8 Days of Salsa, Yoga and Cultural Immersion at a Glance

Come join us in Oaxaca and learn to dance from some of the best Salsa dancers in the country.

Below follows a sample itinerary of how a week could be organized and things to do and see in Oaxaca.

Arrival: Saturday

• You are responsible for your own flight reservations and tickets, but in order to help you get the best possible airfare and itinerary we have partnered up with Elizabeth Holmes Travel. Please feel free to give Elizabeth and her experienced team a call at 800-588-8361 to check Oaxaca airfares and flight availabilities. As soon as you arrive in Oaxaca we will pick you up from the airport and bring you to the guest house.
• During your vacation you will stay at a quiet and beautiful guest house in the historical center of Oaxaca. Photos can be viewed here: Accommodations. A stay in this colonial retreat will transport you back to the long-lost times of grand haciendas. Time is slow and you will relax as soon as you arrive: the amazing gardens situated on one acre in the historical center of Oaxaca offer a perfect place for sunbathing, reading, an afternoon nap, or a walk on which you will discover banana trees, pomelos and coffee among tropical flowers. This is a private home which has welcomed visiting artist and other guests for over 25 years. The house has an extensive library where you can find many books about local as well as general Mexican archeology, art, and culture. A considerable art collection can be explored on the premises.
• Filtered hot water for tea and a variety of herbal teas are always available, so are bananas. There is also a fridge for guests where you can store drinks and snacks. A generous and healty gourmet breakfast is included.
• Please note that living the more sustainable and eco-friendly hacienda life-style includes chilly nights in December and hot days in March, and there is no heat or AC (although there are fans). In addition there is not a single TV on the property, no hairdryers in the rooms (you can of course bring you own), no microwave in the kitchen, and no dryer in the laundry room. The only sign of modern day life is free wireless.

Sunday

• You will start the day with breakfast in the sunlit dining room where guests gather around a large communal table. The delicious breakfast consists of fresh tropical fruit, juice, coffee, tea, toast,and granola. Eggs will be served to order, and many local dishes are available.
• After breakfast you are free to explore Oaxaca on foot. We recommend to take it easy on day one in order to get used to the high altitude (~1800m or 5070ft), get over your jetlag, or both. A leasurly walk to the Zocalo, where you can people watch and have a coffee in any of the outdoor cafes, is a great way to start the week. If you are up for it, a visit to the Santo Domingo Monastery and Museum is highly recommended.
• Another great way to start the week and help the body to feel better after a long flight is a restorative yoga session with our in-house instructor Alosja. A couple of classes with her will improve your posture which will influence your dancing.

Monday

• On Monday you will have your first dance lesson. Our local Salsa Retreat representative will pick you up and accompany you to the dance school.
• The rest of the day is free to relax or explore. A visit to the local non-profit organization Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots is optional. If you want to brush up on your Spanish, we can schedule Spanish lessons at the guest house for you.
• In the evenings, guests usually gather in one of the seating areas for drinks. This is a great time to meet new people, hear about what they've done and seen in Oaxaca, and get a group together for a private tour with our guide. There is an optional supper served in the dining room when enough guests are present.

Tuesday/Wednesday

• After your daily Salsa lessons, there is free time to explore the city and walk around the Zocalo, explore the pedestrian street Alcala, visit the 5-star hotel Camino Real on Cinco de Mayo that is situated in a beautiful ex-convent. Then take a break and have a drink at one of the street-side cafes.
• Or enjoy a massage at the guest house with our resident massage therapist Angie.
• Depending on your interests, there are many museums and art galleries in Oaxaca that are worth a visit and we will provide all the details. If you are interested in folk art, Oaxaca has one of the best markets in the country, and a couple of stores as well. If you are more adventurous, a visit to one of the handicraft villages where folk art is made is highly recommended.

Thursday

• Besides the daily Salsa lesson, we recommend a visit to Monte Alban, the mysterious Zapotec capital with its beautiful pyramids.
• Salsa dancing at night is optional.

Friday

• This is the last full day and the day of your last dance lesson. This is the last chance to try something new, like a massage with a traditional Temazcal treatment or a cooking class. A short introduction into the foods and flavors of Oaxaca can be viewed on Diary of a Foodie
.
• Just let us know what you are interested in, and we will make the arrangements. There is still time to visit another of the major archeological sites in the area or to join a tour at the botanical garden where you will learn about endemic species and their influence on the culture and cuisine of the region.
• At night there will be live music and dancing at our favorite restaurant.

Saturday

• You will depart after a week filled with fun, new friends, Salsa dancing, and cultural experiences - the retreat is over.
• We'll arrange for your trip to the airport to catch your flight home.
• Should you decide to stay longer in Oaxaca, or extend your trip with a quick 30 minute flight to the beach, Puerto Escondido or Bahias de Huatulco, we will be happy to assist you in making the arrangements.

This is only a sample itinerary that should give you an idea of how your vacation can be organized. There is a lot of free time left in each day for you to follow your bliss and create the vacation that's right for you.