Last Updated on December 2, 2024
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Welcome to Oaxaca City, one of my absolute favorite places in Mexico. Located in the state of the same name, Oaxaca is filled with incredible culture, history, nature, amazing food and mezcal scene. It’s a city that seems to be always celebrating something, with the biggest festivities being Guelaguetza and Dia de Muertos. Between all the things to do in Oaxaca and day trips you can take, you can easily fill a one-week itinerary with activities.
Oaxaca is very picturesque, full of colorful colonial buildings, cobble stone streets, insane street art and beautiful views around. The city along with the archeological site of Monte Albán was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Out of 68 indigenous communities in Mexico, 16 of them are in Oaxaca, which tells you how culturally rich and diverse the state is. When you visit Oaxaca and especially when you get out of the city, you’ll see that a lot of the traditions are still very much alive.
For sightseeing, Oaxaca is a perfect size city. It’s big enough, where there are enough things to do to keep you busy for a few days, but it’s not overwhelming and you can walk pretty much everywhere.
If you’re thinking of visiting this incredible city and are wondering what to do in Oaxaca, this guide is for you. I put it together after two weeklong trips, that allowed me to explore the city in depth and take several day trips outside of it. The end result is this Oaxaca guide, that includes all the top things to do, best day trips as well as my favorite Oaxaca restaurants and tips on where to stay.
Where is Oaxaca
Oaxaca de Juárez, or as it’s commonly referred to as Oaxaca, is the Capital and the biggest city of the state of Oaxaca, which is in the Southwestern Mexico.
How to get to Oaxaca
You can get to Oaxaca by flying into Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX) from several Mexican cities like Tijuana, Mexico City, Cancún, Mérida and Guadalajara. If you are coming from the US, there are direct flights from Dallas, Houston and LA.
If you are already in Mexico, you can also get to Oaxaca by bus, from the cities that are relatively close. ADO runs direct buses from Puebla (close to 5 hours), Mexico City (7+ hours) and Puerto Escondido (3 hours). If you are anywhere further than that, I recommend flying. Unless you are traveling during the Dia de Muertos, you should be able to find affordable flights with any of the 3 Mexican airlines (VIVA, Volaris or Aeroméxico).
How to get from Oaxaca Airport to the City Center
Oaxaca Airport (Xoxocotlán International Airport) is about 6 miles (10km) outside of the city and it takes about 25 minutes to get to the Historic Center, if there’s no major traffic. There are several ways you can get from the airport to your hotel
Airport Shuttle
This is the cheapest way to get from Oaxaca airport to your hotel and it’s also very easy and comfortable. When you collect your bags and walk into the Arrivals Hall, at the end of it on your left, there’s a TAXI stand, where you pay for your shuttle (cash or credit card). They have shared shuttles, which is the cheapest option, but they leave when full, so you might need to wait a few minutes until it fills up. It will take a little longer too, as they stop at different hotels to drop people off.
Shared van/ Colectivo costs 120 MXN per person if your hotel is in Zona 1, or 190 MXN if it’s in Zona 2. You’ll show them the address and they will tell you which Zone ticket you need (if it’s in the Historic Center or Jalatlaco, that’s Zone 1)
If you don’t want to wait for the van to fill up, or you are traveling with a group, you can get Especial, which is the van all to yourself. That will cost you 465 MXN going to Zona 1 or 680 MXN to Zona 2 (price per vehicle not a person, of course). This option will be faster, as it goes directly to your hotel.
Once you choose and pay for your shuttle, simply come outside and the Vans will be right across the street.
Transfer
Another option is to pre-book a private transfer, which means you arrange it in advance and the driver will wait for you when you arrive.
Best time to visit Oaxaca City
Oaxaca City is a year-round destination and best time to visit will depend on your travel goal. Whether you are looking for perfect sightseeing weather (sunny days with minimal rain) or to experience some of the cultural events,
Oaxaca has two seasons Dry (October-April) and Wet (May to September). During the dry season you can expect warm sunny days, but cool early mornings and nights.
Summer months are the hottest and rainiest, but you’ll encounter less crowds and lower prices.
