If you are planning an Oaxaca Mexico vacation, you can have a lot of fun in the city. Oaxaca's walkable historic city center features beautiful architecture spanning four centuries and is filled with many attractions. Art galleries, historic churches, fascinating museums, some of Mexico's best restaurants and a lively nightlife also await you in Oaxaca City. We have put together the most important information and travel tips in this article.
With colorful buildings, iconic churches and streets full of cacti and agavesOaxaca City atemberaubend. But this city is not only Instagram-worthy, it's also full of culture and history. It offers tempting cuisine, friendly locals and an atmosphere that you will quickly fall in love with. Whether you're here for a few days or a whole week, there are plenty of ways to fill your time. We've rounded up the best things to do in Oaxaca City, including what to eat and where to stay. For those who don’t know, Oaxaca is pronounced “wa-ha-kah.”
Things to do in Oaxaca City
The region is incredibly diverse. Here you will find small villages as well as the cultural center of Oaxaca City. There are also plenty of mountains, beaches and even awild desert for the nature lovers. Whether you want to try out the best food in Mexico, soak up the sun, or go snorkeling in Huatulco, for example, this place has something to offer every traveler. While culture and delicious food are the highlights, there is so much more to explore and so many great things to do in Oaxaca.
From this remarkable city you can toogo on fantastic adventuresto discover more attractions throughout the state of Oaxaca. A variety of day trips await visitors, from tasting mezcal at distilleries to exploring ancient ruins and even visiting a petrified waterfall. So in our guide you will not only find some of the most important cultural activities, but also some of the most worthwhile trips you can take on your Oaxaca Mexico vacation. Just take a look at the fun offerings this colorful Mexican city has to offer nestled in the majestic Sierra Madre.
Walk and fun at Zocalo Square
You can't possibly take a trip to Oaxaca without visiting the Zocalo. This is the main square right in the historic center of the city. You'll inevitably come here at some point, but it can also be a perfect central spot to get to know the city. Oaxaca's Zocalo is always full of local life, howevercome on a weekend eveningand you'll really get to experience the Zocalo in all its glory. To the delight of local children, helium-filled balloons are never in short supply.
Take a seat in the Zocalo itself and immerse yourself in the distinctive Oaxacan atmosphere. Maybe you can also buy a respado (Cocktail Eiswith tequila) from one of the many street vendors who will be happy to help you refresh yourself. At the southern end of the square, turn right into the Government Palace. The building is open to the public and features a beautiful mural depicting the history of Oaxaca. Alternatively, you can relax in one of the many terrace cafes that surround the entire Zocalo. Also, make sure you have a few extra pesos on hand wherever you plan to go. For example, you can tip the xylophonists who will almost certainly come by to entertain you with an impromptu performance.
Kulturmuseum von Oaxaca
There are a handful of museums around Oaxaca, but the Cultural Museum remains the must-see for visitors to the city. Even those who don't particularly enjoy moving slowly through museums will likely still find the Oaxaca Museo de las Culturas one of the very worthwhile things to do there. You will be able to experience one of the museum's most valuable highlights. It is aMexican skull, which was unearthed at a nearby ancient site. That alone is worth the Cultural Museum's modest 70 peso entrance fee.
Aside from this crazy skull and more cultural exhibits that fascinate many people, the museum grounds themselves are a scenic place to walk. The museum building is located in oneformer monasteryfrom the 17th century. Even if you don't look at any of the museum's exhibits, it's interesting to just stroll through the extensive old corridors and courtyards of the former monastery.
The impressive view from the window of the surrounding ethnobotanical garden can even distract you from the exhibits in the museum houses.For the casual botanistHowever, the Cultural Museum offers some great insights into the impressive garden with its large selection of well-maintained cacti.
Santo Domingo Kirche weather
There are also some on your Oaxaca Mexico vacationgreat churchesand cathedrals to see. You simply have to immerse yourself in these as you stroll through the charming streets of the city. However, if you only want to explore one of the churches in Oaxaca, make sure it is the Templo de Santo Domingo. This is an impressive sight from the outside. Be sure to walk through the magnificent doors of the more than 400-year-old building, which invitingly reveals its intricate interior.
Perhaps most notable is how everything is covered in gold. Be sure to visit the ornate Rosary Chapel. This will be on your right after you walk through the main entrance to the church. However, when entering the Templo de Santo Domingo or any of Oaxaca's churches, remember to be respectful. It is recommended to cover knees and shoulders. This is not taken too strictly in Oaxaca, but should still be seen as a sign of respect.
Stroll through the markets
Like many parts of Latin America, Oaxaca City is home to many markets, each with its own draw. So no trip to Oaxaca can be complete without strolling through one of the vibrant local markets. This is a great place to start your adventure and is located south of the Zocalo, where you can discover the delights of two neighboring mercados: Benito Juarez Market and 20 de Noviembre Market.
It is a beautiful scene that must be experienced even by those who have no intention of shopping. You can find almost everything here, from flowers to toys, meat, chocolate, mezcal, clothing and herbs to local crafts and of course women selling lots of chapulines. These are fried grasshoppers that are sold in a basket.
