Frequently
Asked Questions
Planning your Oaxaca experience?
Here you’ll find answers about our Free Walking Tour, Food Tour, Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour, Private City Tour, booking, payments, meeting points and what to expect.
Still have a question? Send us a message on WhatsApp.
General questions
What is Free Walk Oaxaca?
Free Walk Oaxaca is a local tour brand offering walking and cultural experiences in Oaxaca.
Our experiences include the Free Walking Tour, Oaxaca Local Food Tour, Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour and Private City Tour.
We’ve been walking Oaxaca with travelers since 2014.
Are your guides local?
Our experiences are led by local guides who share historical, cultural and practical context about Oaxaca.
The goal is not only to show you landmarks, but to help you better understand the city, its traditions, food and everyday life.
What languages are your tours offered in?
Language depends on the experience.
Free Walking Tour: English and Spanish according to the published schedule.
Private City Tour: English.
Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour: English, with Spanish translation available when needed.
For the Oaxaca Local Food Tour, please confirm the available language when booking.
The current operational source does not specify a language for the Food Tour, so I would not publish one until it is confirmed internally.
Do tours operate if it rains?
Yes.
Our tours operate rain or shine.
We recommend checking the weather before your experience and bringing appropriate clothing, comfortable walking shoes and sun or rain protection.
How early should I arrive?
Please arrive approximately 5–10 minutes before your scheduled starting time.
This is especially important for experiences that depend on coordinated visits or transportation schedules.
FREE WALKING TOUR
How does the Free Walking Tour work?
The Free Walking Tour operates on a tip-based model.
There is no fixed ticket price for the tour.
You join the experience, explore Oaxaca with a local guide and, at the end, decide how much you would like to tip based on your experience and budget.
Is the Free Walking Tour really free?
There is no mandatory fixed tour price.
The experience works on tips, which means guests decide what they would like to give their guide at the end of the tour.
How long is the Free Walking Tour?
Approximately 2.5 hours.
Where does the Free Walking Tour start?
At Teatro Macedonio Alcalá, in Oaxaca’s Historic Center.
Look for our guide with the yellow umbrella.
How will I recognize the guide?
Look for the yellow umbrella.
It is the easiest way to identify the Free Walk Oaxaca meeting point and guide.
What are the Free Walking Tour times?
English
Monday–Saturday
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
1:00 PM
4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM
1:00 PM
4:00 PM
Spanish
Monday–Friday
10:00 AM
4:00 PM
Do I need to book the Free Walking Tour in advance?
Booking is recommended so we know you are coming and can better manage group sizes.
Walk-ins may also be able to join when space is available.
What will we see on the Free Walking Tour?
The experience focuses on Oaxaca’s Historic Center and connects history with culture, traditions, food, everyday life, local stories and recommendations.
The exact route and content can vary depending on the guide and conditions on the day.
Is the Free Walking Tour a historical tour?
History is part of the experience, but the tour is not designed as an academic lecture focused only on dates and monuments.
The aim is to help travelers understand Oaxaca through its history, culture, traditions and local life.
OAXACA LOCAL FOOD TOUR
What is included in the Oaxaca Local Food Tour?
The experience includes:
- A guided food tour through Oaxaca’s Historic Center
- Traditional markets
- Family-owned eateries
- More than 15 food and drink tastings
- Approximately 7 selected locations
- Culinary, historical and cultural context
- Local recommendations for restaurants, cafés, mezcalerías and other experiences
When does the Food Tour operate?
Monday–Saturday at 1:00 PM.
How many people can join the Food Tour?
The current experience operates with:
Minimum: 2 participants
Maximum: 10 participants
Private food experiences can also be arranged with customized pricing depending on group size.
How many tastings are included?
More than 15 food and drink tastings across approximately 7 carefully selected locations.
Do I need to come hungry?
Yes.
There are more than 15 tastings included, so we recommend arriving ready to eat.
Can you accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions?
Please tell us before the tour about any allergies, dietary restrictions or special dietary requirements.
