Written by Andreas Keller, Marika Maslanka, Miguel Lopez
01/08/2025
Luis Ariza, Pexels
Oaxaca City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, captivates with its vibrant blend of indigenous traditions and Spanish colonial history. It is a renowned culinary destination, famous for its unique flavors, mezcal, and chocolate. The city offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, historical sites, and opportunities for outdoor exploration in the surrounding natural landscapes.
The city center, particularly around the Zócalo, serves as a lively hub for socializing with a concentration of shops, restaurants, and bars. For a vibrant nightlife experience, the Santo Domingo neighborhood offers numerous bars and clubs. Alternatively, the Jalatlaco area provides a more laid-back atmosphere with its charming coffee shops and quirky bars, while various markets across the city offer bustling environments for interaction.
Top 6 Things to do in Oaxaca City
Oaxaca City offers a diverse range of activities, focusing on ancient history, vibrant markets, unique culinary experiences, and natural wonders.
1. Explore Monte Albán
Monte Albán is an ancient Zapotec archaeological site situated on a hilltop, providing panoramic views of the Oaxaca Valley. Visitors can explore impressive pyramids, a ballcourt, plazas, and intricate stone carvings that showcase the advanced engineering and cultural significance of this pre-Columbian city. It is recommended to visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun, as there is little shade. An on-site cafe offers refreshments.
Cost: Entrance fee is approximately 90-100 MXN per person. Official guides are available for hire at the entrance.
Transport: Monte Albán is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Oaxaca City. Shuttle vans are a popular option, departing hourly from near the Zócalo (across from the cathedral) from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, with return services until 5:00 PM. A round-trip shuttle ticket costs approximately 70-100 MXN per person. A taxi from Oaxaca City costs around 140-180 MXN one way.
2. Visit Hierve el Agua and a Mezcal Palenque
Hierve el Agua features unique petrified waterfalls and natural mineral pools high in the mountains. Visitors can swim in the cool spring pools and hike the surrounding trails for stunning views of the rock formations and the valley. It is one of only two petrified waterfalls of its kind in the world. This natural wonder is often combined with a visit to a mezcal palenque (distillery) to learn about the traditional production process of Oaxaca's famous smoky agave spirit and partake in a tasting.
Cost: The entrance fee for Hierve el Agua is 50 MXN. Independent travel costs around 153-255 MXN per person for transport and entry. Organized tours typically combine Hierve el Agua with other sites like El Tule Tree and a mezcal tasting, with prices varying (e.g., around 200 MXN for a van tour or $50 USD for a dedicated tour).
Transport: Hierve el Agua is about 1.5 hours from Oaxaca City. To visit independently, take a public bus from Oaxaca (near the baseball stadium) to Mitla (around 20-30 MXN one way), then a shared pick-up truck (colectivo) from Mitla to Hierve el Agua (50-100 MXN one way). There is also a road fee of 10-15 MXN. A private taxi for the day can cost around 600 MXN.
3. Explore Oaxacan Markets
Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Oaxaca's diverse markets, where you can find fresh produce, local foods, traditional crafts, and textiles. Mercado Benito Juárez is a large central market known for its variety of goods, including chocolate and mole paste. Nearby, Mercado 20 de Noviembre is famous for its food stalls, particularly the 'Pasillo de Humo' (Smoke Hall), where meats are grilled to order. For a truly authentic experience, the Tlacolula Sunday Market, one of Mesoamerica's oldest, offers a vibrant display of goods and the chance to interact directly with local artisans.
Cost: Entrance to markets is free; costs apply to purchases.
Transport: Mercado Benito Juárez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre are within walking distance of the city center. The Tlacolula Sunday Market is outside the city and can be reached via shared taxis or buses.
4. Take a Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class
Discover the secrets of Oaxacan cuisine, renowned as a culinary capital. A cooking class provides hands-on experience in preparing traditional dishes, including the famous moles (Oaxaca is known as the 'Land of the Seven Moles'), tlayudas, and other regional specialties. This activity offers a deeper appreciation for the ingredients and cultural significance of local food.
Cost: Costs vary depending on the provider and duration of the class. Some tours include a cooking class.
Transport: Many cooking classes are located within Oaxaca City, often accessible by walking or a short taxi ride from the city center.
5. Wander the Ethnobotanical Garden (Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca)
Located adjacent to the historic Santo Domingo Church, this unique garden showcases the rich diversity of plant species native to Oaxaca and their cultural significance to indigenous communities. Guided tours explain the relationship between people, culture, and plants, highlighting medicinal and culinary uses, as well as endangered species.
Cost: English language tours are typically offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11:00 AM and cost approximately 100 MXN. Spanish tours are also available at different times for around 50 MXN.
Transport: The garden is located in the city center and is easily accessible by walking.
6. Visit El Tule Tree
Journey a short distance outside the city to Santa María del Tule to witness El Árbol del Tule, an ancient Montezuma cypress tree known for having the widest tree trunk in the world. This impressive natural landmark is estimated to be over 2,000 years old and holds significant local importance. Visitors can also explore the church grounds nearby.
Cost: There is a small entrance fee to the fenced-off church area to see the tree, approximately 10-20 MXN.
Transport: El Tule Tree is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of Oaxaca City. A shared taxi (colectivo) from Oaxaca costs about 22 MXN round trip. A private taxi costs around 140-180 MXN one way. Public buses are also an option, costing around 8 MXN one way. The journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes by car or taxi.
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Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
