Oaxaca Alebrije Experience – Private Tour

Visit an artisan family and learn about the intricately painted wood carvings from beginning to end from a local family in Tilcajete, Oaxaca

Itinerary for visiting the Alebrije artisans of Tilcajete, Oaxaca

You will be picked up from your Oaxaca City hotel at 9:00 a.m. to get an early start at the Alebrije painter’s home in the town of San Martin Tilcajete, which is famous for its Alebrijes.

We will be going to visit two families in the artisanal town where their homes and shops are located. The artisans’ homes are approximately one hour south of Oaxaca city. We will learn their story and family history, along with how the famous wood carvings, with their intricate paintings, became traditional to this region.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed into the first artisan’s home. We will be spending the first half of the day learning about the process of how the wood carvings were traditionally dyed with natural inks, and then painted with the various design techniques, with hands-on practice and participation. You will also learn about how some of the natural dyes are made, and be able to help dye and paint an alebrije yourself!

From the carvings to the painting techniques, this is an evolving multi-generational practice that has been passed down for several generations already. You may be surprised at just how challenging the small details are to paint! We are sure you will find a newfound appreciation for this evolving tradition and the labour involved, and why some of the finished figures cost thousands of dollars!

After you’re done painting your very own Alebrije, and leaving it to dry, we will take a break to go for a traditional lunch in a local restaurant with a great local ambience.

We return to the family’s home to pick up your very own dried, finished alebrije.

From here, we will walk over to another family of artisans’ studio! This will give you a contrast of how varied and different alebrijes as an art form are evolving. This family has been studying world-renowned artists techniques, such as Monet and Van Gogh, starting to incorporate some of their painting techniques into the alebrijes they create. They’re breathtakingly gorgeous.

You’ll learn about the old ancestral practice from natural dyes, to how this art form is gearing up to sit on the world stage.  It is truly awe-inspiring seeing some of the finished products, and the time and care that has gone into this craft while having a very unique and interesting story of how they came into existence, and why an entire town decided to dedicate themselves to their creation!

We’ll start the journey home, where you’ll have an hour’s journey to chat more about your experience with your guide, and what you learned together with your host family, before departing ways.

This is most of a full-day experience where you will learn and appreciate the hard work of the alebrije producing families and communities of Oaxaca. It will be a window into a normal day in these people’s lives and allow you to connect on a deep level by participating in their activities and connecting to the mythology of the land they live off. The objective is that you can get a bond with the sacred practices of alebrije production – in the ways the artists making them have bonded with this practice for generations.

Please note: There is not a Dress Code! You will visit a traditional family in the villages, so dressing respectfully is appreciated. You don’t need to dress to impress – you will be getting your hands dirty. It is recommended to bring comfortable clothes, which are modest, and that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty in. A more detailed list of suggested clothing attire can be found below.

What to bring to the Oaxaca Sacred Alebrije Experience?

Though this could vary seasonally, this is the basic list of what we suggest you bring with you. Keep in mind, your transport is private and secure, so you are able to leave some items in the vehicle when not needed:
– Jeans or long pants (this is most customary in Mexico, though shorts/dress are fine if you are most comfortable in that).
– Sneakers/comfortable shoes.
– Long sleeves or bug spray (there could be mosquitos where we are going).
– Sunblock.
– Hat/cap.
– Covid Mask.
– Cash. The producers do not accept credit cards if you want to buy any alebrijes after your experience. There is no pressure to buy anything. Unlike other tour companies, the producers we work with will always get paid fairly for their time, regardless if you buy an alebrije or not.

What is included with the Oaxaca Sacred Alebrije Experience?

Your sacred experience includes:
– information provided before your experience to educate you and properly prepare you
– a specially trained and licensed English-speaking guide who will facilitate your experience
– transportation during the tour (a private vehicle to and from Teotitlan)
– translations with your artisan host family
– meal (includes a meal at the end of the day. Alcoholic beverages are not included with the meals)
– Mezcal (if offered by the family, please drink responsibly, you are at someone’s home)
– a special small gift to take home with you

What is not included during your Alebrije Experience?

– Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
– International flights
– Transportation (outside of the included itinerary)
– Accommodation in Oaxaca
– Alcoholic beverages (outside of the included mezcal tasting)
– Gratuities and tips
– Spending money if you wish to purchase additional alebrijes, souvenirs or items.

Need a place to stay in Oaxaca?

We’ve made finding accommodation a little easier. Below, you’ll find an interactive map to help you compare hotels and short-term stays in and around Oaxaca City. Just plug in your travel dates and the number of guests, and explore your options. You’ll be able to see listings from trusted platforms like Booking.com, Hotels.com, VRBO, and others, complete with reviews, prices, and availability. We’ve also placed a marker on the map showing the center of Oaxaca City — the closer your stay is to that point, the closer you’ll be to many of the cultural experiences and historic sites Oaxaca has to offer.

Please double-check the currency displayed, as it may vary depending on your device settings or the website you’re viewing.

Supporting Local Projects with our TRiP Foundation

For every TRiP that you go on with WSE Travel, we will donate 2% of the total sales price to an environmental or community-based project in the country you’re visiting. We want to ensure that every guest we help, in turn, helps support and preserve the destination we’re experiencing together as a direct result. We live by an ethos to Travel Responsibly & Impact Positively (TRiP).

For more information on the projects supported by this experience, please visit our Mexico TRIP projects.

Cancellation & Rebooking Policy

All tours, services, and experiences booked through WSE Travel are bound to our Terms and Conditions, which were modeled after most other travel services such as flights, hotels, and other tour operators.

At Where Sidewalks End, your reservation is more than a transaction — it’s a direct contract with local professionals who rely on this work as a primary source of income. As such, we are obligated to honor the livelihoods of our local partners — including guides, Ajarns (masters), and drivers — who dedicate their time exclusively to your experience.

In many of the destinations where we operate, labor protections and fair wage commitments are upheld by local laws — and we are both ethically and contractually required to adhere to them. Once a booking is confirmed, the service providers committed to your experience are financially compensated for reserving their time — even in the event of cancellation. This ensures fair and dignified treatment for all involved in delivering your experience.

If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule

All bookings are subject to the following terms:

More than 14 Days’ Notice

Your payment will be placed into a Lifetime Deposit (Safety Deposit Box). This can be:

• Used for a future date
• Transferred to a friend or family member

Refunds are not available unless WSE Travel cancels your booking due to reasons beyond your control.

7–14 Days’ Notice

A 50% rebooking fee will apply. This helps offset the compensation obligations to your dedicated team of local guides and service providers, who have reserved their day exclusively for your private tour and may not be able to secure alternate work with us or others on short notice.

Less than 7 Days’ Notice

The full cost of the tour is retained to pay the locals contracted in full. As this is a private experience, your local team’s time is fully dedicated to your session. A new team will be hired for any future rebooking.

These policies are a compassionate extension of our official Terms & Conditions, designed to support both our guests and the ethical standards of responsible tourism.

Travel Insurance or Liability Waiver Required

Because life can be unpredictable — and because we are required to uphold our commitments to local partners — all guests must either:

• Provide proof of comprehensive travel insurance, or
• Sign a Liability Waiver Form at the start of their trip

We highly recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — trusted by global travelers for its flexible, affordable coverage and very competitive rates.

Travel insurance can help protect you from financial losses related to:

• Illness
• Missed flights
• Emergency cancellations
• Non-refundable bookings

If you choose to travel without Travel Insurance, you will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver Form at the beginning of your trip. 

Thank You for Traveling Responsibly

We deeply appreciate your understanding and support of ethical tourism. Your booking directly sustains local communities and helps preserve cultural traditions in a meaningful and lasting way.

If you have any questions or need help rescheduling, please contact us — we’re always happy to assist.