OAXACA
MEXICO
celebrate dia de los muertos and connect to its traditions with our fully immersive & custom designed private group itinerary.
EXPLORE & RESTORE OAXACA
29 OCTOBER - 4 NOVEMBER
celebrating dia de los muertos
EXPLORE & RESTORE IN OAXACA
a genuine & thoughtful immersion /
you’re invited as we return to vibrant oaxaca de juárez, mexico — this time, to celebrate dia de los muertos (day of the dead). we’re collaborating again with some cherished friends from the oaxaca region to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary that includes a fully-inclusive, meaningful immersion into the local traditions of this important mexican holiday.
beyond the activities and festivities of our two-day dia de los muertos schedule, you’ll have time to explore oaxaca’s bright & bustling plazas, markets, galleries, and the town’s popular culinary scene — from quick & delicious street food options to award-wining fine dining. when you’re ready to balance your days with some restoration, the artistic four-story villa we’ll share for the week is only a short walk from the center of town: it’s a picture perfect space to chill with a yoga or meditation session, a relaxing dip in the heated courtyard pool, or a chill lounge in one of the open-air verandas with panoramic views of oaxaca.
APRIL B. | OAXACA 2023 RETREAT
‘i have never really traveled like this with a group. i assumed it wouldn’t really be my jam, but i was wrong. sharing this trip with this wonderful group of folks fed my soul, and enriched the whole experience.’
about oaxaca / pronunced (wa-ha-kah) /
the ‘land of seven moles’ is an unesco world heritage site in the most biodiverse region of mexico. oaxaca is a celebration of indigenous culture, where honored traditions are responsible for the region’s vibrant tapestries, art scene, and world-class cuisine. well-preserved architecture, important archaeological sites, and the magestic, mezcal-producing agave plants that dot the landscape add to oaxaca’s visual appeal.
oaxaca de juarez sits in the foothills of the sierra norte mountains, at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet. in late october/early november, the average high temps are estimated be in the low to mid-80s with lows in the mid-50s, with a slight chance of rain.
about dia de los muertos /
dia de los muertos (day of the dead) is a time to celebrate the memory of deceased loved ones. the festive traditions celebrated in oaxaca are born from pre-hispanic beliefs that those who have passed are kept alive in the family and community through memory and spirit. these festivities are meant to be joyous occasions, filled with music and dancing, storytelling and good memories.
you’ll connect to the holiday and its traditions through a two-day custom-designed, private group itinerary. working with local hosts, you’ll learn how to construct an ofrenda (altar), help prepare and taste some of the traditional food and drink offerings celebrated with the holiday, visit some of the main cemeteries, and attend one of the regions most celebrated parties and parades while painted with la calavera catrina (skeletal design makeup worn as a way to honor the connection between life and death).
creating an ofrenda with a local host. includes visits to markets to source supplies + local farms to pick fresh marigolds for our altar. (basic supplies included, additional goods may be purchased.)
visiting artisan studios to learn the purpose and symbolism of their work (pottery, alebrijes, candles, woven tapestries)
preparing and tasting some of the traditional food and drink offerings celebrated with the holiday (chocolate, pan de muertos, atole)
guided visits to main cemeteries to observe and share in celebrations as guests, meaningfully and respectfully
traditional group meals with local hosts
mezcal tastings
traditional calavera catrina face painting
attending la muerteada, a dia de los muertos celebration and parade in etla, oaxaca, mexico
dia de los muertos immersion highlights
about your trip /
DAY 1 • TUE OCT 29 /
arrive into xoxocotlán international airport (oax) / transport to group villa / poolside welcome + group dinner / pm restorative yoga
meals included: dinner
DAY 2 • WED OCT 30 / yoga / breakfast / + optional textile artisan excursion / free day to explore the city or restore at the villa / pm restorative yoga
meals included: breakfast
DAY 3 • THU OCT 31 / breakfast / dia de los muertos day immersion / free time + yoga / dia de los muertos night immersion
meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4 • FRI NOV 1 / breakfast / dia de los muertos day immersion / free time + yoga / dia de los muertos night immersion
meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5 • SAT NOV 2 / breakfast / free day to explore the city or restore at the villa / pm restorative yoga
meals included: breakfast
DAY 6 • SUN NOV 3 / yoga / breakfast / + optional traditional temazcal ceremony / free time / yoga / group dinner
meals included: breakfast, dinner
DAY 7 • MON NOV 4 / breakfast / group transportation to xoxocotlán international airport (oax)
*itinerary subject to change
+add on excursion options — artisan textile imersion + temazcal ceremony
HOLLY H. | OAXACA 2022 RETREAT
‘my week in oaxaca was amazing — meeting new friends, and experiencing another culture. thank you, society verde, for curating such an immersive and doable trip for a rookie like me!’
