If you are privileged to visit Oaxaca, then I’m certain it will become one of your favorite destinations of all time- not just in Mexico, but in the entire world. Besides the charming mezcalerias, the city boasts a long chain of smoky street food stands, bustling markets, world-class restaurants, incredible museums, and colorful colonial architecture. There are many enriching and unique things to do in Oaxaca.
So, here is our bucket list of the most unusual attractions and activities in this amazing city and its surroundings.
1. Explore the Zocalo
The Zocalo is Oaxaca’s central plaza. If you are visiting the city, this place is a must-see. It is referred to as the city’s cultural center, where you can watch people and discover how day-to-day life in the city unfolds.
The main square is extremely rich in history as post-colonization, the evolution of government systems, and all religious unification in Oaxaca city began here. The entrenched historical roots of Oaxaca make this place a great place to commence your adventure.
It’s a great place to watch people, grab a snack, or relax with a drink. You’ll also find Mexican families enjoying themselves in the evening.
We recommend visiting the area at least three times. Very early in the morning, you’ll find fewer crowds, enabling you to take a good look at the architecture and capture it if you have a camera. The second time is midday when you’ll learn about the best attractions. And lastly, it is in the evening at about 7 pm, where you will witness the culture and network with the locals. Other times, you may even find entertainment or shows going on.
2. Visit the Museo de las Culturas
Even if museums don’t excite you, creating some time for the Museo de las Culturas is a must. The building itself is an important piece of Oaxaca’s history. The museum offers plenty of attractions for visitors and patrons of architecture and art.
The building portrays the opulence of the colonial era with an upper floor and ground floor. Besides exhibition rooms, you’ll find a botanical garden, Nestor Sanchez newspaper archive of Oaxaca, and the Fray Francisco de Burgoa Library.
There are many magnificent artifacts from the Pre-Colombian era as well as during and after the conquest. Learn about the numerous indigenous cultures that have flourished in the area and be blown away by the astonishing organization and exhibitions.
You’ll also get an admirable view of the city inside the museum, making the $3.75 entrance fee worthy.
3. Tour the Mercado de Benito Juarez
Mercado de Benito refers to a network of colorful market stalls selling everything from handmade pottery and traditional clothing to street snacks, home décor, and handmade pottery.
You may need to buy some souvenirs for friends or colorful décor to spice up your home. As such, this area is an ideal place to start. Besides, it’s another favorite spot to understand more about the local people and their culture.
Make sure to create some time to visit Mercado de Benito since it’s huge and requires plenty of time to experience, see, and taste all its offerings.
4. Stop By the Templo de Santo Domingo
This 16th-century Baroque Catholic church is perhaps one of the most beautiful churches in Oaxaca.
Between 1570 and 1608, the church was constructed by the best artists in the region who came all the way from Puebla and other parts of Mexico. And given that Oaxaca is an earthquake-prone area, the pillars and stone walls holding up the church are extremely thick.
The interior is decorated with masterful sculptures, a gilded altar, and ornate paintings. By stopping by the Templo de Santo Domingo, you’ll certainly experience the church’s beauty and every small detail.
5. Join a Food Tour
Mexico is arguably known around the continent for its vast collection of amazing dishes. Hence the reason why you should consider doing a food tour in Mexico, especially Oaxaca. Since it’s the culinary capital of Mexico, the city is the ideal destination for foodies. And what better way to experience its amazing dish offerings than a food tour!
Fortunately, there are numerous food tours in Oaxaca to choose from. And which will introduce you to some of the most renowned local dishes, including Chocolat de agua, tamales, and mole, to mention a few. You can as well familiarize yourself with some dishes that most tourists miss.
6. Visit Ruins at Mitla
Looking to see some ruins on your trip? Mitla is the place to be. While Monte Alban was the political focus for Zapotecs, Mitla was the religious point.
The name stems from the Nahuatl word, which means ‘the underworld’ or ‘place of the dead.’ Visiting this place shouldn’t be an exception on your to-do list while in Oaxaca.
The ruins at Mitla are eminent for the Column of Life situated in one of the tombs.
It is alleged that when one wraps their hands around the column, the space between their hands represents the number of years they are left with on Earth. Why not try if you want to know your lifespan?
7. Spend At Least a Day at The Art Galleries
While roaming the streets in Oaxaca, you’ll come across numerous art galleries showcasing all manner of art, from modern art to Oaxacan folk.
Visit some or all the galleries to get a feel of their brilliant colorful sculptures and paintings. And if you are capable, feel free to get yourself a piece.
8. Lose Yourself in The Many Festivals
While the day of the Dead might be the most eminent celebration in the city, there are myriad cheerful festivals year round! Common ones include the Guelaguetza in July, Holy Week, Christmas in December, and Night of the Radishes.
Suppose you visit Oaxaca around one of the festivals; it would be prudent to book a hotel in advance because people from all walks of life flock the city to enjoy these festivals.
During festivals, sidewalks get filled with food stalls, letting you relish the authentic Mexican gastronomy, including their renowned bunuelos, which consists of a sweet snack and crisp. They are quite fluffy and super light and taste like donuts. There are also various tamales, a dish made of corn dough steamed in a banana leaf.
9. Dine at the Finest Restaurants
Since Oaxaca houses the finest restaurants in Mexico, indulging in a few fine meals is vital. Plus, the city is very affordable when compared to similar experiences in, say, Europe.
Some top restaurants to dine at include the Origen, Los Danzantes, Cabuche, Mexita, Itanoni, and Casa Oaxaca. The ambiance there is truly spectacular. Not to mention the astonishing modern Mexican cuisine, table-side finishes, and attentive service, which make up the unforgettable dining experience.
10. Wander Down the Pedestrian-Only Street
When strolling between the Temple de Santo Domingo and the Zocalo, there’s a pedestrian-friendly Calle Alcala. Walking along this pedestrian-only street lets you admire the colonial period architecture, most of which now house bars, artisan shops, cafes, and galleries.
If you extend your stay in Oaxaca, chances are you’ll revisit Calle Alcala a few times- traffic in the city can be relentless. Sometimes it’s good to evade the fumes from cars and have a peaceful walk around the city.
11. Admire the Street Art
Oaxaca City is bursting with street art, which although is mostly illegal, utters revolutionary freedom in the city. Other artists use these arts to protest and air their demands. It’s also a continuation of Mexican tradition way before the need for radical art.
Famous artists like Diego Rivera and Jose Guadalupe have recognized the city’s street art. This means you shouldn’t miss out on some of the best art pieces that have been around for more than 30 years.
12. Join a Cooking Class
While eating restaurant food can be fantastic , nothing outshines the feeling of consuming an Oaxacan meal you’ve prepared yourself.
Nowadays, cooking classes are a popular tour in Oaxaca city for a good reason. Once you know how to prepare amazingly unique and tasty cuisine food, you can cook for yourself more often when you get back home. Or impress relatives and friends with your culinary expertise.
Cooking classes in Oaxaca teach you how to prepare various dishes, which you can eat afterward. Other tours include a trip to the market to pick your preferred ingredients.
13. Swim and Hike at Hierve el Agua
If you are looking to visit the great city of Oaxaca, a trip to the Hierve el Agua attraction is necessary.
There are numerous remarkable rock formations there that bear a resemblance to cascading waterfalls. Plus, it’s a good spot to spend some time hiking and enjoying nature. You can soak in natural mineral springs too.
Even though the name means ‘boiling water’ in Spanish, the water there can be somewhat cold. However, taking a dip is still pleasant and refreshing, particularly after hiking about the area for some time.
A day trip to the Hierve el Agua is arguably one of the best things to do in Oaxaca.
14. Tour a Mezcal Distillery
During your stay in Oaxaca, don’t forget to tour a distillery for plenty of Mezcal tastings, such as the El Rey de Matatlan. There you can have an insight into the making of drinks. Besides learning the production process of the super strong and delicious spirit, you can also request a sample.
15. Head Out on a Day Trip to Teotitlan del Valle
In this beautiful and unique village, you’ll witness breathtaking mountains, even though it’s well-known for its weaving. You can get to see and learn every technique and process of rug-making in a few shops there. Plus, the demonstrations are free, and you can also learn how they form natural dyes for the rugs.
Usually, they use cactus species that only grow in the Oaxacan mountains to form the dyes that create a unique and beautiful design. We highly recommend this place if weaving is something you are passionate about.
16. Maneuver Through the Ethnobotanical Garden
The precious Ethnobotanical Garden is located in the city center, at the back of el Templo de Santo Domingo. And is filled with tons of beautiful cacti and other regional flora.
This is a beautiful place to stroll through and take a snap among the cacti.
17. Eat Some Meat at the Mercado 20 de Noviembre
It can be a loss to leave Oaxaca city without tasting the meat at Mercado 20 de Noviembre. So, if you love meat, this is certainly one of the best places to visit.
Even if you are a vegetarian, there are plenty of food that will suit your taste. This meat hall is an extremely common spot for tourists and locals alike.
It’s somewhat of an assembly line, and getting your meat may seem rather confusing. When you walk into the place, you first select the vegetables you want to be grilled, then forward your tray to the meat man for some spicy proteins, either sausage, sliced beef, or ribs.
Who knows, you may as well make some new friends over some BBQ.
18. Treat Yourself at a Spa
The fact that you’ve earned this vacation after working hard for a long period, you deserve to pamper yourself at one of the city spas.
Fortunately, Oaxaca has a number of spas and wellness centers where both locals and tourists can rest, rejuvenate, unwind, and feel the much-needed zen.
Choose either a hot stone, Thai, or deep tissue massage
19. Enjoy the Party
Especially during holidays, Oaxaca offers numerous clubs where you can visit to dance the night away with friends and mingle with the locals. Whether you love sizzling salsa dance or live rock music, one of the best things to do in Oaxaca is dance until dawn!
If you aren’t sure where to go, La Tentacion would be a great place to start.
La Tentacion is a fantastic bar to enjoy the city’s nightlife. It’s a vibrant and popular spot for locals to have a drink and forget their stressful daily activities. If you are looking for an informal, relaxed setting, this is the place to be. The club also has numerous promotions for drinks and snacks, so you’ll want to try out all the goodies.
Things to Do In Oaxaca: Enjoy Your Visit!
With so many breathtaking views and other offerings, what else could you ask for in Oaxaca? Plus, there are plenty of tour guides and taxis to take you around to all the things to do in Oaxaca. All you need to do is book a flight there, and everything else will fall into place.
Hi I’m Shannon!
Hi, I’m Shannon and I’m a Canadian who fell in love with Mexico on my first trip to Puerto Vallarta when I was a young adult.
That started a 30 year love affair with this country which led to marrying my Mexican husband and building a home in Mexico. And now I have even a stronger connection to this gorgeous and complex country.
