Oaxaca is a vibrant city in Mexico known for its culinary scene, artisan-made goods, mezcal, and day of the dead celebrations. During a visit to Oaxaca, you’ll have a chance to learn about Mexican indigenous culture. Plus, it’s a walkable city with some amazing day trip opportunities.
From the colorful hanging flags to the vibrant alebrijes (painted animals), I loved the energy of Oaxaca. It’s a city with no shortage of delicious food (and very vegetarian friendly) and a great place to experience a variety of cultural activities.
This guide has a fun Oaxaca itinerary that includes a cooking class, museums, shopping, and an epic day trip full of hiking, swimming and mezcal. It’s based on my experience visiting Oaxaca in November 2024.
Tips and Things To Know About Visiting Oaxaca
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As I’m sure you know, Spanish is the primary language spoken in Oaxaca and all of Mexico. Most people in the touristy areas speak at least a little English, but it goes a long way to be able to speak some Spanish during your trip. You’ll be able to communicate better and get around more easily. If you’re new to learning Spanish, start practicing on Duolingo or Rosetta Stone leading up to your trip. At the same time, don’t let the fear of not knowing Spanish stop you from going or make you too nervous. I recommend downloading the Google Translate app to help you translate on the go!
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You’ll want an international phone plan to use during your trip. An eSIM is an easy and affordable way to use your phone while traveling abroad.
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The majority of places that I visited in Oaxaca took credit cards, but it’s helpful to have some cash on hand for tips, or places that are cash only. ATM fees can vary, I recommend using ATMs that are attached to a bank. Also, when paying with credit cards, select to pay in Mexican Pesos (instead of your local currency) when given a choice. This will give you a better rate.
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Tipping is common at restaurants and the standard is about 10-15%.
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It’s not safe to drink the tap water in Oaxaca or the rest of Mexico. Use water provided by your hotel and/or bring a filter to avoid too much single use plastic.
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Is Oaxaca safe? Yes! I traveled solo for part of my time in Oaxaca and felt very safe walking around the city. Like any other city, exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.
Getting to Oaxaca and Getting Around
If you’re wondering whether you need a rental car in Oaxaca, it depends on what you want to do. The city center is very walkable, so I only recommend renting a car if you’d like to explore the surrounding areas on your own without a guide. Personally, I opted for guided adventures for my first visit.
I flew into the Oaxaca International Airport, which is about a 30 minute drive from the Oaxaca city center. When it comes to getting from the Oaxacan Airport to the city center, I found the colectivos (shared taxis) to be easy, safe and affordable.
How to take a colectivo from the airport to the city center in Oaxaca:
- Get in line at the taxi stand inside the airport. You’ll tell them where you’re going, and pay a set fare ahead of time if you’re going to the city center.
- They will assign you a colectivo and you’ll walk outside, get in the shared van, and they will take you to your destination (there may be other stops along the way).
Once you’re in the city, taxis tend to be the best way to get around. Uber is not allowed in Oaxaca, but you can use the DiDi app to call taxis on your phone. Since we had an early flight out of town, we had our hotel call a taxi for us when we left town.
Where to stay in Oaxaca
Oaxaca has so many cute boutique hotels in walkable locations. Here are a few to choose from:
Budget: Co.404. A co-living space that is perfect for digital nomads or solo travelers looking to meet new people and explore while working remotely.
Mid-Range: Casa de Las Bugambilias B&B. This is where I stayed and I loved it! This colorful bed and breakfast is in a great location and the rooms and courtyard are super cute.
Luxury: Pug Seal Oaxaca. This beautiful boutique hotel is located in a colonial house dating back to the early 19th century. It was listed as a Michelin hotel in 2024.
When To Visit Oaxaca
October to March is the busiest season in Oaxaca and is characterized by warm and dry weather. April and May can also be a nice time to experience fewer crowds.
I visited Oaxaca in November (after the Day of the Dead Festival) and it was great to be there. I never found the crowds to be too much, and the weather was hot during the day (but not too hot) and cooler at night.
