla
- Artisan Workshops- Traditional wool dyeing and weaving in Teotitlán and a visit to a mezcal distillery
- Walking Tours - Shop and eat delicious food in at least one of Oaxaca’s extraordinary mercados. We are curating Oaxaca’s most interesting sites, including museums and galleries to make the best use of our time.
- Cooking and Art Making- We are sampling Oaxacas several cooking and art making classes (mostly prints) to provide the richest possible experiences in the time that we have. Preference will be given to LGBTQ and indigenous-led workshops.
- Fine Dining - Identifying the two best restaurants serving distinctly different cuisines is hellish work, but I’m doing it all for you.
- Gay Stuff- Bars, baths, politics. Oaxaca is not a gay mecca, but it is comfortable and safe to be open here, and there are places and people we can point you to. We will certainly hit a few of the most interesting places, probably Friday night.
- Since the precise details of how each of these four days will unfold are not yet immovable, I am very interested in hearing from you.
- What’s the right balance between structured group activities and independent time to explore?
- What sort of foods and cooking techniques are you most interested in?
- How does learning about Zapotec cosmology from a young gay Zapotec artist, followed by making prints of your animal spirits under the influence of mezcal grab you?
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6: ADIOS AMIGOS
Your guides will be around this day to take those who have the time on a walking tour or to suggest things you might want to take in before you go, based on your unique interests. As always, please let Wallace know when you are leaving so he can help you with your departure.
I’m In
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Accommodations
Viajero Oaxaca
Welcome to Viajero Oaxaca, where you'll discover the city's historical treasures. Marvel at the Oaxaca Cathedral and be in awe of the Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Our hostel is more than just a place to stay, it's the perfect starting point for an extraordinary journey through Oaxaca.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant streets, where every step leads to a new adventure. Explore enchanting markets filled with colors and aromas, transporting you to a world of authentic Oaxacan cuisine. Indulge in tlayudas or mole, and savor the flavors of artisan mezcal. Each bite and sip in Oaxaca is an unforgettable culinary experience.
We'd love to see you! Let’s connect.
Email
wallace@OUTcdmx.com
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