COVID-19 testing requirements for entry to Mexico and reentry to the United States are in flux, and likely to change prior to EPIC. We will keep you updated on any restrictions as the departure date approaches.

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.

You won't need a power-plug adapter in Mexico—the voltage and plug style is compatible with US electronic devices.

April is a wonderful time of year to travel in the region. Expect daily average highs near 80F and lows around 55F. In a typical year, there is very little rainfall in the month of April, so you can expect 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.

We’ll 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.

Additional items that we recommend you to bring:

• Hat (to protect yourself from the sun)

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• Sandals or flip-flops

• Sturdy walking shoes

• Swimsuit (the hotel has a pool)

• Workout clothes (there is a gym in the hotel)

• Phone charger

• Headphones

• Travel pillow

• Ear plugs

The local currency is Mexican pesos, worth roughly 20 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 may want some peso notes when traveling outside of the main city.

We recommend bringing enough money with you for souvenirs or local arts and crafts you might like to bring back with you.

All tips, including guide tips are covered by the chapter. 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

Traveling with dietary restrictions or allergies can be a challenge, but we’re here to help. Janet has provided our partner, Modern Adventure, with the dietary restrictions she has on file. If your needs have changed, please contact Janet.

They will work with their in-country partners to adjust menus and be aware of allergies and restrictions on our trip. We kindly request that any changes are based on need rather than preference, as Modern Adventure works hard to curate exceptional dining experiences that are thoughtful and representative of the local culture and flavors.

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.

Our EPIC in Oaxaca is well-paced and packs in so many incredible experiences— yet it’s not without leisure time to explore the region yourself, or simply to unwind and relax. While our activities each day will vary, the cadence remains about the same, with most days starting between 8:30 and 9am, and finishing around 4pm, then reconvening for dinner around 7pm.

• 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.

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. 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

• Travelex

• IMG Global

• Squaremouth

You will have the opportunity to purchase items from the artisans we visit. For your convenience, Modern Adventure is happy to keep a running tab of anything you would like to purchase —art, crafts, pottery, mezcal, anything which you may want to purchase and bring home—and then, at the end of our trip, we will charge you just once for all of your individual purchases. Please note, that purchases made on your free time or not in a group setting cannot be added to your tab and will require payment at the time of purchase.

When you first arrive at La Quinta Real Hotel, you will be greeted by one of our Modern Adventure Trip Leaders. As part of the check-in process, our Trip Leaders will collect your credit card and shipping address information for this purpose. When you would like to make a purchase, please confirm all purchases and details with the Modern Adventure Trip Leader in the group. You will have the option to take the item with you at the time of purchase, have it delivered to the hotel, or have it shipped to the address on file.