Some people mark anniversaries with cake. Cathrin marks them with plane tickets.
This March, our very own Cathrin, who is celebrating 25 incredible years as a travel expert at UnTours, laced up her walking shoes and headed somewhere a little unexpected: Oaxaca, Mexico. And honestly? We’re not surprised she came back glowing.
Cathrin has helped thousands of UnTourists find their perfect destination over the years, and she is living proof that the best travel advice comes from people who actually go. So when she returned from her March UnTour bursting with stories about mole from scratch, petrified waterfalls and a very charming cat named Luna, we asked her to write it all down to share with you!
Paradise Found in Oaxaca
We arrived in Oaxaca on a sunny Monday evening in late March. Following our apartment owner Teresa through winding garden paths, I had to resist the urge to stop and take photos of the lush tropical gardens and her cute feline assistant Luna. After a long, harsh winter in the Philly area, we found ourselves in paradise! We settled in quickly and almost didn’t want to leave our beautiful patio — but hunger won. That night was the first of many delicious, colorful and surprisingly affordable meals, even at top-rated restaurants.
A Dose of Happiness
What struck me right away were the colors. Oaxaca is an explosion of them — warm yellow, pink, and blue houses, vibrant bougainvillea, soft purple jacaranda trees, traditional embroidered dresses and woven textiles, cheerful pottery and murals everywhere. And papeles picados — colorful garlands stretching across streets, markets, and restaurants (a few now decorate my porch at home).
No Prep Needed and Kindness Awaits
If you’re not a planner, this is the perfect UnTour. We had immersive experiences lined up for most days, all included in the UnTours package. On our first morning, we walked into the city center with our small group of UnTourists and our fantastic guide, Ivan — kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. Everyone we met was warm and welcoming. People kindly tolerated my imperfect Spanish and were always quick with a smile.
Cooking, Culture & Connection
Over the next few days, we explored deeper — visiting Monte Albán, painting alebrijes, and even swimming at Hierve el Agua (petrified waterfall), followed by a mezcal tasting.
But the highlight was our cooking class. We drove into the countryside to pick up Rafaela and went with her to a local market, where she carefully selected fresh ingredients. At her colorful home, we made traditional Mexican hot chocolate from scratch — roasting and grinding cocoa by hand on a traditional metate — and later prepared mole, tortillas, and tamales. Rafaela was patient but honest when our efforts fell short, which made it all the more fun. In between, her husband Viktor showed us traditional weaving and natural dyes. Did you know that yellow comes from marigolds and the vibrant reds from cochineal beetles? The care, time, and love that went into the food and traditions were deeply moving. We left full, happy, and a little envious of that slower and healthier pace of life.
Entertainment Everywhere
Beyond museums, churches, and the Botanical Garden, the city itself felt like a stage. We stumbled upon concerts in the Zócalo, Zapotec dance performances, parades, and Palm Sunday processions — all free and put on for and by locals.
Markets & Street Food
Oaxaca’s markets are lively and full of flavor — one focused on food, another on crafts, plus there were several pop-ups for Easter. We discovered nieve (local ice cream) and kept going back for more — especially tuna (prickly pear), beso oaxaqueño (coconut, pineapple and carrot!) and maracuyá (passion fruit). We also tried local specialties like pozole, tlayudas, horchata and tejate — highly recommended.
A week was definitely not enough! Hasta luego, Oaxaca! Maybe for a Spanish course?
Ready to explore Oaxaca—or somewhere equally unexpected? Browse our current destinations or reach out to our team. We’re here to help you travel differently.