oaxaca
Field to Fiber:
coyuchi cotton
on the costa chica
January 2027
Join us on a journey to the Costa Chica of Oaxaca to experience the living traditions of the hierlom cottons that grow in earthy hues: coyuchi brown, green, purple, and white.
During this trip, we’ll partner with Ñu’u Ndito, a cooperative working at the frontline of protecting Mexico’s native colored cottons. In their fields, cotton is grown as part of a living agro-ecological system, interwoven with the milpa. We will walk the feels with Ñu’u Ndito to see the cotton fiber on the plant and take part in the harvest.
Then with Katyi Ya’a cooperative, we’ll enter the intimate world of transformation: deseeding the cotton by hand, beating the fiber, spinning with the malacate spindle, and weaving on the backstrap loom. Step by step, we’ll witness how a plant becomes a textile, and how a textile becomes a representation of identity and autonomy.
Our journey continues on to the Puerto Escondido region, where a stay in a nature-forward boutique villa offers space to rest, reflect, and integrate all we’ve learned.
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Native cotton is fragile. Its seeds cannot be stored for extended periods; they must be planted, cared for, and passed on. Today, these heirloom varieties face threat of contamination from genetically modified industrial seeds. In the Costa Chica of Oaxaca, communities continue to protect these endangered heirloom seeds with patience and pride in their territory.
This journey is a fundraiser. Your participation directly supports Ñu’u Ndito and the indigenous communities who continue to cultivate, clean, spin, and weave these native cottons by hand. Participation in this trip contributes to a future where agriculture, textile knowledge, biodiversity, and community autonomy can grow together.
Join us on this meaningful travel experience in support of Mexico’s native colored cottons and the communities keeping them alive.
walks with cotton farmers
Visit local farmers who cultivate cotton within diverse, intercropped fields, where traditional knowledge shapes every step of the process. In this region, heirloom cotton varieties face the growing threat of contamination from nearby GMO crops, putting generations of seed stewardship at risk. As we walk the land with indigenous farmers, we’ll learn how they protect the genetic integrity of their native seeds, through seed selection, community exchange, and ecological practices that honor the soil.
Cotton spinning and weaving workshops
Learn to spin short-staple heirloom cotton using a traditional malacate spindle. From there, discover how freshly spun threads are prepared for weaving by soaking them in atole, a corn-based starch. Finally, take part in a weaving workshop, where you’ll be introduced to the techniques of the Mesoamerican backstrap loom.
boutique hotel integration experience
After four days on the Costa Chica, head to the outskirts of Puerto Escondido, near Casa Wabi, where we’ll spend two days unwinding in oceanside boutique villas, integrating all we’ve just learned.
ITINERARY
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Arrive to Huatulco via airport or road from Oaxaca City (optional transportation in shuttle from Oaxaca City included).
Settle into our ocean home.Welcome dinner and orientation.
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Homemade breakfast at home.
Morning to enjoy a peaceful visit to the beach, or relax at home.
Group lunch.
Afternoon with the Caracol Purpura biologists, certified natural dyers and anthropologist Marta Turok.
Group dinner with the Caracol Purpura team.
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Breakfast at the house.
Relaxed morning to practice hands-inning cotton threads with traditional malacate tool.
Group lunch.
Afternoon boat cruise whale watching experience.
Group dinner.
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Breakfast at the house.
Weaving instructors from coastal communities will spend the day at the house teaching guests to weave. Spending the morning preparing the warp and afternoon setting up the loom.
Group lunch and dinner at the house.
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Group breakfast at the house.
The weaving instructors will join us at the house again. Spend the day weaving your textiles.
Group lunch and dinner at the house.
Enjoy our final night together.
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Homemade breakfast at the house.
Farewells and departures. Transportation to the Huatulco airport or back to Oaxaca City via shuttle.
TRIP
DETAILS
Dates:
January 2027
A Note About the Trip:
This journey invites a different understanding of luxury. During this trip, luxury is the privilege of entering a world that remains true to its own rhythms, far from mass tourism and largely untouched by globalization. This trip is a rare opportunity to stand beside the people who are protecting one of Mexico’s most precious biocultural treasures.
Accommodations and meals are simple and shared. This experience requires humility, and a genuine willingness to adapt. Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated, and participants should be prepared to receive what is offered with gratitude and openness. Please be prepared for humidity and heat, and to be offline for the duration of the trip
Pricing + Payment:
A non-refundable deposit is required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining balance can be made at your convenience at least 60 days prior to the trip.
When making a reservation, there is the option to Pay it Forward. These contributions are directed exclusively towards our Artisan Exchange Program, in which we invite our indigenous craft collaborators to participate in retreats in other regions, thus weaving a larger web of this global artisan community.
Cost Includes:
Donation to Ñu’u Ndito: This is a non-for-profit experience. All profits made during this trip will be donated to Ñu’u Ndito cooperative, the organization on the frontlines of preserving the integrity of the native cotton seeds.
In-Country Transportation: Transfer from the Puerto Escondido airport or bus station to our accommodations.
Airport transfers are only included if guests are arriving and departing on the trip start and end dates.Meals: All meals are included in the itinerary. Most meals will be homemade and simple. Due to the remoteness of the area, we cannot accept dietary restrictions during this trip.
Payment to Artisan Partners: Artisan instructors receive fair compensation for their time offering demonstrations and teaching workshops. This payment also covers costs for all craft materials in the case of hands-on workshops.
Shared Occupancy Accommodation: In the Costa Chica, our group will be at a rustic homestay with shared rooms and no air conditioning. Later we’ll spend two days Punta Pajaros outside of Puerto Escondido.
Support: This trip will be hosted by the Thread Caravan, TEXERE and Donde Clara team members. Our hosts will accompany the group throughout the trip, offering participants their combined knowledge of craft and translation support, while making sure everything runs smoothly. In addition, Thread Caravan staff is available to answer questions and assist with trip preparations prior to the experience.
Additional Expenses:
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages.
Airfare/Bus Fare: To and from Puerto Escondido.
Personal Spending Money: For personal shopping and any activities in free time. Consider budgeting for textile purchases from the weavers and optional massage at Punta Pajaros.
Personal Travel Insurance: We require all international participants to have personal travel insurance. This should cover illness, trip and/or flight cancellations, theft, etc. If this is your first time purchasing travel insurance, we recommend World Nomads or Allianz.
Getting There and Away:
Guests should plan to fly into Puerto Escondido’s *** airport, or arrive to Puerto Escondido by bus from Oaxaca City.
We ask that all guests be ready to leave by 8am on the trip start day, and can depart anytime on the trip end day.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about arrival and departure logistics.
Other Info:
VISA: A visa is not required for citizens of the United States if traveling to Mexico for under 180 days. If you are a citizen of another country you can check VISA requirements here.
Passport Validity: In order to enter Mexico, your passport must be valid for at least 90 days following your departure date. You must also have at least one blank page in your passport.
Questions? Contact us.
