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Looking for the top things to do in Oaxaca, Mexico? You’re in the right place!
We’ve traveled all over Mexico, and Oaxaca is easily one of our favorite places. It’s full of culture and history, and famous for its food and mezcal scene. The truth is there is SO much to do in Oaxaca – where do you even start?
Right here! To make planning a little easier, we have narrowed down the best activities in Oaxaca. Whether you’re looking for a food tour, exciting day tours, traditional villages, or mezcal tastings, you’ll find it all on this list. All you have to do is keep reading and book your favorite experiences to see the best of Oaxaca!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal favorite tour is this day trip to Hierve el Agua! Not only is it stunning, but you’ll also visit Mitla, a traditional village, and a mezcal distillery. Check out the 600+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
Tip: This tour is popular – book it now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Best Things to do in Oaxaca, Mexico
1. Hierve el Agua day trip
To me, this is a must-do activity in Oaxaca! Why? Well, Hierve el Aqua is such a unique place. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world!
Made from calcium build-up, Hierve el Agua is a “petrified waterfall”. At first glance, this waterfall appears to be a normal (impressive) waterfall. But when you really look, you’ll realize there is actually no water at all and instead, the water appearance is created from calcium build-up – a really interesting and unique sight to see.
But on top of that, there are semi-natural pools at the lookout point that you can actually swim in! When we were there, it was pretty cold (we visited at sunset) so nobody was swimming. But, during the day it could be a fun place to go for a dip! The views of the surrounding mountains from the pools are enough to make the trip worth it alone in my opinion.
Just do beware, the drive to Hierve el Aqua from Oaxaca takes about 1.5 hours so there is a decent amount of driving involved. This is why we opted to take an organized tour. We also love that this top-rated tour to Hierve el Agua combines a mezcal tour and a stop at Mitla for the ultimate day trip!
This tour is perfect if you only have a few days in Oaxaca and are trying to squeeze a lot in. It also breaks up the drive as you stop at the photogenic Tule tree and the traditional village, Teotitlán del Valle. Then head to Mitla Archaeological Site where you’ll have an hour to explore ancient ruins.
Before you know it, you’ll be at Hierve el Agua! This tour allows 2 hours here, which I think is the perfect amount of time to swim and take in the stunning views. Lastly, the tour ends with a mezcal tasting at a traditional distillery – did you even go to Oaxaca if you didn’t taste mezcal?
This is a long day, but totally worth it! It is well-priced at $50 USD including mezcal tastings and transportation. It doesn’t include food or entrance fees, so be sure to bring extra cash.
Check out the hundreds of positive reviews and reserve your spot here!
2. Food Tour in Oaxaca City
Oaxaca is known all around the world for food, which is why a food tour is easily one of the best tours to do in Oaxaca! This food and markets tour will have you eating like a local and trying the best Oaxacan cuisine at its iconic markets.
On this food tour, you’ll be introduced to some of the most famous local dishes – mole, tlayuda (Mexican pizza), and chocolate de agua to name a few! But, you’ll also be introduced to dishes that most tourists miss. You’ll get to explore the famous Benito Juarez Market and Mercado 20 De Noviembre, which is where all the good food in the city is!
I personally love food tours when I travel, especially in countries where I don’t fully speak the language. With an English-speaking guide, you’ll be able to understand what everything is made of and fully understand what you’re trying (as opposed to just blindly ordering something random on a menu.)
This tour is top-rated for a reason with over 100 5-star reviews (check them out here!). This 2.5-hour tour is $55 USD and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth with how much you’ll eat!
Reserve your spot here and get FREE cancellation before you go!
3. Monte Alban
This one is for the history buffs! Monte Alban is hands-down the best archaeological site near Oaxaca and well worth a visit if you want to see ancient ruins!
These ruins are from both the Zapotec and Mixtec cultures and are estimated to be from about the 8th century BC. When you visit here, you’ll see large pyramids (temples), tombs, a ball court, and terraces.
Monte Alban is located about 9 km (5.6 mi) from Oaxaca city. If you love diving into the history of a place, I recommend this half-day tour to Monte Alban. I always like to have a tour guide when I visit ruins. This way, the guide explains the significance of what you’re seeing. Without a guide, I find I never get enough information and the entire visit is less enjoyable.
This tour also provides transportation from Oaxaca, so if you’re without wheels, this is an easy way to get to the ruins. It doesn’t include the admission fees, so be sure to bring extra cash with you.
