Experience Oaxaca During the Day of the Dead

Oaxaca, Mexico, is a vibrantly rich region known for Indigenous heritage, lively markets and deep artistic traditions. Become immersed in Zapotec and Mixtec Indigenous vendors where you will see hand-crafted woven blankets, shawls, and traditional margarita flowers. Experience delicious and authentic Mexican food at a local restaurant, where flavors of different moles, tlayudas, and chapulines, will leave each traveler highly satisfied. Experience Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead, November 1st) when visiting two markets, Benito Juarez Market and 20 de Noviembre Market. Each traveler will meet the artisans and vendors along with exploring all that the markets offer, including cultural foods, colors, and communities. Later in the day, explore a local cemetery of Pantheon where Day of the Dead traditions are all around. Experience the meaning of the holiday, when communities celebrate and honor their loved ones that have passed away. Each traveler will be surrounded by close communities and families illuminated by many candles and vibrant marigold flowers. Here, families create “ofrendas” to welcome the spirits of their loved ones into the atmosphere. While here, witness the children’s celebration of Day of the Dead where families come together to specifically honor the lives of lost children. These bittersweet traditions are recognized as a significant and profound annual tradition throughout cities in Mexico. Each traveler will learn more about sacred religious centers of the Zapotec communities, when visiting the Mitla ruins. Learn more about the Zapotec community and their religious traditions through beeswax candle making and weaving demonstrations presented by local families. Before returning to Oaxaca, each traveler will learn how this Indigenous group intertwined ideas of spirituality and faith into everyday lifestyle choices. An example of this that each traveler will experience is shown through their practices of compact farming villages that are located in the heart of plazas and catholic churches. 

This is a 4 day trip that costs $1,795 led by Under30 Experiences, which caters to solo travelers and adventurous young adults ages 21-35, but they don’t enforce a strict age limit. They are a small team that loves sustainable travel by supporting local communities in an eco-friendly way. The company was founded 10+ years ago by co-founders Matt Wilson and Jared O’Toole. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

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Baja: Whale Watching and the Sea of Cortez

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Baja California, Mexico, where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific lagoons offer a rare blend of wildlife, adventure, and serenity. This women-only trip is perfect for curious, active travelers with a moderate fitness level who crave meaningful experiences–whether it’s kayaking in calm turquoise waters, snorkeling with sea lions, or locking eyes with a gray whale and her calf in Magdalena Bay. Baja’s stark beauty is unmatched: from the rich marine life of the Sea of Cortez–dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau–to the red-hued Sierra de la Giganta mountains rising from the desert. The traveler will explore cactus-dotted trails, sleep under star-filled skies in camping tents, and enjoy the colonial charm of Loreto, home to a 17th century Jesuit mission in addition to peaceful beaches. This trip offers both soft adventure and quiet moments, ideal for those seeking connection–with nature, with a like-minded group of women, and with themselves. From whale-watching to cultural encounters, every experience is crafted for reflection, joy, and awe. Whether the traveler is a nature lover, photographer, or solo traveler seeking inspiration, this Baja adventure is a deeply rewarding escape into one of the planet’s most unique and untouched coastal ecosystems.

AdventureWomen is a women-owned and women-run travel company founded in 1982 by Susan Eckert to create empowering adventure trips exclusively for women. In 2016, the company was passed on to Judi Wineland and her daughters, Erica and Nicole, who today continue the mission of inspiring women through travel and adventure. Today they offer life-changing trips to 60+ countries. This 8 day trip is priced at $5,295 per person. 

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Experience History and Cuisine in Mexico

The Yucatán Peninsula lies between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and is famous for the stunning beauty of its tropical setting and the awe-inspiring remnants of the Mayan civilization. On this trip, travelers will immerse themselves in the wealth of history and culture embedded in the region, while also enjoying the beaches and nightlife of Mexico. The trip will begin in Mérida, the largest city in southeastern Mexico and one possessing a rich cultural history. The city was founded in 1542 by Spanish conquistadors on the site of the Mayan city of T’hó, and many of its historic buildings, including the famous Cathedral of Mérida, are constructed using stone from Mayan ruins. Here, travelers will be able to adventure through the city and explore nearby cenotes, large natural sinkholes filled with water. The Mayans believed that the cenotes were the entrance to Xibalba, or the underworld, and used them for ceremonial purposes as well as water sources. After leaving Mérida, travelers will visit the ancient ruins of Chichen Itzá, a city whose towering pyramids and temples have remained well preserved for nearly 1,500 years. Travelers will also explore Valladolid, where they can enjoy traditional Mayan dishes and rest for a night before venturing on to the pristine beaches of the Mayan Riviera. The trip includes a visit to Tulum, the site of the only Mayan ruins built next to the ocean. The Mayan city of Tulum was a prominent trading center between the 13th and 15th centuries, and it remains one of the best-preserved ruins in Mexico. While in Tulum, travelers will also have the opportunity to relax on the beaches, go snorkeling, swim in more nearby cenotes, and indulge in the local cuisine. The final stop will be Cancún, where travelers can spend the last few days of their trip enjoying the stunning coast, warm water, and vibrant nightlife of the city. Included is also a day trip into the jungles of the Yucatán to visit a small local community that will teach travelers how to prepare their mouth-watering traditional dishes. Travelers can spend their final nights partying in Cancún’s exciting bars and clubs or discovering excellent restaurants before the end of the trip.

This is a 9-day trip that costs $1,129. This trip is a G Adventures Roamie trip, a hostel-based trip style geared towards 18-35 year olds looking to explore iconic destinations through an immersive, and wallet-friendly experience. G Adventures is a sustainable, small-group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism, and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s  8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

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Adventure Along Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula

The Yucatán Peninsula, lying between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north and the Caribbean Sea to the east, is renowned for its lush rainforests, tropical beaches and historic Mayan ruins. During this experience, the group will explore some of the area’s many cenotes – enormous sinkholes resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock, take a guided tour of the Chichén Itzá, one of the most famous ancient Mayan ruins in the world, home to wonders like the Temple of Kukulcán and the Sacred Cenote, and swim in turquoise waters to escape the heat. In Tulum, once a Mayan port city, travelers will encounter more historic ruins as well as magnificent beaches on which to relax. The city also offers the remarkable natural waterpark of Xel-Há where the group can snorkel and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

This is a 6- day trip and costs $769. This trip is a G Adventures Roamie trip, a hostel-based trip style geared towards 18-35 year olds looking to explore iconic destinations through an immersive, and wallet-friendly experience. G Adventures is a sustainable, small-group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism, and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s  8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

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