This week we will immerse ourselves in tradition in a very personal way – create our own altar featuring our loved ones which will be visited by our neighbors, walk the cobblestone streets with our carved green squash, visit the cemetery among the florally-decorated graves, cook traditional dishes like Mole, create our marigold petal path to say goodbye as our loved ones leave until next year.
This Day of the Dead Week is a very special local celebration called ¨La Octava¨ which means the eighth day after the arrival of the ancestors. This is the second week of Day of the Dead which celebrates the departure and it is a very intimate and local look at village life – a luxury learning vacation like not other.
Important – This itinerary is posted to give the guest a general idea of our 7-night package schedule on the day of the dead week. The schedule and lineup of dishes may change to take advantage of seasonal dishes, local celebrations, ingredients or the interests of our guests. LVB reserves the right to modify this schedule and the dishes contained therein. There are no 5-night packages this week.
Guests arrive at MEX (Benito Juarez Mexico City International) with airport pickup included. The trip takes 1.5 hours from Mexico City to La Villa Bonita and guests will be greeted upon arrival with a delicious homemade cocktail such as Chef Ana’s famous Margarita made with her own Calamondine Orange liquor as well as snacks such as guacamole, cheeses, home-made salsa, and tortilla chips.
Later that afternoon/evening guests will enjoy Chef Ana’s 4-course chef’s table gourmet dinner made from primarily local ingredients grown in the garden or from local providers. Dinner is served within our ample open-air kitchen with a view of the valley below or above our kitchen in the elevated dining area with a 360-degree view of the mountains. Chef Ana will explain her dishes to the guests and also discuss how the week will unfold.
The day starts with Chef Ana’s famous big breakfast with fresh fruit, biscuits, homemade jams and jellies along with a new traditional Mexican main dish each morning. Guest will go to the local Tepoztlán market to select the best ingredients from Chef Ana’s local providers and bring them back for your first cooking session in the open-air kitchen. In the market today we will purchase our flowers and other items for the altar which we will make during the week.
Today guests will start with the preparation of Mole Negro which will be eaten tomorrow. Our fellow foodies will learn how to make chiles rellenos with traditional Mexican white rice, a fresh bean salad, avocado salsa, and Tejocote pie for dessert. The cocktail of the day is a Mezcal Margarita and the “agua fresca” is jamaica flower.
Today Chef Ana will teach us about the “nixtamalization” process as well as testing out our tortilla-making technique using red, white or blue masa made from ancestral corn varieties produced locally and make your own tortillas and place them on the comal with Mari your “ama de llaves” or mayordomo during your stay at La Villa Bonita.
Guests enjoy lunch of dishes prepared with drink service in the open-air kitchen or the elevated terrace. After late lunch, guests will have an opportunity to take a walk into the downtown, relax around the pool with a good book or take a great nap! You are on vacation, it is up to you!
Today we will have breakfast and an optional yoga session ($15 USD). Those who are not interested in yoga can have a leisurely morning after breakfast. After yoga guests will take the nixtamal to the tortilla mill to make it into masa and come back to La Villa Bonita to prepare the altar. Guests are asked to bring pictures of their loved one they would like to invite to return to be with us. We will have snacks and drinks and start cooking in the late afternoon. Guests will finish the Mole Negro and also prepare traditional Mexican red rice, candied squash, and chayotes in tequesquite. Foodies will practice their tortilla-making technique with the masa that was ground earlier in the day. We will have an evening dinner with the dishes prepared.
After breakfast we will make our way to Hueyapan, Morelos in the mountains to experience the country life. The day will start with a demonstration in a cooperative of local women who have maintained their tradition of creating beautiful garments from wool. See the process, meet the women, and we will have almuerzo (mid-morning breakfast) with them. You will have an opportunity to purchase their garments as well.
Afterward, we will make our way to a local breadmaker to learn how to make traditional Hueyapan Day of the Dead bread. This is a hands-on session and you will make some of the most delicious bread in a brick, wood-fired oven.
For lunch, we will join Dona Reyna at her farm and family residence for a day of rural cooking. She will teach us how to make local Hueyapan dishes from ingredients that are foraged in the mountains with wild mushrooms, fresh beans, corn, chiles. This is a vegetarian lineup of dishes even though they don’t call it that. This is just eating as the locals do!
Today we will have breakfast at 8:00 am and an optional yoga class at 9:00 am. Today we will have a late afternoon class starting with a fresh Mexican salad for lunch. Guests will create their calaveras or green squash carved out to place a candle inside. Today we will make our variety of tamales which are a traditional dish for Dia de los Muertos. Guests will learn how to make green tamales, red with chicken, cheese, mole negro as well as dessert tamales like strawberry and pineapple.
