How to Spend 4 Days in Oaxaca City, Mexico: The Perfect Oaxaca Itinerary

Planning a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico? This Oaxaca itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip to this incredible city.

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Shelley of Travel Mexico Solo. Shelley spent 4 months living in Oaxaca and she has tons of valuable tips to share with us!

Planning to spend 4 days in Oaxaca City?

You won’t regret it! This really is one of Mexico’s most amazing destinations. It’s also one of the best destinations for solo travel in Mexico!

The city of Oaxaca (officially known as Oaxaca de Juárez) is not only full of gorgeous colonial architecture, but it’s also one of the foodie capitals of Mexico. Plus, it has three UNESCO World Heritage sites, beautiful nature and artist communities, a fantastic Day of the Dead festival, and much more.

Oaxaca City encompasses all the things people imagine Mexico to be! From the amazing Mexican food to colorful architecture, it’s quite obvious why Oaxaca sits high atop so many travel bucket lists.

Let’s take a look at the ultimate four-day itinerary for all of the best things to do in Oaxaca City!

Where is Oaxaca located?

Oaxaca City is located in the middle of the state of Oaxaca, in Southern Mexico. It’s approximately 280 miles southeast of Mexico City and 137 miles north of Puerto Escondido. 

How do you get to Oaxaca?

You can fly to Oaxaca by booking a flight to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan International Airport (OAX), which is served by various airlines such as American Airlines, Aeroméxico, and Volaris.

Another popular way to reach Oaxaca is by bus. You can take an ADO bus from Mexico City to Oaxaca in approximately 7 hours. I recommend springing for the GL or Platino service level for the most comfortable ride.

The sites BookAway and Busbud are the best way to plan bus travel to Oaxaca from other cities in Mexico.

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What’s the best time to visit Oaxaca?

Oaxaca has a subtropical climate, meaning it is pretty mild all year round. However, the city’s high elevation, approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, means there are wide temperature fluctuations between day and night. 

The primary seasons in Oaxaca are dry and wet.

The rainy season lasts from May through October and is also the hottest time of the year. The hottest months of the year are April and May, with average highs of 85-87°F (29-30°C) and average lows of 54-58°F (12-14°C).

The dry season coincides with winter and spring, stretching from November through May. Temperatures are mild, with cool nights and limited precipitation. The coolest months are December and January, with average highs of 78°F (25°C) and average lows of 48°F (9°C).

Thanks to its mild climate, Oaxaca is wonderful to visit at any time of year. 

There are two major events each year in Oaxaca that may influence your decision about when to visit:

• Guelaguetza Festival – This arts festival takes place over two weekends in July every year and is a spectacle of music, dance, indigenous culture, and so much more. It’s an incredible spectacle and floods the city with visitors from all over Mexico and beyond. 

• Día de Muertos takes place on November 1st and 2nd each year, and Oaxaca City is one of the most popular places for travelers to experience the festivities. The city becomes filled with incredible decorations in the weeks leading up to the holiday, and there are all kinds of cool events and activities to partake in. If you plan to visit Oaxaca during Día de Muertos, you need to book your accommodation a year in advance (no joke!). 

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How long do you need in Oaxaca?

Oaxaca is the type of city where you’ll never run out of things to do. Even after you see all the top attractions and browse all the markets, you won’t be sick of sampling the delicious food and soaking up the delightful atmosphere. 

Four days is the absolute minimum one should spend in Oaxaca to hit the highlights, but you could easily spend a few weeks or more… though, it might be risky– you won’t want to leave!

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Day 1: Centro Historico: Mercados, Zocalo, Templo de Santo Domingo, Botanical Garden

The first day of this Oaxaca City itinerary is all about getting to know the city itself. The entire downtown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there’s no shortage of attractions to hold your attention.

First, let’s talk about where and what to eat in Oaxaca City

Oaxaca City, like much of Mexico, has a strong street food culture. While strolling around, don’t pass up the opportunity to sample one of Mexico’s delicacies — chapulines. These are small, dried grasshoppers that you’ll be served in a bag. You can eat them just like nuts or popcorn!

If grasshoppers aren’t quite your thing, head to Oaxaca City’s mercados (local markets) to sample some other local cuisine that doesn’t feature insects.

Snack your way through the markets

Mercado 20 de Noviembre functions more like a food hall than a traditional market, but that makes it the perfect to eat. For another Mexican market experience that offers both food and shopping, Mercado Benito Juárez is your place.

While in the mercados, try these Oaxacan specialties: tlayudas (AKA Mexican pizza), tamales oaxaquenos (tamales cooked in a banana leaf), and Oaxaca’s delicious string cheese, quesillo.

Those with a sweet tooth can seek out nieves, an ice cream/sorbet hybrid, and tejate. Tejate is an ancient beverage made with chocolate and corn and served cold. Though this flavor combination may sound unappetizing, this tasty drink is hundreds of years old and has stood the test of time.

Sample Oaxaca’s incredible culinary offerings on this market tour, which highlights some of the city’s most iconic flavors!