If you want to go to Oaxaca for the festivities, hands down the best time to visit is during Dia de Muertos. The holiday takes place on November 1 and 2, although there’s plenty going on in Oaxaca in the week leading up to it. Dia de Muertos in Oaxaca is simply magical, but this is when the city is most crowded, and accommodation prices are high.
Another very festive time in Oaxaca is during Guelaguetza, 2 weeklong festivities, that celebrate and promote the cultures from the entire state. It takes place annually the second half of July. It’s not as well known internationally as Dia de Muertos, but Guelaguetza is a really fun time, with lots of parades, events and parties.
Best Things to do in Oaxaca, Mexico
Take a Free Walking Tour
One of the first things you should do in Oaxaca is take a walking tour of the city. It’s a great way to get your bearings in new place and see the highlights. You can make notes of places you like and want to visit later on your own.
There are many tours you can book, but one that I highly recommend is the Free Walking Tour. They run the tours several times a day in both English and Spanish. You can reserve your spot on their website, which also gives them an idea of how many people to expect. The meeting point is at Teatro Macedonio Alcalá (look for a yellow umbrella).
During the 2.5-hour tour you get to see some of the biggest Oaxaca attractions and landmarks as well as a few hidden gems. Even though it was my second time visiting Oaxaca, I learned about a couple of places I missed on my first trip. The guides know the city really well and give a great overview of the history and culture of Oaxaca City and the region.
Just remember, that even though the tour is free, you should always tip your guide. They don’t get paid for this, so make sure to show gratitude for their time and knowledge (200 MXN per person). The guides also have great local tips on best places to eat and hang out.
Stop at Templo de Santo Domingo
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán is the most recognizable church in Oaxaca and one of the landmarks in the city. It dates back to the 16th century and was built on the site of the former temple.
The church is a great example of Baroque architecture. The lavish interior is just as stunning as the exterior, so be sure to go inside as well. It’s free to visit, so if you see, that the main door is open, go in and take a look.
Right in front of Templo de Santo Domingo, there is a small square full of agave plants, which along with the beautiful church makes for a very picturesque site. Many photo sessions take place there and it’s also where a lot of calendas happen. If you see that there’s a wedding or any other big celebration, hang around and you might see one.
Calendas are really fun and a very Oaxaca thing to witness. It’s basically a joyful procession with a band, music and dancing happening for all kinds of occasions. A lot of them either start or end if front of Santo Domingo church, so that’s a good place to be to run into one.
Visit Museo de las Culturas
Right next to Santo Domingo church is Museo de las Culturas, one of the most important museums in Oaxaca. It’s a great place to get acquainted with the history of the city and the state. It’s often recommended to visit the museum before heading to the Monte Alban archeological site.
The museum holds a nice collection of artifacts with one of the highlights being Tomb 7, discovered at Monte Alban in 1932. The signs and descriptions are mostly in Spanish though.
Museo del las Culturas is not big and will take you 1-2 hours. It’s housed in an old Convent, with a beautiful courtyard, and that alone is a good enough reason to visit. I’m not a huge museum person, but I really enjoyed it.
Bonus: if you head to the second floor, you get a nice view of Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca.
The Museum is open from Tuesday-Sunday 9 am-5pm and the entrance fee is 95 MXN.
Selfie sticks, tripods and bottles of water are not allowed. If you have it on you, you will have to store it in a free locker.
Take a tour of Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
Adjacent to the Santo Domingo church is also Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca, a beautiful botanical garden, filled with trees and plants brought in from all over the state. It was created not only to show the wide biodiversity of the state of Oaxaca, but also the close relationship between plants and people.
The Botanical Garden can only be visited on a guided tour, and those are offered several times a day in Spanish and once daily (11 am) in English. The tour in Spanish is 1 hour and costs 50 MXN, the tour in English is 2 hours and costs 100 MXN. The groups are limited to 25 people, and you cannot reserve your spot in advance. Since there’s only one English speaking tour, they fill up fast, so it’s recommended to arrive earlier to ensure you get a spot.
At the time of my visit (November 2024), the English-speaking tours were suspended (to lack of staff I believe), so the only choice was a tour in Spanish.
To be completely honest, while the garden is without a doubt beautiful, it would be much more enjoyable, if you could visit on your own and wander around at your own pace. Also, the 2-hour English tours are a bit too long, especially in the scorching heat.
