Oaxaca City was the first stop on my ten-month trip around the world, and honestly, it was a pretty good place to start. I spent nine days surrounded by colourful streets, incredible art, lively markets, amazing food and some of the traditions that make this part of Mexico so unique. I didn’t manage to fit everything I wanted to do into those nine days, so this list is a mix of the Oaxaca experiences I loved and a couple that are already on my list for next time. If you’re planning a trip of your own, here are five things I think deserve a place on your Oaxaca itinerary.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase or booking, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my travel adventures!
1. Visit Monte Albán and a Mezcal Distillery
Monte Albán was one of the main things I knew I wanted to see while I was in Oaxaca, and it did not disappoint. The ancient Zapotec capital sits high above the Oaxaca Valley, so you get to explore the ruins while looking out over the surrounding mountains and city below. The site was inhabited for around 1,500 years and, together with Oaxaca’s historic centre, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking through the enormous main plaza and seeing the temples, platforms and ball court in person gives you a completely different sense of the site than photos ever could. It is also very exposed, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat!
I combined Monte Albán with a visit to a mezcal distillery, which made for a full day outside the city centre. Here is the tour I did! The distillery tour showed us how closely the spirit is connected to the region and walked us through the traditional production process, from the agave plants to the finished product. The most unexpected detail was the accompanying salt made with salt, chilli powder, crickets and grasshoppers. Definitely not the combination I expected at the beginning of the day, but it became one of those very specific Oaxaca memories I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
I toured with Capotlan and for $32 CAD, I would highly recommend this experience!
Official information about Monte Albán
2. Wander the Streets and Discover Oaxaca’s Street Art
One of my favourite things about Oaxaca City was how much creativity you could see everywhere you looked. You don’t necessarily need a destination or a planned route, just start walking through the historic centre and pay attention to the walls, doorways, galleries and little shops along the way.
The city is filled with murals, colourful buildings, posters, printmaking studios and handmade pieces. Some works cover entire walls, while others are tucked into side streets or hidden in details you could easily miss if you were rushing. I found myself stopping constantly to take photos because every few minutes there seemed to be another mural or interesting building in front of me.
This is also one of the easiest things to do in Oaxaca because it doesn’t require a booking, ticket or strict schedule. Give yourself time to wander without trying to get anywhere quickly. Grab a coffee, duck into the shops and galleries that catch your attention, and let the streets become the activity.
3. Explore the Zócalo and Mercado 20 de Noviembre
The Zócalo is basically impossible to miss while you’re in Oaxaca. I ended up walking through it all the time, and there was always something going on! Vendors, musicians, families hanging out and people everywhere. There are restaurants, shops and beautiful buildings surrounding the square, but it’s also just a nice place to sit for a bit and people watch.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre is only a short walk away and is definitely worth wandering through. It’s busy, colourful and full of local food, chocolate, bread, cheese, mole, crafts and approximately a million other things to look at. There’s also the famous smoky hallway where food is being grilled all around you, which is an experience even if you’re mostly just walking through slightly confused like I was!
I’d recommend going hungry and giving yourself time to look around before deciding what you want. There’s a lot happening and it can feel a little overwhelming at first, but that’s part of what makes it fun.
Unfortunately due to me visiting in the middle of August, it was approximately 400 degrees in there, so I just wandered around before leaving and finding some a/c.
Official information about Mercado 20 de Noviembre
4. Take a Day Trip to Hierve el Agua
Hierve el Agua is the first experience on this list that I didn’t actually manage to do but, it was absolutely part of my original Oaxaca plan. The site is known for its dramatic mineral formations that look like frozen waterfalls running down the side of the mountains. There are also natural pools overlooking the surrounding landscape.
Despite the name, which translates to “the water boils,” the water isn’t hot. Oaxaca’s official tourism information says it usually sits between approximately 22°C and 25°C. The area is also an important archaeological site with remnants of an ancient irrigation system, so there is more to explore than the main viewpoint and pools.
I wasn’t able to fit the trip into my nine days in Oaxaca, but it is very firmly on the list for next time. If you want to go, I’d probably choose this tour!
Official information about Hierve el Agua
5. Paint Your Own Alebrije
Oaxaca’s art was one of my favourite parts of the city, and the alebrijes were impossible not to notice. These brightly painted wooden creatures come in every combination of animals, colours and patterns imaginable. Many are carved from copal wood and then painted by hand with an unbelievable amount of detail.
I bought a couple small alebrijes that will eventually live on a shelf in my future apartment. What I didn’t do, and really wish I was able to, was take a class where I could paint one myself.
Communities in Oaxaca’s Central Valleys are known for their alebrije workshops and generations of artisan families. A visit gives you the chance to learn about the carving and painting process directly from local artists, see the amount of work involved in each piece and, depending on the workshop, decorate one of your own.
This would be such a fun way to experience another side of Oaxaca’s creativity and come home with something far more personal than a typical souvenir. It is officially on my “next time” list.
More about Oaxaca’s protected alebrije tradition
Final Thoughts
Nine days sounded like plenty of time when I booked Oaxaca, but the city and surrounding region have a way of filling every available day. Between the history, markets, art, food and day trips, I left feeling like I had seen a lot while still having several very good reasons to return.
Oaxaca was my first stop on a ten-month solo trip around the world, and I don’t think I could have chosen a better place to begin. It gave me enough to do without making every day feel rushed, and some of my favourite moments came from simply walking around and seeing what I found. Hierve el Agua and an alebrije class will have to wait for next time, but something tells me this won’t be my only visit!
Curious about everything that went into getting ready for this trip? Check out my post on how I prepared for ten months of solo travel – Prepping for a Solo Trip Around the World.
