The Valley villages

Oaxaca, Mexico

The Zapotec villages of the surrounding valleys — Teotitlán (weaving), San Bartolo (black pottery), the mezcal palenques of Santiago Matatlán. The living…

Explore Oaxaca

Oaxaca — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Oaxaca — TL;DR

Oaxaca is, for many, the beating heart of Mexico: a colonial city of jacaranda-shaded streets and honey-stone churches, cradled in a valley of Zapotec and Mixtec heritage, and the country's undisputed capital of food and craft.

Oaxaca at a glance

What are the best things to do in Oaxaca? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Oaxaca trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Oaxaca? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Oaxaca — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Oaxaca? October to March (the dry season) for pleasant weather and outdoor dining.
Where should I stay in Oaxaca for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Oaxaca? The compact historic centre is entirely walkable.

Oaxaca overview

October to March (the dry season) for pleasant weather and outdoor dining. Late October/early November brings the extraordinary Día de los Muertos; July features the Guelaguetza indigenous festival. The rainy season (June–September) is green with afternoon showers.
The compact historic centre is entirely walkable. Taxis and Didi cover the wider city; colectivos and tours reach the valley villages, ruins and mezcal palenques. A car or tour helps for the further sights like Hierve el Agua.
Mexican Peso (MX$)
Spanish. Indigenous languages are widely spoken in the valleys.
CST (UTC-6)
A globally celebrated dining scene (Casa Oaxaca and others on the Latin America's 50 Best radar) alongside legendary markets and street food; a mezcal renaissance with dozens of serious mezcalerías; a booming craft-cocktail and natural-wine scene; and design-led hotels in restored colonial buildings.

Where to eat, drink & do in Oaxaca

Oaxaca neighborhoods

Centro Histórico The UNESCO-listed colonial core around the Zócalo and Santo Domingo church, of pedestrian streets, markets, restaurants and mezcalerías. The city's magnificent heart.
Jalatlaco A charming, colourful barrio of cobbled streets, murals, cafés and small restaurants, quieter than the centre. The city's most photogenic, arty neighbourhood.
Xochimilco A tranquil old neighbourhood of aqueduct arches, artisan workshops and a village feel, just above the centre. A peaceful, local pocket.
The Valley villages The Zapotec villages of the surrounding valleys — Teotitlán (weaving), San Bartolo (black pottery), the mezcal palenques of Santiago Matatlán. The living craft heart of Oaxaca.

Practical info for Oaxaca

Getting around in Oaxaca? The compact historic centre is entirely walkable. Taxis and Didi cover the wider city; colectivos and tours reach the valley villages, ruins and mezcal palenques. A car or tour helps for the further sights like Hierve el Agua.
When to go in Oaxaca? October to March (the dry season) for pleasant weather and outdoor dining. Late October/early November brings the extraordinary Día de los Muertos; July features the Guelaguetza indigenous festival.
What's changing now in Oaxaca? A globally celebrated dining scene (Casa Oaxaca and others on the Latin America's 50 Best radar) alongside legendary markets and street food; a mezcal renaissance with dozens of serious mezcalerías; a booming craft-cocktail and natural-wine
Seek out Mezcal palenque tour (Santiago Matatlán) in Oaxaca? Visiting the traditional palenques where mezcal is made — agave roasted in earth pits, crushed by a stone tahona, distilled in copper — with the maestros mezcaleros. The soul of Oaxaca in a glass.
Base yourself in Centro Histórico in Oaxaca? The UNESCO-listed colonial core around the Zócalo and Santo Domingo church, of pedestrian streets, markets, restaurants and mezcalerías. The city's magnificent heart. Known for colonial architecture, markets, dining.

Frequently asked questions about Oaxaca

What are the best things to do in Oaxaca? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Oaxaca trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Oaxaca tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Oaxaca? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Oaxaca — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Oaxaca? October to March (the dry season) for pleasant weather and outdoor dining. Late October/early November brings the extraordinary Día de los Muertos; July features the Guelaguetza indigenous festival. The rainy season (June–September) is green with afternoon showers.
Where should I stay in Oaxaca for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Oaxaca? The compact historic centre is entirely walkable. Taxis and Didi cover the wider city; colectivos and tours reach the valley villages, ruins and mezcal palenques. A car or tour helps for the further sights like Hierve el Agua.

Practical notes for Oaxaca

Best time to visit: October to March (the dry season) for pleasant weather and outdoor dining. Late October/early November brings the extraordinary Día de los Muertos; July features the Guelaguetza indigenous festival. The rainy season (June–September) is green with afternoon showers.
Getting around: The compact historic centre is entirely walkable. Taxis and Didi cover the wider city; colectivos and tours reach the valley villages, ruins and mezcal palenques. A car or tour helps for the further sights like Hierve el Agua.
Currency: Mexican Peso (MX$)
Language: Spanish. Indigenous languages are widely spoken in the valleys.
Timezone: CST (UTC-6)
Current trends: A globally celebrated dining scene (Casa Oaxaca and others on the Latin America's 50 Best radar) alongside legendary markets and street food; a mezcal renaissance with dozens of serious mezcalerías; a booming craft-cocktail and natural-wine scene; and design-led hotels in restored colonial buildings.

Other neighborhoods in Oaxaca

Centro Histórico — The UNESCO-listed colonial core around the Zócalo and Santo Domingo church, of pedestrian streets, markets, restaurants and mezcalerías. The city's magnificent heart.
Jalatlaco — A charming, colourful barrio of cobbled streets, murals, cafés and small restaurants, quieter than the centre. The city's most photogenic, arty neighbourhood.
Xochimilco — A tranquil old neighbourhood of aqueduct arches, artisan workshops and a village feel, just above the centre. A peaceful, local pocket.

Read the full Oaxaca guide