The 15 Greatest Issues to Do in Oaxaca (Up to date 2023)

Posted: 6/5/2023 | June fifth, 2023

Oaxaca stole my coronary heart. I used to be enamored by this colourful and vibrant metropolis from the second I stepped foot on its cobblestoned streets. It has all of it: historical past, tradition, pleasant folks, meals, mezcal. (I really like this metropolis a lot that we run tours there now!)

Whereas the city could also be small, there’s lots to do right here. Its rising recognition post-COVID has seen an increase in a whole lot of new experiences, excursions, eating places, and artwork galleries. (The recognition is simply not as a result of Individuals and Europeans both. Mexicans additionally come right here in droves!).

With a lot extra to do now, right here is my record of all the very best issues to see and do in Oaxaca:

1. Take a strolling tour

One of many first issues I do after I go to a brand new metropolis is take a free strolling tour. They’re one of the best ways to see the principle sights, get launched to the vacation spot and its folks, and join with a neighborhood information who can reply all of your questions. My favourite firm is Oaxaca Free Walking Tour. They provide free every day excursions showcasing the principle sights. Simply be certain that to tip your information on the finish!
 

2. See the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

With unique building relationship again to the mid-Sixteenth century, this Dominican church and monastery was additionally used as a army constructing throughout Mexico’s revolutionary conflict (1910–20). The inside is extremely ornate, with intricate carvings on the partitions, and it nonetheless holds companies at the moment (so costume respectfully when visiting).

One a part of the complicated grew to become a museum within the Seventies: the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, which focuses on Oaxacan tradition, with every kind of spiritual and pre-Columbian artifacts in its assortment. The “Treasures of Monte Albán” exhibition showcases over 400 relics from a Mixtec tomb that is likely one of the most necessary burial websites in Mesoamerica, together with a cranium lined in turquoise, carved bone objects, weaving instruments, and jewellery manufactured from gold and jade. It’s by far among the finest issues to do within the metropolis. You’ll want a few hours to see all of it.

C. Macedonio Alcalá S/N, +52 951 516 3720. The Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm. Admission to the church is free, whereas the museum is 85 MXN.
 

3. Stroll by way of the Botanical Backyard

Additionally positioned within the former convent within the Santo Domingo de Guzmán complicated, the Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca options 900 species of crops from throughout the state, which is likely one of the most biodiverse areas of Mexico. Along with the flowers, bushes, and cacti, there are sculptures and artistic endeavors too.

Admission is by way of tour solely. There’s only one English tour accessible per day (provided at 11am). It fills up shortly, as there are solely 25 spots accessible, so be sure you arrive early as it’s first come, first served.

Reforma Sur, Ruta Independencia, +52 951 516 5325. jardinoaxaca.mx. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-3:30pm. Admission is by guided tour solely. Admission (together with the tour) is 50 MXN for Spanish excursions and 100 MXN for excursions in English.
 

4. Simply wander town

Oaxaca incorporates over 1,200 historic buildings. Among the best issues to do is stroll round city and take within the historic buildings, colourful murals, cobblestone streets, and exquisite structure. Simply get misplaced. Take your time wandering the enduring landmarks just like the Zócalo (the principle sq., in entrance of the Nationwide Palace), the Baroque Cathedral of Our Woman of the Assumption, the murals of Xochilmilco, and the colours (and murals) of Jalatlaco (which is my favourite neighborhood within the metropolis).
 

5. Discover the markets

Oaxaca is known for its markets. My favourite is Mercado 20 de Noviembre, a Nineteenth-century lined market the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in every kind of scrumptious road meals (recent, native produce is offered right here too). Named after the beginning date of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, it has remained one among Oaxaca’s culinary and cultural hubs for over 100 years. I really like coming right here to wander and people-watch. It’s open every day from 7am-9pm.

I additionally love close by Mercado Benito Juárez with its meals stalls and retailers.

Moreover, there may be the famed Abastos market, which is the most important market within the area. You could find every part right here. It’s enormous. In the event that they produce it on this planet, it’s right here. It’s just a little outdoors town heart nevertheless it’s definitely worth the trek.
 

6. Study mezcal

Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal and greater than 70% of Mexico’s manufacturing occurs right here. Like tequila, mezcal is a spirit distilled from agave, however in contrast to tequila, the guts of the plant is cooked in a pit within the floor earlier than it’s crushed. There are a ton of choices to study mezcal if you are right here. For bars, my private favorites are Los Amantes Mezcalería, Mezcalogia, Tres Hermanas, Mezcalería In Situ, and Comere.

For excursions, take Rambling Spirits. This tour firm was based by two journalists who’ve developed deep roots with the native mezcal producers and can take you to locations the extra industrial excursions gained’t. They’ve an insane degree of data and may educate you every part you have to learn about mezcal in addition to introducing you to the households and producers. It’s my favourite mezcal tour within the metropolis.
 

7. Go to Monte Albán

Based within the sixth century BCE, Monte Albán was one of many earliest Mesoamerican cities and an necessary sociopolitical and financial heart for nearly a thousand years. Get context for the remainder of your go to by stopping in on the museum first, after which persevering with on to wander the sprawling venue, which is crammed with historical Zapotec pyramids, tombs, terraces, and canals. It’s tremendous spectacular and takes a couple of hours to see.