Tonight children and parents go from house to house to “pedir calavera” or ask for a treat for your calavera. Children are dressed as catrines, catrinas, skeletons, or devils. There is dancing in the town square and the opportunity to visit a local artist who creates a day of the dead exhibition each year. So we will have our day of the dead party in our house with our tamales and take a walk that evening to see the exhibition and the different houses and churches that are decorated around the town.
After breakfast guests will join Chef Ana to see the farmer’s or local producer’s market which is on Wednesday and Sunday.
The day starts with Chef Ana’s famous big breakfast with fresh fruit, biscuits, homemade jams and jellies along with a new traditional Mexican main dish each morning. Guest will go to the local Tepoztlán market to select the best ingredients from Chef Ana’s local providers and bring them back for your first cooking session in the open-air kitchen.
Today we have a traditional taco party with hand-made tortillas, guisados or stuffings such as potatoes with poblano strips, squash flowers, adobo with chicken, pork in purslane, along with peanut, cilantro, and molcajete salsas. The side dish will be squash a la Mexicana. The meal will be accompanied by horchata to drink, and arroz con leche dessert. The cocktail of the day will be micheladas (beer) with salsas.
Today is your day to enjoy it the way you would like to do! After enjoying a delicious breakfast you have the day to yourself. Enjoy a book on the hammock, stroll the weekend market looking for that gift for the unlucky ones who couldn´t join us.
After breakfast, we will organize our return to the Mexico City airport and count the days until we see each other again for a new culinary adventure.
Tepoztlan, a “Pueblo Magico” (magic village) and one of Mexico’s most unique destinations is located about 5280 ft. above sea level and roughly 1 hour 15 minutes south of Mexico City making transportation easy (we pick you up in the Mexico City airport and bring you back). Because of its incredible “eternal spring” climate, Tepoztlan is a year-round destination where our award-winning packages take place.
La Villa Bonita is located on the upslope of the Tepozteco mountains with a privileged perch above the town and an incredible view of the ex-convent below. We are a 15-minute walk to the central downtown circuit so there is not an excessive amount of traffic in front of La Villa Bonita but we are just minutes away from the centro and zocalo.
Due to its year-round average daily temperature of 83 F/28 C, Tepoztlan has become an off-the-beaten-path destination for those who want a wonderful climate with a picturesque, authentic, and traditional Mexican backdrop. Tepoztlan’s temperate climate with prevailing sunshine, its wonderful adobe facades, incredible local festivals, and ancient cobblestone streets attract Mexicans and foreign tourists from all over the world who seek a traditional, small-town environment.
Tepoztlan is one of the most unique, authentic, and safest places you can visit and has a lower crime rate most cities and towns in the US. You will get this understanding in the first 15 minutes after setting foot in the village. It is a place that time seems to have forgotten with time-honored culinary traditions, wonderful local produce, and a very enjoyable pace of life focused on family and friends.
Tepoztlan is made up of stubborn townspeople and subsistence farmers who vigilantly guard their traditions from change, which makes it an ideal destination for the “foodie” and the traveler seeks to experience a wonderful culture. “Tepoztecos,” as they are known here, appreciate the foreign tourist because you appreciate their culture. You can walk anywhere day or night and people will say “hello” to you, be cordial, but not overburdening.
This Magic Village with its mystical vibe is known as the “Sedona of Mexico” and consists of a very small, tight-knit community where people are very content with their lifestyle — a full social calendar that consists of constant cultural events, celebrations, and festivals during both the week and weekend. Tepoztlan is a piece of art without comparison – exquisite but not commercial. In Tepoztlan, you will hear the enveloping sounds of the community, the church bells, the rooster crowing, the occasional firecracker and the music wafting through the valley. So, enjoy your stay and when you go home, please tell everyone about your experience in the “hidden culinary jewel of Mexico.”
We want you to enjoy your vacation at La Villa Bonita and we know that things may come up that preclude you from joining us. While we do not accept cancelations or refund payments, if you need to change your reservation for any reason you can do so once without penalty and subject to availability. You will receive a credit towards the same experience that you can apply to a different date or different experience. If you choose a more expensive experience you will need to pay the difference. Please contact us for further details.
