Ein authentischer Tag in meinem Zapotekendorf – ein privates Erlebnis

This is a relaxing and really fun day! The slower pace and rhythms of the village life were such a pleasant way to get out of the busier Oaxaca Centro. Cesar is a delightful and attentive guide who has an absolutely lovely extended family. We particularly enjoyed roasting and making traditional chocolate—This is a somewhat long process and made for time for conversation with his sweet Abuela. We strolled around his village and visited the beautiful church and stopped along the way to meet many of Cesar’s friends and acquaintances. After helping make tortillas, we enjoyed an incredibly good lunch and then departed to a nearby ancestral mezcal distillery owned by a friend of Cesar. This was a stunning family owned mezcaleria and we spent a good while talking to the owner while he kept the stills going. Of course we tasted some excellent mezcal while we relaxed right in the distillery by the bubbling pots. Many of their mezcals are made from wild agave and are very rare treats. This was not a large commercial distillery but rather one dedicated to the passion of producing mezcal by hand and in the old ways. Overall this was an awesome experience and I would highly recommend this day trip to anyone who wants to experience a bit more of a rural village and it will be one of our best memories of our trip to Oaxaca!

I did this tour at the suggestion of a friend that lives in Oaxaca, and I am so glad that I did! This is the real deal authentic tour of a local village. If you are interested in a very personal and educational day then this tour is for you! Cesar takes care of everything from stay to finish, is very hospitable and extremely knowledgeable about so many aspects of daily life - it's really impressive! I learned so much about many topics - cacao making, mezcal production the ancestral way, and on and on. Even more memorable was how I truly felt at home with Cesar and his family - they welcomed me like an old friend. Highly recommend this tour!!

This was the most special experience we had during our whole stay in Oaxaca. Getting to spend the day with Cesar and his family was such a privilege, and they made us feel right at home. Breakfast was delicious and then we were able to observe and take some turns helping make chocolate. Cesar introduced us to his village and explained to us about daily life there. We were able to tour both a shoe factory and an apron making business and finished the day at an ancestral mescal distillery. Lunch was homemade and amazing as well. The pace of the tour was relaxed, and Cesar was able to tailor it to how long we wanted to spend at each stop. (You can also let him know if you'd like to skip any of the stops as well). We learned so much and truly felt like we were able to understand daily life in a Zapotecan village. Cesar is a wonderful guide and so easy to speak to. My husband and I highly recommend this experience.

What an amazing experience. I won't repeat what has already been said in previous reviews, but there is a reason why every single reviewer rates this tour as excellent and raves about the experience. My wife and I were in Mexico for three weeks and took a lot of tours, but this one is one we will remember the most. César and his family were such a joy to meet. I truly appreciate that he gave us the opportunity to see and experience what life is like in a small Mexican village and to be welcomed into to his family's home. This is the real, authentic Mexico, and my wife and I truly feel privileged that we were able to experience and be part of it for a short while.

Words cannot fully capture the magic of this tour—it was, without a doubt, the highlight of our entire trip to Oaxaca. From the moment we met César and his warm, welcoming family (including their adorable dogs, Choco and Arena), we felt like we were visiting longtime friends. The experience was incredibly personal and authentic—an intimate look into the daily life, culture, and traditions of a Zapotec family. The day began with a delicious breakfast of pan dulce, tamales, and traditional Oaxacan chocolate—simple, soulful, and the perfect start to what would become a truly unforgettable experience. After breakfast we made traditional chocolate, learning each step of the process from César and his mother, who graciously demonstrated this meaningful ancestral technique. We then enjoyed freshly made memelas from their beautiful outdoor kitchen—getting to help with the preparation made it all the more special. Our day happened to coincide with a local market, and it was such a joy to walk through it, buying fruit, bread, and beautiful handmade earrings. César also introduced us to his brother, a talented artist, and I was thrilled to take home one of his original pieces. We ended the tour at a family-run mezcal distillery, Dios Nunca Muere, where we met Saul, the passionate owner. He walked us through the entire mezcal-making process and shared tastings of his small-batch mezcals. It was informative, warm, and generous—the kind of experience you can’t get anywhere else. Out of everything we did in Oaxaca (and we did a lot!), this was by far the most meaningful and memorable. If you're looking to experience the true heart of Oaxaca—its people, flavors, stories, and spirit—this tour is an absolute must. Shtioz yhibu (thank you in Zaoptec), César and family, for opening your home and hearts to us. We’ll carry this day with us always.

