Oaxaca 2 weeks

The main airport serving Oaxaca, located about 20 minutes south of the city center. It handles domestic and some international flights.

• Arrange airport transfer in advance or use official taxi services.
• ATMs are available for currency exchange.

A stylish boutique hotel in the historic center offering a courtyard restaurant with a focus on contemporary Oaxacan cuisine.

• Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner.
• Try their mezcal selection.

The vibrant main square of Oaxaca, surrounded by colonial architecture, street vendors, musicians, and lively cafes.

• Great spot for people-watching.
• Be aware of your surroundings and belongings.

A popular mid-range restaurant near the Zócalo known for its authentic Oaxacan dishes, including moles and tlayudas, in a charming setting.

Housed in the former Santo Domingo monastery, this museum showcases the rich history and archaeological finds of Oaxaca, including treasures from Monte Albán.

• Allow ample time to explore the monastery's architecture as well.
• Check for temporary exhibitions.

A bustling central market offering a sensory overload of local produce, crafts, textiles, and street food. It's a great place to experience daily Oaxacan life.

• Sample local snacks like chapulines (grasshoppers) or esquites.
• Bargain respectfully for textiles and crafts.

A renowned chocolatier where you can sample and purchase traditional Oaxacan chocolate, often ground with almonds and spices. Enjoy a hot chocolate here.

Adjacent to Mercado Benito Juárez, this market is dedicated to Oaxacan handicrafts, featuring alebrijes (wood carvings), black pottery, and colorful textiles.

A celebrated restaurant offering refined Oaxacan cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and an extensive mezcal list. Features a beautiful rooftop terrace.

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

An ancient Zapotec capital perched on a flattened mountaintop, offering impressive pyramids, ball court, and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

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

Famous for its distinctive 'barro negro' (black pottery), a unique artisanal technique passed down through generations. Visit workshops to see the process.

• Look for the official 'Barro Negro' seal for authenticity.
• Many artisans offer demonstrations.

A village renowned for its vibrant and intricate 'alebrijes' – fantastical wooden creatures carved and painted in dazzling colors.

• Visit multiple workshops to compare styles and prices.
• Ask about the meaning behind the colors and designs.

An innovative restaurant offering a modern interpretation of Oaxacan ingredients and flavors, often with tasting menus. Known for its creative presentation.

• Reservations are essential.
• The chef's tasting menu is highly recommended.

A historic Zapotec village renowned for its naturally dyed wool rugs and textiles. Visit weaving workshops to see traditional techniques.

• Learn about the natural dyeing processes using cochineal, indigo, and marigold.
• Purchase directly from weavers for the best prices and authenticity.

Oaxaca's largest and most traditional market, offering a vast array of produce, meats, cheeses, crafts, and street food. It's a more local experience than the central markets.

• Be prepared for crowds and a more chaotic atmosphere.
• Try the 'memelas' or 'empanadas de amarillo' from a food stall.

A guided food tour exploring local markets, street food stalls, and perhaps a cooking class, offering deep insights into Oaxacan gastronomy.

• Choose a tour that focuses on specific culinary aspects you're interested in.
• Come hungry!

A casual and highly-rated restaurant known for its delicious 'tlayudas' (large, thin, crispy tortillas topped with various ingredients) and other Oaxacan specialties.

Natural rock formations resembling waterfalls, with mineral pools where visitors can swim. It's a unique geological wonder set amidst stunning mountain scenery.

• Wear swimwear and bring a towel.
• The site can get crowded; aim for an early visit.

Visit a traditional palenque (mezcal distillery) to learn about the artisanal production process of mezcal, from agave harvesting to distillation. Includes tastings.

• Many tours combine Hierve el Agua with a distillery visit.
• Learn the differences between various agave types.

Enjoy a rustic lunch at a roadside restaurant near Hierve el Agua or a mezcal distillery, often serving regional specialties like barbacoa or mole.

A well-regarded restaurant in the historic center offering refined Oaxacan cuisine and an extensive selection of mezcals, with a pleasant courtyard ambiance.

A breathtaking baroque church and former monastery, renowned for its ornate interior gilded with gold leaf. A masterpiece of colonial architecture.

• Visit the adjacent Cultural Center for more exhibits.
• Admire the intricate facade and interior details.

Located within the Santo Domingo complex, this museum houses significant archaeological artifacts and historical displays related to Oaxaca's rich past.

Participate in a hands-on cooking class focused on preparing one of Oaxaca's famous moles, learning about the complex ingredients and traditional methods.

• Book in advance; classes are popular.
• Many classes include a market visit and the meal you prepare.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor from the cooking class, typically a multi-course meal featuring the mole you learned to prepare.

A pedestrian street in the historic center lined with shops, galleries, cafes, and historic buildings. It connects Santo Domingo to the Zócalo.

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

Showcases contemporary Oaxacan art, featuring works by prominent local artists. It provides insight into the region's vibrant modern art scene.

A graphic arts workshop and gallery where you can see printmaking techniques like linocut and etching. Some offer demonstrations or workshops.

• Look for unique prints as souvenirs.
• Inquire about short printmaking workshops.

