Oaxaca, Mexico Travel Guide : Things to Do, Food & Tips
(Last updated: November 2026)
Oaxaca de Juárez is Mexico’s food capital: a walkable colonial city of markets, mezcal, street art and cobblestone neighborhoods, surrounded by mountains. This Oaxaca travel guide covers the 10 best things to do, a simple 3-day itinerary, where to stay, where to eat, how to get around and the tips we wish we had known before arriving. If you prefer our travel stories, read our Oaxaca travel story.
Oaxaca at a Glance
📍 Where
Capital of Oaxaca state in southern Mexico, inland in the Central Valleys, at about 1,555 m (5,100 ft)
🍽️ Known for
Tlayudas, mole, chocolate, mezcal, markets, street art
🗓️ Best time
Dry season, roughly November to April (see Best Time below)
⏱️ How long
3 days in the city, plus one day trip
🚶 Getting around
On foot in the historic center; taxis for about 50 pesos for a short ride
✈️ From the airport
Shared colectivo minibus, about 140 pesos per person, 15 to 20 minutes
🚌 Next stop
Pacific coast: Zipolite, Mazunte, Puerto Escondido (several hours by ADO bus or minivan)
💵 Money
Mexican peso (MXN). Carry some cash for markets and small places
Where Is Oaxaca, Mexico?
Oaxaca de Juárez is the capital of Oaxaca state in southern Mexico. It sits inland in the Central Valleys, surrounded by mountains, and is the base for the Mezcal Route (El Tule, Teotitlán del Valle, Mitla, Santiago Matatlán). From here you can continue to the Pacific coast: Zipolite, Mazunte and Puerto Escondido.
Why Visit Oaxaca?
- Food. Tlayudas, mole, memelas, Oaxacan chocolate and mezcal.
- Mezcal. The official Mezcal Route links El Tule, Teotitlán del Valle, Mitla and Santiago Matatlán.
- Colorful neighborhoods. Centro, Jalatlaco and Xochimilco; Jalatlaco has cobblestones, cafés and street art.
- Markets. Local food, drinks and everyday life.
- Day trips. El Tule, Mitla, Hierve el Agua, a local farm and a mezcal distillery.
Best Time to Visit Oaxaca
- Dry season, roughly November to April: the coolest and driest months, and the busiest. Book ahead for the spring and winter holidays.
- Rainy season, roughly June to October: the rain mostly comes as afternoon downpours, with many sunny mornings. It is quieter and greener, and rain tapers off in October.
- Festivals: Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2, the Night of the Radishes on December 23, the Guelaguetza in the second half of July, and Holy Week in spring. We came at Easter and watched the Good Friday Procession of Silence.
Festival weeks fill hotels quickly, so book your bed before you book tours.
10 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca
1. Explore Centro
The grid layout makes it easy to walk. Start at the Zócalo and visit the markets.
One of the best ways to get to know a new destination is by joining a walking tour with a local guide. We recommend checking GuruWalk for free and paid walking tours in the destination, from general city tours to more specific experiences focused on history, food and local culture.
2. Explore Jalatlaco
Cobblestone streets, cafés and street art; a good place for breakfast.
Jalatlaco was one of our favorite neighborhoods. The cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, cafés and street art make it a great area for walking around without a specific plan. We had breakfast there and discovered several cafés along the way.
3. Explore Xochimilco
A neighborhood best seen on foot. Together with Centro and Jalatlaco, it gives you a good feeling for the different sides of Oaxaca.
4. Eat at La Cosecha Oaxaca
An open-air food market: tlayuda, memelas, agua fresca and pozonte. We ate a tlayuda and memelas and tried agua fresca and pozonte.
It was one of our favorite ways to experience Oaxaca’s food culture.
5. Try Mole and Pozole at Cabuche
We had mole negro and pozole here. If you come to Oaxaca, don’t limit yourself to tacos. There is an enormous variety of regional food to discover.
6. Visit El Tule
Home of the Árbol del Tule, an enormous Montezuma cypress. It is one of the highlights along the official Mezcal Route, which also includes Teotitlán del Valle, Mitla and Santiago Matatlán.
