Quesillo And Papermaking, 4.5 Hours

Overview

This half-day trip heads north from Oaxaca City into the Etla District, the valley where quesillo, the stretched cheese that has become one of Oaxaca's best-known foods, is made. The route strings together three stops: a working papermaking community, a converted textile factory turned arts centre, and a cheesemaking visit with tastings.

At the first stop, a community in San Agustín Etla makes paper by hand from regional fibres such as tree bark, branches, flowers, pigments and cotton. The next stop is the Centro de las Artes de San Agustín, an ecological arts centre housed in the former La Soledad textile factory, established in 1883, now showing contemporary exhibitions. The final stop is the Etla market area, where quesillo originated, with a cheesemaking demonstration that several travellers describe as the highlight of the day. Reviewers repeatedly mention watching the cheese being made from start to finish, tasting it fresh, and in some cases trying other cheeses and warm tortillas prepared on the spot.

At 4.5 hours door to door, the tour suits travellers who want a short, varied outing: craft, architecture and food in a single trip, with transport and a bilingual guide included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel Pickup in OaxacaThe operator picks travellers up at central Oaxaca hotels.
2. Van to San Agustín EtlaAir-conditioned transport north into the Etla District, about 30 minutes each way.
3. San Agustín Etla Paper and MarketA stop of about 1.5 hours covering the papermaking community and the local market. The paper factory carries an extra fee of 2.20 USD.
4. Centro de las Artes de San AgustínAbout 1.5 hours at the former textile factory, established in 1883, now an arts centre with contemporary exhibitions.
5. Cheese TastingAbout 1.5 hours at a cheesemaking visit and tasting. This stop carries an extra fee of 12 USD for the quesillo class.
6. Return to OaxacaVan ride back to Oaxaca, about 30 minutes.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most from the day, from cash for the extra fees to what the cheese stop actually involves.

• Bring Cash. Gratuities and souvenirs are also excluded, so carry more than the exact entry amounts.
• Pace and Timing. The tour runs 4.5 hours as listed, though one reviewer reported it running closer to 5. Plan the rest of your day with a little slack. Pickup is from central hotels, so you avoid finding a meeting point.
• Food and Tastings. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, but the cheese stop includes tastings. Several travellers mentioned the cheese was tasty, eating fresh quesillo and queso fresco, and some were served warm tortillas with the cheese.
• Weather and Sun. The listing recommends sunglasses, a sun hat and comfortable clothes.
• Group Feel. Reviewers describe being invited into a private home and workshop to watch cheesemaking from start to finish. The guide translates between Spanish-speaking makers and English-speaking guests, as one reviewer noted.
• Photography. Reviewers singled out the structure and history of the arts centre as a visual highlight in itself.

Common issues. The extras are the main catch: the quesillo class and the paper factory entry are paid separately, and food, drinks, souvenirs and gratuities are all excluded. One reviewer found the papermaking shop felt like it was winding down. Pets and large bags are not allowed. The cheesemaking stop involves an additional fee, and one reviewer reported the day ran closer to 5 hours.

Common Questions