How to Spend 3 Days in Oaxaca
Oaxaca Itinerary - Day 1
Explore Downtown Oaxaca
Spend some time exploring Oaxaca by foot! Make sure to visit the Plaza de La Constitución, which is a city park surrounded by shops and restaurants. The Templo de la Compañía de Jesús also sits right on the square.
One route to consider is walking between Plaza de La Constitución and the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán. During my visit, there were huge sculptures, and lots of hanging, colorful flags all over this area. This vibrant city is a joy to walk around.
If you’d prefer to explore with a guide, join a free walking tour (don’t forget to tip!) and learn about the history, arts and culture of the area.
Eat Brunch at Boulenc
Boulenc is a delicious restaurant in Oaxaca that is known for its sourdough bread and baked goods, along with a full menu with items like pizza, bahn mis, pastas and more. They are most known for being a breakfast spot, but they are also open all day for lunch and dinner.
While all of the food is good, the bread especially shines. In fact, co-owner Juan Pablo had been selling artisan bread as a side hustle before opening the bakery. Not only is the food flavorful, but the space is very inviting. You’ll sit in an open-air courtyard with hanging art and colorful walls.
I went here twice during my trip to Oaxaca and especially loved the bahn mi, the espresso tonic and the pastries! This spot is popular, so expect a wait during peak times. However, it usually moves quickly.
Visit the Oaxaca Museum of Cultures
The Oaxaca Museum of Cultures is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. This large museum has a variety of displays and artifacts that cover Oaxacan culture and history.
One of the most notable exhibits is a collection of fine jewelry, turquoise, gold, silver and jade from the Mixtec tomb in Tomb 7 at Monte Albán (a famous archaeological site near Oaxaca City).
The museum also shares about what life was like in the pre-Hispanic period. Plus, parts of the museum are open-air, and you can look out over the Ethnobiological Garden of Oaxaca. The garden is only open for guided tours and the tours are only offered in Spanish at this writing.
The museum costs 70 pesos (about $4) and is well worth a visit!
Visit the Museo Textil de Oaxaca
The Oaxacan Textile Museum is the perfect place to admire textile artwork and lovely architecture. It’s a small museum that features two floors of intricate textile art. During my visit, one room had pieces where it looked as if scenes were hand drawn onto the fabric, but it was really made entirely with fabric when you looked closer.
Even if you’re not interested in textiles, it’s worth seeing the courtyard. There is an accent wall with a beautiful triangle pattern. Plus, the museum is free to visit. They also have a nice gift shop.
Eat at Levadura de Olla Restaurante
Levadura de Olla Restaurante offers elevated dining with ancestral ingredients and cooking techniques. Chef Thalía Barrios has traveled to distant village markets in the region, and learned their traditional culinary techniques.
My favorite part of the meal was the heirloom tomato salad. The dish includes several types of native Oaxacan tomatoes (I think there must have been at least 10 different types) served with beet puree and fruit vinaigrette. The dish tasted fresh and I was so impressed by the variety.
I also loved the corn and cheese tamale, and the corn cake dessert. The menu is divided between typical Oaxacan dishes, Oaxaca dishes of safeguard (dishes were specific regions), ceremonial dishes and creative dishes.
While they certainly have meat dishes, many of the dishes make the vegetables the star, which made me so happy as a vegetarian. This is an amazing dining experience if you’re looking for a nicer meal in Oaxaca. Make sure to make a reservation in advance.
Oaxaca Itinerary - Day 2
Take a Vegetarian Cooking Class
A cooking class and market tour is one of the best ways to learn about the culinary culture in Oaxaca! I booked a vegetarian cooking class with Etnofood on Airbnb Experiences and had an amazing time. Etnofood promotes vegetarian gastronomy and has a commitment to reducing single-use plastic and working with local suppliers.
