Oaxaca
This superlative UNESCO-designated Mexican city and region will captivate you with its ideal weather, world-class cuisine, mezcal distilleries, colourful markets, lucha libre freestyle wrestling and big mountain singletrack.
Joining In
Oaxaca, Mexico
Skill Level
Advanced
Group Size
4-11
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Per Person From
USD $3195
Single Supplement
USD $850
Dates and Availability
Region
Trip Details
A cultural powerhouse rivalling anywhere in Latin America for history, gastronomy, and vibrant Indigenous traditions, Oaxaca pairs UNESCO-listed colonial beauty with raw, high-altitude mountain biking in the Sierra Norte. Just outside the city, pine-oak forests at 2,400–3,000m deliver steep, technical singletrack with loose rock, roots, tight switchbacks, sustained enduro-style descents, and big vertical drops through the renowned La Cumbre Ixtepeji trail network. Shuttles maximize the fun, but you’ll still earn your tacos. Expect panoramic ridgelines, epic views, and long downhills that demand confident braking and smart line choice — authentic, backcountry terrain built and maintained by local Zapotec communities. By day, it’s rugged, dynamic riding; by night, it’s mezcal tastings, local food tours, mole negro, vibrant markets, and the layered energy of one of Mexico’s most captivating cities — a trip that blends serious mountain biking with deep cultural immersion.
- Expert local leadership.
- Six nights’ 4-star boutique hotel (based on double occupancy)
- Airport transfers from Oaxaca Airport on scheduled days & all ride shuttles.
- Trail fees & donations to community organizations.
- Mezcal distillery tasting & Guided Oaxaca food tour.
- All breakfasts & two dinners.
- 24 Hour Trip Support.
- Your bike and equipment needed to ride: helmet, shoes, pack, etc.
- All lunches & four dinners.
- Ride snacks & supplements.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- International airfare and any extra baggage fees.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
Advanced
You have been mountain biking consistently for five years or more and can ride technical trails, including steep sections, small jumps, and small drops. You can ride switchbacks confidently, including rock gardens and sections with exposure. Your overall fitness level is high, and you have the endurance to ride for 4-6 hours, over multiple days, with some intense climbs. You bike as much as you can, in all weather, and over all terrain. You know when to walk a section that might be outside your comfort zone.
Diego
Chilled out, kind and patient, Diego loves meeting new people on bikes and sharing the beauty of Mexico. A former Mexican National Downhill Champion, Diego is a certified professional guide with a passion for the plants, animals, history and culture.
On this shuttle-assisted riding destination, over five full days of riding we’ll access high-elevation terrain, ranging from lush, greasy jungle trails and loam-filled forests to arid and dusty, agave-lined singletrack. This is an advanced-level trip for riders who are comfortable with steep, technical, and long-duration descents up to 1000m per lap, sometimes starting above 3000m. After days of high-adrenaline descents, we’ll enjoy the city’s world-famous food, vibrant markets, and local hospitality. This trip spends all nights at a comfortable four-star boutique hotel that features a pool and is in the heart of this vibrant city, steps from all the sights. If you are a strong downhill rider, enjoy Mexican culture and culinary adventures, then this is the trip for you.
Trip Itinerary
Trip Highlights
Trail
Loam Factory trail
Amenities
4-star Boutique hotel with swimming pool
Views
Pine, oak and fern forests, majestic churches, street art
Cuisine
Famous for moles, cheeses, tortillas and mezcalerias
Geographic Marvels
From misty, cool Sierra Madre mountains to hot dry valleys
Cultural Experiences
Indigenous Zapotec culture
Getting Ready
Bike Info
Riders are required to bring their own bikes. A current full-suspension enduro bike with 150-160mm travel that’s capable of climbing and designed for descending through rough terrain is suggested on this trip. Tires should be tubeless, 2.30” or above, aggressive tread designed for rocky terrain, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. Eye protection and knee pads that you can comfortably pedal in are highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory when on your bike. A small backpack or hip-pack is recommended.
Rental Info
Unpack once and enjoy six nights at our four-star boutique hotel located in the center of vibrant Oaxaca. Rides are all shuttle-assisted, mostly downhill enduro-style. Riders can opt to ride half-days if desired.
Mountain biking in Oaxaca offers rugged, high-altitude terrain characterized by steep, natural descents, dry pine forests, and lush jungle environments. Trails range from flowy to extremely rough, loose, and technical, often featuring features like rock rolls, chutes, and swooping corners.
17—30km, and 4—6+ hours
Walking your bike is encouraged when riding sections that might be too technical. We recommend you ride within your limits and be conservative.
On this adventure, all nights are spent in a well-appointed centrally located four-star hotel with a swimming pool.
All breakfasts, two dinners.
Oaxaca is considered Mexico’s culinary capital, celebrated for its indigenous roots and diverse regional ingredients. Cuisine is defined by complex, slow-cooked moles (featuring seven varieties), and quesillo (a stringy, mild cheese). Essential street foods include tlayudas (large, crispy toasted tortillas topped with beans, meat, and cheese) and memelas (thick corn cakes).
Yes, laundry service is available at our hotel for an additional cost.
In the mountains weather can change quickly and drastically – it could be 30 degrees Celsius in the valley one day and then cold on a mountaintop the next day. Oaxaca can receive considerable rain depending on the season, so be prepared for all types of weather conditions.
It is recommended to use Mexican pesos (MXN) while in Oaxaca. Some tourist-oriented businesses or hotels may occasionally accept U.S. dollars. Each day you will need to purchase your own lunches and snacks, and drinks if you choose. While major credit cards are accepted in many establishments, smaller local markets, street vendors, and transportation services often require cash. You can use a bank machine to get pesos at the Oaxaca Airport upon arrival.
Gratuities for your Big Mountain guides may be given at your discretion in response to their professionalism and leadership throughout the week. We suggest 5-10% of the trip price per individual guest to be divided among your guiding team as a tipping standard. Tipping at restaurants, bars etc. is customary and appreciated and most often preferred in pesos.
Safety + Risk Awareness
Mountain biking is a dangerous activity that involves inherent risks. Injuries are a common and expected part of mountain biking. As many of our trips take place in remote regions and riders will be on unfamiliar terrain and trails, the risks, dangers and hazards are increased. It is imperative that that riders on our trips ride responsibly and more conservatively than they would on their home trails. Riders on our trips are responsible for their own safety while riding.
Always ride in control and within your ability level. Always walk sections if needed.
Do not ride if your ability or judgement is impaired by drugs, alcohol or fatigue.
Helmets are mandatory whenever you are on your bike. Gloves, knee pads, eye protection and other protective equipment are strongly recommended on all our trips.
Riders must ensure that their mountain bike or rental mountain bike or rental e-bike and equipment is in safe working condition. Always inspect your bike or rental bike in advance of every ride.
All riders must read and agree to our Release Agreement Waiver prior to participating on our trips.