Mezcal in Oaxaca is the densest Mexico
Oaxaca is world-famous for the deliciously intoxicating mescal. This blue agave drink is usually drunk straight and at room temperature. It's more likely to be sipped than drunk, and using salt and lime would be an insult. Sometimes the mezcal is served with sour orange slices and sal de gusano. This is a powdered mixture of salt, spices, and ground worms that is actually much tastier than it sounds. Other mezcal drinkers may simply be given a small glass of water to dilute the drink with. Mescal is similar to tequila in that it is made from agave, but the drink is more complex in terms of taste and production. Many different types of agave are used for this, while tequila is actually a type of mezcal that only uses blue agave. Additionally, mezcal's underground roasting process gives the wine the unique smoky flavor it is so well known for.
To get a deeper taste of the liquor, drive about 45 minutes outside of town to the village of Matatlan. Many of Mexico's famous mezcal distilleries are located here. There are dozens of factories in this area, some of which offer a free tour and ample tastings of mezcal and crema de mezcals. Tours to Mitla and/or Hierve de Agua often also stop at one of Matatlan's distilleries. Be sure to ask if you book a day tour to these attractions in Oaxaca. Many tours to Hierve de Agua stop in El Rey de Matatlan. Some people can testify that they were offered some very generous tastings of mezcal after being given a short tour that demonstrated the production process.
Arbol del Tule – The widest tree in the world
Have you ever wondered where the widest tree in the world grows? We've also never really given it much thought when it comes to vacationing in Oaxaca Mexico. But it is right here, just outside the city, in the village of Santa Maria del Tule.
The tree is not in a forest, but in the town square in front of the village's beautiful church. Locals claim that the widest tree in the world is over 2000 years old.
The Arbol del Tule is an interesting sight, although we wouldn't recommend making the 20-minute car or taxi ride from Oaxaca just to see it. Better consider visiting this record holder on the way to other attractions on the way to other attractions, such as the ruins of Mitla or the petrified waterfall Hierve de Agua.
Swim in the Hieve de Agua petrified waterfall
Hierve de Agua is one of the most popular day trips from Oaxaca, and for good reason – it's a pretty incredible sight. Just over an hour outside of Oaxaca City is one of the few petrified waterfalls in the world. This often received comparisons to Pamukkale in Turkey. Thousands of years of mineral-rich water flowing over the sides of a cliff have developed the beautiful white calcium layers that cascade gracefully over the side of the steep mountainside.
Hierve de Agua literally means “boiling water”. But the water temperatures are actually lukewarm and perfect for a quick swim. At the summit of the Hierve de Agua you will also find numerous drinks stands to help you refresh yourself.
Marvel at the Mitla ruins
It's almost unbelievable that the Zapotecs lived on the sacred site of Mitla for approximately two and a half millennia. However, this was the home of the ancient civilization from around 900 BC. This lasted until the Spanish invasion of Mexico in the 16th century. The ancient site of Mitla was the religious center of this civilization. Think of it as the Vatican for the Zapotecs. Many important ceremonies were performed here, including gruesome human sacrifices. This Oaxaca Mexico region also has extremely dry air, which preserves some of the remaining structures surprisingly well. Today you can walk through the former religious center and imagine what life once was like.
Climb the incredible Oaxaca Monte Alban Pyramids
Mitla is not the only ruin in Oaxaca. Monte Alban is an incredibly impressive site that is even more convenient to reach from the city. We would vouch that a visit to Monte Alban is the most worthwhile half-day trip from Oaxaca. These well-preserved pyramids tower over the city and even offer sweeping views of Oaxaca. But it's the ruins themselves that really impress. Monte Alban is considered the most important archaeological site in this region. While Mitla worked in the religious center, Monte Alban was the political center of the Zapotecs. More recently, Monte Alban was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its regional importance.
Enjoy local Oaxacan cheese and traditional cuisine
Oaxaca Mexico is also a gastronomic hub and there are some fantastic foodie finds throughout the city. So food is a must in Oaxaca. You can visit some top-notch restaurants to experience a true culinary delight. However, try the cheap street food in Oaxaca that may taste just as tasty or even better. If you want to discover the best local street food, keep an eye out for long lines of locals. You are sure to find a winner along the way. Simply getting around the city is one of the best things you can do in Oaxaca. For example, Quesillo is the white Oaxaca cheese that you can find fresh at the market. However, this can also be found as a main ingredient in many traditional dishes, such as tlayuda. The type of cheese is similar to mozzarella, but a little saltier.
Beach vacation on the coast of Oaxaca Mexico
The state of Oaxaca has some wonderful, undiscovered beaches. However, Oaxaca beach is quite far from the city. But if you can take the time to reach the coast, you will be rewarded with what are probably the best beaches in Mexico. Beautiful golden sandy beaches and blue coves await travelers on this less visited and uncrowded stretch of coast. There are also some great surfing and snorkeling spots along the Oaxaca coast. Seabirds also abound, while dolphins and whales are regularly spotted off the coast. Also add in the beautiful Oaxacan weather, as well as all the delicious local seafood served at the many beachfront palapa restaurants. This means you can fully enjoy this unique piece of paradise.
Oaxaca accommodation
If, for example, it is an Oaxaca hostel, you will find plenty of options there. However, as mentioned above, this is a very walkable city. For this reason, we recommend staying just 20 minutes walk from the city center so you can easily get around on foot. Anywhere further away you can take long walks or rely on taxis. These regulate traffic in the city, as well as Oaxaca crime, which is low. If you're staying there during the hottest months of April to May, you'll want to make sure your accommodation is equipped with air conditioning. Many do not do this because Oaxaca otherwise has a mild climate and air conditioning is usually not needed.