We do our best to accommodate guests, but traditional Oaxacan dishes may contain ingredients such as:
corn, cheese, chili, nuts or meat.
Because the official information does not guarantee accommodation for every dietary requirement, we recommend contacting us before booking if you have a serious allergy or specific dietary need.
Is additional food included?
Only the tastings included in the scheduled experience are covered.
Additional food, drinks and personal purchases are not included.
Is alcohol included in the Food Tour?
Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specifically stated in the tour description.
MEZCAL & ALEBRIJES TOUR
What is the Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour?
It is an approximately five-hour cultural experience combining traditional mezcal production with artisan workshops in San Antonio Arrazola.
You’ll visit a family-owned mezcal palenque, learn about the production process, enjoy a guided tasting and meet alebrije artisans.
When does the Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour operate?
Monday–Saturday
1:00 PM–6:00 PM
Duration is approximately 5 hours.
How much does the Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour cost?
MXN $1,100 per person
or
USD $60 per person
Where does the Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour start?
At the:
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
in Oaxaca City.
Please arrive approximately 5–10 minutes before departure.
Is transportation included?
Yes.
Round-trip transportation using local public transportation is included.
What happens at the mezcal palenque?
You’ll visit a traditional family-owned mezcal palenque and learn about the traditional production process, including:
- Agave harvesting
- Underground roasting
- Stone tahona milling
- Natural fermentation
- Traditional distillation
A guided mezcal tasting is also included.
What happens during the alebrije part of the tour?
You’ll visit artisan workshops in San Antonio Arrazola and learn about the history, symbolism, carving and painting techniques behind Oaxaca’s wooden alebrijes.
You’ll also have the opportunity to meet local artisans.
Are mezcal bottles included?
No.
Mezcal bottles and additional tastings are not included.
Are alebrijes included?
No.
Alebrijes, handicrafts and souvenirs are optional personal purchases.
We recommend bringing cash if you think you may want to buy directly from local artisans.
Do I have to drink mezcal?
The tour includes a mezcal tasting, but participants must be of legal drinking age to participate in the tasting.
Responsible alcohol consumption is encouraged.
The current source does not specify whether a non-drinking participant receives an alternative, so I would not promise one on the website until that policy is defined.
Is there a minimum group size?
Yes.
The current operational information states that the experience operates with a minimum number of participants, but it does not specify the exact number.
Private tours are also available with customized pricing depending on group size.
PRIVATE CITY TOUR
What is the Private City Tour?
A personalized walking experience through Oaxaca’s Historic Center with a local guide dedicated exclusively to your group.
The itinerary can be shaped around your interests and the tour moves at a more flexible pace than a standard group experience.
How long is the Private City Tour?
Approximately 2.5–3 hours.
How many people are required?
The Private City Tour is designed for groups of 2 or more participants.
How much does the Private City Tour cost?
2–4 participants
MXN $300 per person
5–7 participants
MXN $250 per person
8+ participants
MXN $200 per person
Pricing is based on the total number of participants.
Is the Private City Tour customizable?
Yes.
The itinerary can be personalized based on your group’s interests.
Possible areas of interest include history, culture, architecture, traditions and hidden local places.
Your guide can also provide recommendations for restaurants, mezcal, cafés, shopping and other local experiences.
Can we choose our starting time?
You can send us your preferred starting time.
Final availability is subject to guide availability.
Where does the Private City Tour start?
At Teatro Macedonio Alcalá, in Oaxaca Historic Center.
What language is the Private City Tour offered in?
The current operational information specifies English.
What is included?
The Private City Tour includes:
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Guide dedicated exclusively to your group
- Personalized walking itinerary
- Historical and cultural explanations
- Local recommendations
What is not included?
The following are not included:
- Museum or attraction entrance fees
- Food and beverages
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
BOOKING & PAYMENT
How do I book a tour?
Choose your experience and complete the booking form on the corresponding tour page.
For experiences requiring a deposit, the reservation is confirmed once the deposit has been received.