You can receive an additional 5% discount by paying in full upon making your reservation or you can pay full price paying half to reserve and half due on the first day of the month prior to arrival. The 5% discount is not valid with any other discount, sale or promotion. We will send you an invoice by email that you can pay online or you can call us and we will receive your payment information. Prices do not include 16% sales tax which will be added to the final price of your package. Tips for the staff are not included.
Welcome to Chef Ana´s mountain home that was specially designed for her culinary program. The property consists of 6 guests rooms all with private baths. Each room has a different design and are very comfortable. All rooms have a king bed and some rooms have the possibility of 2 twin beds or 1 king. All rooms have french doors that open up to a common courtyard with incredible views of the surrounding mountains and steps from the open-air kitchen.
La Villa Bonita is built in a citrus orchard on a hectare of terraced land, complete with an herb and vegetable garden. The specially-designed open-air kitchen is complete with a living area, three sinks, lots of cooking and prep space as well as a 360-degree view of the majestic mountains. Above the kitchen sits our 16-person-capacity glass table with an incredible panoramic view of the Tepozteco mountains, the ex-convent, and the town below. La Villa Bonita is located in a very quiet residential area of town away from the downtown hum.
This is the general information or frequently asked question section! If you have a question, it is most likely answered here!
Time Difference. Apart from about 3 weeks out of the year, we are in the Central time zone. Around the change of hour in spring and fall there will be a period of about 2 weeks where our time zone will be in the Mountain time zone temporarily. Remember that we are in the Mexico City/Guadalajara time zone.
Climate. Our climate is known as “the land of eternal spring” so it is not generally too hot or too cold. However, we are also a mile high and in a mountain climate. It may be chilly in the early morning or night. We suggest a light jacket for the early morning or evening. April and May are our hottest months potentially reaching the 90s F during the day and cooling off at night. June to September is a very temperate time to join us. It is NOT HOT! It rains at night at about 10:00-11:00 pm and the sun comes out during the day reaching 70-80 F. In the winter months (November to February), it can be chilly at night and in the early morning. The rooms do not have air conditioning or heating as the temperatures are never extreme. Your room is equipped with a ceiling fan and an extra blanket. If you need anything, please feel free to ask.
Amenities and Laundry. We provide very nice amenities for the rooms – local soap, shampoo, and lotion. We also provide bathrobes and hair dryers. Feel free to pack light. We have laundry facilities on the property and we can wash your clothes for you.
Cancelation Policy. We understand that something may come up at the last minute and you may not be able to make your trip. While we do not allow cancellation or return of money already paid, we do allow for changes to different dates subject to availability. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to change your date so that we may offer the space to others.
Bugs. We are a mountain climate and do not have any standing water, lakes or ponds in the village. As a result, we do not have an overabundance of mosquitos but there can be a few depending on the time of year. If you are susceptible to bug bites we suggest insect repellent and we suggest not leaving the door to your room open, especially in the early evening.
Whatsapp. Please download and install Whatsapp on your cellphone. We will use this app to stay in communication before and during your stay. Please download and install. This entails receiving an SMS text message to confirm your phone number. You will need to enter that code in the app. Once you have done so, please send us your cellphone number. As we get closer to the date, we will send out a confirmation message. Please send us a photo of yourself so that we can identify you at the airport. We will send a picture as well of your driver.
Passport and Visa. You need a valid passport to travel to Mexico with 6 months of validity beyond the date of entry into the country. Countries such as the US, Canada, Japan, England, the European Union, do not need to have a visa prior to arrival in Mexico. You will fill out a form either on the plane or upon arrival in Mexico. Keep this form in a safe place during your stay. Do not take it out with you on excursions. Upon departure, you will return this document to the airline. If you are coming from a country not listed, please check with the Mexican embassy or consulate in your home country.
Our address for the purposes of filling out your VISA is:
La Villa Bonita Mexican Culinary Vacation
Prolongacion Aniceto Villamar #150
Col. Tierra Blanca
Tepoztlan, Morelos 62520
Phone: 739-395-1515
Airport Pickup. Airport pickup and return are provided to the Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) if you can meet our guidelines for our group shuttle. The trip will take about 1.5 hours depending on traffic on a very nice toll road. Once you have made a reservation, we will send you specific instructions on how to meet our shuttle.
For arrival in MEX, please arrive before 4:00 pm. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm is ideal. You may arrive earlier, but there may be some wait time as other guests arrive. You can wait in the Urban Corner restaurant in terminal 1 which is our pickup point. We will give you detailed instructions on how to get there. If you cannot meet our pickup requirements, Uber is very good, reliable, and reasonably priced. If you do not want to wait for other guests or arrive after 4:00 pm, you can take an Uber at about 80 USD which can fluctuate depending on demand or exchange rates. The fare does not include tolls that are reimbursed to your Uber driver through the app afterward (about $10 USD). So do not pay your driver for tolls as you will be charged twice. If you want to tip your driver feel free to do so. I generally tip 100 to 150 pesos for good service.
