Oaxaca - Things to do

One of the most unique natural sites near Oaxaca, Hierve el Agua features mineral springs that form dramatic petrified waterfalls above the valley. The cliffside pools offer sweeping views and are a popular day trip from Oaxaca City. You can swim in the natural infinity pools. Read our post.

Just outside Oaxaca City, Mitla is a Zapotec archaeological site known for its intricate geometric stone mosaics and courtyards. Once an important religious center, it offers a different architectural style than nearby Monte Albán. It’s an easy day trip from Oaxaca City. Read our post.

Perched on a hill above Oaxaca City, Monte Albán is one of Mexico’s most important Zapotec archaeological sites. The vast plazas, pyramids, and terraces offer sweeping views over the Oaxaca Valley. It’s one of the most rewarding day trips from Oaxaca City. Read our post.

Located beside Santo Domingo, El Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca showcases native plants from across the state, including towering cacti and agave. The garden highlights the deep relationship between Oaxacan culture and its ecosystems. Read our post.

Alebrijes are colorful wooden carvings that have become one of Oaxaca’s most iconic art forms. In nearby villages like San Martín Tilcajete, you can join a workshop and paint your own alebrije alongside local artisans. It’s one of the most creative things to do in Oaxaca. Read our post.

The valleys around Oaxaca are home to small artisan towns known for weaving, pottery, and alebrije wood carving. Visiting places like San Martín Tilcajete, Jalieza, and Ocotlán lets you see these traditions inside family-run workshops. Read our post.

At Etnofood, you can learn to prepare traditional Oaxacan dishes like vegan mole using fully plant-based ingredients. The class explores local flavors, techniques, and the cultural roots of Oaxacan cuisine. It’s one of the most memorable vegan experiences in Oaxaca City. Read our post.

At Subterráneos, you can learn woodblock printing with artists dedicated to printmaking as a form of social expression. You’ll likely recognize their prints on walls around Jalatlaco and nearby barrios. It’s one of the most unique creative experiences in Oaxaca City. Read our post.

High in the mountains between Oaxaca and the coast, San José del Pacífico is a misty cloud-forest village known for its psychedelic mushrooms. Travelers come for forest hikes, mountain views, and the town’s quietly surreal atmosphere. Read our post.

Housed inside the former Santo Domingo monastery, the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca traces the region’s Zapotec and Mixtec history. Highlights include treasures from Monte Albán’s Tomb 7 and artifacts spanning centuries of Oaxacan culture. Read our post.

At Herbívora, you can learn to prepare traditional Oaxacan vegan tamales using plant-based ingredients and local techniques. The class walks you through preparing masa, fillings, and assembling the tamales. It’s a delicious vegan experience in Oaxaca City. Read our post.

Held every Sunday, Mercado de Tlacolula is one of the oldest and most vibrant markets in the Oaxaca Valley. Locals gather here to sell produce, textiles, and traditional foods like barbacoa and fresh tortillas. It’s a lively day trip from Oaxaca City. Read our post.

Oaxaca’s markets are some of the most vibrant in Mexico, filled with spices, textiles, produce, and street food. Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez are the most famous, known for smoky food halls and endless local ingredients. Read our post.

At Itanoní, you can learn about Oaxaca’s incredible diversity of native heirloom corn and how it’s used to make traditional dishes. The experience explores masa, tortillas, and the cultural importance of maize in Oaxacan cuisine. Read our post.

At Viriditas Cocina, the affordable menú del día offers a daily-changing three-course vegan lunch inspired by global cuisines. The meals are simple, flavorful, and incredibly good value, making it an easy place to return to often. It’s one of the best vegan restaurants in Oaxaca City. Read our post.

La Cosecha Organic Market is a relaxed courtyard market known for its organic produce, local food stalls, and artisan products. You’ll find plenty of vegan options, along with natural skincare and handmade goods from small producers. Read our post.

The colorful barrio of Jalatlaco is one of the best places to see street art in Oaxaca. Murals and painted walls appear throughout its cobblestone streets, mixing contemporary art with the neighborhood’s historic architecture. Read our post.

Known for its alebrije wood carvings, San Martín Tilcajete is also filled with colorful murals throughout the town. Painted walls and street art appear on homes, workshops, and alleyways. It’s one of the most surprising day trips from Oaxaca City. Read our post.

The historic barrio of Xochimilco is another great place to see street art in Oaxaca. Murals and painted facades appear throughout its quiet streets, adding color to one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Read our post.

A temazcal is a traditional Mesoamerican sweat lodge used for physical, spiritual, and communal cleansing. Led by a local guide, the ceremony combines heat, herbs, and ritual to create a deeply grounding experience. Read our post.

Oaxaca is filled with local art markets where artists sell prints, textiles, ceramics, and handmade crafts. These small markets are a great way to discover independent creators and support local artisans. It’s a wonderful way to connect with Oaxaca’s creative scene.

The valleys around Oaxaca are home to traditional mezcal distilleries, where agave is roasted, crushed, and distilled using centuries-old methods. Visiting a local mezcal palenque offers a close look at how Oaxaca’s most famous spirit is made. Photo credit.

Hidden in the mountains of northern Oaxaca, Santiago Apoala is a small village known for its beautiful waterfalls and canyon landscapes. A short hike leads to turquoise pools and cascades surrounded by cliffs and forest. Photo credit.

The Sierra Norte mountains offer some of the best hiking near Oaxaca, with pine forests, cloud forests, and sweeping valley views. Many trails connect the Pueblos Mancomunados, a network of Zapotec villages managing ecotourism in the region. Photo credit.

On Oaxaca’s Pacific coast, Puerto Escondido is known for its surf beaches, golden sand, and laid-back atmosphere. Many travelers visit to see Playa Zicatela’s famous waves or relax along the coastline. It’s a memorable coast trip from Oaxaca City. Photo credit.

These lesser-visited Zapotec archaeological sites offer a quieter alternative to Monte Albán. Yagul, Lambityeco, and Dainzú feature hilltop ruins, ancient courtyards, and carved stone reliefs across the Oaxaca Valley. They make a fascinating archaeological day trip. Photo credit.