The Perfect Oaxaca City Itinerary: 3-10 Days

Searching for the perfect Oaxaca itinerary? Look no further!

I was lucky enough to spend over a month in Oaxaca while I was living in Mexico. I instantly fell in love with the city’s colorful buildings, frequent cheerful parades, delicious food, and the breathtaking Oaxacan countryside.

I am overjoyed to share the magic of Oaxaca with you in this carefully curated Oaxaca City itinerary. It includes all the best things to do in Oaxaca de Juárez, such as a mole tastings and cooking classes, wandering through artsy historical neighborhoods, an unmissable walking tour, and more.

It also includes my favorite day trips, including visits to a mezcal distillery, hiking to hidden waterfalls that few Oaxaca tourists ever see, bathing in a natural infinity pool at Hierve El Agua, and visits Oaxaca’s stunning Zapotec ruins.

Whether you have one day in Oaxaca, or are spending several weeks in this gorgeous colonial city, this Oaxaca itinerary can be adapted for your trip, based on your unique interests.

Oaxaca de Juárez Itinerary

Oaxaca Itinerary Overview:

I created this Oaxaca itinerary for a one week vacation, but I also adapted it for shorter and longer trips. Read the one week itinerary and see my adapted itinerary below!

Day 1-2: Get to know Oaxaca de Juárez on a walking tour, taste all seven flavors of mole, swim in a natural infinity pool beside petrified waterfalls, visit ancient Zapotec ruins and/or taste local mezcals in the Oaxacan countryside

Days 3-4: Roam through Oaxaca’s colorful Jalatlaco neighborhood, taste pulque, people watch at Oaxaca’s main square, and swim beneath waterfalls on my favorite Oaxaca day trip

Days 5-7: Join a traditional Oaxacan cooking class, visit the iconic Monte Alban archeological site, and wander through a botanical garden hidden in Oaxaca’s Centro Historico neighborhood

Oaxaca 1 Week Itinerary

Day 1: Oaxaca’s Centro Historico and the Seven Flavors of Mole

Start off your first day in Oaxaca by walking around the historical center (Centro Historico) on a free walking tour. You’ll learn about the city’s history and unique culture from an engaging local guide, and they’ll show you plenty of hidden gems along the way.

The free walking tour is the perfect introduction to Oaxaca and will help you figure out which parts of the city you want to explore more on your own.

I’ve been on free walking tours all around the world—sometimes they’re hit or miss, but the Oaxaca free walking tour was excellent!

The English-speaking tours start at Teatro Macedonio Alcala at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 4pm, and 5pm Monday through Saturday, and at 10am and 4pm on Sunday. Check the official tour website here for more info. Expect the tour to last 2-3 hours and be prepared with some pesos so you can tip your guide at the end (it will be worth it!)

Spend the rest of your day exploring the colorful streets of Oaxaca’s historical center. You can check out local artisan shops, snap tons of photos, wander through art galleries, and taste plenty of street food, but make sure you leave room for seven moles!

First three moles during a tasting of Oaxaca’s seven moles at Hierba Dulce

For dinner, try Oaxaca’s famous seven flavors of mole! Mole (pronounced ‘moe-lay’) comes from the indigenous Nahuatl word for sauce. Mole is typically thought of as a savory-sweet sauce made with chocolate and chiles, but there are a diversity of different moles in Mexico.

Most of Oaxaca’s delicious moles are made with dozens of ingredients, and take hours—if not days—to prepare.

There are several places where you can try Oaxaca’s seven moles in the city. I tasted the seven moles at Hierba Dulce, a restaurant that focuses on traditional food from Oaxaca’s many indigenous villages.

Hierba Dulce’s menu is fully plant-based, and very traditional—the tour guide on my free walking tour told me it is the place he goes to get food that reminds him the food his mother made in the village where he grew up.