PRO TIP: If you don’t want to do the tour, you can get a nice view of Jardín Etnobotánico from the second floor of Museo de las Culturas.
People watch at Zócalo
Zócalo is the main square in Oaxaca and the heart of the Historic Center. The official name is actually The Plaza de la Constitución, but everyone refers to it as Zócalo.
It’s a great place sit and relax and do some people watching. There are many trees, so there’s plenty of shade. Quite often you can catch a concert or another cultural event. On two sides of the square, there are several restaurants and cafes.
Visit Oaxaca Markets
Visiting a local market is one of the must things to do in Oaxaca. Mercados are a huge part of a daily life in Mexico, so it’s such a great way to immerse yourself in the life of the locals. There are a few great markets in Oaxaca, and you should definitely make a point to visit one or two.
Mercado 20 Noviembre
Mercado 20 de Noviembre is just a couple blocks from the main square, so that’s an easy one to visit. It’s a big, local market with many eateries and stalls, where you can get a nice meal for cheap. Great place to try some of the local dishes for lunch.
My favorite part of the market is a corridor called pasillo de humo, which literally translates to smoke alley. On both sides you have butchers selling all kinds of meat. You select a piece you want, and they cook it for you on the spot. While you wait, you can take a seat and choose whatever sides you want i.e. sauce, tortilla, vegetables etc. Great local experience to have in Oaxaca.
Mercado Benito Juárez
Mercado Benito Juárez is literally next to Mercado 20 de Noviembre and this market is more about shopping. There are many vendors selling everything from produce, meat, spices, mezcal to clothing, shoes and hats. If you are looking to buy some souvenirs, this is a great place to find things at a good price.
La Cosecha
Great little organic market, with several vendors selling local products, fresh produce, drinks and many regional dishes. Many vegan and vegetarian options as well. Nice place to try some of the local specialties at affordable prices.
La Cosecha is much smaller and low key than the other markets, so it’s a great place to go if you are overwhelmed by either the chaos or too many food choices at Mercado 20 de Noviembre. It is however mostly frequented by tourists, so you won’t get that same experience of a bustling local market as you would at the other ones.
Central de Abastos
This is the biggest market in Oaxaca, and it’s located about a 15-minute walk from Zócalo.This place is huge and sells pretty much anything you can think of there. It’s a very local experience and might be a bit intimating to some. If you’ve never been to a local Mercado, this one might actually be too much.
If you do go, you have to stop at Doña Vale and get her famous Memelas. If you’ve seen Netflix’ Street Food Latin America, she was featured in the Oaxaca episode.
Central de Abastos is in kind of a dodgy neighborhood of Oaxaca, and not many tourists make it there. I personally would not go there alone as a solo female traveler. If you’d like to visit, I recommend going with a private guide or as part of a Food Tour. This one is highly rated and recommended and visits that particular market.
Stroll through Jalatlaco
One of the best things to do in Oaxaca is explore other neighborhoods, beyond Centro. The first one is Jalatlaco, known for its colorful streets and incredible street art. It’s a hip part of the city, with plenty of cafes, boutique stores and galleries.
It’s about a 10 min walk from the Historic Center and once you get there, best thing to do is to grab a cup of coffee to go and just walk around. If you love murals and street art, you will be in heaven. Don’t forget your camera!
You can spend some time wandering the streets of Jalatlaco on your own or take one of the street art tours. A lot of the murals have a story behind them and a deeper meaning, so might be a fun thing to do if you’d like to learn more about what you are looking at. They are often led by street artists themselves.
Visit Xochimilco
If you head North from Zócalo for about 25 minutes, you’ll end up in Xochimilco, the oldest neighborhood in the city. Just like Jalatlaco, Xochimilco is very colorful, with incredible murals everywhere, cobblestone streets and many cute cafes.
Both of these neighborhoods are a bit similar, in a way that there’s a lot of great street art, but Xochimilco feels very much residential, while Jalatlaco became quite hip and trendy in the last few years. It’s noticeably quieter in Xochimilco, especially if you go in the morning. Wandering the beautiful streets was one of my favorite things to do in Oaxaca and a nice break from the nonstop action in Centro during Dia de Muertos.
