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Welcome to Casa Sagrada

Insider Village Tours

In the company of our experienced cultural guides discover the Teotitlan little known to outsiders. Stroll down the hill to Teotitlan's intimate morning food market packed with local specialties and unique social customs. A tour of the colonial church uncovers intricate carved stone vestiges from the village's Pre-Columbian temple, antique statues and beautifully decorated beeswax candles. While relaxing on the great stone steps leading to the town square, listen to your guide unravel native Oaxaca's fascinating customs of self-government.

Lectures and Demonstrations

Coming to Casa Sagrada is about learning, and the people and culture of Teotitlan have much to offer. Arnulfo will mesmerize you as he demonstrates the art of weaving and the magic of dyeing yarns.

With Mary Jane, meet the creators of fascinating ceremonial crafts. A guided visit to the traditional candle makers will be a highlight of your stay as you watch delicate beeswax flowers blossom before your eyes and come to understand their unique ceremonial purpose.

Mary Jane's recent book, entitled:
"Oaxaca Celebration: Family, Food and Fiesta in Teotitlan" was published by the Museum of New Mexico Press in 2005. She is a dynamic speaker and through her presentations makes accessible to the visitor the complex local traditions.

Lecture themes include:

• Creating Community
• Feasts and Festivals of Teotitlan
• Demystifying the Magic in Oaxaca art
• Weaving a Cultural Testimony: The Weaving Tradition in Teotitlan
• The Dead Come to Life in Mexican Folk Art

Sierra Norte Mountains

Imagine gigantic agaves and towering pine trees growing side by side - this is the Sierra Norte. In our comfortable vehicle, we climb the northern road in 35 minutes and arrive in the native mountain community of Benito Juarez located at 10,000 feet. Stop along the way and hike into the old oak forests to discover a cornucopia of medicinal plants or exotic wild orchids and seasonal mushrooms. Bring along binoculars for excellent bird watching.

The climate is completely different from the valley floor and our mountain friends prepare savory dishes featuring fresh-from-the-stream trout, wild watercress and heirloom potatoes.

Nearby Cuajimaloyas, yet higher and cooler, is a quaint village of flower gardens. Our friend Don Guadalupe invites us into his traditional two-story adobe home, old-fashioned kitchen and medicinal herb garden. This is a must for travelers interested in Oaxaca's rural culture and unique ecosystem.

Local Markets & Crafts

The people of Teotitlan are friendly and welcome visitors; strolling the streets and countryside is the best way to understand village life. Each morning, the Teotitlan native market explodes with an exuberant array of fresh flowers and abundant produce, exotic spices and live turkeys. All our culinary classes include the unique learning experience of a guided market tour. You will never feel the same about a supermarket again!

The local artisan market is located just down the steps beyond the churchyard. Although the vendors feature Teotitlan's hand-woven wool rugs, this is a great place to pick up hand-loomed cotton tablecloths and bedspreads or fashionably ethnic bags from as far a field as Guatemala. The cobbled streets of Teotitlan are dotted with open-door rug workshops. Take your time; there are thousands of rugs to choose from.

Or venture out on Sundays to the Tlacolula market, just 15 minutes from Casa Sagrada. This famous indigenous market is saturated with colorful people in ethnic costumes, exotic fruits and vegetables, traditional arts and crafts, and a mysterious baroque church. With endless photo ops and shopping galore this is an unforgettable market excursion.

Archeological Sites & More

The archeological route is just up the valley from Casa Sagrada. Visit the pre-Hispanic ruins in Mitla and the stunning vistas from the ancient fortress of Yagul. You can combine your archeological exploration with a trip to see artisan mezcal-making with our old friends in Matatlan or see ancient ceramic techniques in San Marcos Tlapazola.

If colonial churches are your interest, visit nearby Tlacochahuaya, Tlacolula, Teotitlan and Mitla and marvel at the baroque architecture, dazzling gilded carvings and restored historic organs.

Spanish Immersion Classes

Learn-by-doing in a traditional Mexican village. In our Spanish immersion program, we combine classroom basics with participation in our activities at Casa Sagrada. Take a cooking class in Spanish. Visit craft and food markets and speak with the local vendors. Learn about ceremonial candle making from a village elder.

Take an instructional horseback riding lesson in Spanish or even learn to salsa dance. We can custom design your Spanish program to fit the levels and needs of each group or individual. A perfect way to spend your family vacation!

Mexican Music & Dance

Whether you have a group retreat, a festive occasion or a catered event at Casa Sagrada, let us arrange traditional Mexican music to liven up the party. We offer instrumental trios, classical guitarists, marimba or mariachi bands, drumming and fire circles or even the full marching brass band. You choose the style and we'll bring the music!

Want to learn to dance? Our salsa dance instructors will teach you to move your hips and spin on the dance floor.