Mexico
Christmas and New Year's in Oaxaca and Puebla
Program No. 8696RJ
Leave the snowmen behind as you experience an authentic Mexican Christmas and ring in the New Year Oaxaca-style! See ancient rituals and visit well-known archaeological sites.
Participant Reviews
Based on 16 Reviews
SHOWING
Go to Oaxaca at Christmas! I wore shorts and t-shirts for two weeks!!!
— Review left January 13, 2025
This is a great trip to take around the Christmas holidays. The weather is pleasant and the sites are interesting. Mexican holiday festivities are colorful and exciting. If you want to know more about our southern neighbor this is a good trip to take. our guides and local experts added a great deal to the experience; they were all outstanding.
— Review left January 7, 2025
A wonderful introduction to the sites, sounds, and seasonal festivities of Mexico.
— Review left January 6, 2025
It is wonderful to be with a group who value education of our world and are as addicted to travel as I am.
— Review left January 8, 2024
This is a fun trip. The Mexican people celebrate Christmas with lots of decoration, parades and ceremonies, and enthusiasm. There is a lot of variety as far as city, rural, archeological sites, churches and museums. You will not be bored! The hotels were each unique but a warning: the nights get down to the low 40's and there is no heat. Bring a warm jacket to wear to breakfast. By mid afternoon it is in the 70's so layer.
We had a great group of people to ring in the new year and our guides Tere and Beatriz were excellent as were the local lecturers and experts. This is the real Mexico.
5 stars
— Review left January 5, 2024
So grateful for the opportunity to explore Oaxaca, Puebla and Mexico City despite some of the uncertainties of and cancellations due to COVID. All of our tour personnel were friendly and professional and constantly tried to please when changes had to occur due to health or political issues. I empathized with them having to deal with so many frustrations that were well beyond their control. Despite some inconveniences, we had plenty of time to learn about the culture, the arts/crafts, the history and the economy with hands-on experiences, especially in and around Oaxaca, as well as through interesting lectures. I so enjoyed some of the food and restaurants - some catering especially to our group. The pace of the tour was accurately described and yet there was also some built-in free time to do as we pleased. My biggest take-away was how the Mexico I experienced is so very different than the perceptions I had previous to my visit. I intend to go back and visit again as a result. Special kudos to Arturo and Roberto who kept us organized, answered so many questions and even entertained us with song and dance.
— Review left January 17, 2022
Because Road Scholar erroneously canceled air reservations for me and Christopher--that's what they told us at the airport--we had to stay over an extra day. The extra expense incurred:
$85 - hotel
$45 - second COVID-free certification
$30 - extra cab trips from/to airport
Total owed me: $160.00
Dianne Farrell
4591 SW Hollyhock Circle
Corvallis, OR 97333
— Review left January 6, 2022
My first trip with Road Scholar and to Mexico. Not the type of person to sit & listen to lectures but was pleasantly surprised. Lectures were short, interesting & informative. I enjoyed the topics of discussion on culture, arts, politics and history of Mexico. Now inspired to learn & to see more of Mexico.
— Review left January 5, 2022
This program was very enjoyable, interesting and educational. Paco, the local guide, was exceptional. Our two group leaders worked hard at the administrative end of the program, but lacked in the ability to create group cohesion. They needed to have a system of seat rotation on buses. They needed to rein in one pax member who tended to dominate with questions. The other improvement that needs attention is that most meals seemed to be Luke warm. The hotels were very good, the dedicated bus was first class with an excellent driver. Overall, it is a program that has a lot of merit.
— Review left January 24, 2020
Our Program to Oaxaca was fun, interesting and exciting. Loved every minute of it. The celebrations on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve were awesome and very special. Our program directors,guides and lecturers were exceptional. Truly a remarkable adventure in Mexico!
— Review left January 17, 2020
An exceptional experience:
* the guides are superb - very attentive to individual needs. I will register for other programs lead by this team.
* the itinerary is well designed
* the group was very supportive
One suggestion for future programs:
Participants should be made more aware of the altitude and the potential for a significantly reduced ability to participate in the walking. There is a lot of walking on uneven pavement and trails. This is a challenge for some participants. It is even more risky when one is struggling for O@. One participant needed to leave the program early. She had been using an intubator before she arrived for the program and during the program. She tried very hard but she could not get sufficient O2 at the elevation of the cities we visited. This registration should never have been permitted.
— Review left January 11, 2020
Christmas in Oaxaca is a delightful trip to take if you don't want to spend the holidays at home. If you are interested in folk art this is a must-do trip. Be prepared to explore plenty of pre-Columbian cultures and eat a lot of good food!
— Review left January 10, 2020
In my participant survey I neglected to mention, and was not asked, about two other members of the Geronimo group who were instrumental in making the trip a success. Paco, the native speaker , was very knowledgeable and friendly. He did most of the talking and explaining, and was extremely forthcoming and available. Beatrice was Terry's helper and was always available to answer questions and tell us what to do and where to go. Both deserve recognition for a job well done!
— Review left January 7, 2020
I enjoyed the program and experiencing interesting places.
— Review left January 9, 2019
Oaxaca was a great place to celebrate the holidays. Many parades, festivities,
good natured crowds and great archaeological sites, churches and museums to visit.Also highly rated city by a travel magazine.
— Review left January 6, 2019
I have traveled extensively and found this trip to be among the best I've ever done. We dove head first into extraordinary Mexican culture and history, participating in many of the events, instead of just watching. Don't miss this trip!
— Review left January 5, 2019