A charming cafe tucked away in a courtyard, offering excellent coffee, light snacks, and a tranquil atmosphere away from the main bustle.

Enrique Olvera's Oaxacan outpost, offering a refined tasting menu experience with a focus on local ingredients and innovative techniques in a beautiful garden setting.

• Reservations are essential and should be made far in advance.
• This is a splurge-worthy fine dining experience.

A village renowned for producing artisanal mezcal using traditional methods, particularly 'madrecuishe' and 'arroqueño' agaves, often using clay pots for distillation.

• Seek out small, family-run producers for authentic experiences.
• This region is considered a cradle of artisanal mezcal.

A town famous for its numerous mezcal distilleries, offering tours and tastings. It's a hub for understanding mezcal production on a larger artisanal scale.

• You can often arrange tastings directly at distilleries.
• Be responsible with tastings, especially if driving.

Enjoy traditional Oaxacan food at one of the many local eateries in Matatlán, often catering to visitors exploring mezcal.

A popular, no-frills spot in Oaxaca city famous for its authentic and generously sized 'tlayudas'. A great place for a casual, delicious dinner.

A stunning botanical garden showcasing the incredible biodiversity of Oaxaca's diverse ecosystems and the traditional uses of plants by its indigenous cultures.

• Guided tours are highly recommended to fully appreciate the collection.
• Check the schedule for tours in English.

A vibrant food market famous for its 'pasillo de humo' (smoke alley), where you can choose your meat (tasajo, cecina) and have it grilled before your eyes.

• Try the grilled meats with guacamole and tortillas.
• It's a lively and authentic culinary experience.

Explore the vibrant street art scene in Oaxaca, often found in neighborhoods like Jalatlaco or Xochimilco, showcasing political and cultural commentary.

• Guided tours can provide context and lead you to hidden murals.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Located in a beautifully restored colonial house, Aurora offers creative Oaxacan cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and a sophisticated ambiance.

A traditional chocolate shop where you can taste and buy Oaxacan chocolate, prepared with various spices and nuts. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

• Try the 'chocolate de agua' (water-based) for a lighter option.
• Purchase chocolate bars to take home.

A popular cafe known for its excellent Oaxacan coffee, pastries, and relaxed atmosphere. A great spot for a mid-morning break.

Houses an impressive collection of pre-Hispanic art, including pieces from Oaxaca's ancient cultures, assembled by the renowned artist Rufino Tamayo.

A charming restaurant with a focus on traditional Oaxacan cuisine, including a variety of moles, in a beautiful colonial courtyard setting.

A trendy rooftop bar offering craft cocktails and mezcal, with great views over the city, especially at sunset.

• Arrive before sunset for the best views.
• They often have live music.

The patron saint's basilica, known for its striking baroque facade and the serene image of the Virgin of Solitude. It's a significant religious site.

A beautiful 18th-century church with a notable baroque facade and interior, located near the Ethnobotanical Garden.

A restaurant offering traditional Oaxacan cuisine in a charming courtyard setting, known for its authentic flavors and welcoming atmosphere.

A large, popular city park perfect for a leisurely stroll, people-watching, or enjoying a snack from local vendors. Features a central bandstand.

A fine-dining restaurant offering a creative and contemporary take on Oaxacan ingredients and dishes, with an emphasis on tasting menus.

• Reservations are essential.
• Experience the chef's tasting menu.

Known for its unique Zapotec and Mixtec ruins, featuring intricate geometric stonework mosaics that adorn the walls of its palaces and tombs.

• The intricate mosaics are the main attraction.
• Consider hiring a local guide at the site.

Home to one of the world's widest trees, a massive Montezuma cypress estimated to be thousands of years old, with a circumference of over 40 meters.

• The tree is located in the town square of Santa María del Tule.
• It's a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoy local Oaxacan cuisine in a town near the Tule Tree or the larger market town of Tlacolula, known for its Sunday market.

If your visit falls on a Sunday, experience one of the oldest and most traditional indigenous markets in Oaxaca, offering everything from produce to crafts and livestock.

• It's a very authentic and bustling market experience.
• Be prepared for crowds and a wide variety of goods.

A highly acclaimed restaurant offering refined Oaxacan cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and an extensive mezcal list. Features a beautiful rooftop terrace.

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

A charming, historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and a relaxed atmosphere. It's known for its picturesque streets and the San Matías Jalatlaco church.

• Ideal for photography.
• Explore its quiet side streets.

A traditional market that offers a more local experience, with sections for produce, flowers, crafts, and food stalls. Less tourist-oriented than central markets.

• Try some local snacks like 'memelas' or 'empanadas'.
• Observe the daily life of Oaxacans.

Dedicated to showcasing traditional Oaxacan folk art, including alebrijes, pottery, textiles, and masks from various regions of the state.

Enrique Olvera's Oaxacan outpost, offering a refined tasting menu experience with a focus on local ingredients and innovative techniques in a beautiful garden setting.

• Reservations are essential and should be made far in advance.
• This is a splurge-worthy fine dining experience.

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

A popular cafe in the historic center, perfect for a final Oaxacan coffee and a light bite before heading to the airport.

The main airport serving Oaxaca, located about 20 minutes south of the city center. It handles domestic and some international flights.