Things To Do
in Oaxaca
Oaxaca City sits in a lush valley beneath the Sierra Madre mountains, where colonial architecture meets a vibrant indigenous culture. The city is renowned for its complex moles, handcraft markets, and a lively arts scene that spills into every plaza. Food lovers will find a cuisine rooted in corn, cacao, mezcal, and chile, celebrated in markets, restaurants, and street stalls.
Exploring the city reveals grand churches, colorful mercados, and easy access to nearby archaeological sites and cloud forests.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a traditional Oaxacan breakfast at a local café, savoring dishes such as chilaquiles or huevos rancheros. After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll through the enchanting streets of the Historic Center, where colonial architecture and vibrant markets await. Visit the stunning Santo Domingo Church, marveling at its intricate baroque design and the lush botanical garden adjacent to it.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in local culture by visiting the Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Garden, where you can learn about the region's diverse flora. Continue your exploration with a visit to the bustling Mercado 20 de Noviembre, where you can sample local delicacies such as tlayudas and fresh mezcal. As you wander through the market, engage with local artisans and discover unique handmade crafts.
As the sun sets, enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Zócalo, where the vibrant atmosphere of Oaxaca comes alive. Choose from a menu featuring traditional Oaxacan cuisine, perhaps indulging in mole negro or fresh seafood. After dinner, take a leisurely walk around the Zócalo, soaking in the lively ambiance and perhaps catching a local performance or live music.
Begin your day with breakfast at a local market, sampling delicious tamales and fresh fruit. After fueling up, head out to the nearby town of San Bartolo Coyotepec, renowned for its black pottery artisans. Visit workshops to witness the intricate process of creating these unique pieces, speaking with the artists about their craft.
In the afternoon, continue your artisanal journey to the village of Teotitlán del Valle, famous for its handwoven rugs. Join a workshop where you can learn about traditional dyeing techniques using natural materials. Afterward, explore the picturesque village, visiting the small shops that showcase the vibrant colors and patterns of their textiles.
Return to Oaxaca City and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant that specializes in mole, a staple of Oaxacan cuisine. Pair your meal with a tasting of local mezcal, learning about its production from a knowledgeable server. After dinner, explore the charming streets filled with art galleries and shops, perhaps picking up a unique souvenir.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $5-12 |
| ☕Coffee at a cafe | $1-3 |
| 🚖Taxi ride within city | $3-8 |
| 🛍️Market snack or small purchase | $1-5 |
| 🎥Movie ticket | $3-7 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich culinary scene with moles, mezcal and regional markets
- Excellent day-trip access to ruins, villages, and natural wonders
- Warm, welcoming culture with strong craft traditions
- Pleasant climate for most of the year and vibrant arts scene
- Tourist-heavy in central areas during peak seasons
- Some streets are cobblestone and hilly, requiring good footwear
- Major attractions can have variable hours and seasonal closings
- In some areas, reliance on cash is higher than card acceptance
- "Hola" - Hello
- "Buenos días" - Good morning
- "Por favor" - Please
- "Gracias" - Thank you
- "¿Cuánto cuesta?" - How much does it cost?
- "¿Dónde está el baño?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "¿Habla inglés?" - Do you speak English?
- "Necesito ayuda" - I need help
Places to Visit in Oaxaca
Visit one of these nice places.
The ornate Baroque façade and richly decorated interior offer dramatic contrasts of light and color for architectural and interior photography.
Cobbled streets, colonial balconies, street performers, and market activity provide vibrant, candid city scenes.
Panoramic terraces and the surrounding valley make for sweeping landscape shots and ancient-site photography.
Colorful stalls, ingredients, and culinary action create dynamic, close-up food photography opportunities.
Photographs of traditional weaving, vibrant textiles, and the surrounding valley create a cultural documentary feel.
Food in Oaxaca
Oaxaca Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A rich, complex sauce made with chiles, chocolate, nuts, and spices, typically served over chicken or turkey. Best found in traditional oaxaqueño restaurants and some mercados.
Must-Try!
A large, crunchy corn tortilla topped with refried beans, queso Oaxaca, cabbage, avocado, and often your choice of meat; a street-food staple found at many markets and stalls.
Thinly sliced, marinated beef that’s typically served on a tlayuda or as part of a dish; common at mercados and local eateries.
Thick, oval masa cakes topped with beans, cheese, and salsa; widely available at street stalls and mercados.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
A historic market with stalls offering tlayudas, mole, mole negro sauces, and a wide range of fresh produce and prepared foods.
A bustling market with local produce, herbs, chiles, and ready-to-eat bites; great for snacks and to observe daily life.
One of the largest markets in the region, where you can taste regional specialties, purchase spices, and watch vendors bargaining with locals.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
A polite greeting with 'Buenos días/tardes' goes a long way. Use 'usted' with elders and business hosts unless invited to use first-name terms. In churches and sacred spaces, dress modestly and speak softly.
Respect for Indigenous traditions and markets; ask permission before photographing people or private crafts; support local artisans by engaging respectfully and purchasing intentionally.
Safety
Tipping in Oaxaca
Ensure a smooth experience
In restaurants, 10-15% is customary if service is not included. For street vendors and markets, small change or rounding up is appreciated. Taxis typically do not expect tips beyond rounding up fare.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Hot days with frequent afternoon rain and thunderstorms. Stay hydrated, carry a light rain jacket, and enjoy early morning viewings and outdoor markets before the heat peaks.
Pleasant days with cooler evenings. A good time for outdoor photography and day trips to ruins and valleys before the winter dry spell.
Mild days and cool nights; perfect for walking tours and market visits. Pack a light jacket for evenings and early mornings.
Warm days with comfortable temperatures; humidity increases toward the late spring. Great for hiking and street fairs.
Oaxaca at Night
Hiking in Oaxaca
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Easy-to-moderate trails around the petrified waterfalls with panoramic valley views.
Forest trails, cloud-forest scenery, and eco-tourism treks through interconnected villages with guided options.
Airports
How to reach Oaxaca by plane.
Located in Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, about 8-12 miles from the city center; serves domestic flights and some international connections; taxi or shuttle is the common transfer option.
Approximately 200–250 miles southeast of Oaxaca City; access by road or domestic flight connections; serves resort areas along the coast.
Located on the Pacific coast, a few hours from Oaxaca by road; convenient for coastal trips and domestic flights.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
People of mixed Indigenous and European heritage form a majority in the city, shaping the cultural blend.
The Zapotec people have a strong historical presence in the region, contributing language, crafts, and traditions.
Indigenous groups with distinct languages and crafts found in the surrounding valleys and towns.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The region embraces soccer as a primary sport with local leagues and matches in nearby towns and stadiums.
A traditional sport and cultural heritage event featuring roping, riding, and showcasing horsemanship.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Oaxaca.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Many dishes are meat-based, but you can request vegetarian versions; look for beans, corn, cheese, and vegetables. In mercados, ask for 'sin carne' or 'vegetariano' and steer toward mole de vegetales, quesadillas with cheese, nopal, and corn-based items.