So, if you’re up for a culinary adventure, head straight to Hierba Dulce on your first night in Oaxaca. Enjoy your mole tasting in their gorgeous courtyard, and maybe order a mezcal margarita and a few other things on their menu!

Day 2: Day Trip to Hierve el Agua, Mezcal Distilleries, and More

The main goal of day two is to experience Hierve el Agua (‘Boil the Water’ in English), a breathtaking site an hour and a half from Oaxaca City.

With panoramic views of lush farmland, Hierve el Agua is home to petrified waterfalls (yep, you read that right!) and natural infinity pools. You can enjoy a short hike to some of the ancient waterfalls, and soak in the mineral rich pools.

If you only end up taking one day trip from Oaxaca, this is the day trip I’d recommend as Hierve el Agua is probably one of the most unique places you’ll ever see!

The best way to experience Hierve el Agua is on a guided tour, and most Hierve el Agua tours from Oaxaca City include several other stops. Some common stops include a mezcal distillery, an artisan workshop, the ruins of Mitla, the bustling Mercado Tlacolula, and the charming town of Teotitlan del Valle.

I recommend comparing Hierve el Agua tours and booking one that has the stops that interest you most.

Since mezcal, a smoky-flavored spirit made from local agaves, is from this part of Oaxaca, many folks choose a Hierve el Agua tour that includes a visit to a mezcal distillery with a tasting. Booking a tour rather than driving yourself makes sense so you can enjoy mezcal without worrying about driving.

I also really enjoyed visiting Mitla, a lesser known Zapotec archeological site not too far from Hierve el Agua. It is a small site, but we almost had the place to ourselves and the ruins were absolutely breathtaking (see a photo below!)

The unique ruins of Mitla

If you’re planning this day trip on a Sunday, consider a tour that includes a stop at Mercado Tlacolula, a vibrant market on the way to Hierve el Agua that serves some local specialities on Sundays only. (Since I’m vegan and can’t eat most of the food at the market, I skipped this but I’ve heard from other travelers that this market was a huge highlight of their Oaxaca travels.)

Finally, another notable stop on the way to Hierve el Agua is the artisan textile workshops of Teotitlan del Valle. Here you’ll learn from local families about traditional dying and weaving, and have the chance to buy some of their products. Teotitlan del Valle is also a cool place to see — I loved the village’s unique 17th church, which is built in a similar style to the church in Jalatlaco, Oaxaca.

Highly-rated guided tours to Hierve el Agua and some of the other stops I mentioned above:

★ Private Tour to Hierve el Agua with Mezcal Tasting & Artisan Textile Workshop
★ Custom Private Tour to Hierve el Agua, Mitla, Mitla caves, Mercado Tlacolula, and more (PACKED day trip, a great option if you only have a few days in Oaxaca)
★ Group Tour With Only Two Stops: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery
★ Group Tour to Hierve el Agua, Mitla, Mezcal Distillery, and El Tule (budget-friendly)
★ Small Group Tour to Hierve el Agua, Teotitlan del Valle, El Tule, and Yagul

Colorful Jalatlaco, a must-visit neighborhood of Oaxaca

Day 3: Brunch in Jalatlaco, Oaxaca’s Zócalo, and Rooftop Pulque

Spend day three of this one week Oaxaca itinerary experiencing more of the city.

Start off the day with a delicious breakfast or brunch in Jalatlaco, a historical neighborhood that many tourists miss. This colorful part of Oaxaca is known for its murals, cute cafes, small art galleries, and the stunning Templo de San Matías church.

I outline several places to eat in the neighborhood in my full guide to Jalatlaco, but my favorite spot is Santa Hierba. The cafe’s boho luxe rooftop reminds me a bit of coffeeshops in Tulum, and their main floor seating area also has a lovely atmosphere, with plenty of color and Oaxaca charm.

