The Many Sides of Mexico: Puerto Vallarta to Oaxaca

Soak up the incredible contrasts of Mexico on this two-week trip from the Pacific coast to the heartland of the its interior. Loaded with highlights, you’ll dive into the country’s rich culture and history in Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and San Miguel de Allende before arriving in the megalopolis of Mexico City, bursting with art, music, and markets. Next, you’ll visit the ancient Aztec pyramids of Teohuacan on your way to Puebla, before finishing your trip off in Oaxaca with almost too many delicious foods and local taverns to discover.

Day 1 Puerto Vallarta
Arrive at any time. Attend the welcome meeting in the evening and then opt to grab dinner with the group.

Day 2 Puerto Vallarta
Get ready for a full free day in Puerto Vallarta for optional activities. Your CEO will help arrange and give you some insider recommendations, but you could spend some time on the beach, go whale watching (seasonal, Dec-Mar), a day trip with snorkelling to Isla Marietas or find a nice place to grab some food and people watch. In the evening meet with the group to trade stories and go out to search for some delicious local street food.

Day 3 Puerto Vallarta/Guadalajara
Travel inland to Guadalajara this morning. Make a stop along the way near the town of Tequila to visit a distillery to learn about how tequila is traditionally made with a tasting included and lunch. Continue on arriving in Guadalajara in the early evening for a CEO-led orientation walk.

Day 4 Guadalajara
Enjoy a free morning today to discover Guadalajara's charm. In the afternoon, set off on a city tour including the nearby vibrant city of Tlaquepaque. Think mariachis, historical centres, and loads of fun and street food. The rest of the evening is open to do as you please. Maybe go for another walk through the main square and find a cool tavern to grab a drink with the group.

Day 5 Guadalajara/Guanajuato
Travel by public bus to Guanajuato today. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour to discover the city's beautiful architecture, tunnels, cultural history, and of course, street food.

Day 6 Guanajuato/San Miguel de Allende
Wander through Guanajuato during your free morning. Grab a bite to eat on your own before the bus ride to San Miguel de Allende. Here the group will go on a CEO-led orientation walk before time to have dinner on your own.

Day 7 San Miguel de Allende
Start off with a half-day city tour of San Miguel de Allende. See various historical sites like the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, Iglesia de San Francisco, and Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe Neri. Learn the cultural significance of various places and admire the architecture of this place before a free afternoon for various optional activities.

Day 8 San Miguel de Allende/Mexico City
Hop on the local bus to Mexico City this morning and arrive around midday. Enjoy a free afternoon and opt for an evening out on the town.

Day 9 Mexico City
Enjoy a free day to discover the busting and vibrant megalopolis of Mexico City. With so much to see, do, and eat in this vibrant city, be sure to get recommendations from your CEO about the best things to experience on any particular day. Maybe grab some street tacos and people watch in the main square.

Day 10 Mexico City
Take advantage of a day get to know Mexico City. Opt to check out the sprawling zócalo (main square), visit the Frida Kahlo museum in vibrant Coyoacán, or view impressive Mayan and Aztec artifacts at the National Anthropology Museum.

Day 11 Mexico City/Puebla
Rise early and explore the ancient city of Teotihuacan on a guided tour. Stand in awe of the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, stroll down the Avenue of the Dead and learn all about the site's importance to Mexico's ancient cultures for thousands of years, at one point being the largest city in the entire Americas. Continue to Puebla and enjoy an orientation walk downtown.

Day 12 Puebla
Enjoy a free day to explore the city. Opt to visit a ceramics workshop, check out the pyramid of nearby Cholula, sample delicious local specialties, or watch a lucha libre wrestling match at night.

Day 13 Puebla/Oaxaca
Journey south to beautiful Oaxaca, and get a feel for the city on an orientation walk, stopping to visit one of its sprawling markets. After, visit the Alebrijes Artisan Community for your G for Good moment. Meet a local artisan, speak with them, ask any questions the group may have, and learn more about how the Alebrijes are crafted.

Day 14 Oaxaca
Take advantage of free time, and opt to learn how to make mole in a cooking class, shop at nearby artisan villages, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mitla, or sample some mezcal at a local distillery - look out for the worm! In the evening enjoy a cooking demonstration with a local expert and taste a variety of regional cuisine.

Day 15 Oaxaca
Depart at any time.