Want to fall in love with Oaxaca as much as I did?

This travel guide will help you do just that! In this post, you’ll find 35 of the best things to do in Oaxaca City. It’s perfect for those who want to experience the history, culture, food, art, and natural beauty of this magical city.

The guide also has information on day trips to the towns, ruins, distilleries, waterfalls, and mountains around Oaxaca. These are places that I visited during my three trips to Oaxaca.

For those on a budget, I’ve also included detailed instructions on getting to these attractions by public transportation.

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Before we talk about all the things to do in Oaxaca, I’ve got a question for you:

Have you ever visited a city while on vacation and loved it so much that you started to have thoughts about moving to it? Permanently.

You know… rent an apartment (or buy a house), get some furniture, pots and pans, perhaps a dog or cat or both, make some friends…You know, a place you can call home for the rest of your life.

I’ve only felt this way three times in my life.

The first was Hong Kong.

The second was Guanajuato, Mexico.

And the third was Oaxaca, Mexico.

There was just something about Oaxaca that made me never want to leave. I did, eventually.

What was supposed to be only a week in Oaxaca turned into three weeks

I loved everything about the city: the food, the architecture, the people, the history, and the beautiful scenery.

It was easy to get around and easy to figure out public transportation. And I found an inexpensive and clean hotel run by a wonderful elderly woman near the Zocalo.

What more could you want in a place?

So, I hope this guide to Oaxaca helps you fall in love with it as much as I did.

Top 35 Things to Do in Oaxaca

There are so many things to do in Oaxaca that you’ll need to stay a week to see them all. In this guide, we’ll start with all the things you can do in the historic center and then make our way through things to do for foodies, history buffs, art lovers, and archaeology nerds. Finally, I’ll share with you all the ways you can experience the natural beauty around Oaxaca City.

1. Wander around the Zocalo

Any trip to a city in Mexico should begin in the Zocalo (Oaxaca’s main square). This is the heart and soul of every Mexican city. Oaxaca is no exception.

Around the Zocalo, you’ll always find the oldest and grandest buildings including the main church of the city. There will be plenty of benches to sit and watch the city go by, street vendors to buy food and souvenirs from, places to get your shoes shined, and expensive and touristy restaurants to grab an overpriced meal from. Someone will always be protesting something or asking you to donate to some cause. Locals, tourists, migrants, protestors, young couples, families, and friends all seem to congregate in the Zocalo.

The main square in Oaxaca has all of those things and more.

Here are just a few of my favorite things to do in Oaxaca’s Zocalo:

Grab a cup of hot chocolate

The best place to people watch in Oaxaca is at the reasonably-priced, Restaurante Mayordomo (Google Maps)–a chain restaurant found all over the city.

However, don’t eat a meal here. Instead, just order a traditional Oaxacan hot chocolate drink and a pastry called pan de muerta (yolk bread). You’ll be asked whether you want the drink with milk or water. The traditional way is with water. But milk is also very delicious.

Listen to Music in the Zocalo

Every evening I was in Oaxaca there was some kind of musical performance going on in the Zocalo: an orchestra playing Western classical music, a band playing salsa music (and people dancing salsa), or a small group playing traditional Mexican music. They start at around 4:30 pm.

There was also another performance taking place next to the Cathedral. I think it was a comedy performance. My Spanish wasn’t good enough to fully understand what they were saying but there was plenty of laughter from the crowd.

See Political Protests and Rallies

The Zocalo is also the center of political protests in Oaxaca. One day there was a massive teacher protest. On one Saturday, a massive group of people was protesting against violence against women (this is an important issue in Mexico as 10 women a day are murdered in Mexico for being female – in the United States it’s 5 women a day). I heard there were clashes between the protestors and police. I didn’t see it but I saw the aftermath the next day: the Cathedral was covered in graffiti and the remnants of posters littered the Zocalo.

Visit the Cathedral of Oaxaca

Next to the Zocalo is the Cathedral of Oaxaca. Its construction began in 1535 and finished in 1640. Over the years, it’s been reconstructed many times due to earthquakes.

The façade is made out of green cantera stone, a material that is particular to Oaxaca and can be seen on pretty much most colonial buildings. It was built in the Neoclassical style, a unique style for Mexico as most churches in Mexico are baroque.

The Cathedral is often open to the public, so you can easily have a look inside.

2. Check out the beautiful colonial buildings

One of my favorite things to do in Oaxaca is to just aimlessly wander around the historic center taking in all the beautiful colonial buildings that line the cobblestoned streets.

One of my favorite streets for architecture is Andador de Macedonio Alcala. This pedestrian-only street connects the Zocalo with Santo Domingo Church. It’s lined with galleries, cafes, and shops housed in pink, blue, green, and yellow colonial buildings.

Make sure to break up your wanderings with a stop at a café to get a coffee or hot chocolate or at a rooftop bar to get a beer or cocktail. I highly recommend the rooftop terrace at Praga Coffee Bar (Google Maps). The cocktails are fun but pricey. The views are fabulous.

I also like the coffee shops, Cafebre and Cafe Brujula.

3. Stop by Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman

• OPEN: Around 4:00 or 5:00 pm
• COST: free
• LOCATION: Google Maps

Probably one of the most beautiful buildings in Oaxaca is Santo Domingo Church and Monastery. Built between 1575 and 1608, the church was named in honor of Santo Domingo de Guzman, a Spanish monk who founded the Dominicans. This religious order was known for protecting the indigenous population against the greed of the colonists.

The church is usually closed, so if you see the doors open (usually around 4:00 or 5:00 pm), don’t hesitate to enter. You might not have another chance.

You’ll be treated to a ceiling covered in detailed carvings and gold leaf and a stunning altar also in gold leaf.

But if you’re unlucky like me and it’s always closed every time you walk by, the exterior’s beautiful baroque facade is still a work of art.

The Cultural Centre of Oaxaca is attached to the church. It’s worth a visit as it holds the contents of Tomb 7 from the Zapotec site of Monte Alban.

Culture Tip: In Mexico and Central America, you’ll find many religious structures referred to as convents. In English, convent is solely a place for nuns. But in Latin America, the word is also used to describe a monastery. Santo Domingo is referred to as a church and “convent”, but it was originally ONLY for monks and NOT nuns.

4. Tour the Oaxaca Botanical Gardens

• GUIDED TOURS: 11:00 am (M-Sa) in English; 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 (M-Sa) in Spanish; 10:00 am (Sa) in French
• COST: MXN$100 for the English tour and MXN$50 for the Spanish tour
• LOCATION: Google Maps

One of the hardest places to get into in Oaxaca is the Botanical Gardens (Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca). But it is so worth it even if you’re not into plants and flowers. I’m not in general. But I adored this place, probably because the gardens are full of many varieties of cactus and there is something about these plants that fascinates me.  

Why is it so hard to get into?

You have to join a tour, lasting one hour. Unfortunately, tours in English take place once a day at 11:00 am. To make things even harder for you, tours are limited to 15 people. So, line up 2 or 3 hours beforehand to ensure space on the tour.

