Teotitlán del Valle: Zapotec weaving tour
Wool dyed with cochineal, indigo and wild plants, pedal looms and the families who keep a tradition of centuries alive.
- Private tour
- Local Oaxacan guide
- Cards & cash
The experience
Teotitlán del Valle is the Zapotec village of weavers. Its rugs, with the same fret designs carved in the stones of Mitla, are woven on pedal looms with wool dyed by hand. Every color has a source: cochineal for the reds and pinks, indigo for the blues, moss, pomegranate and marigold for the greens and yellows.
On this tour you visit local workshops, see how the wool is carded, spun and dyed, and meet the artisans and their stories, discovering the cultural and economic impact of Zapotec art on the community.
Route
What you will experience
- 01
Traditional weaving
Guided visit to local workshops to watch the artisans at the loom.
- 02
Natural dyes
How the colors are made with cochineal, indigo and local plants.
- 03
The artisan community
Meet the families of Teotitlán and the stories woven into every rug.
FAQ
Good to know
Can we buy rugs directly from the artisans?
Yes. You visit family workshops, and buying there supports the artisans directly.
Can Teotitlán be combined with Hierve el Agua?
Yes, it is on the same road. We are happy to adjust the route to your interests and your pace.
How much does this tour cost?
The price depends on the size of your group and the stops you choose. Send us your date and number of travelers on WhatsApp and we will reply with a quote.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. All our tours are private: only your group, with a local Oaxacan guide.
How do I book?
Write to us on WhatsApp with your date and number of travelers. We confirm the details with you there.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major debit and credit cards, and cash.
Keep exploring
More tours from Oaxaca
Hierve el Agua
Petrified waterfalls and mineral pools, with stops at the Tule tree, Teotitlán, Mitla and Matatlán.
See the tour
Monte Albán
The Zapotec city on the mountain, then the artisan villages of San Bartolo Coyotepec and Tilcajete.
See the tour
Oaxaca guides
More guides for your trip
- Hierve el Agua guideIt is not a waterfall and the water is not hot. Here is what you are actually going to see, and how to see it well.Read the guide
- Teotitlán del Valle guideWool dyed with insects, plants and minerals, woven on pedal looms by families who have done it for generations.Read the guide
- Day of the DeadNot a party and not a spectacle: a few days when families spend the night with the people they have lost, and the whole city rearranges itself around it.Read the guide
Plan your trip
Tell us your dates. We'll do the rest.
Answer three quick questions and we'll open WhatsApp with your message ready to send.