When strolling around, don’t forget to explore the side streets too. At the end of one of them is Ancestral Cocina Tradicional, one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca. That alone is worth the trek from Centro.
Try Oaxacan cuisine
Oaxaca has the best food in Mexico. You could go there just for the food, and that is not an exaggeration. There are so many dishes, that are unique to that region.
Mole – one of the most iconic dishes in Oaxaca, this is a complex, multi-ingredient sauce, that comes in many flavors, usually poured over some kind of meat and served with rice. Oaxaca is known as “the land of 7 moles” (Negro, Rojo, Coloradito, Poblano, Amarillo, Manchamanteles, and Chíchilo), each with a distinct taste and color. But there are many more variations.
Tlayudas – one of the top local dishes, often called the Oaxacan pizza. Tlayuda is a large crispy corn tortilla, topped with lettuce or shredded cabbage, refried beans, tomatoes, meat, avocado, cheese and some type of meat.
Tamales Oaxaqueños – the traditional tamales in Oaxaca they are usually filled with shredded chicken and mole, then wrapped and cooked in banana leaves.
Memelas – soft and thick corn tortillas topped with refried beans, cheese, sauce and meat. It’s a popular street food in Oaxaca.
Chapulines – whole grasshoppers roasted and often seasoned with chili or garlic. You can find several vendors selling them outside of Mercado Benito Juárez market. You can pick up a little bag and try it. If eating a whole bug repulses you, you can also try it in guacamole or as a topping on
Tejate – a non-alcoholic drink dating back to pre-historic times, made with corn, cacao, toasted mamey pits (fruit) and flor de cacao. It’s foamy on top and served out of a big bowl. It tastes better than it looks. You’ll find vendors selling it at any of the markets, as well as on the street.
Take a food Tour
If there’s one place where you should absolutely take a food tour, it’s Oaxaca. Oaxacan cuisine is the best in Mexico, and there are so many local dishes to try. If you are going there for just a quick trip, you might not be able to taste everything. A food tour is a great way to sample many of the local specialties in a short time.
This Immersion Tour Food Tour is highly rated and a great experience. During the 3.5-hour tour, you’ll visit the markets, get to try about 20 different foods, and learn about the origin of the dishes, different herbs and spices used in preparing many of the Oaxacan dishes. Go hungry!
Take a cooking class
If you want to take it one step further, you can also take a cooking class and learn how to make some of the well-known Oaxacan dishes. Most of the cooking classes start with a visit to a market, so you can hand pick your ingredients.
Do a Mezcal Tasting
Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal, so no trip is complete without a tasting of the smoky agave spirit.
Most of the Mezcal produced in Mexico comes from Oaxaca and a lot of the distilleries known as palenques are with an hour’s drive from the city. If you’d like to learn more about the process, you can visit one of them either independently or on a guided tour, which makes for a fun day trip from Oaxaca City (more on that later).
But if you prefer to just do some sampling, there are many bars all over the city, where you can do some mezcal tasting. Some of the top mezcalerias in Oaxaca are Mezcaloteca (by appointment only), In Situ and Mezcalogia.
Also, some great experiences you can book:
- Mixology Workshop with Organic Mezcal
- Mezcal Tasting Session with Expert
- Mezcal y Mole with a Certified Sommelier
Celebrate Dia de Muertos
Dia de Muertos is the most beautiful holiday celebrated across Mexico, but no place does it like Oaxaca. Day of the Dead is a time to remember loved ones who passed away, but don’t expect a somber holiday. In Mexico, Dia de Muertos is a joyful celebration of life.
Both of my trips to Oaxaca were during Dia de Muertos and to say it’s my favorite time of the year would be an understatement. The already beautiful city transforms into a magical place with cempasúchil flowers, Catrinas, ofrendas, skeletons and skulls everywhere you look. Calendas and parades happen throughout the day, and there are usually a couple of big comparsas in the city.
Official dates for Dia de Muertos are November 1 and 2, but in reality, it starts the night of 31st. As preparations for Day of the Dead start early, there’s plenty of going on in Oaxaca in days leading up to it. I recommend arriving a couple of days early, it’s fun to see the city getting all ready and decorated.
