Top 15: What to Do in Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca is one of the most popular cities to visit in Mexico, and for good reason. This vibrant city is famous for its celebration of Day of the Dead, authentic street markets, incredible street food, handicrafts, and much more…

When visiting Oaxaca, there are a huge number of things to do, making it hard to draw up an itinerary for your travels. As such, today at Civitatis, we’re running through the best things to do when visiting Oaxaca, including activities in Oaxaca city, as well as some day trips that are absolutely worth checking out. Let’s get into it!

1. Enjoy a Walking Tour of Oaxaca

When you arrive in Oaxaca City, the best thing to do is get right out into the thick of it, exploring the city’s main landmarks and tasting some of the local cuisine! We’d recommend heading straight to the historic center, starting at the main square, the Zócalo. Officially the Plaza de la Constitución, here, you’ll see the beautiful Oaxaca Cathedral, the Government Palace, and lovely Colonial Arcades. 

Nearby, check out the fantastic Benito Juárez House Museum, which is dedicated to the celebrated former president of Mexico, who was born in Oaxaca. Juárez led a fascinating life, born to poor, indigenous parents, he worked as a servant in the city of Oaxaca before climbing the political ranks.

Another must is the Mercado 20 de Noviembre market, the perfect place to delve into the culinary soul of Oaxaca. At this bustling market, you’ll find Oaxacan chocolate, Tlayuda (a large crunchy tortilla with meat like a Mexican pizza), Chiles Rellenos (chile stuffed with meat and cheese). 

The best way to get an initial taste of Oaxaca (figuratively and literally) is to go on a free walking tour of the city, which will bring you to the city’s main landmarks and give you some more information about the city. You might also consider a private tour for a more personalized experience.

2. Visit Art Workshops in Oaxaca

Oaxaca celebrates its rich cultural heritage through an extraordinary diversity of artisanal crafts and art, much of which is rooted in Indigenous traditions passed down for generations. Across the region, you’ll find that different towns specialize in different crafts. from black pottery in San Bartolo Coyotepec to handwoven textiles in Teotitlán del Valle.

This Oaxaca art tour is a great way to get in touch with this side of the region—visit three workshops of local artists, who will give you an insight into their work, and talk about where it fits in the colorful mosaic of Oaxacan art culture.

If you’re interested in art, you might also check out this Rufino Tamayo Museum guided tour. Here, you’ll be treated to a fantastic collection of pre-Hispanic art in Mexico, from various Mesoamerican cultures, all accompanied by an expert tour guide.

3. Discover Hierve el Agua’s Frozen Waterfalls

Next up on our list, we’re moving outside the city to Hierve el Agua, home to a truly unique natural phenomenon: frozen waterfalls. Located in the town of San Isidro de Roaguía, these falls are thought to have formed 2,500 years ago, due to the saturation of calcium carbonate in the water falling from the clifftops above, which deposited as the water flowed over the edge, creating the ‘frozen appearance’.

On this Hierve el Agua + Teotitlán del Valle day trip, you’ll see the falls, take a dip in the water, and also discover Teotilán del Valle, an area famous for its textile production. 

4. Explore Ancient Maya Ruins at Monte Albán

Another activity outside of the city, Monte Albán is another must, home to some of the most important Zapotec archaeological sites in existence, just 6 miles (9 km) from Oaxaca City. Once the political and cultural center of the Zapotec civilization for over a thousand years, Monte Albán was founded around 500 BC and became one of the earliest major cities in Mesoamerica.

On this Monte Albán day trip, you’ll see the ruins of various pyramids, temples, and altars on the mountain, whose significance has been deemed worthy of the UNESCO World Heritage site status. You can also visit as part of this Monte Albán sunset tour, which will allow you to discover the fascinating Zapotec civilization under the warm hues of the setting sun.

5. Escape into Nature at Sierra Juárez

For a lovely breath of fresh air, make your way to the Sierra Juárez—a mountain range named after the aforementioned Benito Juárez. This mountain range is quite a bit off the beaten track, a place where you’ll find a wealth of biodiversity, traditional indigenous villages, and fantastic landscape views.

On this Sierra Juárez day trip, you’ll encounter an enchanted lagoon, incredible viewpoints, a traditional medicine center, and much more… Check it out!

6. Learn to Cook Like a Local at a Cooking Class

No matter where you are in Mexico, you’re sure to be treated to some fantastic food, and this is perhaps even more true in Oaxaca. However, why leave these culinary delights in Mexico? Bring them home with you.

You can do just that on this Mexican cooking class in Oaxaca City. As part of this activity, you’ll be treated to a cooking class led by an expert chef, who will bring you to a local market to buy ingredients and teach you to cook two traditional dishes. Learn about Mexican/Oaxacan culinary traditions, local tips and tricks, and even how to put together a perfect margarita to quench your thirst!