Do I need to pay the full amount online?
For the paid experiences covered by the current booking policies, a 30% deposit is required to confirm the reservation.
The remaining 70% is paid directly to your guide on the day of the tour.
How should I pay the remaining balance?
Cash is preferred.
Mexican pesos (MXN) are strongly recommended for the convenience of guides and local partners.
When is my booking confirmed?
For paid experiences requiring a deposit, your reservation is confirmed once the 30% deposit has been received.
Can I book through WhatsApp?
WhatsApp can be used to contact the team, ask questions and coordinate booking details.
+52 951 525 7240
CANCELLATIONS & CHANGES
Can I cancel my paid tour?
Yes.
For the paid tours covered by the current policies:
At least 24 hours before the tour
The 30% deposit is fully refundable.
Less than 24 hours before the tour
The deposit is non-refundable.
No-show
Non-refundable.
How do I cancel or reschedule?
Cancellation or rescheduling requests should be submitted in writing via: WhatsApp or Email.
- WhatsApp
- +52 951 525 7240
- Email
- info@freewalkoaxaca.com
What happens if I arrive late?
Tours begin at the scheduled time.
For walking experiences, arriving late may reduce the amount of the tour you can experience.
For the Food Tour, late arrivals may miss some stops or tastings without refund.
For Mezcal & Alebrijes, transportation and artisan visits operate on coordinated schedules, so late arrivals may miss the tour without refund.
MEETING POINTS
Where does the Private City Tour meet?
Teatro Macedonio Alcalá
Look for the yellow umbrella.
Where does Mezcal & Alebrijes meet?
Teatro Macedonio Alcalá
Oaxaca Historic Center.
Where does the Food Tour meet?
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
Oaxaca City.
Can I book through WhatsApp?
The current operational document provided for the Food Tour does not specify the meeting point.
I would leave this question unpublished until the exact meeting point is confirmed.
BEFORE YOUR TOUR
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
Many experiences involve walking outdoors through streets, markets, artisan workshops or production areas.
What should I bring?
Depending on the tour, we generally recommend:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water or refillable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat or cap
- Camera
- Cash for optional purchases
For the Food Tour:
Come hungry.
For Mezcal & Alebrijes:
Cash can be useful for optional purchases from local artisans.
Should I bring Mexican pesos?
Yes, especially for paid experiences where part of the payment is made directly to the guide.
Mexican pesos are strongly recommended.
Cash is also useful for optional purchases.
Are the tours suitable for children?
The current operational information does not establish a general minimum age for all experiences.
For the Mezcal & Alebrijes Tour, only guests of legal drinking age may participate in the mezcal tasting.
If traveling with young children, we recommend contacting us before booking so we can confirm whether the specific experience is appropriate for your group.
Are the tours accessible for people with reduced mobility?
The current operational documents do not provide a confirmed accessibility policy for all tours.
Please contact us before booking so we can review the specific experience and your requirements.
Ready to discover Oaxaca?
Join us and experience the real Oaxaca.
PRIVATE CITY TOUR
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Meeting point free Walking Tour
Schedule: Monday to Saturday: Morning: 10:00 a.m, 11:00 a.m. Afternoon: 1:00 p.m, 4:00 p.m, 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 10:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m, 4:00 p.m.
FODIE TIP WALK
Reserve your spot today and dive into the rich, colorful world of Oaxaca’s most iconic markets!
$1,100 Mexican pesos with all food tastings included.
Duration: 3 ½ hours of immersive market exploration.
How to Book
Please note that our tours require a MINIMUM OF TWO PARTICIPANTS to operate. We recommend booking with a friend, ASK VIA EMAIL if someone already booked or checking our calendar for existing tour dates if you are traveling solo
Thanks for being ready to explore with us
Our tours need a buddy system—we require a minimum of 2 foodies to run each adventure. If we don’t meet the magic number, no worries! We’ll pop into your inbox to offer you another date or time so you don’t miss out on the fun.