If you’d like to experience Dia de Muertos in Oaxaca, keep in mind that this is the most popular time to visit Oaxaca, so book your hotel way in advance. Both times I booked my accommodations 8-9 months ahead and a lot of the hotels were already sold out.
Best Day Trips from Oaxaca, Mexico
One of the must things to do in Oaxaca is getting out of the city and visiting some of the surrounding towns. That’s where you can really see how culturally rich the Oaxaca state is.
There are many day trips from Oaxaca you can take, and most places are no more than 1-1.5 hour away. Whether you are into nature, history, artisanal work or mezcal, there is something that will fit your interest. All of the day trips listed below can be done either by self-driving, joining a group tour or using public transportation, it just depends on your travel style and Spanish level.
Monte Albán
Monte Albán is an archeological site, about 20-25 minutes outside of Oaxaca City, and it’s a perfect half day trip. Founded in 500 BC, it was the Capital of Zapotecs and one of the largest cities in Mesoamerica. Today it’s one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico.
It’s a pretty big site, with a plaza, ball court, pyramids and tombs. The Ruins sit up on a hill, so you get great views of the Oaxaca Valley too. Unlike a lot of other ruins in Mexico, i.e. Pyramids of Teotihuacán or Chichén Itzá, you can still climb many of the structures at Monte Albán.
Monte Albán is very easy to visit on your own. There are buses, that leave every hour on the hour from 8 am-3 pm for 100 MXN round trip (Return buses run from 10 am – 5 pm). You can buy bus tickets in the lobby of the Hotel Rivera (this spot) and the buses leave from Autobuses Turísticos, a small station a couple of blocks away (this exact spot). It’s about a 25 min bus ride. Once you get there, you can hire a guide on the spot or just explore on your own.
If you prefer to visit with a guide, you can also book a guided tour of Monte Albán like this one.
Hierve el Agua
Hierve al Agua is one of the most popular and without a doubt most Instagramable day trips from Oaxaca City. If you are looking to see some incredible nature, this is it!
Located about 43 miles (70km) outside of the city, Hierve el Agua is a petrified waterfall and one of the most stunning sites near Oaxaca. What looks like a frozen waterfall from afar, it really is a rock formation with mineral deposits formed over hundreds of thousands of years. You can see two of them at Hierve el Agua.
There is a hiking trail that brings you closer to the falls to get a better look. You can also take a dip in one of the mineral pools, but don’t be fooled by the name. Despite the name Hierve el Agua, ” the water boils”, the actual water is pretty cold.
Best way to get to Hierve el Agua, which allows you to be on your own schedule and visit other places nearby, is by a rental car. The biggest benefit of having you own two wheels, is that you can leave the city early morning and get to Hierve el Agua right when it opens at 9 am, before all the tours start showing up. It can get really crowded by mid-day.
Using public transportation is also possible but requires a combination of a bus and a Colectivo. This will take way longer than 90 minutes to get there. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who’s not familiar/experienced with taking local buses and Colectivos in Mexico.
Being one of the most popular day trips from Oaxaca City, there’s no shortage of group tours, which is the easiest way to get there. For most tours that go there, Hierve el Agua is just one of the stops (usually a couple of hours), and the rest is usually a couple of more stops to nearby attractions like a Mezcal distillery, El Tule, Mitla and Teotitlán del Valle. All these places are within a short drive from each other, so it makes perfect sense to combine them for a fun full day.
If you don’t want to drive and are not interested in a full day tour, you can also book a round-trip transport from Oaxaca City to Hierve el Agua. It will get you there and back, with 3 hours of enjoying the place on your own.
Mitla and El Tule
Mitla and El Tule are two small towns, very close to each other, so it makes sense to visit both once you are out there. Especially that they are quick stops, that don’t require much time. Definitely not a full day.
Santa Maria del Tule, or simply El Tule, is just 10 km outside of the city and is known as the home of El Árbol del Tule, the widest tree in the world. El Tule, a huge Montezuma Cypress tree, is 138 feet (42 meters) high and 190 feet (58 meters) wide, and it’s estimated to be 2,000 years old.
Besides seeing the tree and taking a little walk around the pretty gardens and town, there’s not much else there, so probably one hour is what you should plan on.