But the best part of dining at Santa Hierba is absolutely the food. Their menu includes delicious options for everyone (vegan, gluten-free, and regular food). I can only speak to their vegan menu, which includes hamburgesa doble queso, an indulgent lentil-based burger with melty vegan cheese and a creamy BBQ sauce served with crispy potatoes. My husband and I ordered this meal several times during our month in Oaxaca and never got tired of it!

Santa Hierba also has amazing desserts, and drinks, too! You can order anything from a regular latte to fresh pressed juice and local kombucha! Whether you’re vegan or not, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this brunch spot.

Related: 27 Oaxaca Vegan Restaurants and Vegan-Friendly Spots

My favorite food at Santa Hierba in Jalatlaco, Oaxaca

After a satisfying meal, make sure you dedicate a little bit of time to explore the neighborhood (if you haven’t already). It is a lovely area to take some photos and shop for locally made gifts and art. There is also a fully vegan cat cafe garden on the edge of the neighborhood, called La Selva De Los Gatos. This garden cafe is a great place to escape the heat for a little bit and pet some sweet rescued cats. Plus, the cafe’s drinks and food are much better than you’d expect!

Once you’ve seen all you need to see in Jalatlaco, perhaps head back to your hotel to refresh, or go straight into Centro Historico for some people watching at the Zócalo.

The Zócalo is Oaxaca’s main square and it is teeming with activity at nearly all hours of the day. Surprisingly, I was in Oaxaca for a few weeks before I ever spent time in the Zocalo, partly because there is already so much to do elsewhere in the city! Make sure you don’t miss the Zocalo, though, it is a great place for people watching, and one of the best places to find local street vendors.

If you’re looking for another area to explore in Centro Historico, check out Calle Macedonio Alcalá, a wide pedestrian street, the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, and the streets nearby. Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is another gorgeous church with a stunning view of the hillside villages around the city.

Grab dinner wherever you please — street food will do! After you’ve eaten, head to La Mezcalerita, a rustic rooftop bar serving both mezcal and pulque.

If you’ve read some of my other travel guides, like my article on the Hidden Gems of Mexico City, or my San Cristóbal de las Casas itinerary, you know that pulque is a one-of-a-kind alcoholic beverage that once was the drink of Mexico before Coca-Cola took over.

Pulque is made by fermenting sap from the Maguey plant and is sort of like a thicker form of kombucha with a higher alcohol content. This interesting pre-hispanic drink can be difficult to find nowadays, so if you have the chance to try it in Mexico, definitely do it! Just be warned—you’ll probably love or hate it.

La Mezcalerita in Oaxaca City has some of the best pulque I’ve tried in Mexico. I really enjoyed trying their different flavors as they mix the pulque with various types of fresh fruit juice, which makes the flavor of the pulque a little less intense.

Even if you’re not interested in trying pulque, I still recommend spending an evening at La Mezcalerita since they have plenty of other drinks to choose from—cocktails, beer, mezcal, and more—and its a more affordable bar with a local feel.

Day 4: Day Trip to Hidden Waterfalls or the Sierra Norte Mountains

Immerse in Oaxaca’s gorgeous nature on day four of this Oaxaca itinerary!

Choose between hiking to secluded waterfalls (and swimming!) in a small village just over two hours away from Oaxaca City, hiking through the pine and oak forests of the Sierra Norte mountains.

Whichever day trip you choose, you’ll be in for a treat, and you’ll get to experience a side of Oaxaca that few visitors ever see.

Although Santiago Apoala is only a few hours from Oaxaca City, it is still a bit of a hidden gem that rarely sees non-Mexican tourists. I wrote a full guide to Santiago Apaola if you’re interested in this humble village and the turquoise blue swimming holes, striking valleys, and waterfalls that surround it.

You can visit Santiago Apoala with your own rental car, but I do recommend going on this guided day trip as you’re required to bring a local guide on most hikes, anyhow.

This Sierra Norte hiking day trip is another lovely way to spend the day. You’ll explore Oaxaca’s vibrant landscapes and forests from over 10,000 feet (3200 meters) above sea level.