Check their website for days and times. Due to the pandemic, tour times were only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, according to the gardens’ website, they’re open every day except Sundays.

There is a famous Instagram photo of a row of cacti reflected in a pool of water. When I visited, the pool was empty to prevent mosquitoes from proliferating and causing a dengue fever outbreak.

5. Visit the Solidad Basilica

• COST: free
• LOCATION: Google Maps

Just a few blocks from the Zocalo is another not-to-miss architectural wonder in Oaxaca: Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Solidad.

Mexicans love baroque and Solidad takes this architectural style to a whole new level. Built in 1682 and 1690, the facade of church is full of the most beautiful and symbolic sculptures and geometric designs. Check out the carved relief on the outside of the church of the Virgin Mary weeping over the body of Christ (the skull and cross and branches with leaves represent life after death). The city over her other shoulder in the background is Jerusalem.

Another reason to add this church to your Oaxaca itinerary is the view from the church and the neighborhoods clinging to the hills in the distance.

6. Check out the Aqueduct of Oaxaca

Another historic and architectural attraction you must visit in Oaxaca is the aqueduct. Built between 1727 and 1751, the aqueduct used to bring water down from Cerro de San Felipe to the citizens of Oaxaca City. It was replaced with a more modern system in 1940. However, you can still find 300 meters of the aqueduct from 2a de Rufino Tamayo (south of 190) to Calle Jose Lopez Alavez (north of 190) in Xochimilco Barrio.

7. Go on a Walking Tour of Oaxaca

• OPEN: 10:00 AM or 4:00 pm daily
• COST: tip – MXN$100 – $200 (US$5 – $10)
• MEETING LOCATION: Teatro Macedonia Alcala
• CONTACT INFORMATION: Facebook or Free Walk Oaxaca Website

I highly recommend doing a FREE walking tour on your first or second day in Oaxaca. I’ve done this tour twice.

A guide generally takes you on a tour on foot of the historic center, tells you the history of the city, and brings you to places that you probably wouldn’t find on your own. Without the tour, I never would have known about the organic food court, some cool restaurants and cafes, and the Xochimilco neighborhood.

The length of time varies by tour guide and the enthusiasm of the guests. The first time I took the tour I went with Raul and it lasted over three hours! The second time was with Oscar and it lasted two hours but afterward we all went out to eat together.

At the end, you should give a tip depending on how good the tour was, how long it was, how many people were on it, and how much you can afford. I recommend tipping between MXN$100 and $200.

Reserve your spot on the Free Tour’s website. In February 2024, they had tours in English at 11:00 am.

8. Wander Around Xochimilco Neighborhood

• LOCATION: Google Maps

One of the coolest neighborhoods in Oaxaca is Xochimilco. It’s a place with old colorful buildings, narrow alleyways and courtyards, small shops, galleries, cafes, hip restaurants, and loads of street art.  The neighborhood is split in half by Calle 190/Highway 190 (it’s easy to cross). Check out both sides of the street.

You can find Xochi’s best street art on the north side of 190. Walk along Calle Jose Lopez Alavez has my favorite art.

I also recommend getting a coffee or brunch in either the garden at Rupestre Pan y Café or the rooftop terrace at Filemon.

Wander around some of the small side streets that go up the hills.

Finally, keep on walking north to the part of the aqueduct where the river flows under the aqueduct (Google Maps).

Pro Tips: Wear insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes when in Oaxaca. Dengue Fever is real here and you don’t want to get it. Mosquitoes that are infected with Dengue usually reside in urban areas during the day, especially at dusk and dawn.

9. Get Lost in the Jalatlaco Neighborhood

• LOCATION: Google Maps

Another charming and historic neighborhood to wander around in is Jalatlaco. Just like Xochimilco Barrio, the streets here are also covered with cobblestones and lined with colorful cafes, restaurants, hotels, and street art.

Other than the art and a beautiful eighteenth-century church, there aren’t any other attractions in the neighborhood. It’s very quiet during the day but supposedly comes alive in the evening when the street vendors come out.

Is Oaxaca safe? I was in Oaxaca for 3 weeks and felt safe walking around during the day and in the early evening alone. However, according to ex-pats on a Oaxaca Facebook group I joined, there have been cases of people getting mugged late at night on streets near the historic center. There was one story of 2 guys leaving a bar late at night, being hustled into separate taxis, and then robbed, beaten, and abandoned somewhere in the countryside.

10. Watch a Calenda Procession

One of the highlights of my trip to Oaxaca was seeing a calenda. You will see calendas taking place after a wedding, christening, or even a graduation ceremony. They usually happen usually during the day on Saturdays and sometimes on Friday evenings.  

After the wedding ceremony, the bride, groom, and guests come out of the church and participate in a procession down the streets of Oaxaca, sometimes ending at the Zocalo. There’s always a band (trumpets and drums), a large twirling balloon, female dancers with baskets and turkeys on their heads, two giant paper maché bride and groom puppets, and two people dressed up in a costume with flowing strips of colored material. Strangers are encouraged to join in the procession. It’s a lot of fun!

How do you know a calenda is going to take place?

I hung out in front of Templo de Santo Domingo on a Saturday morning and then came back in the afternoon and waited for a christening or a wedding party to exit. I knew a wedding was taking place inside the church because the front door was closed and there was a sign on it saying you can’t go in. A calenda band was also hanging out in front of the church. In the morning, there was a christening and a graduation and in the afternoon a wedding.

You can also just listen for music on a Saturday. The bands in a calenda play a specific tune. If you hear this tune or any music with trumpets and drums on a Saturday morning or afternoon in Oaxaca, you’ll know that somewhere in the city is a calenda. Head to Santo Domingo Church or the Carmen Alto Church and you should find one going on.

11. Join a Food Tour

• OPEN: 9:30 AM – 3:00 pm
• COST: MXN$1,500 (US$89)
• WEBSITE: Oaxaca Street Food Tours

The highlight of both of my trips to Oaxaca (and perhaps all of Mexico) was the two food tours I did. The first one was the Oaxaca Street Food Tour with Betsy Morales and the second one was “Eat Like a Local” food tour with Betsaida. I’ve been on food tours in Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, Ecuador, and Guatemala, and found both tours to be some of THE best ones I’d ever done!

By going on a food tour, you’ll get to try foods that you would normally never eat on your own and you’ll get to learn about the history of Oaxacan cuisine.

The Oaxaca Street Food Tour included a visit to La Cosecha Organic Market, 20 de Noviembre Market, and the Benito Juarez Market. We got to try squash blossom tlacoluya, huitlacoche (fungus that grows on corn), several moles, barbecue, hot chocolate, chapulines (fried grasshopper) and loads more.

The best part was eating grilled Oaxacan meat and veggies at the famous Pasillo de Humo. The guide taught us how to order the meat and sides, which is something that can be hard to do on your own if you don’t understand the customs.