Sightseeing in Oaxaca’s centro histórico

After eating, head to the zocalo (main square) in Oaxaca’s historic center to see the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, the largest cathedral in the city. The entire surrounding area, the Plaza de la Constitución, is a lively place to spend some time and people-watch.

Next, head to the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, a 16th-century Spanish Baroque church. While on the grounds, don’t miss the Oaxacan Culture Museum and Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca (Oaxaca Botanical Gardens).

This 2.5-acre garden showcases Oaxaca’s native flora and fauna, with hundreds of the state’s native species on display. Note that because of the garden’s delicate ecosystem, you can only enter on a guided tour. They are offered in English three times a week for 100 pesos (about $5 USD) per person.

One of the best places to take a leisurely stroll is the pedestrian-only Calle de Macedonia Alcala. This colorful thoroughfare is lined with shops, art galleries, cafes, bars, restaurants, and more.

Feast on Oaxaca’s famous mole

If you’re getting hungry again, you’re going to find somewhere around here where you can get Oaxaca’s most famous dish, mole. Mole is both a marinade and a sauce, made with its own unique combination of spices, nuts, fruits, and other ingredients. 

There are seven types of mole; the most famous being mole negro (black mole), which gets its color from chocolate. Many restaurants will serve a few types of mole, though usually not all seven.

Head to any of these Oaxaca restaurants to sample their moles: Las Quince Letras, Los Danzantes, and Cabuche. One of the restaurants famous for serving all seven types is La Casa de la Abuela, located in the Zocalo.

Want to learn about the process of making mole? Try a cooking class! This hands-on cooking class will teach you how to make Oaxacan specialties from scratch!

Day 2: Hierve el Agua, Mezcaloteca, Enjoy a Nice Dinner

For today’s excursion, you will take part in one of the most popular day trips from Oaxaca…

Hierve el Agua

Hierve el Agua translates to “boiling water,” and while there’s not actually boiling water at this site, there are thermal pools to soak in.

There’s actually quite a bit to do at Hierve el Agua, one of Oaxaca’s most photographed landmarks, which is why it deserves one whole day of your itinerary! Also, it’s located about an hour outside of the city, so plan for a bit of travel time.

As one of Oaxaca’s most famous attractions, you can imagine Hierve el Agua gets quite crowded. If you want to get any of those coveted people-less photos, head there early. The crowds are in full swing by about 9 am-10 am.

Besides the beautiful mineral pools, Hierve el Agua’s other famous site is its “waterfall.” The quotes around “waterfall” are intentional because this isn’t really a waterfall, though it does look like one.

The falling water effect was created over time as mineral-laden water dripped and fell over the side of a cliff. Over time, the minerals in this water began to accumulate, and now it looks like there’s a constantly flowing cascade of water. In reality, it’s just mineral residue! 

Be sure to wear your hiking shoes/sneakers, as you’ll want to do the full hike down as close as possible to this cliff. There’s a shorter hike, but it’s worth it to do the full thing. In total, factor in about 3-4 hours for this moderate hike.

After hiking back to the top, where the mineral pools are, you can relax by swimming and soaking in them! If your muscles hurt at all after the hike, the water should help.

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In the evening…

After heading back to Oaxaca City and showering, you might want to pamper yourself with a nice dinner or even a night out to sample some mezcal.

For a nice dinner and some fine dining, head to Oaxaca’s famed Casa Oaxaca. If you can, opt for one of the rooftop tables. Some other great restaurant options include El Destilado, Criollo, or Catedral Restaurant.

If you’re looking to learn about — and drink — some artisanal mezcals, consider visiting Mezcaloteca.

This establishment is a combo of a tasting room and mezcal school and provides the perfect place to learn about Oaxaca’s beloved adult beverage, mezcal. Note: Reservations are required.

Day 3: Mitla, El Rey de Matatlán, El Árbol de Tule, Teotitlán del Valle

Start Day 3 of your Oaxaca itinerary in the pueblo mágico (magic town) of Mitla.

Just what is a magic town, you might be wondering?

Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism awards the prestigious designation of “pueblo mágico” to certain small towns in the country with characteristics including exceptional natural beauty, deep historical significance, and unique cultural traditions. It’s a similar idea to the UNESCO World Heritage designation, but pueblos magicos are specific to Mexico!

Mitla, pueblo mágico

Mitla is certainly unique as far as Mexican pre-Hispanic archaeological sites go. Rather than a complex of pyramids and temples, Mitla is a group of shorter buildings with elaborate, intricate carved stone in a series of geometric designs.

In past centuries, Mitla was a holy burial site for the native Zapotec and Mixtec peoples of Oaxaca. The word mitla is derived from the Aztec word mictlán, meaning “underworld” or “place of the dead.”

Mitla is located about an hour south of Oaxaca City, so after spending some time exploring, hit the road back — this time with some stops along the way.

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El Rey de Matatlán

The first stop on the way back to Oaxaca City will take you to El Rey de Matatlán.

