Mexico in Colour

Step inside Mexico’s technicolour world and be rewarded with golden sands, vibrant cities, eclectic markets and culinary masters. And always: tequila

Recommended dates

What's included

All activities mentioned on the itinerary
8 breakfasts, 2 lunch, 2 dinners
Stay in hand-picked 3-4 star hotels
Minibus & boat transport
Arrival airport transfer
Experienced Pack Leader with you throughout the trip
Max 16 travellers per group

Flashpackers must provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their adventure. Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.

About your trip

A magical history. A culinary prowess. Tacos. Tequila. Lucha libre…enter Mexico’s rainbow world and everything you’ve ever known will look a little sepia in comparison.

Starting strong on day one, you’ll enjoy a tequila tasting at one of Mexico City’s most iconic bars, dating all the way back to 1912 – the perfect ice breaker amongst new friends. Next, a private gondola-style boat ride along the canals of Xochimilco (complete with Mariachi band) and a chance to get lost in the colourful madness of Coyoacán’s local market. And you can forget your traditional bar crawl when in the capital. It’s all about the ‘taco crawl’ here, and trust us when we say we’ll take you to the very best (and little-known) taquerias.

Beyond bustling Mexico City? You’ll witness the magic and majesty of the Aztec ruins of Teotihuacán. You’ll wander the rainbow-coloured streets of Puebla and you’ll embrace the bedlam of the masked superheroes at a lucha libre wrestling show. There’ll be moments of calm as you learn to paint folk art sculptures at an Oaxaca workshop, and moments of wonder at the brilliance of your private chef as you spend hours in a culinary masterclass. All wrapped up with a stint along the golden sands of Puerto Escondido for dolphin spotting and beach living.

This is Mexico in colour. Are you ready to see?

Welcome to Mexico City

Touch down in Mexico City, where a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to whisk you to your stylish hotel close to the Zócalo plaza
Get to know your Pack Leader and group over a welcome dinner in a traditional local restaurant
Sip tequila in Café de Tacuba, one of the city’s oldest bars, whose past patrons have included presidents and rockstars

Tequila and tacos

Explore Mexico City on a walking tour, starting in the historic centre and stopping off for tacos (what else?) at the best local taquerias
Head across town to the canals of Xochimilco where you’ll board a lively trajinera (a gondola-style boat) complete with a Mariachi-style band
Visit the traditional old neighborhood of Coyoacán to explore its market with its rich hub of colour and exotic products

Teotihuacán temples & a wrestling show

The Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacán calls, where you’ll explore its vast ancient pyramids, Temple of Quetzalcoatl and Avenue of the Dead
Take an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride (additional cost) over Teotihuacán for a spectacular aerial view
Witness the drama of a lucha libre wrestling show in Puebla; these flamboyant masked superheroes are pop cultural legends in Mexico

Historic Oaxaca & famous food markets

Journey across a high desert plateau to the World Heritage city of Oaxaca, with its preserved colonial centre and Monte Albán archaeological zone
Explore the historic centre on a local-led walking tour, showcasing the city’s most famous sights, as well as the lesser-known
Visit the traditional market of 20 de Noviembre, where you can taste memelas cakes, traditional soups and even grasshoppers

The Oaxaca Valley & mezcal tasting

Start your day with a food-hopping tour of Tlacolula, a traditional Sunday market; sampling tacos, barbacoa (pulled meat) and crackly chicharrón (deep-fried pork skin)
Visit a local mezcal distillery to learn about the traditional agave process, before getting to sample delicious varieties
End the day with cocktails at a rooftop bar in downtown Oaxaca

Culinary masterclass & a craft workshop

Work with a renowned Oaxacan chef to prepare a gourmet five-course meal, sourcing ingredients from the local market and creating your own menu
Visit a traditional alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk art) workshop and create your own masterpiece to take home