Your guide will identify flora, fauna, and mushrooms along the way, and you’ll get to enjoy local food in some nearby villages.

Keep in mind that you need to be comfortable hiking several miles to enjoy either of these hiking day trips. You will also want to account for the elevation if you visit Sierra Norte. But if you’re up for the adventure, this day in Oaxaca might end up being your favorite!

Day 5: Oaxacan Cooking Class & Shopping for (Real) Artisan-Made Goods

Many people visit the city of Oaxaca just for the food, and for good reason!

Oaxaca undoubtedly has the best food I’ve had in all of Mexico, yep, better than the food in Mexico City.

What better way to experience the rich cuisine of Oaxaca than to take cooking class?

There are a lot of cooking classes to choose from, if you search for Oaxaca cooking classes on Viator (where I typically book tours, day trips, and classes while traveling), over 40 classes come up!

I’m sure there are tons of excellent classes, but the one I recommend is this traditional cooking class with Minerva Lopez, an award-winning local chef who specializes in the traditional pre-hispanic cuisine of Oaxaca.

This class has received Viator’s badge of excellence and 90+ 5 star reviews from participants. Her classes are intimate and include a visit to a local market where you’ll buy organic ingredients before taking them back to the kitchen to prepare an unforgettable meal.

Minerva’s classes are adaptable, so wether you’re a meat eater or vegan like me, you can book with her. Her sample menu includes a traditional chocolate drink, homemade tortillas, black mole or yellow mole, and a traditional dessert.

This highly-rated cooking class often sells out, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance!

After your morning cooking class, head back out into the colorful streets of Oaxaca with a full belly!

As your trip is soon coming to and end, this is a great time to do some shopping! Whether you’re looking for some locally made decor for your home, or souvenirs for friends and family, you’ll find a diversity of shops in Oaxaca City.

I recommend not buying something at the first place you go. Visit a handful of shops in different parts of town before deciding what to buy. And keep in mind that sadly most of the items sold on the streets (and in many stores) are not locally made, they’re shipped in from Taiwan and China.

It can be difficult to tell which items are actually made by local artisans, but after visiting a few stores, if you see the same, cheaply made items, you’ll get an idea.

Some shops I enjoyed included: Kun near Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the shop outside of La Selva De Los Gatos, and Once In Oaxaca in Jalatlaco.

If you’re visiting Oaxaca during a holiday, like Semana Santa (Holy Week) or Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), there will be lots of outdoor markets, too!

Day 6: Monte Albán Archaeological Site and Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca

On day six visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Monte Albán. This striking ancient city was inhabited by several people groups—the Olmecs, Zapotecs, and Mixtecs.

Just thirty minutes outside of the city, the Monte Alban archaeological site is one day trip you can’t miss in Oaxaca! I recommend this half day Monte Alban tour which includes roundtrip transport in an air conditioned vehicle and a local guide who will tell you all about the site’s long history.

Alternatively, you can drive or take a taxi to Monte Alban but you’ll miss the historical insights from a tour guide. If you do choose to go there without a tour, be sure to get an early start and arrive at opening time (8am) to avoid the crowds and heat.

In the afternoon or early evening back in Oaxaca, catch the English tour of Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca, a gorgeous botanical garden in the center of town.

I recommend stopping by the garden earlier in the week to check their tour times as you can only view the garden on a tour, and they only happen a few times a day! If your Monte Alban and garden tour times conflict, swap the garden for your last day in Oaxaca.

Day 7: Bike Ride to El Tule and Wandering the City

On your last day in beautiful Oaxaca de Juarez, I invite to bike to the widest tree in the world — it is right on the edge of Oaxaca in a charming little town.

This record-breaking tree is called El Tule and it is a Montezuma cypress tree that is over 2000 years old.

