Last Updated on twenty sixth April 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
With homes painted in a rainbow hue of colors, the sound of Latin music filling the air and the scent of Oaxacan meals assembly your nostril at each step, it’s straightforward to fall in love with the town of Oaxaca. Here’s the way to spend the proper 3 days in Oaxaca itinerary, in addition to what to know earlier than you go.
The metropolis has an immensely livable environment that welcomes travellers as quickly as they step in. With enchanting cobblestone streets and towering mountains on both facet, it’s a photographer’s dream – no shock that the town has been an artist’s haven for many years!
Oaxaca’s additionally well-known for its meals. When you’re right here, attempt tlayudas with queso oaxaca or tamales, that are balls of dough with varied fillings.
While Oaxaca will pull you in, there’s additionally a wide range of half-day and full-day journeys within the native space. This weblog put up particulars a full Oaxaca metropolis itinerary, detailing the way to put the entire points of interest collectively to make sure that you don’t miss something!
Day one: discover Oaxaca metropolis
On your first day in Oaxaca, I’d advocate doing a strolling tour across the metropolis centre. There are a number of corporations providing excursions; right here’s a hyperlink to one among them.
This tour will take you across the historic centre, detailing necessary facets of Oaxaca’s tradition, meals and historical past. You’ll study in regards to the fascinating Santo Domingo church which sits within the coronary heart of city and dates again to 1724 – and even have the prospect to have a look inside – and get a full training into Oaxaca’s greatest supply of delight, mezcal!
Once your tour has completed, head to Mercado 20 de Noviembre for lunch – this is likely one of the greatest markets within the metropolis for consuming, with a big meals corridor.
You’ll discover conventional gadgets like tamales or tlayudas right here – or, go for one thing extra nationally Mexican corresponding to tacos or quesadillas. Whatever you’ve gotten, ensure you attempt the stringy quesillo cheese – initially from Oaxaca, it’s a delight!
Once you’re suitably well-fed, take a stroll to the Guelaguetza stadium for a ravishing view over the town. You can see the entire city space and its surrounding mountains from a spectacular vantage level right here!
Back within the metropolis, spend a while exploring the streets at your personal tempo, maybe heading to the Zocalo to people-watch and seize a drink. Or, you’ll discover a wide range of museums and artwork galleries on the town, together with Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Oaxaca and Museo Textil de Oaxaca.
For dinner, head to La Popular. This native restaurant could be busy throughout peak instances – because the title suggests, it’s very widespread – however it has a menu with loads of conventional Oaxacan fare, plus all of the mezcal and Corona beers you’ll want!
Day two: Monte Alban and Oaxaca’s markets
Monte Alban is likely one of the most spectacular archaeological websites in Oaxaca, and it sits simply above the town!
You can both attain it by doing a non-public tour like this one which incorporates transport from Oaxaca and a information who will element its historical past, or by taking a bus from the town centre.
Dating again to the sixth century B.C., these ruins had been a part of an historical metropolis inhabited by Zapotec folks, who had been native to this a part of Mexico. Nowadays, the advanced extends over 4 miles and encompasses pyramid temples, terraces and canals.
Once you’re again on the town, take a stroll to Parque el Llano. This inexperienced lung of the town is dotted with avenue meals vans; I used to work in a co-working house within the park and had a favorite taco stand, however there are lots to select from!
Spend your afternoon searching Oaxaca’s glorious markets. Mercado Benito Juárez is likely one of the largest within the metropolis and sells a wide selection of handicrafts and textiles together with meals and different merchandise, or go to the appropriately named Mercado de Artesanías for those who’re trying solely for artisanal merchandise; it’s the perfect spot to get a memento.
For dinner, head to Boulenc Bakery. This isn’t Mexican meals – however I’m not exaggerating once I say that they serve most likely the very best pizza I’ve ever tried!
A pleasant cafe within the daytime, widespread with distant employees, within the night Boulenc turns right into a hip restaurant and bar, the place you possibly can get pleasure from pizza with a variety of toppings washed down with beer and – in fact – mezcal.
Day three: day journey to Tule, Mitla and Hierve al Agua day journey
On your final day in Oaxaca, a visit to the world’s widest tree and one among its two petrified waterfalls on this planet awaits!You can deal with today journey independently, or by doing a guided tour like this one.
When you are taking a guided tour, your entire transport is included, however it’s doable to see all of those websites in sooner or later on public transport for those who begin early!
If you’re doing the journey independently, begin by taking a collectivo to Tule – they depart Oaxaca on the primary highway out of the town. Tule is a sleepy city on the town’s outskirts, dwelling to allegedly the widest tree on this planet. It’s fairly attention-grabbing, however solely a fast cease!