Airport Departure. For departure, we have more flexibility. If you would like to use our shuttle, your departure time should be after 12 noon. You may leave earlier for an additional fee. We have an Uber driver on call who charges $1900 pesos per trip (currently about 95 USD).
Health. Tepoztlan has a small clinic and private doctors if you would like to see one during your stay. We suggest that you check with your insurance company prior to your trip or purchase an international policy. As well, some credit cards include some international coverage. Major hospitals are 40 minutes away in Tepoztlan and 1 hour away in Mexico City. If there is something that you need to have on hand at LVB prior to your arrival, please let us know and we would be happy to arrange for that.
Vegetarian, Vegan, allergies, or special diets. We can accommodate special diets. Please contact us prior to arrival so that we may accommodate your diet. There is dinner on the first night which is prepared prior to your arrival. Please let us know through Whatsapp if you have anything you do not eat.
Clothing. We will do walking in town so please bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, shorts, a light jacket, sunscreen. This is “the land of eternal spring” so it never gets too hot or too cold but since it is a mountain climate (about a mile high) there will be swings in temperature as the sun goes down. It may be chilly in the morning/night and hot in the afternoon so layers or a light jacket are advisable. Our kitchen is open air. We suggest appropriate footwear in the kitchen as we are dealing with hot items and cutlery.
Getting Around in Tepoztlan. Tepoztlan is very safe and you are free to walk around both day and night. We can also call for a taxi for you or you can take the Combi which runs on a route to the center of town for 10 pesos.
Electricity. Mexico has the same plugs and current (110) as in the US and Canada.
Money Matters. The Mexican currency is the peso. There are 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 peso bills along with 10 and 50 centavo coins, and 1, 2, 5, and 10 peso coins. The current spot exchange rate as of SEPTEMBER 2021 is about 20 pesos per USD. We do not suggest exchanging money in your home airport as you will not receive a good exchange rate. Exchanging USD is limited now in Mexico and many banks do not allow for the exchange of dollars anymore for non-account holders. In the airport, you can exchange a limited amount of dollars but we suggest taking money out on your ATM card. This can be done at the airport or in Tepoztlan. As far as credit cards are concerned, most established restaurants and stores will accept cards but they are not accepted in the market or with smaller shop owners.
Cellular/Telephone. We have VERY GOOD wi-fi in the house but it is great to have data when you are outside of the house and walking in town. Since we use WhatsApp for group announcements it is handy to have some data when outside of the house. Many cellular companies including roaming in your plan while others you can add a limited amount of data to your plan. Please check with your cellphone company.
If someone would like to call you, our house line is +52-739-395-1515. People may call you at any time on that number although our house staff may answer in Spanish. Guests can make calls to the US and Canada free of charge on our house line. Just ask us to access the outside line. You can give our main line number +1-631-994-3436 US for emergencies but it is transferred to Robb´s cellphone and he may not be with you at the moment of the call.
Mobility. Important to Know. If you have mobility issues, please let us know prior to your trip. Although there is walking in the market and going back and forth, we can arrange for a taxi or our vehicle to pick you up and return you to the house. We are happy to accommodate to have you participate in as many of the activities as possible. We will let you know what activities require walking and which do not. We are not wheelchair accessible because of the steps to enter the house as well as the kitchen.
Take a walk back in time and enjoy the simple pleasures of life in one of the most picturesque mountain villages in Mexico. Hear the church bells ring as you take a stroll on the ancient cobblestone streets. Cook dishes […]
Barbecue is a time-honored tradition in Mexico, celebrated in various delectable forms. From Cochinita Pibil in the Yucatan, Parilladas in Nuevo Leon, to Barbacoa in Hidalgo, each region offers its unique twist on this beloved technique. Now, at La Villa […]
This is one of the most important cultural traditions in Mexico: Day of the Dead. This is a celebratory time of year to welcome loved ones back and remember them. Bring a picture of your loved ones to place on […]
La Villa Bonita offers Chef Ana Garcias’ award-winning culinary and cultural vacation experiences in our specially-designed resort in the foothills of the Tepoztlan valley.
Start your Mexican culinary adventure now! Dates available year-round. Contact us for the most up-to-date availability.
+1 (631) 994-3436 // US
email: [email protected]