Enjoy our greenest season of the year with waterfalls, lush vegetation, wild mushrooms, and fabulous local greens. Enjoy the incredible bounty that the mountain climate provides in delicious traditional Mexican dishes.
This is the GREENEST AND MOST TEMPERATE SEASON OF THE YEAR! Most people think that it has to be hot in the summer in Tepoztlan BUT IT IS NOT! This is the season of beautiful waterfalls and wonderful green vegetation. The temperature drops to the 70s during the day making it very enjoyable. It may rain for a bit at night but the sun will come out the next day making it crisp, clean, and green. In August and September, the bounty of wild mushrooms spring out of the mountain. There is also a bounty of other local greens, huitlacoche, squash blossoms and stone fruit such as apples, peaches, and pears from San Juan Tlacotenco which is a nearby village in the mountains. It is a time when we enjoy the true bounty of what the mountain climate offers.
Arriving at MEX (Benito Juarez Mexico City International) with airport pickup, guests enjoy a 1.5-hour trip to La Villa Bonita. They are welcomed with Chef Ana’s renowned Margarita featuring her homemade Calamondine Orange liquor, alongside bocadillos such as guacamole, cheeses, salsa, and tortilla chips.
Later, guests relish Chef Ana’s 4-course gourmet dinner sourced from local ingredients or things grown in our garden, served in our open-air kitchen overlooking the valley or in the elevated dining area with panoramic mountain views. Chef Ana shares insights into her dishes and discusses the week’s schedule.
The day kicks off with Chef Ana’s renowned hearty breakfast featuring fresh fruit, biscuits, homemade jams, jellies, and a rotating selection of authentic Mexican dishes. Participants venture to the bustling Tepoztlán market to handpick premium ingredients sourced by Chef Ana’s trusted local vendors, which they then use in hands-on cooking sessions in the picturesque open-air kitchen.
Today is a day to start enjoying the harvest in the mountains that the summer provides, with a focus on taco and quesadilla stuffings as well as delicious salsas. An example of dishes that may be created that day is guacamole with wild mountain cilantro, wild mushroom soup, use of masa for tortillas, and quesadillas with stuffings (called “guisados”) such as squash blossoms, wild mushrooms, potatoes, and poblano chiles, huitlacoche, and Pipian with tender beans. We will also make a variety of salsas, such as fava bean salsa from local produce. Cooking generally goes from 11 to 2:30 in the afternoon, with lunch of dishes prepared in the open-air kitchen or the elevated terrace with wine and beer service and coffee or tea with dessert. An agua fresca with fruit, horchata, Jamaica, or tamarindo accompanies each lunch. Learn how to use red, white, or blue masa from ancestral corn varieties produced locally, make your tortillas, and place them on the comal with Mari, your “ama de llaves” during your stay at La Villa Bonita.
After a great breakfast we will have our first foraging excursion. Today is the day to see the incredible variety of mushrooms that our region has to offer. Here you will see and harvest bright blue indigos, coral mushrooms, oyster, broomsticks and many others. Go with our local guide and take a hike in the mountains to harvest our own wild mushroom feast. After a hearty hike to collect our mushrooms we will have a delicious lunch of salsas and guisado or mushroom taco fillings with hand-made tortillas at our guides home.
Afterwards we will take a short trip up the mountain to visit one of the country’s premier goat cheese producer, Regina, at Sierra Encantada. We will take a tour of her goat ranch and see how she produces her award-winning cajeta and goat cheeses. Then, of course, we will try one of the most elaborate cheese plate with homemade bread, crackers, and fruits along with a collection of her incredible goat cheese. This is not to be missed! You can also buy more to bring home. Makes a great gift!
The day begins as always with a fabulous breakfast and a trip to the market to select ingredients and to meet the local butcher and cheese vendor. Guest return to LVB to cook up a storm. Huanzontles are the main dish of the day. They are the pre-hispanic protein powerpack made from the young stems of the amaranth plant. An example of
other dishes that may accompany the huanzontles are a red tomato caldillo or broth which accompanies the huanzontle, clay pot beans (de la olla) and rich lentil soup. Dessert may be fresh corn cake topped with Tepoztlan’s famous local ice cream with flavors such as avocado, mamey, or mezcal among many others.
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!
After a hearty breakfast, guests will dedicate the day to the production and use of masa with a trip to the Masa Mill to produce our own masa from corn grown locally. Guests will then return to prepare a Mexican classic – Pozole Rojo with Wild Mushrooms. Pozole is a soup made of hominy and usually prepared with pork. Since this is the wild mushroom season we will use wild oyster mushrooms foraged from the mountain. As well, we will make tacos dorados or flautas with potatoes and requeson cheese, and finish things off with a delicious Tres Leches Cake adorned with local peaches.
We start with a fabulous breakfast as usual (with departure to the airport for 5-night guests) and begin our preparations to enjoy the grandeur of the poblano chile in Chiles en Nogada. This is the national dish of Mexico for its representation of the colors of the Mexican flag with the white (the nogada sauce), red (pomegranates from our trees) and green (the poblano chile). Guests will learn the proper technique for blistering and preparing fresh poblanos. We will also prepare taquitos de quelites (local greens) and bunuelos with candied local apples for dessert.
After your delicious breakfast, you have a day to enjoy on your own. Take a hike, enjoy the weekend artisan market, go out for lunch or just relax. Today is a day to do whatever your heart desires . . .
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 than 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 8 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. We don’t follow daylight savings anymore in Mexico so sometimes we are in Central, sometimes we are in Mountain. 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.
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 ONCE 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.
Covid or other Illnesses. If you are feeling under the weather prior to your arrival please take a COVID/FLU test. If your test comes out positive you can reschedule without penalty to another date subject to availability as a full credit for what was previously paid. If you join us with COVID or another visible illness, you will not be able to join the class until you are asymptomatic and test negative so please use test prior to coming down. If you are sick, while you are here, you will not have the ability to change to a later date or receive a refund of any kind.
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 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 we can arrange for a private car at your expense but 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 80-100 USD which can fluctuate depending on demand or exchange rates. If you arrive after 8:00 pm to LVB it is possible that you will miss dinner on Sunday night.
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 $1500 pesos per trip (currently about 90 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 15 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 March 2024 is about 16.5 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 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 +1-323-285-3587 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.
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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]