Oaxaca City Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Oaxaca City tours and things to do in Mexico’s cultural and culinary capital: explore the Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban, marvel at the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua, taste smoky mezcal at agave distilleries, take a mole cooking class, and shop for rugs and alebrijes in the craft villages. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect Oaxaca trip.
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Explore Oaxaca City by interest
Whatever brings you to Oaxaca City — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Monte Alban
Zapotec ruins.
ExploreHierve el Agua
Petrified falls.
ExploreMezcal tastings
Agave distilleries.
ExploreCooking & food
Mole & markets.
ExploreCraft villages
Rugs & alebrijes.
ExploreDay of the Dead
Dia de Muertos.
ExploreCity & culture
Colonial old town.
ExplorePhoto tours
Colourful streets.
ExploreTop attractions in Oaxaca City
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Monte Alban
Zapotec ruins.
Hierve el Agua
Petrified falls.
Mezcal Palenques
Agave distilleries.
Mole & Markets
Culinary capital.
Teotitlan Rugs
Woven crafts.
Santo Domingo
Colonial heart.
Day of the Dead
Dia de Muertos.
Street Food
Tlayudas & more.
Oaxaca in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Monte Alban & city
- 2Day 2: Hierve el Agua
- 3Day 3: mezcal & crafts
- 4Food tour
Oaxaca food & mezcal
- 1Market tour
- 2Mole cooking class
- 3Mezcal palenque
- 4Street food
Oaxaca with kids
- 1Monte Alban
- 2Tule tree
- 3Chocolate & crafts
- 4Hierve el Agua pools
~20 min awayMonte Alban
Zapotec ruins.
~2 hr awayHierve el Agua
Petrified falls.
~1 hr awayMezcal Villages
Agave palenques.
~40 min awayTeotitlan del Valle
Rug weavers.
~1 hr awayMitla
Zapotec mosaics.
~30 min awayTlacolula Market
Sunday market.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Oaxaca City visitor asks before booking.
Dry season (Oct–Apr)
The best time, with warm days, cool evenings and little rain — ideal for touring.
Day of the Dead
Late October to early November is magical but very busy — book far ahead.
Green season (Jun–Sep)
Afternoon showers bring lush landscapes; mornings usually stay clear.
Guelaguetza
July’s Guelaguetza festival fills the city with music, dance and colour.
Best light
The dry season offers clear skies and vivid colours for photography.
Cool evenings
At 1,550m, Oaxaca’s evenings are cool year-round — bring a light layer.
One day
Monte Alban and the old town.
Three days
Add Hierve el Agua, mezcal and crafts.
Five days
Add cooking classes and more villages.
For foodies
Markets, cooking and mezcal.
For history
Monte Alban and Mitla.
With kids
Ruins, crafts and the pools.
On foot
The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot.
Tours & transfers
Guided tours with transport are easiest for Monte Alban, Hierve el Agua and the villages.
Colectivos & taxis
Shared colectivos and taxis reach nearby valley towns affordably.
Getting there
Oaxaca has its own airport with flights from Mexico City and beyond.
Base in the centre
Staying near the Zocalo or Santo Domingo puts you within walking distance of the sights.
Altitude
At 1,550m the sun is strong — bring sunscreen, a hat and water.
Mexican pesos
Oaxaca uses the Mexican peso; carry cash for markets, while cards work in larger venues.
Book ahead
Monte Alban, Hierve el Agua and Day of the Dead tours fill up — reserve in advance.
Try the food
Sample mole, tlayudas, chapulines and mezcal — Oaxaca is a food-lover’s paradise.
Support artisans
Buy rugs, pottery and alebrijes directly from village workshops.
Sun & altitude
Protect against the strong highland sun and stay hydrated.
Respect traditions
During Day of the Dead, be respectful in cemeteries and with altars.
Monte Alban tours
Popular guided tours sell out — book ahead.
Hierve el Agua
Full-day valley tours fill up — reserve early.
Cooking classes
Small-group classes book out — reserve ahead.
Mezcal tours
Palenque visits fill up — book early.
Day of the Dead
The festival sells out months ahead — plan early.
Guelaguetza
July festival tickets and tours go fast — book well ahead.
Monte Alban
Around $20–40 for a guided Monte Alban tour.
Hierve el Agua
About $30–55 for a full-day valley tour.
Cooking class
Roughly $55–90 for a mole cooking class with market visit.
Mezcal tour
Around $40–70 for a palenque tasting tour.
Craft villages
About $30–50 for a village workshop tour.
How to save
Join group tours, use colectivos and eat at the markets.
Oaxaca City through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Touring & festivals.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Book ahead.
- Best for
- Dia de Muertos.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Very busy.
- Best for
- Lush, Guelaguetza.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Afternoon rain.
- Best for
- Warm, dry.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great time.