Our approach deeply respects this sacred holiday by focusing on community-based travel that takes you beyond the busy city parties. We prioritize profound experiences with Zapotec communities, allowing you to witness time-honored traditions in meaningful, respectful ways.

The weather in late October and early November is generally mild, with cool mornings and evenings. We recommend packing layers, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket just in case, and a hat or sunscreen for daytime activities.

A few months before departure, you’ll receive a more detailed packing list to make sure you have everything you need for the journey. 

It’s best to carry a mix of cash and cards. While much of Oaxaca now widely accepts any major credit card, many local markets and smaller vendors prefer cash (Mexican pesos), so having smaller bills and coins on hand is helpful for tips and certain small purchases. ATMs are available but can be busy, so plan accordingly.

Oaxaca can be quite busy during this time, especially in the city center. Our itinerary is designed to avoid some of the largest crowds by focusing on community visits and off-the-beaten-path experiences, ensuring a more intimate and respectful connection to the traditions.

Respect means observing local customs thoughtfully, asking permission before photographing ceremonies or altars, and approaching sacred spaces with reverence. It also means supporting local communities by purchasing handcrafted goods directly with artisans and participating in experiences led by proud cultural ambassadors.

Refund Policy: We'd hate to see you cancel but we know things can come up so we've created a policy that's fair to all 🙏🏽

• Cancellation up to 24 hours after booking a trip: Fully refundable.
• Cancellation 181 days or more before the trip start date: Loss of deposit; the rest of the trip payment is fully refundable. 100% of the trip deposit can be transferred over to a different trip.
• Cancellation 121 - 180 days before the trip start date: 50% refund, minus the deposit. Deposit can be transferred over to a different trip.
• Cancellation 120 days before the trip’s start date: No refunds are guaranteed. Credit for a future Heart of Travel trip will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If you can’t make it on a trip but you find someone else who can go in your place we are happy to transfer over your dues paid to this person’s account. However, in some instances, there may be a domestic flight or another type of reservation with a third-party supplier that can only be transferred to a new person with a transfer fee. In this case, you would be responsible for the transfer or cancellation fee.

*For a more flexible and generous cancellation policy be sure to add Heart of Travel Trip Protection, available at the time of registration only. 

Guaranteed Departures: We know how precious your travel days and dollars are. If you register for a trip and we don't hit the required minimum of participants - you have the option to transfer 100% of the funds paid over to another HOT trip of your choosing at any time. Or, you can opt to continue with the trip on the original dates, however, the itinerary is subject to small changes, and there will be an additional 15-20% surcharge based on the original trip price for a private tour, which can be customized further if desired.

Single Supplements: If you know you want your own space please upgrade to a single supplement at the time of booking. If you are traveling solo but open to a roommate we will do our best to match you with another travel. However, if HOT is unable to find a roommate for you, you will be responsible for paying the Single Supplement charge according to each trip