Spending the day with the Zapotec family in their village was one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of our entire trip to Oaxaca. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with such warmth, generosity, and hospitality—it felt exactly like being invited into home and a heart. We learned about their traditions, language, and history in the most authentic and personal way. Hearing their stories, and sharing a home-cooked meal together gave us such deep respect for their culture and way of life. It was humbling and beautiful to witness the pride and care they bring to their work, their land, and their family. This wasn’t just a visit—it was a connection. We left with full hearts, a deeper understanding of Zapotec heritage, and a profound sense of gratitude. If you have the chance to spend time with this incredible family, don’t hesitate—it’s a day you’ll carry with you forever.

5-star review alert! We just spent an unforgettable day in San Dionisio Ocotepec (SOD) with Cesar from Yudiza Tours, and we're still buzzing from the experience! Cesar is a fantastic guide who's fluent in Spanish, English, and his native Zapotec - and his family's warmth and hospitality will make you feel like part of the familia. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like honored guests. We met Cesar's parents, girlfriend, uncle, and half the town as we explored the village. The highlight of our day was the delicious breakfast served in Cesar's family's rustic kitchen - think handmade tables, dirt floor, and wood fire comal - it was like stepping back in time! But that was just the beginning. We got to experience the real Oaxaca, from touring the local church and library to visiting Cesar's uncle's farm, where we saw corn and agave fields and even petted the cattle. We also marveled at his brother's stunning art gallery, saw the family business bicycle shop, and ended the day with a tour of a Mezcal distillery. Cesar's storytelling skills will have you laughing, and his passion for his culture is infectious. The moto taxi ride was a fun bonus, and the entire tour was incredibly authentic. If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories and a new appreciation for Zapotec culture, book this tour. Trust us, you won't regret it! After you've done the touristy stuff in Oaxaca, come to SOD and experience the real deal with Cesar and Yudiza Tours.

It was a special experience for us to spend the day with Caesar's warm family, eating, laughing and traditionally making chocolate from freshly roasted cocoa beans. Also the village tour was interesting because the communal structures are so different, people regulate many things themselves and are there for each other. You help each other in all situations! Caesar has a great general knowledge, whether it is world politics, religion, tradition or nutrition and health. We talked about God and the world with him, the exchange with him was a pleasure for us. In the anzestral mezcal distillery we (after the 3rd edition) Sample) understood that mezcal is not just alcohol. It was very informative, enriching and last but not least a bit intoxicating!;) Best regards, Michaela and Reiner

So after going on other great tours to all of the obligatory sights outside of Oaxaca (Monte Alban, Mitla, etc) we were looking for something a little different. I saw A Day in the Life of a Zapotec Village had gotten excellent reviews and so I made contact with Cesar. I’ll cut to the chase. This turned out to be among our most positive experiences in all of Oaxaca. This small village is the real deal. Cesar is very warm and his whole family, whose primary language is Zapotec, couldn’t have been more accommodating. We started with a delicious breakfast after which we were shown how authentic chocolate is made. This took about an hour and was really interesting. After that we walked around town which was also fun. Then it was back to the house for a delicious lunch. The day ended with a trip to an ancestral Mezcal distillery. We really enjoyed Cesar’s family along with his girlfriend, his brother and a neighbor who is a master chocolate maker. This was no dog and pony show but, rather, a real cultural exchange with an indigenous family. Highly recommended.

We had such an amazing day with Cesar and his family. I loved watching his great aunt make chocolate and his mom cook lunch. Not to mention his uncle’s Mezcal was the best I have ever had. We visited his brother’s art gallery and his friend’s Mezcal distillery as well to complete the wonderful and unique experience in Cesar’s hometown. A truly memorable experience and when I visit Oaxaca in the future, I will bring friends to experience it all over again. Thank you Cesar and your lovely family (and the two doggies) for such a wonderful day.