With over 350 5-star reviews, this tour is well worth it (see all the glowing reviews here)! I love that’s affordable, at just $28 USD, and about 3 hours long, so you can easily fit it into your schedule.
Don’t miss out – reserve your spot on this top-rated tour here!
4. Mezcal tour
The state of Oaxaca produces more mezcal (a strong alcoholic spirit made from cactus, it’s commonly mistaken for tequila) than anywhere else in Mexico – and most of the distilleries are located very close to Oaxaca City! A mezcal-tasting tour in Oaxaca is an absolute must for anybody who doesn’t mind getting a little (or a lot) tipsy.
Typically, a mezcal tasting tour from Oaxaca is a day trip that involves driving just outside of the city to visit a distillery. You’ll get a distillery tour and learn how mezcal is made. This is very interesting as mezcal is actually made very differently than tequila or any other spirit I’ve ever learned about.
After the distillery tour, the fun begins, it’s time to taste the mezcal! After sampling a few you’ll realize that not all mezcals are created equally.
Even if you aren’t a big fan of spirits, you can try the cream mezcals which contain about 12% to 18% alcohol and taste like candy!
This Mezcal Journey Tour is perfect for those who really want to learn about Mezcal. Your tour guide will pick you up in Oaxaca City before bringing you to the remote villages of Mitla and Matatlán where you’ll get to walk through the agave fields while learning some information about it.
Next up is a visit to an artisan mezcal distillery where you’ll see the drink-making process firsthand and at the end get unlimited tastings of a wide variety of mezcal. Oh, and that isn’t all! Your group will then share a traditional Oaxacan meal together at a local restaurant.
This tour is $180 USD, which covers lunch, transportation, tours of the distillery and agave fields, and lots and lots of Mezcal!
Book this tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you take off!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Take a cooking class
The only thing better than eating Oaxacan food is eating Oaxacan food that YOU cooked!
Cooking classes are one of the most popular tours in Oaxaca, and for good reason. Once you know how to cook this incredibly unique and tasty food, you can make it for yourself over and over again when you get home (talk about impressing your friends at a dinner party!)
This cooking class includes a visit to the market to select your own ingredients and also a mezcal tasting! There is no set menu, so you can decide what you want to cook when you go to the market and see what fresh ingredients are available. I love that this part is included, it just makes the experience even more immersive!
Then it’s time to get cooking! This tour lasts for about 5 hours in total, so you’ll have time to make a few dishes. I learned that there’s quite a technique to making tortillas, mole, and other dishes, and our teacher was a fantastic guide. We had plenty of mezcal to sip on as we cooked too, which made it even more fun.
This cooking class is $77 USD per person and includes all ingredients and drinks, and you get to eat it at the end. They can also cater to gluten free and vegetarian participants, just be sure to let them know ahead of time!
Check availability and book this tour before you go here.
6. Check out the street art
Oaxaca City is sprawling with street art, which is primarily illegal and voices the revolutionary freedom movement in the city. Artists also use street art as an alternative to protests, using art as a means to express their demands. It is also a continuation of a tradition in Mexico long before the need for revolutionary art.
Many renowned artists such as Jose Guadalupe Posada, Leopoldo Mendez, and Diego Rivera have recognized Oaxaca’s famous street art. This means checking out the street art is not an experience to miss while in Oaxaca City! Some of these art pieces have been around for over 30 years!
This street art walking tour is a great way to learn about Oaxaca’s colorful history and culture. You’ll explore with a local artist, who can tell the significance of the street art you’re seeing, and also visit local galleries and studios. They also make it immersive as you get to see a printing demonstration and take home a souvenir – how cool is that!?
You’ll also get to explore the art of cacao by finishing the tour with a cacao tasting, as if this tour couldn’t get any sweeter!
This is a totally unique look at Oaxaca’s culture over a 4.5-hour tour. It is $67 USD including your cacao tastings, souvenirs, and amazing guide!
Don’t miss out on this unique Oaxaca art experience – book this tour here!
7. Visit Mitla
Mitla is an important archeological site near Oaxaca City, Mexico and this is an important site in terms of Zapotec culture. The Mitla site is located about 44 kilometers (27 miles) from the city of Oaxaca at the upper end of the Tlacolula Valley.
