Craft Workshops in Oaxaca: 6 to Build a Day On

1.Monte Alban, Alebrijes & Black Clay Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 217 reviews · 7 hours · from $52Our pick

Visit Monte Albán with a bilingual guide, then see alebrijes carved in Arrazola and black clay pottery made in San Bartolo Coyotepec. The small group is limited to six, with guides such as Ede, Jose, or Ariana assigned according to the day. Lunch is optional and costs extra.

“The guide was amazing. He had very interesting information about everything, and his way to explain it to the group was super funny. The buffet was also delicious. The tour ended few hours later, I would recommend to be prepared for it. (In this case it didn’t affected us)”

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2.Oaxacan Mole Workshop with a Traditional Cook

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 158 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $64

Meet near Oaxaca’s Zócalo and walk with your guide to a local market, where you’ll choose produce, chiles, cacao, and other ingredients. Back at the FILOTEO foodlab, cooks such as Victor Ramirez or Quetzalli lead you through mole, tortillas, quesadillas, and salsas. Expect English or Spanish instruction, a shared meal, and a small-group format.

“Thankyou so much for this experience, it was my first time cooking anything but the guides made the experience really easy. The food turned out really good and they explained everything in detail. Thanks again”

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3.Essence Zapoteca Monte Albán, Barro Negro and Alebrijes for a day.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 128 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $53Top rated

Spend a full day beyond Oaxaca City with a bilingual guide such as Miguel, Leo, or Pavel. Explore Monte Albán, visit Ángelico Jiménez Carrillo’s alebrije workshop, eat Oaxacan dishes at a buffet, and see black pottery made in San Bartolo Coyotepec. The small group is capped at 15, with transport and Monte Albán admission included.

“Full day experience. We loved visiting Monte Alban and the other activities were interesting. Our guide, Miguel was very knowledgable, had excellent English and did a good job”

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4.Monte Alban, Alebrijes & Black Pottery: Oaxaca Essential Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $42

Spend about eight hours exploring Monte Alban and two important craft towns outside Oaxaca City. A bilingual guide such as Ede, Jeshua, or Gabriel leads the day, with round-trip transport in an air-conditioned minivan. Expect striking valley views, copal wood carving, black clay pottery, and a small group of up to eight people.

“My family and I had a wonderful time because the tourist guide Roberto with his knowledge and his very nice. Attitude make my Birthday wonderful., Monte Albán, the food and the environment around the places were fantastic, thank you.”

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5.Art Printing Workshop with a Local Artist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 3 hours · from $34Best value

At Etnofood’s Foodlab gallery in Oaxaca, you’ll learn how printmaking connects to the city’s social art tradition, then sketch, carve, ink, and print a woodblock with a local artist. English and Spanish instruction, materials, apron, drinks, and a small group of up to six make this friendly to beginners. Plan extra time for your print to dry.

“Very fun to make my own after seeing so many prints in the city!! Everyone was very nice, helpful, and even stayed a little longer so I could finish (thank you!!) *I’ll be back tomorrow to pick up my prints and wood block.”

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6.San Martín Tilcajete, Jalieza & Ocotlán Crafts Route

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 48 reviews · 8 hours · from $46

Spend eight hours with a bilingual guide visiting Oaxaca’s leading craft towns. Watch alebrijes take shape in San Martín Tilcajete, see backstrap weaving in Jalieza, browse Ocotlán and Zaachila markets, and learn how San Bartolo Coyotepec artisans make black clay pottery. Transport and hotel or Airbnb drop-off are included.

“The three of us were excited to travel to the communities where the various local arts and crafts originated and are currently made. We were particularly interested in the black pottery and the alebrijes. We had a great time seeing the artists in action, and learning the history and their creative processes.”

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