This pre-Columbian UNESCO World Heritage Web site is positioned simply quarter-hour outdoors city. There are common shuttles to and from downtown Oaxaca, or you’ll be able to visit on a guided tour if you need an professional information to indicate you round (it’s one of the best ways to study extra concerning the web site).

Ignacio Bernal S/N, San Pedro Ixtlahuaca, 01 951 513 3346. inah.gob.mx/zonas/94-zona-arqueologica-de-monte-alban. Open every day 10am-4pm. Admission is 90 MXN.
 

8. Take a meals tour

Oaxaca is a middle for Mexican gastronomy, with a few of the most various choices of dishes within the nation. Some well-liked dishes embody:

• Tlayudas: a skinny and crispy corn tortilla topped with refried beans, pork lard, lettuce, avocado, Oaxacan cheese, and your protein of alternative; that is often a nighttime road meals snack.
• Memelas: thick grilled corn desserts with black beans, meat, and cheese toppings.
• Mole: a sauce with dozens of substances that varies significantly in preparation (there are seven conventional Oaxacan moles) however usually consists of cacao, a number of kinds of chili peppers, garlic, onion, and different spices; it’s served over rice, meat, and tortillas.
• Tetelas: corn tortillas full of black or refried beans, cheese, and cream.

I extremely suggest exploring Oaxaca’s native meals scene with a guided meals tour. Oaxaca Eats runs a number of excursions. You’ll get to pattern 20+ dishes. Tour costs fluctuate, however count on to spend 2,000 MXN. They’re a neighborhood owned firm that I feel runs the very best excursions within the metropolis. I take advantage of them for all my group excursions and after I take buddies there.
 

9. Swim at Hierve el Agua

Hierve el Agua is likely one of the most stunning pure websites within the nation. These calcified waterfalls have been created over millennia as water from pure springs cascades over the aspect of cliffs. Equally to how stalactites type in caves, the minerals from the water create shiny white rock formations that appear like frozen water.

Along with admiring and snapping photographs of the cliffs, there are additionally hikes across the falls you’ll be able to take too (it’s fairly steep so that you’ll need to be in good bodily form for them). Carry your bathing swimsuit too as you’ll be able to swim within the swimming pools on high.

+52 951 502 1200. Open every day 7am-6:30pm. Admission is 50 MXN.
 

10. Discover Mitla

This pre-Columbian web site was one of many most important non secular and religious hubs for the indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec folks. Used as a sacred burial floor connecting the worlds of the residing and the lifeless, Mitla was in-built 850 CE however principally destroyed by the Spanish within the mid-Sixteenth century. Nonetheless, some buildings had been left intact (a few of which date way back to 400 CE), which you’ll discover. It stands out from different Mesoamerican ruins as a result of mosaics protecting the tombs and partitions and is properly value a go to.

+52 951 568 0316. lugares.inah.gob.mx/es/zonas-arqueologicas/zonas/1764-mitla.html?lugar_id=1764. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-2pm. Admission is 90 MXN, whereas skip-the-line tickets (which I extremely suggest!) are 160 MXN.
 

11. Go to Oaxaca’s artisan cities

The province of Oaxaca is understood for its small folk-art villages, every specializing in several handicrafts. Go to one or a couple of to satisfy the artisans, see how conventional items are made, and produce again a memento. Teotitlán del Valle is understood for its textiles, San Bartolo Coyotepec for black pottery, and San Martín Tilcajete and San Antonio Arrazola for alebrijes (brightly coloured, fantastical animal sculptures — you’ll be able to even take an alebrije-making workshop in San Martín Tilcajete).

You possibly can go to by rental automotive, native buses, or a guided tour that goes to a few villages.
 

13. Attempt a street-stall hamburguesa

The hamburguesa is a scrumptious must-eat quick meals meal. It’s a burger topped with a scorching canine, sliced cheese, Oaxaca cheese, ham, pineapple, lettuce, tomato, and jalapeño. It’s all of the unhealthy meals you can ever need for simply 50 MXN. I do know it’s bizarre to incorporate this as a “should see factor to do” however belief me, you’ll need one. And it’s not made for Gringos and vacationers both. Locals devour these. You’ll see stalls throughout city however Cangreburguer sells among the finest in my view.
 

14. See the world’s widest tree

The world’s widest tree is positioned within the city of Santa María del Tule, simply 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the middle of Oaxaca. Estimated to be 1,500–3,000 years outdated, this Montezuma cypress (Mexico’s nationwide tree) has a diameter of about 14 meters (46 toes)! It’s a powerful sight to behold, however because it doesn’t take very lengthy to see, it’s good to mix it with different actions, such a full-day guided tour that additionally takes you to Mitla and Hierve del Agua.
 

From distinctive and scrumptious meals and drinks to historical past and tradition stretching again millennia, there’s no scarcity of how to fill your time in my favourite metropolis in Mexico. (And in case you don’t need to plan something however prefer to journey with new buddies, allow us to information you round Oaxaca on one of our TNN tours!).

Oaxaca is a magical place and this record of actions will hold you busy whereas tapping you into the native tradition. I believe, like me, you’ll find yourself falling in love with it too.