Betsy knew how to pace things so that by the end of the tour I didn’t feel like you ate too much.

The last food tour I went on (February 2024) was very different. At the start of the tour, Betsaida told us that we’d be tasting 24 different foods and drinks. It actually ended up being around 40 (I lost count)!

We ate at two popular street food stalls in the historic center before we headed to a small local market, Mercado Sanchez Pascuas, and tried some fantastic tamales, mezcal, coffee, honey, and local fruits!

Our last major stops were Mercado Benito Juárez, where we tried grasshoppers and tejate, and more mezcal, and Mercado 20 de Noviembre, where we stopped at Smoke Alley for some grilled meat.

I loved Eat Like a Local tour but I did feel really full by the end and I just couldn’t enjoy our last stop.

If I had to choose one over the other, I’d say Eat Like a Local had the BEST food and it was the most USEFUL  because I found places that I could easily return to later on during my stay.

12. Learn How to Cook Oaxacan cuisine

• OPEN: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
• COST: US$77
• LOCATION: Google Maps
• HOW TO BOOK A CLASS: Flavors of Oaxaca Cooking Class with Casa Crespo

Another thing food lovers should do during their stay in the culinary capital of Mexico is to learn how to cook the city’s cuisine by taking a cooking class.

I did the Flavors of Oaxaca Cooking Class with Casa Crespo.

After doing a tour of a local market, the chef had each of the 6 students cook different parts of the meal. For example, one person chopped the onions while the other person blended the ingredients. At the end of the class, we (except for the teacher) all sat down to eat what we made. 

I liked that the chef and teacher, Oscar Carrizosa, asked us what we wanted to cook and followed our requests. We made a lot of dishes such as a mole, several different salsas, tamales, a dessert, a ceviche, and soup. The food we made turned out to be the best meal I had during my six months in Mexico.

I highly, highly recommend the Casa Crespo cooking class! It’s one of the best things to do in Oaxaca if you want to explore Oaxacan food more deeply.

13. Stroll Through 20 de Noviembre Market

The 20 de Noviembre Market has got all the things you want in a market: cheap, delicious, clean, and authentic food. A bonus is that the vendors are pretty welcoming and patient to people who don’t speak Spanish very well.

The indoor market is just two blocks from the Zocalo. It’s a giant building with entrances on every side, and it’s filled with (I think) only vendors selling food and drinks. They’ve got pretty much everything you want here: mole, tlayuda, grilled meats, Oaxacan sweets, hot chocolate, bread, and on and on.

Shop around! You’ll notice one stall charges MXN$90 for a tlayuda while another just a few doors down only MXN$65.

They’ve got one section called Pasillo de Humo devoted to vendors selling grilled meats. The food looks delicious but ordering the food looks overly complicated and intimidating. However, if you join The Street Food tour that I mentioned earlier in this post, Betsy will take you to this market and show you how to order.

I ate here over and over again during my three weeks in Oaxaca.

The other market, Mercado Benito Juarez, doesn’t have as much food as Mercado 20 de Noviembre. If you take the food tour with Betsy, she’ll take you to both.

14. Eat at La Cosecha Organic Market

• OPEN: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm (W – Su)
• LOCATION: Google Maps

I loved the relaxed vibe of the small and quiet La Cosecha Organic Market.

The vendors were always kind and welcoming, and because it was never crowded, it was also never overwhelming or stressful like sometimes at the other bigger markets. Therefore, I think it’s the perfect market to visit when you first arrive in Oaxaca or if you’re intimidated by ordering food in another language. Plus, the food and drinks were always delicious and reasonably priced.

You can buy all kinds of different foods–mole, seafood soup, craft beer, coffee, fruit juices, and the best tlayuda (with squash blossoms) I’ve ever had.

15. Visit the Sunday Market in Tlacolula

• OPEN: Sundays
• COST: free
• LOCATION: Google Maps
• TOUR: Tlacolula and Yagul Ruins tour

The Sunday market in Tlacolula is another great food experience in Oaxaca. This market goes on for what seems like an endless number of blocks. People from all over the area come and sell everything under the sun from backpacks to cowboy hats to computer parts.

The star of the show is the food, though. The market is a great place to buy fruit at a far cheaper price than in the historic center of Oaxaca.

You can also find people selling food that they made themselves. If you come across a woman and her husband selling cornbread, don’t hesitate to buy some.

There’s a huge indoor market with different sections devoted to a specific kind of food. One huge hall is all bread. Another is grilled meats. Another is just vegetables.

I highly recommend buying some chapulines (grasshoppers) from vendors walking around. You can get the ones with lime or the one with chili. Just buy a few for MXN$5 to see what they taste like.

Make sure to stop in at the church, Templo de Santa Maria de la Asuncion Tlacolula (Google Maps). There is a stunning chapel called the Capilla del Senor de Tlacolula that should not be missed.

I visited twice and I found the morning to be less crowded than the afternoon.

You can either go to Tlacolula on your own with public transportation or join a tour that combines the market with a visit to the fabulous Yagul ruins.

How to get to the Tlacolula market:

Tlacolula is a small city about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from Oaxaca City. Here’s how I got there by public transportation:

The first time I went to Tlacolula, it took 1 hour to get there by bus as the bus kept on dropping off and picking up passengers along the way.

The second time, there was a blockade on the highway. Some people from a town near Oaxaca were protesting that the government had done nothing to help them after a flood destroyed their homes. My friends and I had to get off the bus and walk through the blockade to catch another bus. There were also tuk-tuks there to pick people up.

If you are staying in the southern part of the city, you will probably want to get a shared taxi and bus from the Second-Class Bus Station (Google Maps).

How to get back to Oaxaca from Tlacolula:

Here’s how I got back to Oaxaca from Tlacolula:

1. I crossed Highway 190 and stood in front of a pharmacy on the corner of Juarez and 190 (Google Maps) and waited for an ATSA bus or a shared taxi to come by.
2. This time a shared taxi pulled up first and that’s what I took to get back to Oaxaca. It cost me MXN$30 (US$1.50).
3. Shared taxis will go all the way to the Second-Class Bus Station. However, you can be dropped off anywhere along the way.

16. Do a Mezcal Tasting Tour

Oaxaca is the mezcal center of Mexico, so make sure to try this popular drink at least once while here.

Mezcal is an alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant. Tequila is also made from the agave plant, but it can only be made from blue agave, while mezcal can be produced from any agave.

Although locals have been drinking mezcal for centuries (it was even illegal at one point), only in the past four or five years has it become popular outside of Oaxaca. Now people from all over the world come to the state just to try its mezcal. It is made in other states in Mexico but Oaxaca’s mezcal is the best due to its altitude and climate.

If you want to visit a mezcal distillery on your own with public transportation, check out Mezcal El Rey de Matatlan (Google Maps). I visited this distillery on a tour to Hierve de Agua, and I enjoyed the tour and the explanation of how the mezcal is made. It’s rather touristy but it was still interesting and we got to try some good mezcal. I recommend this place if you’re not that into mezcal and you don’t want to spend so much time or money drinking alcohol.