A long time before the era of Christianity, Mitla was established as a sacred site for burial and it was probably used by the Zapotecs, who were dominant until around 900 AD. Mitla is a well-preserved archeological site within a dry and cold climate. The site dates back over 10,000 years!
Another great way to explore the Mitla site is by joining one of the tours that visit this area. It is possible to join this half-day tour which will give you a detailed visit to the site and give you a good overview of the site whilst visiting.
The tour costs $33 USD and includes a 4-5 hour excursion through Mitla, where you’ll enjoy both a visit to a local rug-making workshop as well as have some free time to explore Mitla on your own. You will have to pay for your entrance to Mitla, which is around $90 MXN (about $5 USD), so bring cash!
This tour is awesome because you don’t have to worry about transport at all since they pick up and drop you off right at your hotel in Oaxaca. There’s so much to learn about this historic place, and having a guide makes it much more meaningful!
Reserve this tour in advance to get FREE cancellation before you go.
8. Historic Center walking tour
One of the first tours you should do in Oaxaca is a walking tour of the historical center. This way, you can learn about all of the best things to do and see around the area and decide where you want to go back to (museums, cathedrals, restaurants, etc.)
These tours also offer a lot of insight into the history of Oaxaca, as well as the day-to-day lives of the people today.
I recommend booking this private tour of Oaxaca’s historic center. As you wander through the streets, you’ll see lots of beautiful old buildings, and I loved learning exactly what the history is here. We explored the Temple of Santo Domingo, Juarez El Llano Park, Temple of San Matias Jalatlaco, and even saw a traditional parade. Our guide had us try a traditional Zapotec drink made of corn and cacao, which was actually pretty tasty!
We experienced a lot in just 2.5 hours. This tour is $40 USD per person, which we think is a good price, considering it’s a private tour.
Check availability and book this private tour here to secure your date.
Where to Stay in Oaxaca, Mexcio
Of course, you’re going to need a place to stay in Oaxaca between all of those tours. Luckily, there are plenty of hotels to choose from in Oaxaca City and something for all types of travelers and budgets!
Luxury – $$$
For those looking for a luxury stay, the Quinta Real Oaxaca is a five-star hotel that is simply beautiful. Inside and out the stylistic decor sets the scene for an upper-class yet relaxed stay. This hotel is not only located right in the middle of the historic center, but it also has a beautiful outdoor pool! On a hot summer day, this is the perfect place to relax and cool off.
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
For those looking for a great deal, Hotel Parador de Alcala is incredible with everything you could need and more! In fact, it could easily be considered a “luxury” hotel, but since the price for a standard room comes in under $100 USD, it truly is great value for money! It features a rooftop pool and is right in the historic center.
You can book this hotel on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Hostal Nordés is located right in the city center and offers comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. They are all private rooms with private bathrooms and a lovely rooftop terrace! You can choose between a standard double room or a twin room. Rates start as low as $20 USD a night.
Check availability and reserve a room on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Renting a Car in Mexico
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to get around Mexico is in a rental car.
I struggled to get around by bus and taxi for the longest time. But after renting a car in Cancun in 2023, I never looked back. It allowed me to explore the country without worrying about tours or taxis. It was why I fell in love with Mexico and eventually decided to live here periodically.
I refuse to use local services whenever I rent a car in Mexico. The truth is they sometimes can’t be trusted or come with hidden fees (or costly insurance that doesn’t make sense.) There are even rental car scams! So instead, I use Discover Cars, the company most experienced travelers or ex-pats in Mexico recommend. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
The rates on Discover Cars are cheap, too, with the average rental costing around $25 USD per day. Full coverage insurance can be added for an extra $10 USD a day too.
Driving in Mexico also only requires a driver’s license using the Roman alphabet. If yours uses another like Japan and China, you simply need an international driving permit.
Insurance is required, but if you book with Discover Cars and get the full coverage, that’s all you need! Oh, and being over 18 is required, and if you’re over 25, your rental will be much cheaper!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
No matter what you prefer, Oaxaca can offer it to you! There are countless more things to do in Oaxaca City, Mexico. You have to book your flight there, and the rest will fall into place. If you have any questions regarding what to do on your trip to the city, reach out to us!
If you enjoyed this article on things to do in Oaxaca City, you’ll definitely enjoy some of our other Mexico tips and guides, like:
Things to do in Puerto Escondido
Deidre
Monday 11th of November 2024
Thank you for all the great info. Madly researching and booking for next month.