Modern Adventure, in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), requires that all guests be fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine and provide proof of documentation before joining any trip.

The CDC defines fully vaccinated as 14 days after receiving:

• a single dose of an accepted 1-dose vaccine

• the second dose of an accepted 2-dose vaccine

• The full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the US-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials

• The second dose of any “mix and match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines (administered at least 17 days apart)

We strongly recommend that guests who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot do so in preparation for their travel. Destinations and their local laws may have different requirements and definitions of what constitutes full vaccination. Guests who have not received a booster dose may be prevented from traveling to certain destinations.

In addition, it may be a requirement to provide a negative COVID-19 test result prior to your departure and your return to your home country. Information will be provided in guest communications leading up to your trip. By booking a Modern Adventure you are agreeing to these terms and to providing proof of vaccination.

For more information about our COVID policies, please click here.

Our accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, and we recommend using Wi-Fi supported apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype as an alternative to making calls from your mobile phone. For US travelers, many phone providers have temporary international travel plans. Check with your provider for options.

In Mexico the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 127 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.For guests traveling from the United States of America, you won't need a power plug adapter in Mexico.

If you are on prescription medication, you should ask your doctor for a letter detailing your condition and prescribed drugs. This prevents possible issues at customs and helps the local doctor if you need to buy medication while traveling. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, we recommend you bring an extra pair and a copy of the prescription in case of emergency.

Late October is a wonderful time of year to travel in the region. Expect daily average highs near 81F and lows around 47F. In a typical year, there is very little rainfall in the months of October and November, so you can expect mostly sunny skies and warm weather.

Casual clothing is appropriate for Oaxaca. Cotton and other natural fabrics that are lightweight and breathable are best. When visiting inland cities and towns in Mexico, plan for a more conservative style. Sleeved tops and long pants or skirts work well. They'll also be handy for protecting against the sun and mosquitoes. We also recommended a sweater or a warm jacket for cooler mornings outdoors.

You'll have two evenings to spend on your own in Oaxaca. If you want to make reservations at one of Oaxaca’s higher-end restaurants, you may want to bring a dressy option.

While this trip features heavily on food, flavor, and cooking, there will be opportunities to get outside for activities such as hiking, biking, or even some time at the spa. If you plan to take part in any of these activities, make sure you pack appropriate clothing, footwear and swimwear. We’ll also spend time on foot, so make sure to bring sturdy walking shoes. We will travel by private bus between destinations, so you might want to pack along a pair of headphones for the ride. Additionally a bag that closes completely, such as backpack, prevents personal items from falling out when they are being stored in the bus storage compartments, and is a better idea than an open purse.

There are a few additional items that we recommend you to bring:

• Hat (to protect yourself from the sun)

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• Sandals or flip-flops

• Sturdy walking shoes

• Bathing suit

• Phone charger

• Headphones

• Travel pillow

• Ear plugs

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. While Modern Adventure does not recommend any policy specifically, we encourage you to compare benefits and options, a few of which are listed below. We recommend that any plan you select includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, at minimum.

• Allianz: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/find-a-plan

• Travelex: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/travel-insurance/plans/

• IMG Global: https://www.imglobal.com/travel-insurance

• Squaremouth: https://www.squaremouth.com/

US citizens do not require a visa to enter Mexico as tourists, for stays up to 180 days. The only requirement is a valid US passport. We recommend that your passport is valid for 6 calendar months beyond your planned departure date from Mexico. On arrival in Mexico, you will be issued a visitor’s permit, known as a FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple). Make sure you keep this form in a safe place, as you’ll need it to exit the country. If you lose this form, you may be charged a fee to get a new one upon departure from Mexico.

Not a US citizen? Please check with the Mexico Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

The local currency is Mexican pesos, worth roughly 19 pesos to 1 US dollar. There are numerous ATMs in Oaxaca to access your bank back home. Many restaurants and shops in Oaxaca City accept credit cards; however you will want some peso notes when traveling outside of the main city.

We do our absolute best to make your Modern Adventure as simple as possible. This means almost everything experience we have together will be prepaid. We recommend bringing enough money with you for a few meals on your own, as well as any souvenirs or local arts and crafts you might like to bring back with you.

Most gratuities and tips are included in our trip cost. However there are a few instances when you should consider tipping:

• When dining out on your own, it is customary to tip restaurant staff 10% to 15%

• With taxi drivers, it’s customary to round up the bill to the nearest peso.

• Tipping our local and Modern Adventure guides is at your discretion; to show your appreciation for good service, we recommend tipping each guide $50 to $70 per guest.