Your Travel Guide to Oaxaca City
Oaxaca de Juárez (pronounced like waa·haa·kuh) is the capital and largest city in Oaxaca state in Mexico. Known primarily for its rich indigenous population and vibrant culture, this region offers a unique opportunity for visitors to deeply engage with Mexican traditions and ways of life. It is a captivating destination that beckons those seeking an authentic experience beyond the conventional tourist spots.
I arrived in Oaxaca de Juarez at 3pm local time on a Tuesday and immediately knew I was going to enjoy my time in Oaxaca, this city is perfect to take a stroll and walk around on your own to explore, all the buildings are different colours and there are colourful flags wherever you look up.
I walked around the city, visited the local Benito Juárez Market famous for its traditional dish Mole, tried all types of insects, explored the Templo de Santo de Guzman, enjoyed the local street art and watched the local way of life. I have put this Travel Guide together to help you explore Oaxaca in the best way possible.
Your Travel Guide to Oaxaca City
Ways to get around Oaxaca
Getting to Oaxaca is very straightforward, either you can fly into Oaxaca international airport, or you can take a ADO bus from most places in Mexico.
To get around Oaxaca de Juarez, the best way is to walk! It’s a very walkable city and the best way to explore, if walking isn’t possible then I suggest one of the four most common modes of transport:
Taxi’s in Oaxaca
Taxis are the most preferred mode of transportation for tourists exploring Oaxaca City, known for their convenience and ease of access. Generally, a taxi ride within the central area should typically range from $60 to $80 pesos, making it an affordable choice for moving around the city.
Buses in Oaxaca
The city boasts a good bus network, making it convenient for locals and visitors alike. However, for tourists, navigating the system can be a bit challenging due to its intricacies. Despite this, taking the bus remains the most affordable mode of transportation within the city, with an average trip cost amounting to around $8 pesos.
Colectivo’s in Oaxaca
Colectivos are a popular means of transportation in the city, known for their shared taxi concept. Typically priced between $12 to $30 pesos, they offer an affordable way to travel around urban areas, making them a convenient choice for many residents and visitors alike.
Your Travel Guide to Oaxaca City
Where to Stay
Oaxaca is widely regarded as one of the safest destinations in Mexico, offering a plethora of excellent accommodation options. For a convenient stay, I highly advise choosing the city centre as your base, ensuring quick and convenient access to nearby attractions and amenities.
Best hostel in Oaxaca for entertainment - https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/hosteldetails.php/Iguana-Hostel-Oaxaca
Best hostel in Oaxaca for socialising - https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/hosteldetails.php/Ticuchi-Hostal/Oaxaca
Boutique Hotel in Oaxaca – https://www.booking.com/hotel/mx/boutique-casa-garay
5 Star Hotel in Oaxaca - https://www.booking.com/hotel/mx/grand-fiesta-americana-oaxaca
Your Travel Guide to Oaxaca City
What to See & Do
You'll never run out of things to see and do in Oaxaca; the vibrant markets, rich cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine make it a place where each corner holds a new discovery. I wish I had more time in Oaxaca to be able to experience so many more things, like wandering through the colonial streets, exploring ancient ruins, and immersing myself in the colourful traditions of this enchanting Mexican city.
Top Experiences in Oaxaca
Explore the Zocalo
Zocalo stands for Public Square, right in the centre of Oaxaca city is the Zocalo, this is the best place to start immersing yourself in the Oaxaca atmosphere. Either day or night, this square is bustling with life; the perfect place to people watch, listen to brass bands and buskers, and enjoy surrounding views.
Mercado Benito Juarez Market
Warning to all Vegetarians and Vegans, maybe avoid this market if you are visiting Oaxaca. It is a public market that is a must visit if you are a foodie, a great place to try many different Mexican cuisines and ingredients. If you aren’t interested in food as much, there are many beautiful crafts and textiles available for you to browse through and purchase.
Hierve El Agua
Have you ever seen a waterfall frozen in time? Well taking a trip to Hierve El Agua will make sure you can tick this experience off your list. It is a set of natural travertine rock formations in the state of Oaxaca. This waterfall was created by mineral water that pushes through limestone, settling onto the mountains edge creating this waterfall that looks frozen in time.
It is open from 7am – 6:30pm and I recommend hiring a guide and doing the small hike around the falls and then cool off in one of the mineral pools above. You can book a day trip here - https://gyg.me/pyt6HEas
Take a tour of a Mezcal Distillery
Oaxaca is the home of Mezcal, over 90% of all Mezcal is produced in the state of Oaxaca; this is the best place to see how it is made. Enjoy a tour of the factory, see how it is created and how incredible the agave species is. I visited the Mezcal Don Agave distillery, you can book your tour through this link
Paint a Alebrije
Head to San Martin Tilcajete, just outside the city centre and stop by Zoologico Mágico to learn about the history and how they make Alebrijes. Alebrijes are brightly coloured Mexican folk-art sculptures of fantastical creatures, I highly recommend visiting the family at Zoologico Magico to experience the Zapoteca culture and the making of alebrjies and even get to paint your own one!
Wander through the ancient ruins of Mitla
Mitla is the most important archaeological site of the Zapoteca culture, the site is 44km from the city centre of Oaxaca. Mitla is known as the place of the dead, as it was established as a scared burial ground. If you have the time, definitely take a trip to explore this site for yourself, if you book a day tour it works in well with Hierve El Agua. https://gyg.me/OfHXWvZY
Grasshoppers & Worm
Traditional breakfast of Hot Chocolate and a sweet bread bun.
Things to see in the City Centre:
- Templo de Santo Domingo
- Catedral de Oaxaca
- Barrio de Jalatlaco (Beautiful neighbourhood with street Mexican art)
- Museo Textil de Oaxaca (Indigenous textiles)
- Centro Fotografico Manuel Alvarez Bravo (For Photography)
- BS Biblioteca Infantil de Oaxaca (Library)
- Jardin Etnobotanico
Your Travel Guide to Oaxaca City
Where to Eat
Oaxaca is a foodie’s heaven; with many traditional foods to beautiful cafes, you can’t go wrong with cuisine in Oaxaca. Depending on what you like and the environment you enjoy will determine where to go to savour delicious food.
Foods to try in Oaxaca include Mole, Tlayudas, memelas, enmoladas and more.
Places I enjoyed the best in oAXACA:
- Café Boca del Monte
- El Quinque
- Tierra del Sol
Where to enjoy a drink in oaxaca:
- Archivo Mahuey
- Txalaparta
- Sabina Sabe
- Mezcalogia
Traditional Restaurants in Oaxaca :
- El Son Istmeno
- Coquina Hua Xha
- Almu
- Levadura De Olla
Places for breakfast in Oaxaca include:
- El Vino y la Sal
- Santa Hierba Jalatlaco
- Panam Abasolo
- Am Café Xochimilco
Your Travel Guide to Oaxaca City
Top Tips for Oaxaca City
- Allow a minimum of 3 days in Oaxaca city to not miss any of the top experiences.
- Oaxaca is safe for solo female travellers, in saying that still don’t wander around alone at night and only bring what you need (don’t flash expensive items in public)
- Oaxaca is a UNESCO heritage site, due to its historical centre, make sure you don’t miss it.
- Similar to Mexico City, it is at a higher Altitude, sitting at 1555m elevation, you might feel more tired and alcohol hits you faster here. Definitely a good idea to stay hydrated.