7. Explore Mitla
A Zapotec archaeological site known for its geometric stone decoration. We visited it during our day trip and enjoyed learning more about the history of the region. Mitla is also one of the main stops on the official Oaxaca Mezcal Route.
8. Visit Hierve el Agua
Petrified waterfalls formed by mineral-rich water, with natural pools and mountain views. For us it was the most impressive stop. The spectacular formations are created by mineral-rich water.
9. Visit a Mezcal Distillery
We went to El Rey de Matatlán to see how agave becomes mezcal.
10. Eat as Much Oaxacan Food as You Can
Try Tlayuda, memelas, chocolate, atole, mole, pan de yema and mezcal. And then do it again.
Tours and Experiences
If you want to book tours or day trips, compare reviews and cancellation terms on GetYourGuide, and look for free walking tours on GuruWalk. For the combined day trip we used Les Cas Tours Oaxaca: El Tule, Mitla, Hierve el Agua, a farm with natural dyes and chocolate, and the El Rey de Matatlán distillery, all in one day.
A Simple 3-Day Oaxaca Itinerary
1st Day: Centro and Jalatlaco
- Breakfast at Marito & Moglie Café, then wander Jalatlaco’s cobblestones and street art.
- Walk to the Zócalo and the markets in Centro.
- Lunch at La Cosecha Oaxaca (tlayuda, memelas, agua fresca).
- Evening: mole negro and pozole at Cabuche.
2nd Day: Day trip to the Central Valleys
- Join a combined tour: El Tule, Mitla, a farm with natural dyes and chocolate, and a mezcal distillery.
- The big finish is Hierve el Agua: petrified waterfalls and natural pools.
- Dinner back in town: tlayudas at Casa Taviche.
3rd Day: Xochimilco, chocolate and a slow last evening
- Traditional chocolate at Chocolate Mayordomo, and pan de yema or pan de cazuela from the market.
- Explore Xochimilco on foot, with a coffee break at Muss Café.
- Last dinner: Tlayuda and quesadillas at La Popular.
With more time: add a second day trip, or move on to the Pacific coast by ADO bus or minivan.
Where to Stay in Oaxaca
Stay within about six blocks of the Zócalo or Calle Macedonio Alcalá and you can walk everywhere.
Centro
The most convenient, with restaurants and cafés on your doorstep.
Jalatlaco
Quieter and residential, still close to the center, and close to the ADO bus station.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Casa de Alicia for about $35 USD per night, with a shared kitchen.
Accommodation Prices in Oaxaca
| Budget | What you get | Price per night for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hostels and simple private rooms, often farther from the center | ~$20 to 40 |
| Mid-range | Guesthouses and small hotels; our Casa de Alicia room was about $35 | ~$40 to 90 |
| Luxury | Boutique hotels and restored colonial buildings with courtyards | ~$100 and up |
Prices are estimates. Compare current rates on Booking.com for hotels and guesthouses, or Airbnb for longer stays.
Daily Budget in Oaxaca
Estimates per person per day, including a bed, food and local transport: Low ~$35 to 60, Mid ~$70 to 120, High ~$150 to 250. The day trip day costs more than the others.
Eat and Drink in Oaxaca
| Place | What we had |
|---|---|
| Boulenc | Our first dinner |
| Marito & Moglie Café | Breakfast before exploring Jalatlaco |
| La Cosecha Oaxaca | Tlayuda, memelas, agua fresca, pozonte |
| Cabuche | Mole negro and pozole |
| Tierra del Sol | We came for atole and ended up at the brunch terrace |
| Muss Café | Coffee on a terrace |
| Casa Taviche | More tlayudas |
| Chocolate Mayordomo | Traditional Oaxacan chocolate |
| La Popular | Tlayuda and quesadillas for our last dinner |
Recommended but not tried by us: Jazz Coffee, Sabina Sabe, Cocina Herba, Oooa Studio, Onnno Lonchería.