There is a trusty bike route you can follow on AllTrails from the center of Oaxaca City to the tree. The route is fairly flat, with just over 450 elevation gain over 13 miles (roundtrip). You can easily rent a bike in Oaxaca City and the local bike shops will be able to advise on the bike route since its the most popular place to take a bike in Oaxaca!

If you don’t want to bike this trail alone, you can join a group bike tour like this one, which also includes some additional stops. Alternatively, you can drive to El Tule or take a taxi as well.

No matter how you get there, make sure to take some time to wander through Santa María El Tule, the cute little town where the ancient tree is located. The tree is right by a local market and a church, and my husband and I found a nearby vegan restaurant that we loved.

Your El Tule adventure will take up at least half the day if you explore via bicycle. But when you make it back to Oaxaca City, its time to soak up the last bit of daylight in this magical city before heading home.

Wander down Calle Macedonio Alcalá one more time, eat some more mole, sip a mezcal margarita, and/or visit all your favorite spots.

If you’re looking for a bar to visit on your last night in Oaxaca City, I recommend checking out El Espacio, a tiny bar behind Santo Domingo Church that specializes in mezcal and unique cocktails. The prices are a little higher here compared to more local spots, but the drinks are excellent and the owner is lovely. My tip is to ask the bartender to surprise you with a drink!

How to spend 3 days in Oaxaca City

If you only have three days in Oaxaca City, you’re still in for a treat!

Spend your first day exploring Oaxaca City’s historical center and Jalatlaco neighborhood. Joining the free walking tour is a lovely way to get acquainted with the city, but if you choose not to, here are some spots I recommend visiting:

★ Calle Macedonio Alcalá, a pedestrian-only street always filled with activity
★ The Zócalo, Oaxaca’s bustling main square
★ Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, a striking baroque church, and the nearby Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca (botanical garden)
★ Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, another church with a view of the surrounding hills
★ Templo de San Matías, a unique church in Jalatlaco
★ La Mezcalerita, where you can try pulque and mezcal

On day two, I highly recommend booking this activity-filled day trip which hits almost all the main sites around Oaxaca, like Hierve el Agua and Monte Alban. You’ll also see the Mitla ruins and Mitla caves, artisan workshops at several small villages like San Bartolo Coyotepec and Santo Tomás Jalieza, and more. It is a private tour with your own private driver/guide and a vehicle with AC. It is the perfect way to see a lot of Oaxaca in one day, but keep in mind that it will be a packed, rushed day!

For your last day in Oaxaca City, start off with this incredible cooking class and then spend your afternoon soaking in the magic of Oaxaca City. If you’re up for more adventures, you could take a taxi to El Tule to see the world’s widest tree! Whatever you do, make sure you don’t miss tasting the seven flavors of mole at Hierba Dulce or another Oaxaca restaurant.

Note: My favorite day trip from Oaxaca City was definitely Santiago Apoala, where you can hike and swim beneath waterfalls. I don’t think this day trip is for everyone and it is a bit of a drive, but if you love nature, swimming, and hiking like me, you might want to swap this Santiago Apoala day trip for day three, or maybe day one of your 3 day Oaxaca itinerary.

How to spend 5 days in Oaxaca City

With five days in Oaxaca, I recommend following my three day Oaxaca itinerary (above) for the first three days, with one exception. You may want to swap the activity-filled day trip for another Hierve el Agua tour that isn’t as busy.

On day four, take another day trip, depending on your interests and which day trip you chose for day two. If you aren’t seeing Monte Alban on the activity-filled day trip, this is your chance to go on a half day tour to this incredible ancient site. However, my suggestion is to take a day trip to Santiago Apoala, if you enjoy hiking and swimming!

On your last day in Oaxaca City, follow my day 7 itinerary from the main itinerary above, which includes a fun bike ride (or drive) to El Tule, the world’s widest tree!

10 day Oaxaca Itinerary

If you’re blessed with ten whole days in Oaxaca City, follow my 7 day itinerary above.

