Oaxaca

The best time to visit Oaxaca is from October to April, during the dry season. October is especially festive with Día de los Muertos, while July features the iconic Guelaguetza cultural festival. The weather is ideal for walking tours, markets, and nearby ruins.

Highlights include the historic city center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Santo Domingo Church, and the bustling markets like Benito Juárez and 20 de Noviembre. Nearby, visit the Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán, the petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua, and artisanal villages like Teotitlán del Valle.

Three to five days is perfect for exploring the city, tasting its rich cuisine, and taking day trips to surrounding villages, ruins, and natural wonders. Stay longer if you want to dive deep into the region’s crafts and traditions.

Yes, Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most welcoming and traveler-friendly cities. The historic center and tourist routes are generally safe. Take normal precautions with valuables, especially in crowded markets or on public transport.

Oaxaca is known for its Indigenous culture, colonial architecture, vibrant festivals, diverse cuisine (especially mole and tlayudas), and traditional crafts like textiles, black pottery, and alebrijes. It’s also a major hub for mezcal production.

Expect immersive cultural travel, cooking classes, artisan visits, traditional festivals, and market strolls. You can hike in the mountains, soak in hot springs, or explore ancient ruins. Oaxaca is authentic, flavorful, and full of living tradition.

Pack breathable clothes for warm days, layers for cool evenings, comfortable shoes for walking, and sun protection. If you’re visiting rural areas or markets, bring cash and a reusable bag for souvenirs. A light jacket is useful year-round.

Oaxaca is a food lover’s paradise. Try mole (there are seven types!), tlayudas, memelas, tamales oaxaqueños, quesillo (Oaxacan cheese), chapulines (toasted grasshoppers), and rich drinking chocolate. Wash it all down with a glass of mezcal.

Yes, Oaxaca’s cultural calendar is packed. Día de los Muertos and the Guelaguetza are major events, deeply rooted in Indigenous and colonial traditions. Respect for artisanship, family, and community runs deep here—buying local is always appreciated.

Oaxaca offers an unparalleled blend of Indigenous culture, colonial history, culinary richness, and artistic expression. It feels both timeless and alive, more grounded in tradition and craft than most cities in Mexico, yet incredibly welcoming to travelers.