7. Fly Over Oaxaca on an Ultralight Flight

Ready to take things up a notch? If you’re looking to experience a rush, this Ultralight flight over Oaxaca is sure to be a once in a life time experience. Sat in a two-seater plane, you’ll be brought above the historic center of Oaxaca, giving you an incredible view of Oaxaca Cathedral and the rest of Oaxaca’s old town. Make your trip to Oaxaca even more memorable with this heart-pounding experience!

8. Go Hiking in the Sierra Norte

Another activity for more ‘active’ travelers, this guided hike in Sierra Norte is a great way to spend a day in Oaxaca. On a 5-mile (3-km) walk to the peak in Santa Catarina Ixtepeji ecotourism park, you’ll pass by the towns of Benito Juárez, La Nevería, Cuajimoloyas, and Latuvi as you explore what is considered to be one of the best cloud forests in the country. 

9. Learn About Day of the Dead on a Night Tour

Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is a tradition celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, in regions all across Mexico, though the connections to Oaxaca are particularly significant. On this day (or days), families erect altars in memory and in celebration of loved ones who have passed on. The celebration is a fusion of traditions dating back thousands of years to the indigenous Toltec and Aztec peoples, with later influences from the Spanish in Mexico.

Different parts of Mexico celebrate this day slightly differently. On this Oaxaca Day of the Dead night tour, you can learn about Oaxaca’s celebrations year-round. However, keep in mind that the traditional altars will only be up around the Day of the Dead itself.

10. Go Horseriding in Tlacolula de Matamoros

Another unique experience, enjoy a relaxed horse ride through the open landscapes of Tlacolula de Mamaoros—an area around 18 miles (30 kilometers) from Oaxaca City. Tlacolula de Matamoros is best known for its weekly open-air market with pre-Hispanic roots (known as a tianguis), one of the oldest and busiest in all of Oaxaca. However, this horse riding activity will bring you out of the town, through extensive agave fields—the plant used in the production of mezcal and tequila. 

11. Feel the Rush in Coyote Canyon

Coyote Canyon is another must-visit near Oaxaca City, known for its unique desert landscapes, which feature stunning red rock formations and rugged hiking trails to explore.

If you’re more of an adventurous type, this Coyote Canyon adventure tour is one of the best ways to discover the area. will bring you to the aforementioned Teotilán del Valle, and then onto San Antonio Cuajimoloyas, a town which sits a stunning 7,220 feet (3,200 meters) above sea level. There, you’ll be able to enjoy the longest zip line in Oaxaca, which goes on for 0.6 miles (1 kilometer), and cross the hanging bridge of Coyote Canyon.

12. Delve into the Caves of San Sebastián de las Grutas

The San Sebastián de las Grutas caves are another hidden natural wonder. These massive underground chambers are filled with ancient stalactites, stalagmites, and narrow tunnels, and are steeped in local legend. The caves have long been considered sacred spaces by nearby communities and are believed to be gateways to the spiritual world.

On this San Sebastián de las Grutas tour, you’ll get to explore the town of San Sebastián de las Grutas, as well as the caves themselves, which stretch nearly 1,400 feet (420 meters). You’ll learn about the geological formation of the cave and also learn a little bit about local beliefs surrounding it!

13. Visit a Mezcal Distillery

No visit to Oaxaca is complete without a visit to a Mezcal distillery. Mezcal is a drink produced by the agave plant, most famously in Oaxaca. The flavor of mezcal is truly unique: sugary, smoky, slightly earthy… it truly is a special drink!

The best way to learn about the tradition of mezcal is on this mezcal tour in Santa Catarina Minas. On this tour, you’ll meet local mezcal producers, visit an artisanal mezcal factory, and, of course, enjoy a tasting!

14. Do a Bike Tour in Santa María del Tule

Next up, we’re turning our attention to Santa María del Tule, a Zapotec village around 7 miles (6.8 kilometers) southeast of Oaxaca City. Some key landmarks in this town include the Municipal Palace and the Parish Church, which dates back to the 17th century.

However, the most famous landmark in this town is the Árbol del Tule, a Montezuma cypress tree with a trunk 46 feet (14 meters) wide, thought to be around 2,000 years old.

The best way to check out this town (and the tree) is on this Santa María del Tule bike tour!

15. Wander the Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Garden

The final entry on our list, the Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Garden (Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca), is a fantastic botanical garden in Oaxaca City, which tells the story of plant life in the region with its beautiful flora, and the role played by these plants among different ethnic groups—hence ‘ethnobotanical’.

There you have it for our list of what to do in Oaxaca. Whether you’re looking to get a cursory look at the region with a free tour or a true adventure with an ultralight flight, there is plenty to choose from. If you’re still looking for ways to spend your time there, be sure to check out more tours & experiences in Oaxaca with Civitatis!