We had a wonderful time on our tour. Luis took us to all of the spots we most wanted to see, has a deep background in the region, and was really just delightful to spend the day with.
Private tour in Oaxaca Luis M
5.0
(5) reviews
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Luis M.
5.0
Guide rating
34
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Tours delivered
10 hrs
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Welcome to Oaxaca, visitors! My name is Luis Mendoza—a proud Zapotec rug weaver from the ancestral community of Teotitlán del Valle, known worldwide for its rich textile traditions. I was born and raised in this sacred land and later continued my upbringing and studies in Southern California. These two worlds gave me a deep appreciation for cultural heritage and a strong sense of service—both to my local community and to every traveler who visits Oaxaca. As a child, I found joy in weaving, but limited resources led me to seek new paths. I began guiding visitors through my hometown—connecting them with local markets, ancient sites, mountain trails, and the workshops of renowned master weavers and artists. At age 14, I migrated to the U.S., where I fully embraced the value of being Zapotec and developed a strong foundation in customer service and cultural hospitality. For the past six years, I worked in San Miguel de Allende, assisting expats and visitors eager to explore the magic of Oaxaca. Today, I continue this mission with even more passion—offering personalized tours that reflect the true heart of my people. I love sharing Oaxaca’s vast diversity—its Indigenous wisdom, food, art, and the spirit of Guelaguetza, a beautiful word that embodies reciprocity, community, and celebration across our many ethnolinguistic groups. ✨ Let me guide you into a deeper Oaxaca—one rooted in family, tradition, and authentic experience. All of my tours are thoughtfully customized to meet your interests and comfort. Your satisfaction is my mission. Credentials: 🚐 Federally licensed for tourism transportation by Mexico's SCT 📍 Authorized local guide from Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Luis M.
Oaxaca communities are governed under “Usos y Costumbres.” Zapotec people and other cultural groups across the 8 regions of Oaxaca live by two main principles, one of them being Guelaguetza, the spirit of sharing that we offer daily among us and proudly extend to visitors through the year and the month of July. Guelaguetza is the word that unites the whole State of Oaxaca, inviting everyone to share, celebrate, and feel welcomed into our traditional fiestas. In the community of Teotitlán, visitors are invited to become part of this celebration by experiencing, and lighting spiritual candles used in different ritual stages before and after the fiesta. Ancestral protocols and symbolic expressions are present in every aspect of community life, reflected in stone, architecture, and textiles crafted with natural fibers and pigments for thousands of years. Guelaguetza embraces food, drinks, rituals, music, parades, and much more, offering an unforgettable cultural experience for the delight of our visitors.
We had a wonderful time on our tour. Luis took us to all of the spots we most wanted to see, has a deep background in the region, and was really just delightful to spend the day with.
My husband and I have been using Tours By Locals for years, and Luis ranks best of all guides. He proudly taught us about his Zapotec heritage, culture, and language. We learned so much, met amazing local artisans, and ate an outstanding lunch by Chef Carina Santiago Bautista. Luis was professional, knowledgable, and fun! We highly recommend him for any Oaxacan tour.
We were in Oaxaca for six days and Luis was our tour guide for three of those. I cannot emphasize enough that if you are touring Oaxaca, you need to have Luis show you not only the city but the valley and the surrounding areas. He will give you the true feel of what Oaxaca has to offer
Luis has a deep knowledge of the history of Oaxaca and how that history is reflected in Oaxaca today. Luis showed us how Murals, Mercados and spirit animals are all part of understanding this city.
Luis is the very best guide one can ask for! He gave us a very comprehensive and fun tour, and by the end of it, it is not an exaggeration to say that we were transformed! The real meaning of Guelaguetza is indeed much deeper than just parties and celebrations. Luis took us to his community, introduced us to wonderful people, and to delicious food/drinks. Hours just flew by. We cannot recommend him enough to guests visiting Oaxaca. He is full of knowledge and you will be well taken care of!
- Picked up from hotel - The meaning of Guelaguetza in Teotitlan - Spiritual light with bees wax candles - Ancestral Zapotec Symbols on textiles - Zapotec Guelaguetza experience, activity based upon day scheduled - Back to hotel
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Private, clean and modern transportation with A/C included.
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
ByGuide: Hotel
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