Location
  • Mexico
    • Oaxaca
    • Puerto Escondido
Length
1 - 12 weeks
529 Plan eligibility
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Host Family Hotel Lodge
Language
Spanish
Age Min.
13
Age Max
18

Pricing

Starting Price
2995
Price Details
Price varies per program and is all-inclusive. Combine any two programs for a 5% discount.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance
Mar 03, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
4 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Discover the diversity and wonder of Oaxaca, Mexico with Arcos Journeys Abroad! Choose from a variety of programs based in the colonial city of Oaxaca or get active and surf on Oaxaca's stunning Pacific coast. Oaxaca state is unmatched in its cultural and geographic diversity. Take Spanish classes at the University of Oaxaca. Learn about the cutting-edge culinary arts scene based on centuries of ancient cooking traditions. Explore the artistry of Oaxaca from its street art to its eclectic folk art traditions. Deeply rooted in culture and traditions a study abroad program in Oaxaca is the perfect recipe for inspiration and growth!

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Indulge in the incredible food found in Oaxaca such as the iconic mole
  • Explore Monte Alban, the best-preserved pre-Hispanic ruins in Mesoamerica
  • Swim in the pristine mountain springs of Hierve el Agua
  • Explore the cobblestone streets and colonial center of Oaxaca City
  • Surf the perfect waves of Puerto Escondido on the Pacific coast

Popular Programs

Arcos participants at surf camp at Puerto Escondido
Read More
Cooking workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico
Read More
Arcos students painting alebrijes in Oaxaca, Mexico
Read More
Study abroad students in Oaxaca, Mexico
Read More

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 33 reviews
  • 5 rating 93.94%
  • 4 rating 6.06%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.8
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.7
  • Housing 4.75
  • Safety 4.75
Showing 25 - 32 of 33 reviews
Default avatar
Clara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Arcos Journeys Abroad, Oaxaca Program

I am a Spanish teacher at a small boarding school in New York state. I have been working with Brent and the Arcos team since 2018, and they are the best. This past year was my second trip to Oaxaca with Arcos, and my fifth trip overall (I have also gone to Granada and Costa Rica with them), and I would continue to recommend their program whole-heartedly. Brent and his whole team are incredibly responsive to the needs and preferences of each school, as well as to each of the individual students who are part of the group. The level of personalized care is really special, and that is what has made me want to continue working with Arcos rather than with a larger, less personal organization. Once we were on the ground, our coordinator Pris was also incredible, having a great rapport with both the students as well as with the teachers. She is also very knowledgable and passionate about her city. (She always knew exactly when we needed a little detour or break to get ice cream or ‘pan dulce’!) The host families were all really great and caring, and my students loved all parts of their trip.

Pros
  • Great price
  • Very responsive and knowledgable staff during pre-trip planning as well as on the ground
  • Great balance between academic and tourist/ fun activities
71 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tanya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

The trip to Oaxaca was amazing!! Students were able to learn things they never would have in a classroom. They had many unique experiences while abroad. We always felt safe in the city and were able to see so and do so much!!!! Students participated in cooking classes, shopped at many markets, went swimming, hiking, to museums AND THE FOOD!!!! Everything we has was fresh and tasted amazing!! The program directors were always so helpful from the very beginning and even after the program was over.

Pros
  • Delicious food!!!
  • Learned so, so much about the culture and rich history of Oaxaca.
  • Very immersive experience.
Cons
  • Water - I am used to having running, hot water so it took some adjusting.
  • A LOT of walking but there is public transportation
62 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Siena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly Recommend for Anyone Who Wants to Exit their Comfort Zone

This program really helped me to navigate a country that spoke a different language than my native one. I got to experience not only the beautiful sights of Oaxaca like Hierve El Agua, but also experience the culture. This included things such as chocolate making, weaving, and traditional cooking. My home-stay experience broadened my horizon's as well. I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with my host mom every night over dinner in Spanish! Overall I really enjoyed this experience as it provided me with so many skills that I can use later on in life!

Pros
  • Home Stay Experience
  • Our Tour Guide Pris
  • Chocolate Making
Cons
  • School Experience
73 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Arcos is Amazing!

My son has done two trips with Arcos now and has absolutely loved it. Everything is extremely well organized. The communication is prompt and thorough. The host families are carefully vetted and always a good match for your kid. He has come home both times with endless stories from the planned activities and excursions. Both times he has been beaming for days. We were very nervous, as any parent would be, when he took his first trip abroad. Now, as long as his school is still working with Arcos, we are completely confident that he is safe, having fun, and being thoroughly enriched and immersed in local culture. I cannot say enough good things about the organization and its staff!

Pros
  • Excellent communication
  • Well vetted host families
  • Cultural immersion
75 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Zak
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best summer camp i have ever done

Man, this was the best camp i have ever done in my whole 15 years of living this was the coolesti mean the whole thing was wicked, surfing, mountain hiking, horseback riding. honesty the thing i loved most about it was there was no rigorous schedule, everything was chill and easy breezy. the guide was so amazing and kind and all the boys i went with were wildly fun. and it wasn't activities all day every day, some days we just chilled on our beachside cabins and watched movies. other times we layed on the beach and blasted reggae. whatever your needs are this trip will meet them, as long as your open o try new things! the trip was fantastic and i so recommend it to anyone. do incredibly stupid crazy things (Maybe keep that between u and me) and tag me on ur gram @Zakbattla

Pros
  • fun activities
  • people
  • chilling
Cons
  • no AC
  • i got food poisoning lmao just don't drink tap water
  • exhausting
96 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maryann
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome Experience

My son had an awesome experience over the two weeks at the surf and hike camp. Highlights of the trip was deep sea fishing, and the bioluminescence experience in Chacahua. It also helped that all the boys on the trip really bonded and got along. The program director was also a key component - the boys all really bonded with her.

I would recommend this program to someone that is active and will to try new things outside of their comfort zone.

When my son returned he was effusive in his praise for the experience.

Pros
  • Unique experiences
Cons
  • Potential to get sick in Mexico
90 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Opal
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

arcos oaxaca summer abroad - awesome

I spent 4 weeks with arcos in the summer before my senior year of high school. The program was so much fun in a million ways, but it boils down to 3
School - I took two language classes and I honestly couldn't even choose a favorite teacher because both were so amazing. So dedicated to teaching and having a good time while learning. I wish they were my regular Spanish teachers!
Homestays - my host mom was so helpful and kind. Like a regular mom, I'd eat most meals with her and my roommates and we'd talk about our days and she was always happy to hear about my new friends or funny stories from activities.
Activities - so much fun, made me realize how little I feel like there is to do where I live! Hierve de Agua (the hike and swim!) and Tierra del Sol (dopeee sustainable farm) were definite highlights.

Pros
  • amazing staff, everyone knew so many fun spots for activites in and outside the city
  • built my travel confidence for when I solo travel in the future!
  • $$$
Cons
  • session groups are pretty small (6-15 people) which can be good for activities but difficult socially
  • between ages 14 and 17 there is an enormous maturity gap, so friend options can be limited depending on the group
  • it goes by so quickly!
88 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
John
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learned so much Spanish and more

Read More
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Speak as much as you can to your host family! The most valuable part of this program for me was getting to know my host mother and forming friendships and relationships purely in Spanish. Don't just stay in your room all the time, you will definitely regret it. Don't just hang out with the other students.
Also, be open. Don't be the judgmental or entitled tourist. Nobody has any obligation to serve you or be nice to you. Not everybody is going to want to talk to you, although most are eager.
102 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers