20 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most exciting destinations and has made Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards list several years in a row. The capital of its namesake state, the city has a storied Indigenous heritage, lively culinary scene, and a rich arts and crafts culture. Oaxaca is also known for its pristine examples of Zapotec, Mixtec, and Spanish Colonial architecture.

Here, visitors can wander cobblestone streets and watch artisans create items like textiles and pottery using techniques that have been passed down for generations. Oaxaca is also credited with the origin of mezcal and produces the majority of the world’s supply of the smoky agave spirit. For foodies, Oaxaca is famous for mole, a complex sauce made from ground chiles and chocolate, and the reputation has earned Oaxaca the title of the “Land of the Seven Moles.” Needless to say, the street food here is legendary.

There’s no shortage of fun to be had in Oaxaca. Here are the 20 best things to do in the city, in our opinion.

Find the tastiest street food on every corner.

Be sure to hit up Oaxaca’s street food stands for some of the most delicious bites you’ve ever had. Opt for tlayudas, a local favorite affectionately called “Oaxacan pizza,” featuring a crispy corn tortilla base that’s typically topped with refried black beans, grilled meats, Oaxacan quesillo (a stringy, mozzarella-like cheese), avocado, tomato, lettuce, and salsa. Or go for memelas, another traditional dish with similar ingredients served on a thick corn cake griddled on a comal. It takes a few days to try it all, and first-timers may want to join a food tour.

Feast on mole and learn to make it yourself.

Famous for its seven distinct versions of mole, Oaxaca is the best place to try this rich sauce. Mole negro, made with more than 30 different ingredients, including nuts, seeds, spices, chiles, and chocolate, is one of the most popular options. Chef Alejandro Ruiz offers small group cooking classes in his restaurant, Casa Oaxaca, set in a 17th-century colonial home. In his cookbook, “The Food of Oaxaca,” Ruiz says, “The truth is that while it’s labor-intensive, it’s not complex. Making mole requires more patience than dexterity.” You can also take cooking classes with Seasons of My Heart and Sonia Silva.

Explore the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Oaxaca’s historic city center, which was enshrined on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987, is filled with colonial architecture, cultural sites, markets, churches, and museums. In the zócalo or main public square, you can visit local cafés, enjoy the street performers, and watch for the thousands of birds that flock to the trees every night, announcing dusk with their loud chattering. The Baroque Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán is a beautiful church to visit, as is the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, dedicated to Oaxaca’s patron saint. Check the schedule at the beautifully restored Teatro Macedonio Alcalá, where you might have the chance to catch everything from a play to a boxing match.

Make the scenic drive from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.

Puerto Escondido is a favorite break among surfers in the know and offers access to some of the best waves in the world. Family beaches, fishing towns, and resort areas like Huatulco are located along Oaxaca’s coast as well. The 65-mile drive from the city to the coast used to take six or more hours along winding mountain roads. But the opening of the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway—finished in 2024 after nearly 15 years of construction—roughly halves the driving time. The scenic route to the coast is a perfect side trip for visitors to Oaxaca.

Experience Oaxaca’s premier cultural celebration, Guelaguetza.

One of Oaxaca’s most important cultural festivals celebrates the state’s rich Indigenous traditions. For a true immersion in local culture, arrive during the last two Mondays of July, when you’ll see music, folk dancing, colorful costumes, artisan craft markets, parades, fireworks, and giant puppets known as marmotas. Of course, food is an integral part of the festivities, and you can sample mole, tamales, tlayudas, and tejate, a ceremonial drink flavored with corn and cocoa. Naturally, there’s plenty of mezcal served during Guelaguetza as well.

Or, plan your trip around one of the city’s many other festivals.

In addition to Guelaguetza, festivals happen year-round in Oaxaca. There’s Feria del Tejate y Tamal, a celebration of traditional foods also held in July. In late October and early November, Día de los Muertos brings colorful marigolds, ofrendas (altars) to honor the dead, parades, and special foods like pan de muerto to the city. If you visit around the holidays, the Night of the Radishes is a unique festival that takes place on Dec. 23, which sees artisans carving intricate designs in giant radishes and displaying them in the zócalo. The annual Oaxaca Food & Wine Festival, launched in 2025, is held in late February. As is the case in many Catholic countries, there’s a lively Carnival celebration before the beginning of Lent.

Visit one of the oldest, widest trees in the world.

Honored every October with festivities in the suburb of Santa Maria del Tule, El Árbol del Tule is considered to have the widest trunk in the world. During the annual tribute to the tree, locals celebrate with music, dance, religious ceremonies, and processions. Located just seven miles from the heart of Oaxaca, the Tule tree is open for visitors to view, and there’s a small fee if you want to get a closer look. While you’re in town, make time to visit the historic Templo de Santa Maria de la Asunción, a beautiful example of 16th-century Baroque architecture.

Dive deep into Zapotec history at Monte Albán.

Oaxaca’s most famous archaeological site is Monte Albán (founded around 500 B.C.E.), which served as the Zapotec capital for more than 1,000 years. A fascinating compound of terraces, pyramids, canals, and a museum, the ruins are set atop a mountain roughly 6,400 feet above sea level—and the views of the surrounding valleys are stunning. About five miles from Oaxaca City, Monte Albán is a popular day trip, and visitors can climb on the pyramids and check out well-preserved carvings. For a better understanding of its significance and more convenient transportation, join a tour or hire a private guide.

Check out the “frozen” waterfall at Hierve el Agua.

Although Hierve el Agua means “boiling water,” these swimmable, spring-fed pools are not bubbling-hot—and the waterfalls are not frozen. The unique rock formations here that appear to flow down the mountain were created by thousands of years of mineral deposits, and the jewel-like pools on the cliff’s edge are fairly cool most of the time. The area offers scenic hiking trails, beautiful views, and heaps of history. Situated about an hour and a half from the city near the town of San Lorenzo Albarradas, Hierve el Agua can be explored on a guided tour or on your own.

Get some steps in while exploring Oaxacan street art.

You can find colorful, engaging murals throughout Oaxaca that tell stories of the country’s past and the struggles of its citizens. Many were commissioned by the government, and while some depict protests around issues like Indigenous rights, labor difficulties, and other political themes, others were created purely for art’s sake. Visitors can join guided walking or biking tours to enhance the experience; taking it all in solo isn’t too bad, either.

Plan a day—and bring an extra suitcase—for souvenirs.

Oaxaca is a shopper’s paradise, and if you like unique handmade items, you’re sure to come home with some fun purchases. Consider hiring a private driver who can recommend vendors, help translate when needed, and wait while you browse. Oaxaca is best-known for its world-famous rugs and ceramics, and more delicate pieces can be arranged to be shipped home if needed.

Find your favorite alebrije.

Alebrijes, intricately painted sculptures of mythical animals, can be wonderful gifts and collectors’ items. The animals are hand-carved from copal, a fragrant softwood native to the area. After drying and sanding, the pieces are sealed and painted with complex patterns, geometric designs, and Zapotec symbols. The village of Arrazola, near Monte Albán, is renowned for the craft. About an hour’s drive south of Oaxaca City, Jacobo & María Ángeles in San Martín Tilcajete is a family-owned workshop known for its quality alebrijes—you can even watch the carving and painting process. Within the city, head for La Casa de las Artesanías de Oaxaca.

Discover Oaxacan art and history at the city’s museums.

There are so many opportunities to immerse yourself in arts and culture in Oaxaca. For contemporary Oaxacan and Mexican art, visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca, and check out the latest rotating architecture exhibits at Casa de la Ciudad. At the Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca, founded by artist Francisco Toledo, you can view a collection of prints, photography, and books. The Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, in the Templo de Santo Domingo, features Mixtec gold from Monte Albán as well as other pre-Hispanic artifacts. The childhood home of Benito Juárez, Mexico’s former president, Museo Casa Juárez, traces his life and legacy. The Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños focuses on Oaxacan painters. Museo Textil de Oaxaca showcases handwoven textiles from the area’s Indigenous communities.

Indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment.

After miles of walking, shopping, and exploring Oaxaca, it might be time for a relaxing massage. Many local spas incorporate Zapotec or pre-Hispanic techniques, philosophies, and ingredients in their treatments. Nativo Spa Oaxaca offers a Zapotec-inspired massage based on the cultural belief that emotions are stored in the abdomen. The massage also uses traditional shawls and harmonic movements to free the body of stress from head to toe. Xü’ukx Natural Spa and Cielo Azul Masajes are also worth checking out.

Take your self-care to the next level with a temazcal.

From the Nahuatl word meaning “house of heat,” a temazcal is a Mesoamerican steam bath intended to foster spiritual and physical healing. In a small, domed stone or clay structure, heated volcanic rocks, medicinal herbs, and water create steam, which is believed to cleanse toxins, improve circulation, and provide a spiritual connection to nature. Some of the best places for the experience in Oaxaca are Ceviarem Temazcal Oaxaca and Temazcal Centro Quetzalcalli.

Catch a lucha libre match.

Colorful posters around town announce lucha libre wrestling matches, which are usually held on Sundays at the Oaxaca Arena or Arena San Francisco. There’s no set schedule for the contests, but if there’s one going on during your visit, don’t miss it. Buy your ticket at the door and get ready for a good time. The luchadores (wrestlers) dress in costumes, wear creative masks, and play colorful characters while passionate fans cheer for their heroes and boo the villains. It’s as much fun watching the crowd—and being a part of it—as seeing the actual wrestling match. During the game, feast on nachos and beer, and on your way out, snag a luchador mask as a souvenir.

Skip the morning coffee and opt for hot chocolate.

Oaxaca is known as “the chocolate capital of Mexico,” and even though cacao trees don’t grow here, it’s the center of the country’s chocolate production. An integral part of life for locals here, chocolate is served cold or hot, whisked with water (not milk), and sometimes sweetened with sugar or cinnamon. After starting your day with a warm mug, make an afternoon of it and stop at one of the small chocolate shops you’ll find on just about every street, many of which are owned by the popular Mayordomo brand.

Sip mezcal where it’s made.

Oaxaca is the mezcal capital of the world as well as the birthplace of the smoky, distilled agave liquor. The popular spirit dates back to precolonial times, and Oaxaca is the best place to sample its many styles and flavors. For an educational and enjoyable experience, head to Mezcaloteca and In Situ. Or take a day trip to a palenque outside the city to meet mezcaleros (master distillers) and learn about the process, from harvesting the agave to distillation. Real Minero, Mezcal Don Mateo, and Mezcal Lalocura all offer tours and tastings. 

Explore Oaxaca on a hiking or biking tour.

Work off some of those unavoidable extra calories and enjoy different views of Oaxaca with some outdoor activity. At Hierve el Agua, a moderately challenging 1.7-mile loop takes you around the mineral pools for a close look at the “frozen” waterfalls. In Cerro del Fortín State Park, there’s a moderately challenging four-mile loop, while the La Escarpada hike offers breathtaking views of the city. Tours by Locals has a full-day hiking tour guided by a native Zapotec rug weaver who takes his guests to sacred sites, caves, and other historic places. There are also free walking tours in Oaxaca to help you get your steps in as you visit some of the city’s top sights.

Take a break from city bustle on a Jardín Etnobotánico tour.

Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca showcases the area’s rich biodiversity by featuring hundreds of plants found only in Oaxaca, including giant cacti, agaves, medicinal plants, and wildflowers. The garden also has eye-catching historic ruins, stone pathways, and sculptural elements. Guided tours, the only way to visit the garden, explain how plants were once used for food, medicine, textiles, and rituals by Indigenous communities. A visit to the botanical garden is also a peaceful way to relax away from the busy streets of the city.