About us
Thirty five years ago the Cabrera-Arroyo family, consisting of René, a lawyer, Emilia, a nurse, and their six children, moved into this house. In 1988 the family began renting just one room to American students. Four years later, René became ill with leukemia and died shortly after. Emilia, now alone, decided to turn her home into a guest house. Everyone would work at the house while attending school. Almost all of her children took a turn running Casa de las Bugambilias.
The oldest daughters, Pilar and Aurora, left home to continue their studies outside of Oaxaca, while René, Claudia, Ita and Jorge, under the guidance of their mother, continued working at the guest house, temazcal and cooking classes. Later on Aurora, Ita and Claudia met their husbands-to-be who were staying at the house as guests who had come to learn Spanish. When Aurora, Ita and Claudia finished university, they married and relocated to the United States. Pilar returned from Mexico City where she had studied food engineering and opened La Olla Restaurant where she is now chef and teaches cooking classes. In the year 2000 the decision was made to change the guest house into an official bed and breakfast. The business expanded with the construction of another B&B, Casa de los Milagros, which opened its doors to the public in 2002 under the management of René and Adriana, his wife.
In 2003, after living in the U.S. for 15 years, the Dawson-Cabrera family, consisting of Aurora, Don, Nathan and Isaac, came back to manage Las Bugambilias, which took on a fresh new face reflecting the Dawson-Cabreras’ interest in the arts and culture and their commitment to apply that to every detail of the B&B. In August of 2010 the family returned to the U.S. and now Las Bugambilias is under the management of Adriana and René.
At the present time the Cabrera family has a new project, the opening of another B&B, which has 4 bedrooms in the best location in Oaxaca, opposite the Botanical Gardens and near many other attractions. It is intimate, warm and in good taste; every morning one can enjoy a delicious, fresh, and healthy breakfast created by Emilia and her staff; in addition, one may have a relaxing traditional massage.
Casa de las Bugambilias, Casa de los Milagros, and the new Casa would like for you to let this Oaxacan family, now numbering 21 with half living in the U.S. and half in Oaxaca, serve you with their welcoming warmth.
Bugambilias will continue to be a 100% Oaxacan family business and even though its roots have expanded throughout the United States it will continue with its authenticity and desire to cater to the needs of everyone who walks through their doors. We appreciate your visit and we hope that with your help this business will remain for many years to come.
This story is not over; come let us share it with you.
| Accolades |
| UNTE Reader | 2000 |
"Temazcal Healing" by Denise Trunk
utne.com
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| SFGATE San Francisco Chronicle | 2001 |
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"Follow the reader: Artful B&B" by Deborah Dallinger
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| The Washington Post | 2003 |
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"Day of the Dead 101" by Andrea Sachs
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| FROMMERS | 2004 |
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"Dancing on their graves:celebrating the Day of the Dead Festival in Oaxaca" by
Samantha Chaprick
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| VIA AAA Traveler's Companion | 2004 |
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"The Colors of Oaxaca" by Kathleen Wheaton
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| New York Times | 2005 |
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"Going to Oaxaca" by Boris Fishman
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| International Herald Tribune | 2005 |
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"Mexico's new culture retreat: Oaxaca" by Boris Fishman
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| SFGATE San Francisco Chronicle | 2005 |
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"Colorful Oaxaca Inn near central square" by Padma Moyer
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| The Guardian | 2005 |
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"Mexico on a plate" by Tim Dowling
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| The Globe and Mail Canada | 2006 |
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"Temazcal Steam Bath" by Lisa Young
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| Budget Travel | 2006 |
"25 Reasons we love Oaxaca" by Laurie Kuntz
budgettravel.com
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| The Wall Street Journal Section: Travel | 2007 |
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"A treasure's come back bid" by Joseph Rosembloom
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| Sunday Mirror | 2007 |
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"Mex on legs" by Lisa Young
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| Express News MySA.com | 2007 |
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"It's time to go (back) to Oaxaca" by Michael Oakes
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| LA Times | 2007 |
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"Mexico: Oaxaca B&B and cooking school get away"
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| NYT Press | 2007 |
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"36 Hours in Oaxaca" by Beth Greenfield"
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