Geeks Outbound Presents: Day of the Dead & Huatulco

Today we will arrive from all around the world into Oaxaca! Once you have settled into the hotel you are free take your time to wander around the Jalatlaco neighbourhood. Here you will find a community getting ready for a festival. Take in local street art and murals – who knows – you might even see an artist at work… The markets will already be full of freshly cut flowers and the bakeries full of Pan de Muerto…

The energy will already be apparent - so be sure to wander at length - but make sure you make your way back to the hotel as we will gather for our Welcome Dinner. Here you will meet the rest of the adventurers and dine while we discuss the coming days in detail.

Overnight Location: City Centro by Marriott Oaxaca

Today we will make the journey to the sacred city of the dead – Mitla. This Zapotec archaeological site is extraordinarily well preserved due to its location in the dry Oaxacan valley. Most importantly we will stop at the mosaics on the outer and inner walls depicting much Zapotec history and spirituality. The city’s name literally means “Place of the Dead”, “Underworld” or “Place of Rest” and here we will learn about the rituals, and the spiritual significance, of those ancient people and how they are carried forward into the modern day.

The discussion at Mitla however, will have practical applications as we will make our way to a local home in order to help with the creation of an Altar of the Dead. Our host will have already prepared the things needed like flowers, fruit, altar ornaments, candles and more. While we help to build our host's family's altar, delicious smells will emanate from the home's kitchen as his daughter cooks a traditional meal for us....

We will also visit a traditional bakery where we will learn about the cooking process and why the bread is painted…. You’ll even be able to paint some Pan de Muertos bread yourself.

Via these two experiences we will better understand how the living connect with the dead over the following days…

But our first excursion would not be the same without stopping to experience traditional Oaxacan chocolate…

Overnight Location: City Centro by Marriott Oaxaca

Today we will discover the first official day of celebrations called Día de los Inocentes, or Day of the Innocents which is dedicated to remembering children that have passed way. It’s believed that spirits of the angelitos (little angels) return at midnight on this day.

We let you sleep in today and in the afternoon we will head off to the Monte Alban Archaeological Site. This UNESCO World Heritage site functioned as the Zapotec capital between 500 BCE and 800 CE.  The architectural remains include terraces, pyramids and canals – all built surrounding the Great Plaza.  Here we will learn more about the history of the Zapotec while surrounded by the splendor of the remains of that civilization.

From here we will explore the famous Xoxocotlán Cemetery and should arrive near dusk.  This will allow us to see Xoxo in all its glory – candles lit and flowers glowing and flower mats. Afterwards, we will dine with the locals via street tacos and the like.  We will take our time here visiting the Tapetes or Sand Rugs along the Calle Coquiza which leads form the cemetery to the church. We will also keep an ear out too and join in any local parades that music might call us to.

Expect to come home late ;)

A quick note here on our visits to the local Pantheon - or cemeteries - everyone is expected to be on their best behavior as we navigate with our local guide amongst those remembering their dead. That said, even before our arrival our guide will be scouting the most important locations. So, throughout the tour we may also visit Atzompa Cemetery, Xochimilco Cemetery, San Felipe Cemetery or the Oaxaca General Pantheon.

Overnight Location: City Centro by Marriott Oaxaca

This day - Día de los Muertos - welcomes the spirits of all adults that have passed away and is know for a full day of action and the most festive of the commemoration.

Today we will head off for an early lunch as it might be a good idea to get something in our stomachs at a local Oaxacan buffet for a traditional mole or two… These sauces are sure to delight!  This should fortify us for our next adventure  – Mescal!! - as we visit a traditional mescal distillery. We will be tempted with a detailed tasting, and we will most likely bring a bottle or two home with us.

From here we will visit three different family altars at local homes. Again, GNT sets its sights in trying to immerse you in local experiences...We will then return to our hotel for a quick rest break - allowing you to snack and regain your strength before heading out once again into the evening.

This evening we will take part in a Day of the Dead parade as Oaxaca jumps into overdrive this evening. The local Comparsa (parade) will be a sight to see as the street come alive with celebration. We might even get our faces painted! A new tradition to be sure - but a classic.... It will be loud and full of the smell of food and flowers. All in the hopes to call the dead home to see them once more.  We will also visit the "General" and Xochimilco Pantheons (cemeteries) this night.

If we have time, and the energy we might also head out to another local celebration – the Etla Muerteada… The flashing of mirrors and the music in the streets will be sure to have you dancing as the bands move throughout the community.

Overnight Location: City Centro by Marriott Oaxaca

Today will see us spend the full day in Oaxaca – visiting multiple neighborhoods and perhaps a cemetery or two that we have previously overlooked. The day will be full with activities and while more may spring up our plans currently include any further parades, comparsa or other celebrations that we might be lured to via music, the smell of cooking or the voices held in celebration.

We can again, have some local youth join us to paint our faces, explore a local museum, head off to the Jalatlaco and Xochimilco neighborhoods, grab some street food, and participate in any other events that spring up.

Of course, there will be an abundance of altars to see, as well as streets decorated with sand paintings and murals… We might see the Catholic Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Soledad, the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, another market or two… The day will be alive with choice!

Overnight Location: City Centro by Marriott Oaxaca

This day we will visit one of the oldest markets in Oaxaca - Tlacolula market.  We will wander the stalls and stroll past the various vendors – experiencing a market post Day of the Dead… We are sure that the food will tempt you but keep in mind that we will be headed to a local and traditional restaurant were the menu changes weekly and the mole is hand made. As a matter of fact, you will taste 8 different moles, paired with a shot of mescal, fruit water or chocolate…

On our return trip to Oaxaca, we will stop at the world-famous Tule Tree. This Montezuma Cypress is considered the stoutest tree in the world and was once considered a group of trees until DNA testing concluded otherwise. Its age, however, is up to debate but it is thought to be about 1600 years old. The Zapotec people believe that it was planted by an Aztec priest of the wind god – Ehecatl.

Before we return to Oaxaca however, we will have to make sure there is room in our stomachs for Barbecue and Beer!  As we will dine once more to celebrate the end of our Oaxacan adventure with a smokey group dinner.

Overnight Location: City Centro by Marriott Oaxaca

Today we will take a coach through the beautiful Sierra Madre de Oaxaca - allowing us views of misty mountains and forests half obscured by the fog and clouds below. We will take the new highway which winds in and out of stunning views of the valleys below.

Regardless, our journey will be worth it as it will bring us to Huatluco and our first class all inclusive resort - The DREAMS Huatulco! You will have your run of the Casa here... Virtually everything is covered for you. Eat and drink to your delight and enjoy one of the premier All Inclusives in the area...

Note that GNT has secured Preferred Club Ocean Front rooms at the Dreams.  And when we say all inclusive, we mean all inclusive:

In the picturesque Tangolunda Bay, along the coast of Oaxaca, is Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa. Perfectly situated in Huatulco, this is the first destination in the world to earn the Earth Check Gold Certification reaffirming their commitment to sustainable tourism. Guests will enjoy Unlimited-Luxury® with gourmet dining options, limitless top-shelf beverages, plush bathrobes and slippers, a furnished balcony or terrace and 24- hour room service — all wristband free. Then there’s Preferred Club— that, among other indulgences — affords terrace soaking tubs, a private Preferred Club Lounge and concierge service. Guests can savor gourmet cuisine at five à la carte restaurants, a buffet and a café, while they enjoy unlimited top-shelf spirits at five bars & lounges. There is an array of leisurely activities and nightly entertainment that will suit guests of all ages. It’s all this and more.

Choosing Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa includes all the pleasures of Unlimited-Luxury® where guests will enjoy the following: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks each day, unlimited international & domestic top-shelf spirits, 24-hour room service, pool and beach wait service, daily refreshed mini-bar with soft drinks, juice, bottled water & beer, endless daytime activities and live nightly entertainment, theme parties, oceanfront bars and entertainment venues, no reservations at specialty restaurants and no wristbands required.

The Dreams also has seven restaurants to chose from so you can enjoy a range of dress codes from casual to formal. Further, we'll be able to meet in the evenings at one of their four bars or meet up for a movie in their theater...

Overnight Location: All Inclusive Dreams Huatulco

Today we will take our first day to explore and enjoy the DREAMS Huatulco and all it offers. It will be an amazing day to recover from our journey from Oaxaca. Before the heat starts to grow we will escape our all-inclusive paradise to explore the countryside of Huatulco to visit a coffee plantation and for a cup of freshly roasted coffee...On the way we will visit the little town of Santa Maria to talk about the history of the town and how coffee is linked to the bays of Huatulco... We will then head inland to visit a local family plantation and learn how the coffee goes from the plant to the cup. While a traditional Mexican lunch is prepared for us we can take a quick walk to a local town and visit their church and their streets.

We will then depart to a traditional mescal distillery where the alcohol is made the same way it has been made for generations. We of course will sample both the coffee and the mescal...

Tonight, you can dine in town or at the resort. Later though, we will pick a spot to grab a drink or two in order to visit and catch up on what everyone has been up to.

Overnight Location: All Inclusive Dreams Huatulco

Yet another day to enjoy our beautiful resort.  Take in the sun, enjoy a massage, or go for a swim… DREAMS Huatulco offers all one could ask for in a ocean resort. We can dine again at the resort or in La Crucecita or Santa Cruz, but tonight we will gather for a formal Cocktail Party right at the Dreams. Join us to mingle and visit as we get ready to dance and do a bit of club hopping in the hotel and - after making the quick trip into town - to the La Papaya and other clubs …

Overnight Location: All Inclusive Dreams Huatulco

Today we will gather together and head off to a local marina. There we will board our "yacht" for our day at sea. We will explore the 7 bays of Huatulco, swim, snorkel, look for sea life of all types – perhaps we'll take in a lucky sighting of a turtle or whale – and enjoy lunch at the beautiful bay of San Agustin.  The "Bertram" will be stocked with water, sodas and of course - beers. We can also bring some snacks to have before lunch....

It will be a full day affair and by the time you are returned to the hotel in the late afternoon a little siesta may well be in order. Dine as you will and then join us for yet another evening of mingling and perhaps a bit of dancing in the hotel's club...

Overnight Location: All Inclusive Dreams Huatulco

Today is your last day in paradise, so spend it as you will… The beach will call to some, others will want to explore the nearby ruins or to shop in town…

We will gather one last time for drinks and a farewell toast or two to bring our adventure to a close.

Overnight Location: All Inclusive Dreams Huatulco

We will head off to the Hualtulco airport by taxi and return home. The memories and laughter will still – we are sure – be still remembered for a lifetime.