Oaxaca travel guide
Oaxaca Tourism | Oaxaca Guide
You're Going to Love Oaxaca
With its quiet, country lifestyle, everything slows down in Oaxaca City. This is where you go to enjoy beautiful weather, tuck in to delicious local cuisine and then get steeped in rich Mexican culture. You can also take a trip into history, with multiple exciting ruins to visit.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Oaxaca
1. The Monte Alban Ruins
This UNESCO World Heritage site was built by the ancient Zapotec people and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, besides the well-preserved ruins that exist today.
2. Take In the Local Culture
At Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, you'll be able to learn all about Oaxaca City's culture and history with exhibits on former indigenous civilizations like the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples.
3. Experience a Week-Long Adventure Tour
MOC Adventures is the service for you if you hope to catch and truly engage with the week-long Dia de los Muertos or "The Day of the Dead" holiday.
4. Celebrate Indigenous Culture During the Guelaguetza Festival
Experience the Guelaguetza Festival in July, where descendants of the local indigenous cultures proudly display aspects of their heritage and rituals.
5. Book a Cooking Class on Authentic Oaxacan Cuisine
Book your first foray into the spiced realms of Oaxacan cuisine with several services such as Nora Valencia or El Capi Oaxacan Cooking.
Where to Eat in Oaxaca
Tuck into scrumptious local cuisine with a tasting menu at Casa Oaxaca for MXN605 per person. Or, enjoy some ceviche with beer at Marco Polo for around MXN400 per person.
When to visit Oaxaca
You can visit Oaxaca City all year round because of its agreeable climate. Daytime summer temperatures are humid and reach 91.9 °F. Dry, winter-month weather sees temperatures drop to 48 °F.
How to Get to Oaxaca
Plane
Coming into the city, you'll land at Xoxocotlán International Airport that's located 4.34 miles south of the city. Use the local first or second class buses to get to the city center.
Train
Please note: as of 2000, there are no more passenger trains running from Mexico City to Oaxaca City or any other neighboring towns.
Car
Coming from Mexico City, get on to the 150D going west and then travel south by exiting on to the 135D, arriving in Oaxaca City in 6-7 hours.
Bus
Buses to Oaxaca run constantly and arrive at the Oaxaca ADO first-class terminal. Fares run between MXN450-950.
Airlines serving Oaxaca
Where to stay in Oaxaca
If you love luxury, check out a night at the Suites Bello Xochimilco. Otherwise, Hotel de la Parra is a neat colonial residence transformed into a present day hotel. Budget travelers will enjoy the hospitality of Iguana Hostel.
Popular neighbourhoods in Oaxaca
Zócalo - known also as the Plaza de la Constitución, this area has beautiful gardens, kiosks and live marimba bands playing at the base of statues and fountains.
Andador Macedonio Alcalá - known as the local "tourist corridor", this street is paved with parks, a pedestrian-only walkway and many museums and galleries.
Monte Albán - Though not technically a district, this area is home to the most significant aspects of ancient Oaxacan culture and history thanks to its gorgeous indigenous ruins.
Where to stay in popular areas of Oaxaca
Most booked hotels in Oaxaca
How to Get Around Oaxaca
Public Transportation
To get around Oaxaca city, use the first or second-class bus lines and operators. Fares depend on where you're traveling to in the city.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available, though most trips have pre-determined costs. Taxis by the hour have a flat rate of around MXN37.50 and cost roughly MXN32.4 per mile after that.
Car
You can rent a car from companies like Alamo, Europcar or Hertz starting at MXN473/day for a small car.
The Cost of Living in Oaxaca
Shopping Streets
There are multiple markets to cruise around. Check out Pochote Marke for some delicious prepared food or the popular Mercado Benito Juarez for everything from leather goods to fresh fruits.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk costs around MXN15 and a dozen eggs will come to MXN22.