At this distillery, you’ll get to see the whole mezcal farm-to-table process! Take the mezcal tour to get a better understanding of everything from the agave harvest to the distillation process. At the end, you’ll get to taste the final product.

From here, head to the small town of Teotitlan del Valle. Many of the towns and villages surrounding Oaxaca City are famous for just one craft per town. Teotitlan del Valle is famous for perhaps Oaxaca’s most famous craft: the tapete, or handweaving Zapotec rug.

Many rug producers allow you to tour their facility to see the whole process, from hand-dying the wool to seeing the weaving process in action by master rug artisans.

Árbol del Tule

Make sure there’s still some sunlight for the final stop in the town of Santa María del Tule to see the Árbol del Tule, the tree of enlightenment. This 2,000-year-old Montezuma cypress tree holds the world’s record of the biggest trunk diameter of any tree on Earth, at an astounding 46 feet.

With a diameter of this size, it takes at least 30 people with clasped hands to wrap all the way around it! The Árbol del Tule is the largest tree in Mexico and the most stout tree on Earth.

Day 4: Monte Albán, San Bartolo Coyotepec, San Martín Tilcajete

There are three total UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Oaxaca state: the Prehistoric Caves of Yagul, Downtown Oaxaca City, and the archeological site of Monte Albán. Today, you’ll be exploring Monte Albán!

Monte Alban archaeological site

Located only about 30 minutes from downtown, Monte Albán is one of the most visited and most important archeological sites in both Oaxaca AND Mexico. Head there as early as you can to beat the crowds and the heat. 

As with many Mexican archaeological sites, most of Monte Alban’s trees have been cleared to make it easier for archeologists to study the site. While this works for them, it also means there’s a serious lack of shade. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat, bring a reusable water bottle, and arrive early to beat the crowds and the midday sun. 

If you get there early, you can also climb all the structures before the harsh midday sun beats down from overhead. 

From the higher points on the Monte Albán grounds, you’ll get some beautiful views of Oaxaca City and the Oaxaca Valley because this site is in the mountains above the city.

After exploring Monte Alban, head to a few more of Oaxaca’s art towns to get some authentic souvenirs to take home with you.

Want to make the most of your Monte Alban visit? Go with a tour group. Learn about the history of the site and those who inhabited it as you look around!

San Bartolo Coyotepec

The first town outside of the site is San Bartolo Coyotepec. This small pueblo is known for its barro negro, or black clay pottery.

In the 1950s, Doña Rosa Real Mateo de Nieto from San Bartolo Coyotepec devised a way to put a black metallic sheen onto the pottery by polishing it before firing. All these years later, her technique is still used and helped put her pueblo on the map. 

San Martín Tilcajete

The last art town is the fantastical land of Oaxaca’s alebrijes, San Martín Tilcajete.

What is an alebrije?

They are wood carvings of colorful, fantastical creatures, and one of the most famous forms of Mexican folk art. Alebrijes are often combinations of two or more animals that, when combined, serve as a type of spirit guide.

Alebrijes are also commonly associated with Mexico’s Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) holiday celebration. In fact, do you remember the 2017 Pixar movie Coco? There were several alebrijes in that movie, guiding Coco through the underworld during Day of the Dead.

First created by Mexican artist Pedro Linares who names these creatures alebrijes, his artistic legacy lives on in San Martín Tilcajete to this day. Head to some of the stores in this pueblo to get your own, and often see local artisans making them!

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Where to Stay in Oaxaca

For your convenience, I recommend staying in Oaxaca’s Centro Historico. From here, you’ll be able to walk to many of the city’s main attractions, have access to tons of awesome restaurants, and transportation will be easy to coordinate. Here are a few hotels that caught my eye:

• NaNa Vida Hotel: This gorgeous hotel offers spacious rooms, beautifully appointed with regional art and tapestries. There is a bar, restaurant, business center, and peaceful garden on-site.
• Co404 Coliving: Whether you’re a nomad or simply a solo traveler in search of community, this co-living space offers comfortable accommodation and a strong community feel. They have a great co-working space, so it’s easy to get work done if you need to.
• AYOOK: Located within an 11-minute walk of downtown Oaxaca, this hotel offers beautiful, air-conditioned rooms and complimentary breakfast. There is also a garden and a terrace for guests to enjoy.
• La Betulia Bed and Breakfast: This beautiful bed and breakfast offers a spacious garden and a furnished patio so guests can enjoy the outdoor space. The rooms are simple, but they have everything you need: a bed, nightstand, wardrobe, and a private bathroom. Breakfast is included. Reviewers rave about the kind staff and how safe they felt at this property.

Oaxaca Travel FAQs

 

Will you use this Oaxaca City itinerary to plan your trip? Which of the activities listed here has piqued your interest?

Shelley is a former Miami travel magazine editor who ditched the office for the world! After traveling solo to 14 states in Mexico, she decided to live in Mérida. Shelley created the Travel Mexico Solo blog and Dream To Destination podcast to help women cross Solo Travel & Mexico Travel off their bucket list. Continue the conversation with her on Facebook or Instagram!