Experience highlights

Step beyond public celebrations and into a more personal side of Day of the Dead traditions. This experience takes place in the village of Lachigoló, where guests are welcomed into the home of one of our local collaborators to participate in the preparation of a traditional family altar.

The day begins with a visit to a local market, where you’ll shop alongside your hosts for flowers, fruits, candles, and offerings while learning how Oaxacan families prepare for the season.

Back at the family residence, you’ll help assemble the altar itself, arranging cempasúchil, borla flowers, fruits, candles, and other traditional elements while discussing the meanings and customs that continue to define Day of the Dead throughout Oaxaca.

Red clay pottery workshop

The experience continues with an exclusive red clay pottery workshop led by Elizabeth, a master artisan from San Marcos Tlapazola, the home of Oaxaca’s renowned barro rojo tradition.

Under her guidance, you’ll learn about the history and techniques of this multi-generational craft while creating your own Day of the Dead-inspired pottery piece using traditional methods.

Why this experience is unique

🏡 Participate in a family altar preparation

🌼 Shop for traditional offerings at a local market

🏺 Create a Day of the Dead-inspired red clay piece

🥘 Enjoy traditional Oaxacan food

🥃 Curated mezcal tasting

🤝 Small-group cultural exchange

Itinerary

9:30 AMMeet in Oaxaca City. Pick-up at the designated meeting point.

9:45 AMVisit a local market to shop for marigolds, borla flowers, fruit, candles, and other offerings.

10:30 AMDrive to the host family’s home in Lachigoló.

11:00 AMParticipate in arranging the Day of the Dead altar and learn the meaning behind each element.

12:20 PMTraditional Oaxacan lunch and curated mezcal tasting.

1:45 PMRed clay pottery workshop with Elizabeth, master artisan from San Marcos Tlapazola.

3:40 PMFarewell gathering, final conversations, photos, and time to say goodbye to your hosts.

4:10 PMReturn to Oaxaca City with the rest of the afternoon free.

What’s included

🚐 Transportation from Oaxaca City

🧭 Bilingual certified guide

🌼 Market visit and altar materials

🥘 Traditional Oaxacan lunch

🥃 Curated mezcal tasting

🏺 Red clay pottery workshop with Elizabeth

Important information

Available dates: Thursday, October 29, 2026 and Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Sign-up deadline: October 1, 2026.

Group size: minimum 4 guests • maximum 10 guests.

This experience concludes in the afternoon, allowing you to return to Oaxaca City with time and energy to continue exploring, attend evening events, or enjoy the rest of your day.

Why advance booking is required

This experience is intentionally limited in size and requires advance coordination with the host family, the workshop space in Lachigoló, and master potter Elizabeth.

To ensure that altar materials, market purchases, and the pottery workshop are prepared specifically for each group, registrations close on October 1, 2026.

Because there are only two departures and each group is capped at 10 guests, spaces are expected to fill early. Booking before the deadline is strongly recommended.

Map of the experience

Start: Oaxaca City

Destination: Lachigoló

View location on Google Maps

Day of the Dead Altar & Red Clay Pottery Experience