Things to do · Oaxaca, Mexico

Things to Do in Oaxaca

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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX), about seven kilometres from downtown Oaxaca, with most domestic flights arriving from Mexico City and a few seasonal routes from the United States. Travelers can also reach the city via bus from Veracruz (VER) or Huatulco (HUX), though the drive from those airports is longer, roughly two to three hours on paved highways.
Who goes
Oaxaca welcomes roughly one million visitors a year, drawing culture‑curious backpackers, food enthusiasts, and art‑focused travelers. The city hums busiest during the July and October festivals, while the quieter months of January and February see fewer crowds, offering a more relaxed pace for exploration.
Budgeting
A careful traveler can expect to spend around 600–900 MXN per day (≈ US$30–45), while a comfortable stay might run 1,200–1,800 MXN (≈ US$60–90), with meals and market snacks typically taking up the biggest share. To stretch your budget, consider staying in a locally‑run guesthouse in the historic center, which often includes breakfast and saves on dining costs. Estimate →

  1. Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

    attraction · 4.8 rating · Free

    A grand 16th-century Baroque church and former monastery in Oaxaca, renowned for its ornate gilded interior and stunning ceiling decoration. Travelers visit to admire the elaborate colonial religious architecture and art.

  2. Zócalo de la Ciudad de Oaxaca (Plaza de La Constitución)

    attraction · 4.3 rating · Free

    Oaxaca's central plaza lined with cafes, arcades and shaded by trees, serving as the social heart of the city. Travelers go to people-watch, relax and soak in daily local life and events.

  3. Mercado Benito Juárez

    attraction · 4.4 rating · Free

    A bustling covered market in central Oaxaca selling food, crafts, chocolate, mezcal and local goods. A sensory hub for sampling regional products and shopping.

  4. Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca

    attraction · 4.4 rating · Free

    A botanical garden dedicated to the native plants of Oaxaca, set behind the Santo Domingo cultural complex. Visitors take guided tours to learn about regional flora and its cultural uses.

  5. Museo Textil de Oaxaca

    attraction · 4.4 rating · Free

    A textile museum displaying Oaxacan and international woven works, embroidery, and indigenous garments in a restored colonial building. Travelers go to appreciate the region's rich textile artistry.

  6. Mercado 20 De Noviembre

    market · 4.5 rating · Free

    A Mexican market with lots of vendors.

  7. Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo

    attraction · 210 MXN

    A major museum inside the former Santo Domingo monastery displaying the treasures of Tomb 7 from Monte Albán and regional cultural history. Travelers visit for its gold artifacts and grand ecclesiastical setting.

  8. Andador Turístico

    attraction · Free

    The main pedestrian tourist walkway (Andador Macedonio Alcalá) linking Oaxaca's historic center, lined with shops, cafés, galleries and colonial buildings. A prime route for strolling and people-watching.

  9. Catedral Metropolitana de Oaxaca Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

    attraction · Free

    The formal name of Oaxaca's Metropolitan Cathedral, a Baroque colonial church on the Zócalo dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. A prominent religious and architectural landmark.

  10. Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

    attraction · Free

    A 17th-century Baroque basilica dedicated to Oaxaca's patron saint, featuring an ornate carved stone facade and gilded interior. A key religious and architectural landmark of the city.

  11. Auditorio Guelaguetza

    attraction · Free

    An open-air amphitheater on Cerro del Fortín that hosts the famous Guelaguetza folk dance festival, showcasing indigenous cultures of Oaxaca's regions. Travelers visit for cultural performances and hillside views over the city.

  12. Museo De La Filatelia MUFI

    attraction · Free

    A philately museum dedicated to stamps and postal history, with rotating exhibitions in a colonial building. Travelers visit for its unique collections and quiet courtyard.

  13. Oaxaca Graphic Arts Institute

    attraction · Free

    An institute founded by artist Francisco Toledo dedicated to graphic arts, with a print collection and library in a colonial building. Travelers visit for prints, exhibitions, and its literary courtyard.

  14. Museum of Contemporary Art and Oaxaca Cultures

    attraction · Free

    A contemporary art museum housed in a colonial mansion, exhibiting modern Oaxacan and Mexican works. Travelers visit for rotating exhibitions and the historic architecture.

  15. Centro Cultural San Pablo

    attraction · Free

    A cultural center in a restored 16th-century Dominican convent, hosting exhibitions, concerts and events focused on Oaxacan and indigenous culture. A refined space for arts and heritage.

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