Then on day 8, take another hiking day trip, whichever one you missed on day four. That means you’ll head to the gorgeous Sierra Norte mountains or the waterfalls of Santiago Apoala.

On day 9, its time for some relaxation. Enjoy your hotel’s pool, or prebook a massage with one of Oaxaca’s amazing masseuses. When we were living in Oaxaca, my husband and I got couples massages twice, both times at this spa.

By day 10 in Oaxaca, you’ll have a sense of which places you want to visit again before you go—a market you always walked past, a church you never went inside, an art gallery that caught your eye. I’ll leave this last day to you since the first eight were so packed with activity!

Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca Itinerary

See more of Oaxaca state by adding the vibrant surf town of Puerto Escondido to your Oaxaca itinerary! The combination of culture and nature adventures in and around Oaxaca City with the peace of the ocean makes the perfect vacation.

Some of my favorite things to do in Puerto Escondido include dolphin watching, relaxing at Playa Carrizalillo (my favorite beach in Mexico), and walking down the miles-long Zicatela beach. You can reach Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca on the brand new highway between the two, or on a short flight.

Check out my Puerto Escondido Itinerary to plan your Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido vacation.

Mexico City and Oaxaca Itinerary

Mexico City is another great addition to a Mexico vacation. In fact, with so many direct flights to Mexico City, you may end up with a layover in Mexico City on your way to Oaxaca.

You can extend that CDMX layover for a few days—or more—and explore Mexico’s capital city. Some of the best spots in Mexico City include the tree-lined streets of Roma Norte, the floating gardens of Xochilmilco, the Anthropology Museum and Castle at Chapultepec Park, the charming colorful neighborhood of Coyoacan (where Frida Kahlo lived!), and Mexico City’s many rooftop bars.

Read my four day Mexico City itinerary to plan the perfect Mexico City and Oaxaca trip!

Related: What to Wear in Mexico City

Chiapas and Oaxaca Itinerary

One more Mexico destination to consider when visiting Oaxaca: San Cristobal de las Casas in the neighboring state of Chiapas.

Since Chiapas and the state of Oaxaca border each other, most people think that it is easy to visit both Oaxaca City and San Cristobal de las Casas in one trip. The truth is, the drive between the two cities takes over nine hours.

With that in mind, the best way to travel between Oaxaca and San Cristobal de las Casas is by flight (to the Tuxtla airport near San Cris). However, keep in mind that you’ll have a layover in Mexico City as there aren’t direct flights.

San Cristobal de las Casas is similar to Oaxaca City in some ways—both are colonial cities with colorful streets, both are clearly influenced by a strong indigenous culture, and both are surrounded by beautiful hills and countryside.

But these two cities also have many differences, for instance, it is important to know that it gets quite cold in San Cristobal due to the elevation, and sadly, poverty is even more pressing in the state of Chiapas.

To plan a trip to both Chiapas and Oaxaca, be sure to reference my San Cristobal de las Casa itinerary and my guide to the breathtaking Sumidero Canyon.

Oaxaca Itinerary FAQs

How much time do you need in Oaxaca City?

I recommend spending at least five days in Oaxaca City to fully experience the city’s rich culture and delicious food, with time to visit nearby ancient ruins and nature areas. However, the ideal amount of time to spend in Oaxaca is a week.

When is the best time of year to visit Oaxaca City?

Oaxaca City is delightful year round, but some of the best times to visit include the end of October for Day of the Dead, and the wintertime, when the heat is less intense. Another good time to visit Oaxaca is mid-July during Guelaguetza, an enchanting folk festival that brings communities from around Oaxaca state for celebrations

Some travel writers will advise you against visiting during Semana Santa (Holy Week). This is understandable as it can be difficult to get around when many of the streets are closed off unexpectedly for parades, but I was in Oaxaca City for Holy Week last year and thought it was a great time to experience another side of Oaxacan culture and art.