The same tour company does another tour to the distillery and Hierve de Agua that’s not so long.

For info on how to get to Mezcal El Rey by public transportation, see the section on getting to Tlacolula.

17. Explore the Ruins of Monte Alban

• OPEN: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• COST: MXN$80 (US$4)
• LOCATION: Google Maps
• TOURS: Monte Alban with guide or Monte Alban with village art tour

Just 30 minutes by bus from Oaxaca, Monte Alban rivals even the best Maya ruins in other parts of Mexico. If you love history and archaeology, this is one attraction that shouldn’t be missed in Oaxaca.

First settled in 500 BCE and abandoned in 1000 CE, Monte Alban was THE political and economic center of the Zapotec people.

The best structures are around a football-sized plaza that reminded me of the National Mall in Washington D.C.  On the two long sides of the plaza are palaces and pyramids and at the north and south ends are two acropolises.

The North Acropolis is the structure to visit first. Give yourself a good chunk of time up here because there’s lots to see.  Plus, you’ll find some good lookout points that provide great photo opportunities of the valley below—the farms, towns, fields, and mountains of Oaxaca.

The other must-see site is the Dansaka–a row of stone carvings of dancing toothless and disemboweled old men. You can see the blood gushing out of some of them as they’ve had their guts cut out or male body parts cut off.

How to get to Monte Alban and back to Oaxaca:

You can visit Monte Alban with a tour guide. This is a good idea if you know nothing about the archaeological site as there are very few explanations in the park. You can also go on your own without a guide. It’s cheaper, but I’d read up on Monte Alban before going.

Visiting Monte Alban with a Tour Guide:

• Oaxaca by Locals has a guided tour of just Monte Alban for a great price of US$30. I used this company for my Hierve de Agua tour and really liked them.
• You can also do this Monte Alban Tour that also included visits to 3 art towns near Oaxaca: (1) town of San Antonio Arrazola to visit some alebrije workshops (wooden sculptures) (2) the town of Santo Tomás Jalieza to see how textiles are made using a backstrap loom (3) the town of San Bartolo Coyotepec to see how the famous black clay pottery is made.  

Getting to Monte Alban on Your Own

There are two tourist buses that take you to Monte Alban and take you back to Oaxaca for a decent price:

• Lescas Tours Oaxaca – I used them on my second visit to Monte Alban (MXN$120 round-trip) – Google Maps
• Autobuses Turisticos on Francisco Javier Milna – I used them on my first visit to Monte Alban (MXN$90 round-trip) – Google Maps

Lescas Tours Oaxaca

Book your seats at least the day before. My friend and I showed up right before the first shuttle and got on but we took the last spaces on the shuttle.

The office is across from the Cathedral in the Zocalo. Don’t follow the opening and closing times on Google Maps. It’s wrong.

It should take 30 minutes to get to Monte Alban but it took this company 45 minutes because the driver kept on stopping for personal reasons.

This is their schedule as of February 2024:

• 8:30 am
• 9:30 am
• 10:30 am
• 11:30 am
• 12:30 am
• 1:30 pm
• 2:30 pm
• 3:30 pm

This is their schedule going back to Monte Alban (they will write your return time on your ticket. If you don’t want that return time, you have to contact them via Whatsapp.

• 12:00 pm
• 1:00 pm
• 2:00 pm
• 3:00 pm
• 4:00 pm
• 5:00 pm

This travel agency is ok for transport to Monte Alban, but I recommend not using them for guided tours. My friend went on one to Hierve de Agua and the guide mumbled and wasn’t enthusiastic at all and then he disappeared half-way through the tour. Then they dropped her off in the middle of nowhere. She’s 70 years old, doesn’t speak Spanish, can’t use Google Maps, and couldn’t walk very well. She got completely lost.

Autobuses Turisticos on Francisco Javier Milna Street

They’re cheaper at MXN$90 but their bus isn’t as comfortable. It should take 30 minutes to get to Monte Alban but it took this company 1 hour because they kept on driving around the block looking for more passengers.

Here are their times for Monte Alban:

• 8:00 am
• 9:00 am
• 10:00 am
• 11:00 am
• 12:00 pm (noon)
• 1:00 pm
• 2:00 pm

Here are their return times. You also don’t get a choice of when you return:

• 9:30 am
• 10:30 am
• 11:30 am
• 12:30 pm
• 1:30 pm
• 2:30 pm
• 3:30 pm
• 4:00 pm

18. Explore the Ruins of Mitla

• OPEN: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (W – Sa); 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (Su) – only allow 200 persons per day to enter
• COST: MXN$85 (US$4.25)
• LOCATION: Google Maps

If you’re thinking about skipping Mitla because you’ve heard it’s small and hard to get to, don’t. It’s worth every blood, sweat, tear, and penny you need to visit. I loved it–one of my favorite places in Oaxaca.

Mitla is a completely different experience from Monte Alban. While the ladder wows you with its size and grandness, Mitla sucks you in with its details and design. You won’t see anything like this anywhere else in Mesoamerica.  

Mitla and Monte Alban’s purposes were also different. While Monte Alban was a political center, Mitla was the religious center of the Zapotecs.

There are three structures open to visitors. The first two are the best ones.

(1) Right next to the ticket office, the first set of ruins consists of a maze of courtyards and rooms. It was probably the home of a high priest. Besides the stunning geometric carvings on the top part of the walls, look out for the original red paint and the pictures of a jaguar, bird, and snake above one of the doorways.

(2) The second structure not to miss is the stunning Group of Columns. It reminded me of the Palace of Knossos in Crete.  

How to get to Mitla from Oaxaca:

1. I got to Mitla by taking a shared taxi from the corner of Highway 90 and De Los Derechos Hermanos (Human Rights Street), right near the baseball stadium (Google Maps). If you stand on the corner in front of the BMW dealership/repair shop, the red and white shared taxis, as well as buses, will come by one after another. I got a taxi that said “Mitla” on a sign in its window. It cost me MXN$40 (US$2), while a bus cost MXN$20 (US$1). I was told that taxis wait around to fill up before leaving. Mine did not. It left with just me in the car, and for most of the way, I was the only passenger.
2. Taxis are quicker (45 minutes) than buses (over 1 hour), but my taxi driver drove way too fast and took too many risks passing cars on Highway 190 compared to the bus.
3. The taxi driver dropped me off in the center of town.
4. I then walked for about 15 minutes to the ruins. It was a bit hard finding the entrance to Mitla because what street the entrance is on is not indicated on Google Maps. Just look for signs pointing to the Arsenal Mercado. The entrance is across from a parking lot that is next to the market.

How to get back to Oaxaca from Mitla:

1. The bus station (Google Maps) in Mitla is a 15-minute walk from the ruins.
2. I had to wait for 20 minutes for the bus. The ride cost me MXN$20 (US$1).
3. The bus stops and picks up and drops off passengers whenever someone needs to get on and off. It also stops at the bus station in Tlacolula, so if you want to combine a visit to Mitla and the Sunday market in Tlacolula or combine Mitla and Yagul, you can.

