Aztec Roots And Chocolate

Overview

Xochimilco is the setting for this GuruWalk walking tour, a neighbourhood the operator describes as the oldest in Oaxaca City, founded during the Aztec occupation in the 15th century. The walk lasts 2 hours and starts at the Plaza de la Cruz de Piedra, where the guide, a local artist, meets participants wearing a handkerchief. From there the route moves through quiet streets that the operator says still feel like a village, away from the busier downtown core.

The walk combines engineering, flavour and tradition. Its main stops are the 18th-century Acueducto de Oaxaca, built by Dominican priests, whose stone arches now frame colonial homes and even a Hollywood film set, the Parroquia de Santo Tomás Xochilmilco with its neighbouring cemetery, and Corazón de Cacao, a chocolate workshop where participants try pre-hispanic and traditional chocolate recipes. Along the way the guide also points out murals by local artists and loom workshops that keep the region's textile traditions alive.

The tour suits travellers drawn to the quieter side of the city that the operator describes, and anyone with a sweet tooth. It runs in English and Spanish, there is no pickup, and the price model is free, pay what you want: guests pay the guide what they felt the walk was worth at the end. The rainy season runs from May to October, so the operator recommends carrying a raincoat or umbrella during those months.

Itinerary

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what to know before reserving a place on this walk, based on what the operator publishes on GuruWalk.

• Weather readiness. The operator states that the rainy season runs from May to October. A raincoat or umbrella is recommended during those months.
• Walking pace. This is a walking tour of 2 hours through a historic district the operator says still feels like a peaceful village. No fitness level or terrain difficulty is stated, so plan for a normal city walk.
• Chocolate tasting. A stop at Corazón de Cacao includes trying pre-hispanic and traditional chocolate recipes. The operator describes it as the favourite stop of many participants.

• Art along the way. The route passes murals by local artists, a scene the operator says rivals the street art of Jalatlaco. Loom workshops preserving textile traditions also feature on the walk.
• Languages offered. The walk runs in English and Spanish. Reserve on GuruWalk in either language.
• Getting there. There is no pickup. Meet the guide at La Plaza de la Cruz de Piedra in Xochimilco, where they will be wearing a handkerchief.

Common issues. The operator notes that the route has 4 stops but only the first 3 are published, so the final stop remains a surprise rather than a planning detail. Rain is a practical limit between May and October, and the operator recommends a raincoat or umbrella for comfort. There is no pickup, so participants must make their own way to the Plaza de la Cruz de Piedra in Xochimilco, which lies away from the downtown core. No group size, accessibility or cancellation details are given in the operator's own description.

Before You Set Out