Oaxaca 10 days

The main airport serving Oaxaca City. It's a modern facility connecting to major Mexican cities and some international destinations.

• Arrange airport transfer in advance or use official taxi services.

A charming boutique hotel with a social mission, supporting local education. Located conveniently near the historic center.

The vibrant heart of Oaxaca City, surrounded by colonial architecture, street vendors, musicians, and locals. It's a perfect spot to soak in the city's atmosphere.

• Enjoy the street performers and sample local snacks.
• Visit in the early evening for the best atmosphere.

A highly-regarded restaurant offering contemporary Oaxacan cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients. A great introduction to the city's culinary scene.

• Reservations are essential, often weeks in advance.

A bustling public market filled with local produce, meats, cheeses, textiles, and crafts. It's a sensory overload and a great place to experience daily Oaxacan life.

• Try the 'tlayudas' or 'chapulines' (grasshoppers) if you're adventurous.
• Bargain respectfully for crafts.

Adjacent to Mercado Benito Juárez, this market focuses on artisanal crafts, including pottery, textiles, and wood carvings, directly from local artisans.

A famous Oaxacan institution for traditional chocolate. Watch them grind cacao beans and enjoy a rich, frothy cup of Oaxacan hot chocolate.

• Ask for it 'con agua' (with water) or 'con leche' (with milk).

Dedicated to the rich textile traditions of Oaxaca, this museum showcases intricate weaving, embroidery, and dyeing techniques from various indigenous communities.

• Check for temporary exhibitions featuring specific communities or techniques.

A renowned fine-dining establishment with a beautiful rooftop terrace, offering refined Oaxacan dishes and an extensive mezcal list. Known for its exquisite mole.

• Book well in advance, especially for a table on the terrace.
• Consider trying their tasting menu.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient Zapotec capital sits atop a flattened mountain, offering stunning views and impressive archaeological structures like the Great Plaza and Ball Court.

• Go early to avoid crowds and the midday sun.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

A popular spot for traditional Oaxacan cuisine, including excellent moles and other regional specialties. It offers a more relaxed atmosphere than some high-end places.

Housed in the former monastery of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, this museum displays artifacts from Monte Albán and other regional archaeological sites, providing context to the ancient civilizations.

• The museum is located within the stunning Santo Domingo complex.

Experience authentic, casual Oaxacan street food. Famous for its massive 'tlayudas' (Oaxacan pizza), grilled over charcoal. A local favorite.

• Expect a lively, sometimes crowded, atmosphere.
• Order a variety to share.

Famous for its unique black pottery ('barro negro'). Visit workshops to see artisans shape the clay and fire it, creating intricate, shiny pieces.

• Look for workshops where you can see the firing process.
• Purchase directly from artisans for best prices.

A village renowned for its 'alebrijes' – vibrantly painted wooden folk art sculptures of mythical creatures. Many workshops allow you to see the carving and painting process.

• See the different styles and quality levels of alebrijes.
• Consider commissioning a custom piece if time allows.

A local eatery in one of the artisan villages or back in Oaxaca City, offering authentic Oaxacan home-style cooking. Look for regional specialties.

A dedicated mezcaleria offering a curated selection of artisanal mezcals from various regions and agave types. Knowledgeable staff can guide you through the tasting experience.

• Ask about the differences between Espadín, Tobalá, and Tepeztate.
• Sip slowly and savor the complex flavors.

Participate in a hands-on cooking class focusing on traditional Oaxacan ingredients and techniques. Learn to make moles, salsas, and other regional dishes.

• Book in advance, as classes are popular.
• Many classes include a market visit.

Enjoy the meal you prepared during your cooking class, featuring authentic Oaxacan flavors.

Located behind the Santo Domingo Cultural Center, this garden showcases the diverse plant life of Oaxaca and its importance in local culture, traditions, and cuisine. Guided tours are highly recommended.

• Tours are offered in English and Spanish at specific times; check the schedule.
• The garden is part of the Santo Domingo Cultural Center complex.

Owned by renowned chef Enrique Olvera, Criollo offers a unique dining experience with a tasting menu served family-style in a beautiful courtyard setting. Focuses on high-quality, local ingredients.

• Reservations are essential.
• The menu changes regularly based on seasonal availability.

Natural rock formations resembling petrified waterfalls, with mineral pools offering stunning views of the surrounding valleys. You can swim in the pools.

• Wear swimwear and bring a towel.
• Be prepared for vendors selling food and souvenirs.

Enjoy simple, regional Oaxacan dishes at a casual eatery near the Hierve el Agua site, often with scenic views.

Visit a traditional mezcal distillery (palenque) to learn about the entire process from agave harvesting and roasting to fermentation and distillation. Includes a tasting.

• Choose a palenque that emphasizes artisanal, sustainable practices.
• Ask questions about the different agave varieties.

While the original Pujol is in Mexico City, Oaxaca has a related culinary experience often featuring tasting menus inspired by Oaxacan ingredients. Check for current offerings.

• Reservations are essential and can be difficult to secure.
• Focuses on innovative Mexican cuisine.

Oaxaca is a hub for printmaking and graphic arts. Explore galleries like Taller de Artes Gráficas 'El Quijote' or others showcasing local printmakers.

• Look for studios offering workshops or demonstrations.
• Many artists sell their work directly.

A popular restaurant known for its creative Oaxacan dishes and vibrant atmosphere. Offers a good range of traditional and contemporary options.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Oaxaca showcases works by Oaxacan artists as well as national and international contemporary art. Housed in a beautiful colonial building.

• Check for current exhibitions and events.

A stylish bar and restaurant known for its creative cocktails and lively ambiance. A great spot for a pre-dinner drink or a late-night gathering.

A Zapotec weaving village renowned for its naturally dyed wool rugs and textiles. Visit artisan families to see the intricate process of spinning, dyeing, and weaving.

• Look for workshops that demonstrate natural dyeing techniques using cochineal, indigo, and marigold.
• Purchase directly from weavers for the best value.

Enjoy traditional Oaxacan food at a local restaurant in the village. Many offer regional specialties.

Wander through the charming streets of Teotitlán del Valle, admiring the architecture and visiting the historic church.

A rooftop restaurant offering excellent Oaxacan cuisine with fantastic views of the city. Known for its innovative dishes and extensive mezcal selection.

• Reservations recommended, especially for a table with a view.
• Try their selection of Oaxacan wines.

A magnificent example of Baroque architecture, this church and its adjoining former monastery (now the Cultural Center and Museum of Oaxacan Cultures) are a must-see. The interior is lavishly decorated.

• Visit the adjacent Ethnobotanical Garden if you missed it.
• Admire the intricate gold leaf work inside.

A charming cafe in the historic center, perfect for a coffee break, light lunch, or pastry. Offers a relaxed atmosphere to people-watch.

This pedestrian street connects Santo Domingo to the Zócalo, lined with galleries, artisan shops, cafes, and historic buildings. It's ideal for a leisurely stroll.

• Explore the side streets for hidden gems.
• Great for souvenir shopping.

A lively food market famous for its 'pasillo de humo' (smoke alley), where vendors grill various meats (tasajo, cecina, chorizo) to order. A quintessential Oaxacan culinary experience.

• Choose your meat and have it grilled; then select your accompaniments.
• It gets very busy, especially in the evenings.

Pick up any last-minute gifts or mementos from the artisan shops or markets in the historic center.

Enjoy a final Oaxacan meal at a restaurant of your choice, perhaps revisiting a favorite or trying a new spot.

Depart from Oaxaca City.