19. Go Off-the-Beaten Path at the Yagul Ruins

• OPEN: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Su – W) – The site is closed on Th, F, and Sa
• COST: MXN$85 (US$4.25)
• LOCATION: Google Maps
• TOUR: Yugal plus Tlacolula Market

The ruins of Yagul are the hardest ones to get to, but they are still worth your time and energy. Part of what makes these ruins so special is the landscape. Yagul is on a hill overlooking the valley of Oaxaca. You get one grand view of fields, towns, and a range of mountains topped with puffy white clouds in the distance.  

The other reason Yagul is so special is the ruins themselves. You get a series of mazelike rooms and courtyards that you don’t generally see in other sites in Mexico. There is also a ball court that you can climb onto the top of and look down on its sloping sides, which is also something you can’t do at any other site in Mexico.

Plus, you’ll most likely get the whole place to yourself.

There are restrooms at the ruins but no gift shops or food or beverages for sale.

You could probably do Yagul and Mitla on the same day or combine it with a visit to the Sunday market in Tlacolula.

If you don’t want to visit Yagul on your own, you can join a tour with a visit to Tlacolula.

How to get to Yagul from Oaxaca:

1. You’ll need to head to the baseball stadium and catch a bus or a shared taxi from the corner of Highway 190 and Avenida De Los Derechos Hermanos (The Avenue of Human Rights) (Google Maps).
2. Stand on the corner in front of the BMW repair shop.
3. A taxi cost me MXN$30 (US$1.50). The bus was MXN$20 (US$1).
4. After about 30 minutes, the taxi dropped me off on the side of the highway across from a sign for the ruins.
5. Crossing the highway was easy as there weren’t many cars.  
6. Then I walked for about 30 minutes along a road that ended at the Yagul ruins.

How to get back to Oaxaca from Yagul:

1. You’ll need to walk back to the highway to get a shared taxi or bus. A guy who worked at the site actually gave me a ride to the highway.
2. At first, I had some trouble getting a taxi to stop because I didn’t know where to stand and the taxis were driving way too fast for them to see me and stop in time. I think 5 taxis passed by before one finally stopped. It cost MXN$30 (US$1.50).
3. Finally, a taxi stopped and dropped me off near the baseball stadium.

20. Visit the Voces de Copal Art Gallery

By far the best handicraft in Mexico to buy is alebrijes. They are colorful wooden sculptures of fantastical creatures. Oaxaca is the best place to buy them.

These colorful sculptures originated in Mexico City, where they were made from paper mache. You can see them at the Regional Art Museum in Cholula, which is just outside Puebla.

The people of Oaxaca then made their own style of alebrije using wood.

Now the best place in Mexico to buy them is in Oaxaca City and the surrounding villages of Arrazole and San Martin.

If you’re short on time and you don’t want to go to the two villages, visit the Voces de Copal Art Gallery (Google Maps) in Centro Historico.

This gallery features works of art by Jacobo and Maria Angeles. They are the best alebrije that money can buy. Even if you can’t afford one, it’s fun to just look around.

21. Tour the Alebrije Workshops of Arrazole

The town of Arrazole is one of the two best places to buy alebrije in Mexico. In the center of the town are two blocks of just alebrije workshops and galleries. You can spend an afternoon walking from one gallery to another.

Raul, my guide on the “free” walking tour, lives in Arrazole, and he spent his Saturday afternoon taking me and two other foreign tourists to check out the workshops and galleries there. But you can easily do it on your own.

You can also do a tour with Get Your Guide that combines a visit to Arrazole with Monte Alban and some other towns in the area.

How to get to Arrazole from Oaxaca:

1. I got a shared taxi on Periferico Street in front of Mercado de Abastos (Google Maps). Look for taxis that say they are going to Arrazole (there usually is a sign in the taxi’s front window or painted on the side of the taxi).
2. It cost MXN$12 per person.
3. The ride took 30 minutes to get to Arrazole on a Sunday afternoon.
4. I was dropped off near the alebrije workshops

22. Tour the Alebrije Workshops of San Martin

The other town full of alebrije workshops and galleries is San Martin (Google Maps).

Two of the most famous artists, Jacobo and Maria Angeles, have their workshop here (Google Maps), and they give tours in English, where you get to see how the wooden sculptures are made. It’s worth it!

You can also sign up for a workshop and learn how to make your own alebrije.

How to get to San Martin from Oaxaca:

1. Go to Automorsa, also called Auto Transportes Morales, (Google Maps) for vans to San Martin. It’s on 622 Bustamante Street (Google Maps).
2. I paid MXN$30 ($US1.50) for a ride to San Martin (30 minutes).
3. The van or bus will drop you off at the intersection of Highway 175 and Avenida Ote, which is the road leading into San Martin.
4. Across the street from where the van or bus drops you off is Azucena Zapoteca (Google Maps), a wonderful restaurant that serves some of the best food in Oaxaca and at a reasonable price. Have brunch or lunch there.
5. Then walk or take a tuk-tuk into San Martin for MXN$8-12.

How to get back to Oaxaca from San Martin:

1. Just wait on the side of Highway 175 and a bus or shared taxi will pass by.

23. View the Street Art of Oaxaca

• OPEN: anytime or on a 4-hour tour
• COST: free or with tour US$42
• LOCATION: all over Oaxaca, but mostly in Xochimilco and Jalatlaco

Oaxaca is full of really cool street art: edgy, political, and whimsical. The best places for street art are in the neighborhoods of Xochimilco and Jalatlaco.

You can go on a street art tour by bike or just walk around yourself. I chose the latter. However, I wish I had done the street art bike tour as I would have learned more about the history and culture of Oaxaca and Mexico. It’s four hours long and you get to visit three neighborhoods: Xochimilco, Jalatlaco, and downtown Oaxaca. You can sign up for a tour with Coyote Aventuras through Get Your Guide.

24. Visit the Textile Workshops and Galleries in Teotitlan del Valle

• COST: free to visit on your own or with tour US$105
• LOCATION: Google Maps
• TOURS: Coyote Aventuras

The rugs in Oaxaca are the most beautiful I’ve seen in Mexico. In the town of Teotitlan del Valle, several family-owned workshops are making Zapotec rugs by hand.

The families do everything by hand–from dyeing the wool using natural ingredients to weaving the rugs.

I visited Josefina’s family’s textile workshop and store on a tour with Coyote Aventuras, where we got to have lunch as well as a demonstration of how they made the rugs.

You can buy the finished product at the workshops or galleries in Teotitlan del Valle.

25. Shop for the Black Clay Pottery of San Bartolo Coyotepec

It seems like the art of Oaxaca is endless. One other ancient craft that the local people have been doing for centuries is making black clay pottery (barro negro).