Not far from El Tule, about a 40-minute drive east, is Milta, where you will find the second most visited archeological site in Oaxaca. Zona Arqueológica de Mitla was the Zapotec religious center and while small in comparison to other ruins in Mexico, it’s still impressive. What especially stands out are the beautiful mosaics, that are believed to represent the sky and earth, a feathered serpent and other figures.
If you have a rental car, that is the easiest way to visit both places. If not, you might want to book a guided tour, that will most likely include a couple more stops.
Mezcal fields
If you really want to learn about the process of making Mezcal, then you definitely want to take a day trip to one of the distilleries outside of the city. Santiago Matatlán is a town about one hour away, that is known as “cradle of Mezcal” and where you will find many palenques.
As easy as it is to drive there on your own, I only recommend it if you have a designated driver. This is actually one of the day trips from Oaxaca City that is best done by joining a group tour. This way you can enjoy all the tastings without having to worry about getting back safely.
Some tours visit 2-3 distilleries and take up the entire day, others are half day excursions. I did this exact Small Group Mezcal Tour, which was a half-day trip to Mar del Amor distillery in Santiago Matatlán. Antonio, our guide and mezcal maker himself, is a wealth of knowledge and clearly very passionate about what he does. We learned all the steps of making mezcal, visited agave fields and tasted a lot of mezcal. Be sure to have a big breakfast in the morning!
There are also full day tours, that last 8-10 hours, like this one, but that would be overkill for me personally. Antonio’s tour I thought was perfect with a lot of mezcal flowing.
Teotitlán del Valle
Oaxaca is also known for beautiful textiles, especially the colorful rugs with geometric prints. You’ll see them for sale all over the city, but you can also head out to a small Zapotec village Teotitlán del Valle and learn all about how these beautiful pieces are made.
Weaving has been a huge part of life for the Zapotec people, going back to pre-Hispanic times. Today, it’s still done using traditional techniques, from using backstrap looms to natural dyeing methods, which makes the colors so vibrant.
When take a day trip to Teotitlán del Valle, you can watch rug making demonstrations, visit workshops and learn all about the art of making Oaxaca textiles.
The village is about a 45-minute drive from Oaxaca City, and you can easily get there by car, taxi or if you’re adventurous by a combination of bus+Colectivo. If you are looking for the easiest and most hassle-free option, booking a guided tour is the way to go. Those will usually include a couple more stops, like El Tule, Mitla or Hierve el Agua.
Tlacolula Market on Sunday
If you happen to be in Oaxaca on a Sunday, you should make a point to visit Tlacolula market, known as the biggest market in Latin America. Vendors come from nearby towns and villages to sell anything you could imagine. Fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, clothing, textiles, tools, live animals, basically anything you can think of you can find it there on a Sunday.
It’s definitely an experience you don’t want to miss. And if you go, make sure to bring enough cash to cover you for the day.
The market is about a 45-minute drive from the city and even though it’s open every day, you want to go on Sunday when it basically takes over the whole town. To get there from Oaxaca City, you can catch a bus from the Second Class Bus Station (right here) or a Colectivo.
San Martin Tilcajete
This village, about a 45-minute drive south of Oaxaca City, is known for alebrijes, brightly colored Mexican folk-art sculptures of fantastical creatures. If you’ve seen the Coco movie, you are familiar with them. And it’s exactly where Disney Pixar came when doing research for the movie.
There are many workshops in the village, where you can visit and learn all the steps in the process of making these amazing pieces of art. From how they hand mix all the colors, hand carve the figures, to how they paint all the intricate details. It takes a lot of skill and time, that goes into making every single one of those pieces. Some of the bigger alebrijes take months to finish.
Probably the most famous workshop in San Martin Tilcajete is that of Jacobo and María Ángeles, who have been making alebrijes for more than 25 years. They offer a free tour of their place.
Where to stay in Oaxaca, Mexico
When it comes to neighborhoods, the perfect area to stay in is Centro, the Historic District of Oaxaca City. All the main attractions are there, so everything will be within a walking distance. Top sights, many cafes, restaurants and bars. Definitely if you’re a first-time visitor.
Another option is Jalatlaco, the artsy neighborhood in Oaxaca, about a 10-15 min walk to Centro. This will be quieter, with a more residential feel and where the majority of accommodations are apartments.
NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca– a great mid-range hotel in the Historic District, in an excellent location, with most of Oaxaca attractions within a walking distance. With just 14 rooms, the hotel is very cozy and has a homey feel to it. Rooms are comfortable and centered around a great courtyard. There’s beautiful art throughout the hotel. Continental breakfast is included in the room rate. Staff goes above and beyond to make your stay a memorable one.
El Callejón – a beautiful boutique hotel in the outskirts of Centro, about a 10-minute walk to Santo Domingo church, and steps away from the Xochimilco neighborhood. Great quiet location to ensure a good night’s rest. Rooms are very spacious, and breakfast is included. Guests rave about the wonderful staff and excellent service.
Quinta Real – this is one of the best luxurious hotels in Oaxaca City. The building is a former convent and has a lot of charm. The grounds and gardens are beautiful, and some of the amenities include a large swimming pool, a restaurant and a couple of bars. The location of the hotel couldn’t be better, it’s right in the heart of Centro, with most of Oaxaca attractions within a walking distance.
Los Pilares Hotel – one of the best hotels in Jalatlaco, the colorful neighborhood known for amazing street art. Plenty of cafes and boutiques around. From there you’ll be about 10–15-minute walk to the main sights and attractions in the Historic Center. The hotel has a roof top space with a pool, jacuzzi and a restaurant.
Hotel Tabáa Oaxaca – another beautiful boutique hotel in Jalatlaco, with spacious and stylish rooms. Short walk to Centro and many great restaurants. Continental breakfast is available each morning.
Where to eat in Oaxaca, Mexico
One of the top things to do in Oaxaca is to eat your way through the city. This is a foodie paradise after all, and there are many amazing places to choose from. From cheap eateries in a market to high end, yet still very affordable restaurants, there’s no shortage of amazing places to eat in Oaxaca.
Below are some of the places I got to try and can highly recommend.
Los Danzantes – one of the Michelin star restaurants in Oaxaca. Excellent food, drinks and great ambience. One of the fun things on the menu is Moles Danzantes de Oaxaca, where you get to taste five different moles. Definitely make a reservation, especially for dinner.
Levadura de Olla Restaurante – another Michelin restaurant, that focuses more on vegetables than meat. It’s especially known for their tomato salad (plato de jitomates)
Ancestral Cocina Traditional – beautiful restaurant in a garden like setting, located in the Xochimilco neighborhood. Great food and ambiance. Definitely worth the hike from Centro.
Casa Taviche – cozy restaurant serving delicious food. Great place for lunch, their menu del dia changes daily and is a good deal for the quality of food.
Zandunga Sabor Istmeño – this restaurant was recommended to me by the guide from the Free Walking Tour I took. Zanduga serves traditional Oaxacan cuisine specializing in the food from the Isthmus region of Oaxaca. I went there specifically to try Garnachas, which is a popular appetizer or snack. The restaurant itself is very inviting and has a great open courtyard.
Boulenc – great place for breakfast and brunch. It’s very popular and doesn’t have many tables, so there’s usually a line to get in. Go early.
4 Tacos Oaxaca – one of the newest spots in Oaxaca, 4 Tacos is owned by Arturo Rivera. His place in Mexico City, Tacos El Califa de León, was the very first taqueria ever to receive the Michelin star.
A few other restaurants in Oaxaca I didn’t get a chance to try yet, but come highly recommended are Criollo, Casa Oaxaca and Origen.
Fun bars in Oaxaca, Mexico
Terraza Los Amantes – a roof top bar with a great view of the Santo Domingo Church.
Gozobi – another roof top bar/restaurant with amazing views, great place to grab a drink and watch sunset.
Sabina Sabe – Creative cocktails and great atmosphere. Made the list of 50 Best Bars of North America.
Selva – bar inside of Los Danzantes, another one of Oaxaca bars, that is one of 50 Best Bars of North America in 2024.
Oaxaca Te Amo – a restaurant with a roof top and great views and live music some nights. Nice place for a beer or a cocktail.
READ MORE:
- Best things to do in Morelia, Michoacán – the most underrated city in Mexico
- Best Things to do in Merida, Mexico
- Valladolid in Mexico – a hidden gem in Yucatán
- How to visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacán from Mexico City on your own
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