what’s included /
six nights double occupancy accommodation in a private villa in oaxaca
ground transportation to and from xoxocotlán international airport on arrival and departure days
ground transportation for all scheduled group excursions
daily breakfasts and four dinners (*with three full lunches)
first night welcome celebration with mezcal tasting + toast
group cultural immersions and experiences, including two full day immersions into dia de los muertos
retreat leader support
service gratuity for all group meals and scheduled excursions
a staff photographer + digital photo album of retreat highlights
yoga and mindfulness practices (*omitted on some excursion days)
what’s not included /
airfare to oaxaca
ground transportation for any elective wandering
optional add-on excursions
beverages between meals, alcohol, or additional meals not included in itinerary
souvenirs, extra purchases or services or admission fees, hotel incidentals/breakages
personal, medical, and trip cancellation insurance
accommodations & rates /
for our week-long immersion into southern mexico, we’ve selected a beautifully designed and artistic villa located in panoramica del fortin, a residential zone just outside centro oaxaca: you’ll be only a short walk to the zocalo and markets, while also experiencing a less-touristed neighborhood of oaxaca.
the home features a full kitchen + dining area with sprawling open-air design— dreamy spaces to sip mezcal with your new best travel buddies, or cozy, peaceful corners for quiet reflection.
other amenities include wi-fi, a heated pool, and a rooftop terrace with stunning views of oaxaca. each double-occupancy room features a king bed under a brick domed ceiling, with a private bath.
the oaxaca dia de los muertos retreat investment begins at $2650 / return traveler begins at $2450
rooms are priced for double occupancy. solo travelers are always welcome — a limited number of rooms may be booked at an upcharge, or you can book as a single to be paired with another solo traveler. please inquire before booking if you require guaranteed solo occupancy.
a 4% deduction is available for balances made in cash after online deposit is made.
lifestyle considerations for our oaxaca itinerary /
please consider local lifestyle and culture when shopping a retreat: our villa in oaxaca is up a hillside with plenty of stairs. its open-air design and large balconies allow for plenty of fresh air, and also connect you to the sounds of the city— but if you’re a light sleeper, we do recommend packing earplugs. *especially for this special visit during dia de los muertos — expect the city to be extra boisterous during celebrations! our special day of the day itinerary will also include some excursions late into the evening/night.
our 2024 oaxaca itinerary is an extra special offering for travelers seeking a deep immersion. we have years of experience traveling and leading groups through the region, and through our established relationships with passionate locals and artisans, we’re able to offer you genuine, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and rare ways to connect with local community and traditions.
why society verde + why oaxaca /
our philosophy is that travel truly makes you richer, and our carefully curated trips offer a depth of unique experiences, a spotlight on rich cultures, and new ways to encourage courageous connection to community and the planet. through our small group travel offerings, we invite you to share our values of sustainability, discovery, and connection.
a group arrangement creates new bonds as you connect on a meaningful level with your house and travel mates over shared experiences, and those experiences themselves suddenly become accessible: premium, unique digs (our ultra-hip home in oaxaca was designed by local musicians who were inspired to share their creative space) and meaningful excursions become reality when you share them with a group of like-minded fellow travelers. no over-toured locales, abused resources, or crowded tour busses here.
we do the work and build the relationships to offer truly authentic experiences that support native people and lands. in oaxaca, your dollars will help directly support locals and families who are passionate about carrying on the traditions of their ancestors by sharing their heritage with visitors. through our scheduled itinerary activities and the way you choose to make any local purchases, you’ll support artists exposing their creative hearts to inspire social change, traditional artisans carrying the craft of their indigenous ancestors to the modern day, and organic farmers.
a week of engaging immersions will be balanced with time to restore. you’ll chill out with intentionally-scheduled downtime facilitated by society verde founder mkm, an experienced, educated provider of energy-balancing movement practices. melissa’s yoga/travel retreat philosophy is that restorative mat practices can help ground us, wherever we are in the world, so we can meaningfully explore off the mat and more brilliantly connect to the people and spaces around us.
find out if you would travel well with society verde — check out our traveler guidelines.
oaxaca retreat facilitators /
-
melissa klimo-major
TRIP LEADER
society verde founder mkm is a yoga teacher and travel specialist offering itineraries beyond the basic yoga retreat. she curates unforgettable and transformative experiences that bridge communities, and is well-known for sourcing compelling retreat locales rich in heritage and forward-thinking lifestyles. she can’t wait to re-engage with the textures and colors of oaxaca with you.
-
sean major
TRIP GUIDE
sean is an adventure seeking explorer who loves connecting to places by getting out into nature. with a background in the travel industry organizing and guiding groups, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the itineraries he supports, and his easy-going spirit elevates the experience of all. in mexico, he looks forward to helping you discover the subtle tasting notes in your sips of oaxacan mezcal.
-
announcing soon
TRIP PHOTOGRAPHER
JENNIFER M. | OAXACA 2022 RETREAT