The center of this handicraft is in San Bartolo Coyotepec, where you’ll find a museum dedicated to the art form (Google Maps) and a handicraft market around the main square (Google Maps).

Black clay pottery is a tradition that dates back 2,500 years. Today they use the technique and pottery to make black skulls that are popular during the Day of the Dead celebrations.

How to get to San Bartolo Coyotepec:

1. Go to Automorsa, also called Auto Transportes Morales, (Google Maps) for vans to San Bartolo. It’s on 622 Bustamante Street (Google Maps).
2. I paid MXN$30 ($US1.50) for a ride to San Martin (30 minutes).
3. Get dropped off in front of the San Bartolo sign in the main plaza, which is across from the main church (Google Maps).

How to get back to Oaxaca from San Bartolo Coyotepec:

1. You can get a shared taxi or bus from in front of the San Bartholomew Church on Highway 175 (Google Maps).
2. Expect to pay MXN$40 (US$2) per person for a shared taxi or MXN$30 ($US1.50) for a bus.

26. Stop by the Espacio Zapata Gallery

• OPEN: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (M – Sa)
• COST: free
• LOCATION: Google Maps

Oaxaca has loads of art galleries. For me, the most interesting one was the Espacio Zapata Gallery. Founded by the art collective, ASARO (Asamblea de Artistas Revolucionarios de Oaxaca), the gallery contains art with a political edge–commentary on important historical events and people of Mexico.

The gallery has two works of art that you shouldn’t miss.

(1) One is a famous drawing of a young girl crying and the numbers 68, 43, and 3. The number 68 represents 1968, the year the government opened fire on protesting students, 43 is for the 43 students who disappeared as they made their way to Mexico City, and 3 is for 3 additional people who disappeared. You can find reproductions of this drawing all over Mexico.

(2) The other work of art is the Last Supper of Mexico. Notice who takes the place of Jesus and see how many powerful Mexicans you can identify in the painting.

27. Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca

• OPEN: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Tu – Su)
• COST: MXN$95 (US$5.65)
• LOCATION: Google Maps

If you’re going to see just ONE museum in Oaxaca, make sure it’s the Museum of Oaxacan Culture. Without a doubt, this is the BEST museum in Oaxaca. And if you’re a history nerd like me you’re going to love it even more!

Attached to the Templo de Santo Domingo, the Museo de las Cultura de Oaxaca focuses mainly on the pre-Hispanic history and culture of the area, specifically the Zapotec and Mixtec people.

The highlight is the Mixtec artifacts from Tomb 7 at Monte Alban. After the Zapotecs abandoned Monte Alban, the Mixtecs came in and used one of the abandoned temples as a tomb to bury one of their kings, his servants, and his treasures of silver, turquoise, jade, and gold.

28. Palacio de Gobierno

• OPEN: Closed to the public
• COST: free
• LOCATION: Google Maps

Palacio de Gobierno is another place I sadly wasn’t able to visit. It wasn’t closed due to the pandemic but because the protesting souvenir vendors had set up camp in front of the building. If you have a chance to get in you’ll supposedly be treated to a beautiful mural by Arturo Garcia Bustos showing famous figures from Oaxacan history and culture.

29. Rufino Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art of Mexico

• OPEN: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; 4:00 – 7:00 pm (M – Sa)
• COST: MXN$90 (US$4.50)
• LOCATION: Google Maps
• WEBSITE

The Rufino Tamayo Museum is another museum in Oaxaca for those interested in Mexico’s ancient history. It includes a collection of over 1,000 artifacts from the pre-Hispanic cultures across Mexico. There are five rooms, each of which is painted a different color that matches the color in the artifacts.

30. Museum of Contemporary Art of Oaxaca

• OPEN: 10:30 am – 8:00 pm (W – M; closed on Tu)
• COST: MXN$20; Sundays are FREE
• LOCATION: Google Maps
• WEBSITE

Located in a renovated seventeenth-century mansion called the House of Hernan Cortes (the conqueror never stepped foot in Oaxaca), the Museum of Contemporary Art of Oaxaca is where you can see both contemporary and traditional works of art of some of Oaxaca’s most famous artists.

31. Museo Casa de Juarez

• OPEN: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (Tu – Su)
• COST: MXN$75 (US$4.46)
• LOCATION: Google Maps

This small museum is dedicated to the early life of Mexico’s first and only indigenous president, Benito Juarez. He lived here from 1818 to 1828. When he was 12 years old, he came to this house looking for his sister. The owner of the house, Antonio Salanueva adopted him and gave him an education.

Honestly, you can easily skip this museum. There is so little information on Benito Juarez here that you’re better off saving your money and reading Wikipedia. Actually, there’s a little plaque right before the ticket booth (you don’t even have to pay) that is pretty much all you will learn about the famous historical figure.

Most of the exhibits are replicas of rooms (a kitchen, dining room, and office) found in a typical nineteenth century Oaxacan upper class home. The furniture and objects are not the ones that were originally here.

32. Museum of Oaxacan Textiles

• OPEN: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (M – Su)
• COST: free
• LOCATION:  Google Maps
• WEBSITE

The Museum of Oaxacan Textiles is another museum you can easily skip. I’ve visited twice and I’ve been disappointed both times. It’s a very small museum with a few rooms and very little information or displays on Oaxacan textiles.

The first time I visited, one room with a handful of displays of Oaxacan textiles and no explanations and a giftshop were open.

The second time I visited there were a few more rooms open. But they mostly had displays of Japanese kimonos. If I want to see Japanese kimonos, I’ll go to Japan.

It’s too bad that you can only see a small portion of the museum’s collection of 5,000 textile pieces.

33. Hierve el Agua

• COST: MXN$15 and MXN$50 entrance fee
• LOCATION: Google Maps

One of the most popular Oaxaca attractions is the petrified waterfalls and natural springs of Hierve el Agua. Located 70 kilometers from Oaxaca City, Hierve el Agua means “boiled water” in Spanish. The water is not boiling, however. It’s in fact cool and refreshing, perfect after a long day of sightseeing in the Oaxacan sun.

Hierve el agua can be hard to get to (a bus to Mitla and then a truck to the waterfall). That’s why I visited with this tour through Get Your Guide and had a great time. The tour also goes to El Tule (the famous tree), Mitla, a bakery, and Valle de Teotitlan. The guide, Andrea, was passionate and enthusiastic. Sadly, we only spent 2 hours at Hierve de Agua. We needed 30 more minutes at the waterfall and pools.

Going during the wet season (fall) will provide you with better views and more water but more people. If you go from January to June, there will be fewer people but less water in the pools. Avoid the weekends when it gets even more crowded with locals.

When I visited, I first went on a steep hike down to the bottom of the waterfalls. Bring at least a full bottle of water on this hike! I met people along the way that were having a hard time with the hike and didn’t look like they were going to make it. Then back at the top of the waterfalls, I went for a swim in one of the two pools.

