Special Experience! - This was the most special experience we had during our whole stay in Oaxaca. Getting to spend the day with Cesar and his family was such a privilege, and they made us feel right at home. Breakfast was delicious and then we were able to observe and take some turns helping make chocolate. Cesar introduced us to his village and explained to us about daily life there. We were able to tour both a shoe factory and an apron making business and finished the day at an ancestral mescal distillery. Lunch was homemade and amazing as well. The pace of the tour was relaxed, and Cesar was able to tailor it to how long we wanted to spend at each stop. (You can also let him know if you'd like to skip any of the stops as well). We learned so much and truly felt like we were able to understand daily life in a Zapotecan village. Cesar is a wonderful guide and so easy to speak to. My husband and I highly recommend this experience.

The Real, Authentic Mexico - What an amazing experience. I won't repeat what has already been said in previous reviews, but there is a reason why every single reviewer rates this tour as excellent and raves about the experience. My wife and I were in Mexico for three weeks and took a lot of tours, but this one is one we will remember the most. César and his family were such a joy to meet. I truly appreciate that he gave us the opportunity to see and experience what life is like in a small Mexican village and to be welcomed into to his family's home. This is the real, authentic Mexico, and my wife and I truly feel privileged that we were able to experience and be part of it for a short while.

A Truly Unforgettable Experience – The Heart of Oaxaca - Words cannot fully capture the magic of this tour—it was, without a doubt, the highlight of our entire trip to Oaxaca. From the moment we met César and his warm, welcoming family (including their adorable dogs, Choco and Arena), we felt like we were visiting longtime friends. The experience was incredibly personal and authentic—an intimate look into the daily life, culture, and traditions of a Zapotec family. The day began with a delicious breakfast of pan dulce, tamales, and traditional Oaxacan chocolate—simple, soulful, and the perfect start to what would become a truly unforgettable experience. After breakfast we made traditional chocolate, learning each step of the process from César and his mother, who graciously demonstrated this meaningful ancestral technique. We then enjoyed freshly made memelas from their beautiful outdoor kitchen—getting to help with the preparation made it all the more special. Our day happened to coincide with a local market, and it was such a joy to walk through it, buying fruit, bread, and beautiful handmade earrings. César also introduced us to his brother, a talented artist, and I was thrilled to take home one of his original pieces. We ended the tour at a family-run mezcal distillery, Dios Nunca Muere, where we met Saul, the passionate owner. He walked us through the entire mezcal-making process and shared tastings of his small-batch mezcals. It was informative, warm, and generous—the kind of experience you can’t get anywhere else. Out of everything we did in Oaxaca (and we did a lot!), this was by far the most meaningful and memorable. If you're looking to experience the true heart of Oaxaca—its people, flavors, stories, and spirit—this tour is an absolute must. Shtioz yhibu (thank you in Zaoptec), César and family, for opening your home and hearts to us. We’ll carry this day with us always.

A Day of Heartfelt Connection and Culture - Spending the day with the Zapotec family in their village was one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of our entire trip to Oaxaca. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with such warmth, generosity, and hospitality—it felt exactly like being invited into home and a heart. We learned about their traditions, language, and history in the most authentic and personal way. Hearing their stories, and sharing a home-cooked meal together gave us such deep respect for their culture and way of life. It was humbling and beautiful to witness the pride and care they bring to their work, their land, and their family. This wasn’t just a visit—it was a connection. We left with full hearts, a deeper understanding of Zapotec heritage, and a profound sense of gratitude. If you have the chance to spend time with this incredible family, don’t hesitate—it’s a day you’ll carry with you forever.

Cesar engages you immediately in the Zapotec culture - 5-star review alert! We just spent an unforgettable day in San Dionisio Ocotepec (SOD) with Cesar from Yudiza Tours, and we're still buzzing from the experience! Cesar is a fantastic guide who's fluent in Spanish, English, and his native Zapotec - and his family's warmth and hospitality will make you feel like part of the familia. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like honored guests. We met Cesar's parents, girlfriend, uncle, and half the town as we explored the village. The highlight of our day was the delicious breakfast served in Cesar's family's rustic kitchen - think handmade tables, dirt floor, and wood fire comal - it was like stepping back in time! But that was just the beginning. We got to experience the real Oaxaca, from touring the local church and library to visiting Cesar's uncle's farm, where we saw corn and agave fields and even petted the cattle. We also marveled at his brother's stunning art gallery, saw the family business bicycle shop, and ended the day with a tour of a Mezcal distillery. Cesar's storytelling skills will have you laughing, and his passion for his culture is infectious. The moto taxi ride was a fun bonus, and the entire tour was incredibly authentic. If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories and a new appreciation for Zapotec culture, book this tour. Trust us, you won't regret it! After you've done the touristy stuff in Oaxaca, come to SOD and experience the real deal with Cesar and Yudiza Tours.