Onto the Pacific Coast

Travel to the 2000-meter-high town of San José del Pacífico, known for its magic mushrooms, used by both curanderos (traditional healers) and tourists
Continue to the lively coastal town of Puerto Escondido with its stunning beaches and surf breaks, oceanfront bars and restaurants
Spend a free afternoon exploring the town or grab a snorkel and explore the thriving offshore reef

Dolphin spotting & beach relaxation

Embark on a private three-hour dolphin-watching tour aboard a panga (local fishing boat); keeping a lookout for turtles, manta rays and flying fish too
Spend a relaxing afternoon on the beach or exploring the local town, sharing a cocktail with your fellow Flashpackers before your final farewell feast

Until next time, Mexico

After breakfast, bid farewell to your new Flash Pack friends and make your own way to the airport for your onward journey
Mexico’s energy and colour will stay with you for a long time. A destination of addictive vibrancy, you’ll be left with endless tales of adventure and friendship. An adventure that has the power to brighten your days long after you return home

Where you'll be staying

We often feature these unique hotels on this trip, with final options confirmed a month before departure. We work with these or similar hotels to ensure a stylish and comfortable stay every time.

Histórico Central Hotel, Mexico City

This 19th-century beautifully restored building captures the soul of Mexico City, and is perfectly located at the heart of the city’s historic centre. The rooftop terrace comes with sweeping views of the city, and most evenings you’ll find live jazz or bossa nova music here.

Villa Sol, Oaxaca

Looking for that instagrammable bolthole? Here it is. This chic hotel offers up bright, bold colours typical for vibrant Oaxaca; an inviting pool and an enviable location close to the beach. Dream up tropical escape and you’ll dream up Villa Sol. Ready?

Hotel Boutique Casareyna, Puebla

Casareyna is a boutique hotel in Puebla that expertly blends colonial elegance with modern luxury. Renowned for its authentic Puebla cuisine, art-filled spaces and attentive service, this is a spot that promises a tranquil retreat close to the city’s historic beating heart.

Adventure FAQs

Which airport do I need to fly into? Plus airport code

Fly into Mexico City International Airport (MEX), and out of either Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM) or Bahias De Huatulco International Airport (HUX).

What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

Please try to arrive before 3 pm. Your welcome meeting and dinner will be from 5:30 pm onwards starting at the hotel, which is located approximately 30 minutes away from the airport.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

Check out is at 12 pm. There are no activities planned for the last day, so leave any time you wish. The airport is approximately 15 minutes away from the hotel. Your Pack Leader can help you book your transfers the night before if needed.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you’ve booked yourself a pre-night at the same hotel the adventure starts from, your airport arrival transfer will be included. Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and in groups depending on flight times, so you may have to wait in the airport for a short while.

However, if you’ve booked alternative pre-trip accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

Please also note: in order to secure your place on the private transfer, you’ll need to provide your flight details to our Customer Experience team no later than 30 days prior to your adventure’s departure date. You’ll get automated email reminders about this, but the team won’t be chasing you. That’s why it’s key to get this information over in good time. If the details are provided later than 30 days pre-departure, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

Departure transfers are typically not included due to travellers leaving at varying times. That said, your Pack Leader will happily help arrange departure transfers for you if required.

Do I need a visa?

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

What vaccinations and medication will I need?

While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalised medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Consult with a healthcare professional

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.

2. Up-to-date medical advice

UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialised health information.
Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.

3. Government travel advice

UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.

4. Medication tips

If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.

We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.

Are tips included?

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:

Pack Leader: 7.50-10 USD per day
Drivers: 3 USD per day
Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

What fitness levels do I need for this adventure?

There will be quite a lot of walking on city tours, but overall this adventure does not require a high level of physical fitness. We recommend having a read through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.

How much should I budget per day for extras?

Activities and some meals are included in the adventure cost, so you won’t need to spend much money other than for souvenirs and the meals that aren’t included. In hotels and establishments that cater primarily to tourists, expect to pay about 25% less for food and drinks than you would at a similar place back home. However, your Pack Leader will help you find the best local places that offer great value.

Will the itinerary change?

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control. From time to time we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh.

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