How to get to Hierve el Agua:

1. Take a bus or shared taxi to Mitla from the 2^nd Class Bus Station (Google Maps) or the corner of the Baseball Stadium (Google Maps).
2. Then right where the bus drops you off, take a pickup truck from Mitla to Hierve el Agua. The truck leaves when it gets at least ten passengers.

34. Hike the Forests and Mountains of Oaxaca

• COST: US$100 – $125
• TOUR COMPANY: Coyote Aventuras

One tour company that does lots of hikes and gets good reviews is Coyote Aventuras. I went on one of their hiking tours. The things we did on the tour were fantastic. We went to a mezcal distillery, a weaving workshop, and a hike up a mountain with stunning views.

However, the guide was unfriendly and irresponsible. We went on a hike AFTER drinking a lot of mezcal. Then we had to hike down in the dark while it was raining. At the end, she said that she was afraid we were going to die if it had rained harder!

I don’t see that particular tour on their website any longer. However, they have other unique tours in which they combine a hike with a cultural activity like mezcal, weaving, or visiting a local’s home. Check out a list of their current hikes here.

35. Explore Cerro del Fortin

• OPEN: 24/7 – but may not be so safe in the evening
• COST: free
• LOCATION: Google Maps

I never made it to Cerro del Fortin. At the time, there were posts on the Oaxaca Expat Facebook group about muggings taking place on the trails during the day. It was too bad because the hill supposedly has nice panoramic views of the city.

Cerro del Fortin also has a famous concert venue called Auditorio Gualaguetza (Google Maps), the location of the Oaxacan annual folk dance festival that takes place in July.

You’ll also find a planetarium, an observatory, a statue of Benito Juarez, and a Christian cross.

Oaxaca Travel Guide & FAQs

• Where to Stay in Oaxaca
• Where to Eat in Oaxaca
• How to Get to Oaxaca
• How to Get Around Oaxaca
• Where to Get Your Laundry Done

Where to Stay in Oaxaca

Make sure you stay in the Central Historic District or the neighborhoods of Xochimilco or Jalatlaco. These are the safest and most convenient places in the city. I particularly liked the area near Jardin Conzatti (Google Maps)–safe, quiet, and beautiful.

I used booking.com to book my hotels in Oaxaca.

Budget Hotels and Hostels in Oaxaca

As a full-time solo traveler, I usually stay in budget hotels and guesthouses. I stayed in these two hotels during my three trips to Oaxaca:

Posada de Los Angeles – (Booking.com | Agoda) I stayed in this hotel twice. In 2021, I stayed for almost 3 weeks, paying between US$17 – $21/night. It was simple but comfortable. The WiFi was good, and I loved the location,  within walking distance of the ADO Bus Station, major attractions, restaurants, and cafes.

The second time I stayed at Posada de los Angeles in 2024, the price increased to US$40 – $50. However, nothing physically about the hotel had changed, but this actually was bad. It seemed like they were using the same towels and bedding that they used in 2021. The towels were so stiff, stained, and scratchy that for the first time in my travels, I used my own towel. The bedding was the same as in 2021. The pillow case was stained and the pillow was so lumpy and gross that I didn’t dare sleep on it. You could tell that they hadn’t even bothered to improve the place since I first visited in 2021. The staff (same people as in 2021) were unfriendly and unsmiling. I was so disappointed because I had recommended Posada de Los Angeles to so many people.

Casa los Arcos Oaxaca – (Booking.com | Agoda) Luckily, I found this small wonderful guesthouse in an even better part of Oaxaca (near the aqueduct). I paid US$35 (cheaper for longer term stays).

They have just 3 rooms. My room was clean, quiet, and comfortable! No stained or scratchy towels. Some rooms have private bathroom, but some have a shared bathroom.

There’s a wonderful rooftop terrace with chairs, tables, and a hammock. You can also use their fully stocked kitchen: large fridge and freezer, stove, oven, microwave, coffee maker, and blender. The WiFi worked fabulously for me. There’s no air conditioner, but even during the hottest month of April, it wasn’t too bad.

The owner, Azael, is friendly and very kind. He doesn’t speak English but his wife does.

I stayed here in February and March 2024 and again for the month of April 2024.

If you’re looking for a place that’s more social like a hostel, I’d stay at Hostal Central Oaxaca.

Mid-Range Hotels in Oaxaca

If you want something fancier than a simple budget guesthouse, a friend stayed at NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca – (Booking.com | Agoda) and she loved it. It’s in a great location and has a 9.5 rating on Booking.com with over 900 reviews.

Luxury Hotels in Oaxaca

Casa Antonieta – (Booking.com | Agoda) This hotel has a 9.5 rating with over 200 reviews. Elegant, stylish, and just 2 blocks from the Zocalo.

Where to Eat in Oaxaca

Besides the 20 de Noviembre Market, Benito Juarez Market, and La Cosecha Market, which I mentioned earlier in this post, here are some more restaurants that I love in Oaxaca.

Good coffee and/or pastries:

• Cafebre (Google Maps) – Good coffee and good atmosphere!
• Boulenc (Google Maps) – Excellent pastries and coffee; there’s pizza and burgers as well; very popular
• Pan con Madre (Google Maps) – OMG! The pastries here are just divine! The coffee is second rate – so hot that you can’t taste it! They also serve pizze, but i haven’t had it yet. (MXN$40 – $50/pastry)
• Panaderia La Bamby (Google Maps) – CHEAP pastries (MXN$5 – $7); the donuts are great but the rest of the pastries aren’t the best but I still often went here because it was soooooo CHEAP!

For those on a budget (Under MXN$100)

• Comedor La Villa Alta (Google Maps) If you’re on a budget, go here! They have set lunch and breakfast menus for MXN$50
• Dona Ceci – (Google Maps) For inexpensive delicious quesadillas, memelas and tlayudas, head to Dona Ceci. Lots of vegetarian options. (MXN$40 – $60)
• Tacos de Cazuela del Carmen Alto (Google Maps) – This food stand is only open in the morning; they have great memelas.
• Tacos del Carmen (Google Maps) – This popular food stand run by a group of older women is a great place to go in the morning and in the evening. I love their mushroom quesadillas (Oaxaca is famous for their mushrooms). In the morning it’s called Empanadas del Carmen. (MXN$40- $60)

Tasty food at a reasonable price (MXN$100 – $200)

• La Popular (Google Maps) – This place is AMAZING! The food is sooooo good! But a warning: the service sucks. Order the pazole verde, the cochinita pibil tacos, and the vegetarian tlayuda. (MXN$80 – $110 – without drinks).
• Mundo Ceiba A.C.  – (Google Maps) During my first time in Oaxaca, I used to eat here all the time after I finished teaching. I ALWAYS ordered the shrimp tacos
• La Olla – (Google Maps) You can’t miss this restaurant as the exterior is bright pink; I had some very good mole roja here at a reasonable price
• Don Juanita – (Google Maps) You MUST go to Don Juanita’s and get the tacos el vapor! They are divine.

