Oaxaca Arrazola: Alebrije Painting with Jimenez Family

Paint wooden alebrijes in Arrazola with local artists and family stories

You’ll join the Jimenez family in Arrazola near Oaxaca, learning how they carve and paint wooden alebrijes using natural colors. Paint your own small figure to take home, snack on local treats, and hear stories straight from the artists—all with private transportation included. It’s a few hours that’ll stick with you long after you leave.

What’s included

Your day includes private round-trip transportation from Oaxaca city to Arrazola, bottled water and snacks while you work, all painting supplies (brushes, acrylics), plus your own small wooden animal figure to decorate and keep as a handmade souvenir before heading back with Cesar at the end of your visit.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Alebrije painting with Jimenez family

• Travel to Arrazola village
• Meet Armando Jimenez and family
• Learn alebrije creation process
• Choose wooden animal figure
• Paint your alebrije souvenir
• Visit family gallery for souvenirs
• Return to starting point with Cesar

The Experience

The first thing I noticed in Arrazola was the smell of wood shavings—sort of sweet and sharp at the same time. We’d just stepped out of Cesar’s van (he’d picked us up right on time in Oaxaca), and Armando was already waving us over, his hands still flecked with paint. The whole Jimenez family was there—his wife sorting tiny carved animals, kids darting in and out, someone’s radio humming quietly from the kitchen. There’s something about being invited into someone’s home studio that feels a little like crossing into another world, you know?

Armando started showing us how his grandfather Manuel used to carve these alebrijes—little wooden creatures that look half-dreamed, half-real. He let me run my fingers over a jaguar’s back; the wood felt cool and smoother than I expected. They make their own colors too (I watched his daughter crush cochineal bugs for red dye—didn’t expect that part). We got to pick our own blank animal to paint. I chose a dog because it looked slightly wonky, like it had its own story already. The painting part took longer than I thought—maybe two hours? My brushwork was clumsy but nobody minded; Armando just grinned and said “más color!” every time I hesitated.

We snacked on salty peanuts while we worked, and someone brought out agua fresca that tasted faintly of lime leaves. At one point, Armando’s son tried to teach me how to say “alebrije” properly in Zapotec but honestly I probably butchered it—he laughed anyway. When the light shifted through their workshop window and made all the painted figures glow a bit, I caught myself thinking this might be my favorite souvenir ever. It’s not perfect (neither is my dog), but it feels like something real from Oaxaca.

Top questions

How do I get to Arrazola from Oaxaca city?

Private transportation is included in this tour; you’ll be picked up in Oaxaca city and driven to Arrazola.

Can I paint my own alebrije during the tour?

Yes, you’ll choose a small wooden animal figure to paint yourself using provided brushes and colors.

Who are the Jimenez family?

The Jimenez family are renowned artisans in Arrazola whose grandfather Manuel Jiménez helped create the tradition of wooden alebrijes.

Are snacks or drinks provided?

Yes, snacks such as peanuts and bottled water are included during your visit.

Is this tour suitable for kids or people with limited mobility?

The experience is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Do they use traditional methods for making alebrijes?

Yes, you’ll see traditional carving techniques and natural color-making from fruits, insects, and minerals.

How long does painting take?

The painting activity can take up to two hours depending on your pace.

Is English spoken during the tour?

If needed, translation into English will be provided by the hosts.