The experience began with a visit to a local market (Central de Abastos de Oaxaca) where we shopped for ingredients. Plus, we got to sample several items in the market, including atole, cheeses and fruit. We also stopped at a local business for fresh tortillas.
Back at the kitchen, our group cooked a feast that included quesadillas, fresh salsa, zucchini and huitlacoche (a corn fungus delicacy), homemade tortillas, fresh juice, and more. The food was delicious and it was fun to learn cooking techniques.
Our guide, Victor, was clearly passionate about the food and had so much knowledge to share. This was an amazing way to learn about Oaxacan cuisine, partake in a hands-on experience and enjoy delicious food!
Shopping in Oaxaca
Spend your afternoon walking off the food and checking out some of the beautiful shops around Oaxaca City.
Tip: One of the most popular items to buy in Oaxaca is an alebrije, an imaginative animal sculpture with vibrant colors.
Here are a few shops I recommend:
- Cooperativa 1050º: A gorgeous pottery store that brings together artisans from multiple communities in Oaxaca, Puebla, and Chiapas. The store feels like an art gallery and each piece is beautifully made.
- Voces de Copal: A gorgeous folk art gallery that features many alebrijes along with other artwork.
- Rito Chocolatería & Tienda: A great spot to buy Oaxacan chocolate to either take home or enjoy in the moment.
- La Casa de las Artesanías de Oaxaca: A large shop that is perfect for souvenirs and that has so many different alebrijes to choose from.
Oaxaca Itinerary - Day 3
Take a Day Trip to Hierve el Agua
If you enjoy outdoor adventure, Hierve el Agua is one of the best day trips from Oaxaca! I went on a full day adventure with Coyote Aventuras that not only included the trip to Hierve el Agua, but also included a hike to another nearby waterfall, meals and a mezcal tasting experience at a local farm. It was an amazing experience!
Book this Hierve el Agua day trip on Viator
Hierve el Agua is made up of natural travertine rock formations that resemble a tall waterfall. The rock formations are created from fresh water springs with water high in calcium carbonate and other minerals. During a visit, you can hike around the various rock formations, enjoy epic mountain views in the distance and take a dip in the pools.
During my day trip, we had a delicious breakfast at a family’s home before reaching the travertine rock formations. After we had a chance to explore Hierve el Agua, we set out on a hike that was about 2.4 miles. The terrain was rocky at times, and was mostly downhill. However, the sun exposure made it a little difficult.
Tip: Bring water, sunscreen and sturdy shoes if you’re going on this tour!
At the end of the hike, we were rewarded with a very unique swimming area that involved climbing down a ladder and walking in the water through a little canyon until we reached the waterfall. It was a very unique place and much less crowded than Hierve el Agua.
As the day continued, we headed to Rancho Vale Madre for dinner and a mezcal tasting. We learned all about the mezcal process and even got to taste mezcal in the process of being cooked underground. After tasting several mezcal varieties (including some that had alcohol levels too high to be sold), we welcomed a delicious dinner of homemade quesadillas and soup.
This day trip is the perfect mix of adventure, fun, culture and great food. I highly recommend it to anyone who is down for a day of hiking, swimming and mezcal.
More Things To Do in Oaxaca
- Learn more about mezcal with a full day Mezcal tour that includes an agave field, a distillery, tastings and more.
- Take a day trip to Monte Alban, an ancient Zapotec city that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Visit El Árbol del Tule, one of the widest trees in the world.
- Visit the Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo.
- Visit Mitla, another important archaeological site.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you discover the best things to do in Oaxaca and plan an epic trip! From outdoor adventures nearby to incredible food in the city center, this area of Mexico is perfect for a long weekend getaway.
Read more travel guides on Mexico, Central America and South America:
- How to Spend 3 Days in Mexico City
- How to Spend a Week in Guatemala
- A Guide to Hiking the Acatenango Volcano
- The Perfect Patagonia 2 Week Itinerary
- A Guide to Hiking the W Trek in Patagonia
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