An authentic experience with Caesar and his family - It was a special experience for us to spend the day with Caesar's warm family, eating, laughing and traditionally making chocolate from freshly roasted cocoa beans. Also the village tour was interesting because the communal structures are so different, people regulate many things themselves and are there for each other. You help each other in all situations! Caesar has a great general knowledge, whether it is world politics, religion, tradition or nutrition and health. We talked about God and the world with him, the exchange with him was a pleasure for us. In the anzestral mezcal distillery we (after the 3rd edition) Sample) understood that mezcal is not just alcohol. It was very informative, enriching and last but not least a bit intoxicating!;) Best regards, Michaela and Reiner

Great Day! - So after going on other great tours to all of the obligatory sights outside of Oaxaca (Monte Alban, Mitla, etc) we were looking for something a little different. I saw A Day in the Life of a Zapotec Village had gotten excellent reviews and so I made contact with Cesar. I’ll cut to the chase. This turned out to be among our most positive experiences in all of Oaxaca. This small village is the real deal. Cesar is very warm and his whole family, whose primary language is Zapotec, couldn’t have been more accommodating. We started with a delicious breakfast after which we were shown how authentic chocolate is made. This took about an hour and was really interesting. After that we walked around town which was also fun. Then it was back to the house for a delicious lunch. The day ended with a trip to an ancestral Mezcal distillery. We really enjoyed Cesar’s family along with his girlfriend, his brother and a neighbor who is a master chocolate maker. This was no dog and pony show but, rather, a real cultural exchange with an indigenous family. Highly recommended.

Unique and wonderful experience - We had such an amazing day with Cesar and his family. I loved watching his great aunt make chocolate and his mom cook lunch. Not to mention his uncle’s Mezcal was the best I have ever had. We visited his brother’s art gallery and his friend’s Mezcal distillery as well to complete the wonderful and unique experience in Cesar’s hometown. A truly memorable experience and when I visit Oaxaca in the future, I will bring friends to experience it all over again. Thank you Cesar and your lovely family (and the two doggies) for such a wonderful day.

An intimate experience - I had the pleasure of taking an incredible tour with Cesar to his home town San Dionisio Ocotepec, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, Cesar made us feel right at home. He welcomed us with open arms and invited us into his family home, where his mom prepared a delicious, authentic meal that was full of flavors unique to the region. To top it off, his aunt wowed us by making chocolate from scratch in the traditional way. Watching the process and tasting the fresh, handmade chocolate was such a treat! After this, Cesar took us on a ride in his tuk-tuk to visit his friends' mezcal dispensary. There, we were treated to a fascinating and educational walkthrough of the entire mezcal production process. Cesar explained the ancient, ancestral methods used to craft mezcal, showcasing the care, knowledge, and passion that go into each bottle. We were able to see the entire journey of mezcal—from the harvesting of agave plants to the distillation process, and of course, tasting the final product. This tour was not only a deep dive into the rich culture and traditions of the region, but it also felt like a personal, authentic experience that allowed us to connect with the people and practices that make this place so special. I highly recommend this tour for anyone seeking a unique, enriching experience! Thank you Cesar and to his family.

Authentic cultural experience - Our experience with César’s was an absolute highlight of our stay in Mexico. The day began with a beautiful breakfast and chocolate-making session followed by a walk through the local market and town, where we sampled the refreshing, locally made drink tejate and fresh fruit. The meals supplied were made fresh by the lovely women in his family, and were some of the best we had. We also had the opportunity to create artwork with César’s talented brother and learn about the traditional mezcal-making process. This distillery’s mezcal is far superior to any other we have tried in Mexico. What makes it even more special is their use of ancestral and sustainable techniques. If you’re looking for an authentic experience, this tour is a must!