Oaxaca City Travel Guide

Welcome to Oaxaca City

Oaxaca City (officially Oaxaca de Juarez) is the capital of Oaxaca state and sits in a valley at approximately 1,550 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. The city's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its reputation as Mexico's culinary and cultural capital continues to grow. Oaxaca is where ancient indigenous traditions, colonial architecture, and contemporary art converge with one of the world's most complex cuisines.

The city has a population of roughly 300,000, giving it a manageable size that invites exploration on foot. Nearly everything in the historic center is walkable, from its grand Zocalo plaza to its bustling markets and mezcal bars.

Must-See Attractions

• Monte Alban -- The ancient Zapotec capital sits on a flattened mountaintop just 20 minutes from the city center, with panoramic views of the valley
• Santo Domingo Temple and Cultural Center -- A magnificent 16th-century Dominican church with an adjacent museum showcasing Oaxacan history, including Mixtec gold treasures found at Monte Alban
• The Zocalo -- The tree-shaded central plaza, always alive with vendors, musicians, and cafe-goers
• Hierve el Agua -- Petrified mineral formations and natural pools about 70 km from the city

Markets

Oaxaca's markets are essential experiences:

• Mercado Benito Juarez -- The main market selling produce, cheese, chocolate, mole pastes, and artesanias
• Mercado 20 de Noviembre -- The food hall where you can eat grilled meats, tasajo, and fresh tortillas from the comedor stalls
• Central de Abastos -- The massive wholesale market on the city's edge, a sprawling, authentic experience

Take a guided market tour to learn the stories behind the ingredients.

Food and Drink

Oaxaca's cuisine is reason enough to visit:

• Mole -- The state is famous for its seven moles, with mole negro being the most complex, containing over 30 ingredients
• Tlayudas -- Large crispy tortillas spread with asiento (unrefined pork lard), beans, cheese, and meat -- sometimes called "Oaxacan pizza"
• Chapulines -- Toasted grasshoppers seasoned with lime, chili, and garlic
• Mezcal -- Oaxaca produces most of Mexico's mezcal. Visit in-town mezcalerias or take a distillery tour
• Cooking classes -- Learn to make mole and other dishes with local instructors
• Chocolate -- Oaxacan hot chocolate is ground fresh in the market from cacao, sugar, cinnamon, and almonds

For a comprehensive walkthrough of what to eat and where to find it, see our Oaxaca food guide.

Getting There

Oaxaca's Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) has flights to Mexico City and other domestic destinations. The drive from Mexico City takes approximately 5-6 hours. ADO and OCC buses offer comfortable first-class service from Mexico City (about 6 hours) and Puebla.

Best Time to Visit

October through May is the dry season. The most popular times are Day of the Dead (late October to November 2), when the city hosts one of Mexico's most elaborate celebrations, and the Guelaguetza festival in July, a major indigenous cultural event with traditional dance and music.

Where to Stay

• Budget -- Hostels and guesthouses near the center, from $12-25 USD/night
• Mid-range -- Boutique hotels in converted colonial buildings, from $50-120 USD/night
• Luxury -- High-end hotels and restored haciendas, from $150+ USD/night

Plan Your Visit

See the Oaxaca Deep Dive 5-Day itinerary for a detailed exploration plan, or include Oaxaca in the Classic Mexico 7-Day itinerary.