Things to Do in Oaxaca
Plan your days in Oaxaca, your way
Start with the icons done gently — a morning at Monte Albán, then the gilded interior of Santo Domingo before lunch.
Lunch is a tlayuda and an agua fresca at a market counter, pointed at rather than pronounced.
The afternoon is a wander through Jalatlaco, cobbled streets, murals, and a coffee in a quiet courtyard.
Golden hour belongs to a rooftop near the Zócalo with a small mezcal and the city turning amber.
Dinner introduces mole negro at a family-run spot where the menu is short and trustworthy.
One day goes to the countryside — Hierve el Agua's mineral pools or a weaving village, whichever pulls harder.
The botanic garden fills a slow morning with agaves and mountain views.
You browse a market without a list and leave with something delicious and unplanned.
Evenings stay easy: a plaza bench, marimba music, an early night or a late one, your call.
It is a trip with a little of everything, and all of it good.
Top attractions and places to eat in Oaxaca
Zona Arqueológica de Monte Albán
A major pre-Columbian Zapotec capital set on a leveled mountaintop overlooking Oaxaca, featuring monumental pyramids, plazas and tombs. Travelers visit this UNESCO site for its impressive ancient architecture and sweeping valley views.
attraction · 4.8 rating
Hierve el Agua
A set of petrified mineral waterfalls and natural spring-fed infinity pools set on a cliffside in the Oaxacan mountains. Travelers come to swim in the pools and take in dramatic valley views.
attraction · 4.4 rating · 50 MXN
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
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.
attraction · 4.8 rating
Zócalo de la Ciudad de Oaxaca (Plaza de La Constitución)
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.
attraction · 4.3 rating
Mercado Benito Juárez
A bustling covered market in central Oaxaca selling food, crafts, chocolate, mezcal and local goods. A sensory hub for sampling regional products and shopping.
attraction · 4.4 rating
Oaxaca
Duplicate entry referring to the city of Oaxaca, a colonial capital famed for its cuisine, mezcal, crafts, and cultural heritage. Travelers explore its historic center, markets, and nearby ruins.
attraction · 4.7 rating · 95 MXN
Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
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.
attraction · 4.4 rating
Museo Textil de Oaxaca
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.
attraction · 4.4 rating
Museo de Arte Prehispánico de México Rufino Tamayo
A museum housing a pre-Hispanic art collection donated by painter Rufino Tamayo, displaying artifacts arranged for their aesthetic value. Travelers visit to see ancient Mesoamerican sculpture and ceramics.
attraction · 4.7 rating
Mercado 20 De Noviembre
A Mexican market with lots of vendors.
market · 4.5 rating
Pueblos Mancomunados
One of the most outstanding examples of community social organization in Mexico, with nature trails integrating a network of villages in the Sierra Norte.
trail · 4.7 rating
Restaurante Catedral
A long-standing restaurant near Oaxaca's cathedral serving classic regional and Mexican dishes in an elegant courtyard. Popular for traditional dining in the historic center.
restaurant
El Escapulario
A traditional Oaxacan restaurant known for classic regional dishes such as moles and mezcal pairings. A good stop for authentic local cuisine.
restaurant
Auditorio Guelaguetza
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.
attraction
Museo de Sitio de Monte Albán
A site museum at the Monte Albán archaeological zone displaying Zapotec artifacts excavated from the ancient city. Travelers visit alongside touring the ruins.
attraction · 210 MXN