Paint your Alebrije with the Jimenez family.
Spend 4 hours painting an alebrije alongside the Jimenez family in their workshop. Learn how these carved figures are made and decorated, then apply your own colors to take home a finished piece.
from $72 per guest.
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This tour puts you in the workshop of the Jiménez family in Arrazola, the village linked to the origins of alebrijes, the carved and brightly painted animal figures Oaxaca is known for. Armando Jiménez, grandson of one of the artists who founded the art form, explains how the pieces are carved and painted, and his family's history with the craft. The guide translates from Spanish into English, and reviews describe the interpreting as excellent. Then comes the main event: each participant chooses a small wooden animal figure and paints it themselves.
The whole thing runs about four hours, door to door. Pickup is in central Oaxaca, in front of a restaurant on Manuel García Vigil a short walk from Santo Domingo, and private transportation carries the group out to Arrazola and back. Paint, brushes, snacks, and bottled water are included, and the tour ends where it began.
One reviewer attended with a teenage daughter and reported they both thoroughly enjoyed it. You do not need any drawing skill; reviewers insist you can produce something you are happy to take home even with no artistic background.
A few practical points will help you get the most out of the morning, drawn from the listing and from what travellers report.
Common issues. The operator states the activity is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travellers with back problems. It is a private activity, so only your group participates, and one reviewer noted the setting is a small shop rather than a large group event. One traveller wanted more painting tips from the artist during the session. The drive includes stretches of dirt road, worth knowing if you are prone to motion discomfort.
Paint and brushes, a small animal figure to paint yourself, snacks, bottled water, and private transportation to and from Arrazola. Alebrijes from the family gallery are sold separately if you want to buy finished work.
Pickup is in front of a restaurant at Manuel García Vigil 504 in downtown Oaxaca, a short walk from the Santo Domingo church. The listing gives a 10:00 start. The tour ends back at the same point.
The listing notes infants must sit on laps during transport. If you have doubts about younger children, raise them with the operator before booking.
The operator states the tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travellers with back problems. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. If you have specific mobility concerns, raise them with the operator before booking.
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancelling inside that window, or requesting changes inside it, forfeits the amount paid. Cut-off times follow the local time in Oaxaca.
No. The artisan speaks Spanish and the guide translates into English, and reviewers praise the interpreting. The guide also fields questions about Oaxaca during the drive.
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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