Transportation and How to Get to Oaxaca
Getting Around Oaxaca
The historic center is compact and walkable. Taxis are easy to find; a seven-minute ride cost about 50 pesos. There is no standard Uber service, but the app may find local taxis, which felt safer and more convenient.
From Oaxaca Airport
Take a shared colectivo minibus: about 140 pesos per person and 15 to 20 minutes. Tell the driver your address. We compared flights on Kayak.
Oaxaca’s Bus Stations
There are three bus stations. The ADO station is on the north side of Centro, near Jalatlaco.
From Oaxaca to the Pacific Coast
It takes several hours by colectivo, Uber, ADO bus or minivan. We recommend an ADO bus or a minivan, which you can book through GetYourGuide. Next stop for us: Zipolite.
Money, Payments and Cards in Oaxaca
Mexico uses the Mexican peso (MXN). Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash, especially for markets, small places and local restaurants. At ATMs, choose to be charged in local currency. For travel, a card such as Revolut or Wise helps with fees. Tipping is optional and not expected at smaller places.
Travel Safety and Essentials in Oaxaca
A little preparation can make travelling easier and give you some extra peace of mind. Here are some travel essentials worth considering before your trip.
Phone, Internet and SIM Card
The most convenient way to stay connected is through an e-sim. We typically use Airalo or Holafly, depending on our need for data at a specific country or location. Alternatively you can also check out Saily or Ubigi. In case you do not want to use an e-sim, for Mexico we recommend Telcel.
Travel Insurance
Before travelling, it is worth checking your travel insurance options and making sure the policy covers the activities you plan to do, such as surfing or boat trips. World Nomads offers travel insurance for travellers and different types of trips and activities. Always check the current policy wording, coverage limits and exclusions before purchasing.
Protect Your Belongings
For extra security when travelling, Pacsafe offers anti-theft backpacks, bags and travel accessories that can be useful when staying in hostels or travelling by bus and other public transport.
Protect Your Cards
If you carry several cards while travelling, an RFID-blocking wallet like mywalit can be a useful extra precaution. It also keeps your cards, cash and travel documents organised while you are on the move.
Use a VPN and a Password Manager
A VPN can be useful when connecting to public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, cafes or other shared networks. NordVPN is one option we consider. They also provide a password manager, so that you do not forget your passwords while on the road.
Safety
Oaxaca’s center felt relaxed to us. As in any city, some areas can be less safe at night, so stick to well-lit central streets after dark and take a taxi back late in the evening. According to our local guide, the southwest part of the city farther away from Mercado 20 de Noviembre was not considered particularly safe. Earthquakes happen here, and an alarm may sound occasionally.
Oaxaca Travel Tips
- Stay central, then explore beyond Centro, especially Jalatlaco and Xochimilco.
- Come hungry and try chocolate and atole.
- Plan at least one day trip.
- Book beds first, then tours, during festival weeks.
- Take your time to explore.
Oaxaca FAQ
How many days do you need in Oaxaca?
Three days is enough for the city and one day trip. Stay four or more if you want a second day trip or slow food days like ours.
What is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most popular. Day of the Dead (November 1 and 2) and Holy Week are special but busy.
How do you get from Oaxaca airport to the city?
Take a shared colectivo minibus, about 140 pesos per person and 15 to 20 minutes. Tell the driver your address.
Is Oaxaca walkable?
Yes. The historic center is compact and walkable. Taxis cost about 50 pesos for a short ride.
Is there Uber in Oaxaca?
There is no standard Uber service. The app may find local taxis.
How do you get from Oaxaca to the Pacific coast?
Take an ADO bus or a minivan. It takes several hours. Our next stop was Zipolite.
Final Thoughts: Is Oaxaca Worth Visiting?
Definitely. Do the day trip to Hierve el Agua, Mitla and El Tule, and visit a mezcal distillery. The food is what we remember most, and Easter week added the Procession of Silence. Next stop for us was Zipolite.
Our Oaxaca Travel Story
Four days of tlayudas, a silent Good Friday procession, a day trip to Hierve el Agua and one atole we never got to drink. Read our Oaxaca travel story
Next stop: Zipolite, or see the rest of the coast in our Mazunte guide.