• Okasa Lovely Food – (Google Maps) I went here several times for breakfast; your meal comes with fruit, juice, and unlimited coffee refills for MXN$100! It was always full of locals

Stop here when in Xochimilco

• Filemon – (Google Maps) Great breakfast; delicious coffee; and a rooftop terrace with terrific views
• Rupestre Pan y Café – (Google Maps) Lovely courtyard area with really good food

For a special occasion

• Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante – (Google Maps) This is THE place to eat in Oaxaca. A bit expensive and at times hard to get into, if you have the money it’s well worth it.
• Criollo – (Google Maps) A bit out of the way for most people (it’s not in the historic center) but another popular place to visit; get the testing menu or go for breakfast

How to Get to Oaxaca City

You can get to Oaxaca City by bus or plane. I’ve taken the bus many times and I’ve had a friend I traveled with in Oaxaca fly into its airport.

By Plane to Oaxaca City

Oaxaca has an international airport with flights to and from Mexico City as well as to the United States. The airport is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the center of Oaxaca. You can read this AMAZING guide on how to get from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City.

By Bus to Oaxaca City

Most long-distance buses in Oaxaca leave from and arrive at the safe and clean ADO Bus Station (Google Maps). ADO is the largest bus company in Mexico–they cover routes south of Mexico City and in the Yucatan area of Mexico. Another bus company that goes to Oaxaca is

You can buy your ticket at the bus station or you can buy them online. I have had a lot of trouble over the years buying tickets on the ADO website on a laptop. It used to only work for me in Incognito Mode. However, in 2024, that doesn’t even work. Luckily, for my last trip from Mexico City to Oaxaca, I found out that ADO has an App for your phone and I was able to easily book my ticket through the phone app. You can pay for the ticket with a credit card or through PayPal.

Make sure you are arriving at the ADO Bus Station and not the

I’ve used Reservamos to buy tickets but they don’t let you choose your seat, they don’t accept credit cards from the U.S., and they charge a large service fee.

Bus Bud is another website that sells bus tickets for Mexico. They don’t list all of the available buses and they charge a fee, unfortunately.

From San Cristobal to Oaxaca: ADO and OCC have night buses for MXN$1068 to $1240 (US$64 – $74). It takes 12 to 13 hours. I took this overnight route and it wasn’t too bad at all. We left at 8:00 pm and arrived at around 9:00 am.

From Puebla to Oaxaca: It takes ADO and ACC buses 4.5 to 5 hours to get from Puebla to Oaxaca and costs between MXN$500 and $736 (US$30 – $44). This is a safe and comfortable route. You can read more about getting to and from Puebla in this useful guide.

From Mexico City to Oaxaca:  There are buses leaving hourly throughout the day from Mexico City (TAPO Station – Oriente Bus Station) to Oaxaca de Juarez. It takes 6.5 hours and tickets usually range between MXN$876 and $1,068 (US$53 – $64), but there a promotions for as low as MXN$576 (US$35).

Getting from the ADO bus station to your hotel: When you exit the ADO Bus Station in Oaxaca, you’ll see a line up of yellow taxis waiting to rip you off. The last time I tried to take a taxi from the bus station (April 1, 2024), I thought the taxi driver was playing an April Fool’s Joke on me. He wanted MXN$150 for a ride that usually costs half that amount. Instead, I ordered a taxi using the DiDi App on my phone. It took about 10 minutes for the taxi to arrive (it was rush hour) at the station. But it only cost me MXN$76.

Popular Destinations on the Coast of Oaxaca

From Oaxaca to Mazunte and Zipolite: I got a minibus to Mazunte (also goes to Zipolite) at Eclipse 70 (Google Maps) for MXN$300.  Bus left at 7:15 am. You can also get tickets at Lineas Unidas (Google Maps)

From Oaxaca to San Jose del Pacifico: The buses that go to Mazunte and Zipolite also stop in San Jose del Pacifico. You can get tickets at either Eclipse 70 (Google Maps) or Lineas Unidas (Google Maps).

From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido: You can get minibuses to Puerto Escondido at Terminal de Service Express (Google Maps) or Villa del Pacifico (Google Maps).

How to Get around Oaxaca

I walked nearly everywhere in Oaxaca. Most of the best places in Oaxaca are located in the historic center. The two barrios are also right next door to the central market.

If you need a mode of transportation quicker than your two feet, then you can use taxis. Unfortunately, Oaxaca has banned Uber from the city. However, there’s another ride-share app called DiDi that works well. It’s a Chinese company that works just like Uber but uses yellow taxis. Download the App on your phone and you can order a taxi to pick you up wherever you are and take you to your destination. You can pay by cash (I always did) or by credit card.

One problem with DiDi is that the license plate of the taxi on the DiDi App doesn’t match the license plate of the taxi that shows up. It’s frustrating! I always verified that it was my taxi by asking the driver’s name and my destination and having him verify my name.

Also, the final amount for the ride doesn’t always match what the App says. And when I searched for my guesthouse on the App, I could never find it, so I always had to choose a nearby hotel to be dropped off at.

Where to Get Your Laundry Done in Oaxaca

If you want to get your clothes washed, the best thing to do is to take them to a lavanderia, sort of a like a laundromat where someone washes your clothes for you. Self-service laundromats are rare in Mexico.

I’ve gotten my laundry done at two places in Oaxaca. One place was EXCELLENT and another place was AWFUL! I’ll tell you about both, so you don’t make the mistake I did.

• Burbumatic – They charged me MXN$130 for 3 kilograms of laundry. I dropped my clothes off in the morning at 9:00 am and they were not ready until 4:00 pm the next day. Actually, when I arrived at 5:00 pm, they still weren’t ready and had to wait for the person to take them out of the drier. The clothes were not clean. The stain on one of my shirts was still there, and they didn’t smell clean–as if the person didn’t use much laundry detergent to clean them.
• Mr. Klyn – They charged me MXN$105 for 3 kilograms of laundry. I dropped my clothes off in the morning at 10:00a m and picked them up at 8:00 am the next day. The clothes were clean (the stain on my shirt was gone) and they smelled like they had been washed! Go HERE!

Final Thoughts on BEST things to Do in Oaxaca

If you don’t have time for all 32 places on this list, here are my top 6 things to do in Oaxaca:

1. Go on a food tour
2. Visit Monte Alban
3. Wander around the historic center and the neighborhoods of Xochimilco and Jalatlaco
4. Visit Hierve el Agua
5. Check out the alebrije in Arrazole or San Martin
6. Explore the street art on your own or with a tour

If you’ve been to Oaxaca and you’ve done any of these things on my list, let me know about your experience. If you’re planning on visiting Oaxaca and have any questions, please leave them in the comments below. Thank you!

Where to Go Next in Mexico

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• 23 Best Things to Do in Merida
• 7 Best Things to Do in Palenque
• 24 Best Things to Do in Puebla
• 15 Best Things to Do in Valladolid
• 15 Best Day Trips from Merida