Then, take one other collectivo to San Pablo Villa de Mitla, and stroll by the city to the ruins. These extraordinarily well-preserved ruins additionally date again to Zapotec days; it’s thought that they had been predominantly a sacred burial web site.
From San Pablo Villa de Mitla, caminonetas (vans) depart to drive as much as the mountains to achieve Hierve al Agua. You’ll discover these in the identical place the place you disembarked the final collectivo.
They depart as soon as they’re full (normally once they have 10 folks), though the driving force will depart early for those who provide to pay greater than the same old charge.
It’s a bumpy drive as much as Hierve Al Agua, taking round 45 minutes, however it’s all value it when you attain the highest!
Formed when dripping water blended with minerals within the rocks and calcified, the frozen waterfalls give the phantasm of a completely nonetheless waterfall hanging off the cliff.
Walk across the space and take some images, after which chill out within the swimming pools on the prime – they’re protected for swimming and are the proper antidote to a sizzling, sweaty journey!
On the best way again, you received’t have to cease in Tule – merely take a camioneta again to Mitla after which change buses to go again to the town.
For your final dinner in Oaxaca, head to the homely Calabacitas Tiernas restaurant, which serves up recent dishes for all dietary necessities. The menu adjustments often, however they’ve in depth veggie and meat menus.
Once you’re well-fed, hit the city! Oaxaca has a wide range of mezcal bars, corresponding to Mezcal Tasting Room by Gül-Roo, cocktail bars together with Selva Oaxaca, and all-night venues corresponding to Txalaparta, a multi-room house with a rooftop bar.
If you’ve gotten yet another day to spend in Oaxaca, or for those who don’t fancy one of many days on this checklist, then take into account doing a cooking class!
You’ll obtain a full training in Oaxacan meals, with a market go to and cooking lesson to make a few of the metropolis’s most well-known merchandise, and naturally, the day will finish with consuming your entire creations.
You can e-book a vegetarian or non-vegetarian class on Get Your Guide.
Where to remain in Oaxaca
There’s one thing for all budgets in Oaxaca – whether or not you’re a finances or luxurious traveller, you’ll discover someplace to relaxation your head on this metropolis!
If you’re searching for a hostel, there’s nowhere higher than Casa Angel. With a variety of dorm rooms of all sizes, this hostel is famend for its ethereal rooftop house, the place they’ve common BBQs and cumbia dancing classes.
A scrumptious breakfast (with beans, spicy salsa and eggs) is served every day, and there’s a packed schedule of occasions, making it the perfect place to fulfill different travellers. Check costs and availability right here.
For a mid-range choice, try Hotel Casa de Sierra Azul which is ready in a conventional Oaxacan home with a beautiful courtyard. Rooms are genuine but well-furnished, and also you’ll be greeted like an previous buddy as quickly as you stroll by the door. Check costs and availability right here.
Quinta Real Oaxaca is an opulent and historic resort housed in a Sixteenth-century convent. It options elegant rooms with vintage furnishings, a ravishing courtyard and a pool. If you’re searching for someplace high-end to remain at when you’re in Oaxaca, there’s nowhere higher! Check costs and availability right here.
Where to go from Oaxaca
If you’re on a wider Mexico journey, listed below are some locations you possibly can go to from Oaxaca!
- Puerto Escondido: This is the most well-liked place to go to after Oaxaca; it’s a laid-back surf city and is reachable by camioneta or ADO bus.
- The Sierra Norte Mountain Range: One of the very best spots for nature within the area, the Sierra Norte is dwelling to a variety of indigenous villages and loads of mountain climbing trails. It’s fairly a tough space to journey with out Spanish; you’ll have to take a number of collectivo taxis and communicate to the guides within the language! Capulapam is likely one of the greatest villages for mountain climbing within the space.
- San Jose Del Pacifico: Sitting excessive within the mountains in Chiapas state, this charming village has lovely structure and plenty of native cultures to study. It’s reachable by ADO bus from Oaxaca.
A last be aware on planning a visit to Oaxaca
There’s one thing for everybody in great Oaxaca. Whether you go to the town for the beautiful mountains, the fascinating cultures or the wealthy meals, you received’t be left disillusioned: in reality, it’s the form of metropolis that completely sucks you in!
These three days in Oaxaca will assist you to scratch the floor, however you’ll little doubt be dreaming of days spent traversing the cobblestone streets or attempting genuine market meals for years to return. Want extra Mexico inspiration? Here’s the way to spend 2 weeks in Mexico.
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Claire Martin is a journey blogger and freelance author who specialises in overland adventures. She’s drove round Australia, travelled from Bali to London with out flying, lived in Mexico and has spent many months exploring Europe. You can comply with her adventures on her weblog, Claire’s Footsteps.