This Vibrant Mexican Metropolis Is One of many Finest Cities within the World for Meals Lovers—Here is Tips on how to Plan a Go to

Oaxaca de Juárez is a vibrant metropolis the place historical Zapotec traditions meet modern creativity. Vacationers typically come for the wealthy delicacies—assume mole, tlayudas, and smoky mezcal—however it’s the heat of its those that makes it unforgettable.

With its ever-expanding food and drinks scene, Oaxaca de Juárez has rightfully earned its place as one of many world’s premiere culinary locations—a lot in order that it was named one of the best metropolis on the earth in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards and one of many top 5 cities in Mexico in 2025. However the southwestern Mexican metropolis presents extra than simply excellent delicacies. Typically merely known as Oaxaca (to not be confused with the encompassing state of the identical identify), town enchants with its colourful festivals, artisanal markets, and hanging structure.

“Oaxaca is the guts of Mexico, and we have now all of it: 570 municipalities, 8 areas and 14 dialects, all of the micro climates, and virtually all the components that makes our meals distinctive on the earth. We now have the mountains, we have now the ocean—we have now all of it,” stated Omar Alonso, a Oaxaca native and proprietor of Live Oaxaca.

Having all of it means Oaxaca is a metropolis that gives layers of experiences for all types of vacationers. “It’s a quintessential and magical vacation spot that mixes tradition, nature, and journey, with a year-round spring-like local weather resulting from its idyllic location nestled right into a fertile valley of the Sierra Madre Sur Mountains,” Zachary Rabinor, a T+L A-list advisor and CEO of Journey Mexico, a luxurious journey company that focuses on journeys to Mexico, advised T+L. “It presents a captivating, pedestrian-friendly UNESCO World Heritage Website metropolis heart with spectacular structure, museums, markets, eating places, purchasing, and nightlife, whereas the encompassing valleys harbor unimaginable Indigenous villages that preserve century-old artisan traditions, gown, language, tradition, and life.”

Finest Inns and Resorts

Oaxaca boasts a various array of locations to remain, so there’s one thing for each sort of traveler. Beneath are a number of T+L favorites.

Casa Santo Origen

Simply quarter-hour from Oaxaca’s historic heart, Casa Santo Origen is a sublime eight-room hideaway tucked into the Sierra Norte foothills. Every suite options artisinal particulars with trendy comforts. Some rooms even have non-public plunge swimming pools and sweeping valley views. Entre Sombras, the on-site restaurant subsequent to the property’s infinity pool, has Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a neighborhood twist.

Quinta Actual Oaxaca

Set in a restored Fifteenth-century convent within the coronary heart of Oaxaca Metropolis, Quinta Real Oaxaca has arched stone corridors, leafy courtyards, and centuries-old frescoes making a serene backdrop simply steps from town’s cultural landmarks. The 91-room lodge presents a pool, refined Oaxacan eating, and the occasional Guelaguetza performances in its chapel-turned-event area.

Casa Silencio

Tucked in to the serene Valley of Xaaga, about an hour away from Oaxaca Metropolis, Casa Silencio is a six-suite design-forward property created by the founders of Mezcal El Silencio. The property blends sustainability with luxurious, as every suite channels pure components—Agua, Tierra, Fuego—by way of regionally crafted textiles and furnishings. Friends can tour the on-site distillery, take pleasure in mezcal tastings and open-fire dinners, and take up panoramic views over agave fields and the Sierra Madre.

Flavia Resort

Should you’re searching for a extra excluded getaway, Flavia Hotel is nestled within the hills of San Felipe del Agua simply 20 minutes exterior of downtown. The brutalist constructing has 11 rooms of various sizes and views, however one standout suite is the subterranean bunker room with no home windows. The lodge’s on-site restaurant has an infinity pool with sweeping views of the encompassing panorama. It is the proper escape for many who need to be away from the motion and have a quiet ambiance, but in addition stay a brief drive from town heart.

Finest Issues to Do

Inside Oaxaca, Rabinor recommends setting apart a full day to easily wander and soak within the metropolis’s historic core. “Take your time strolling by way of the market and remember to strive pan de yema con chocolate,” stated Rabinor. “Discover a spot in one of many many plazas and revel in people-watching, as it isn’t unusual to witness a colourful calenda (avenue procession) taking place at any time of the week. These processions are a part of the quite a few festivals that commemorate numerous private and communal occasions within the lives of the area people.”

Town additionally presents a wealth of cultural establishments that deepen the expertise. The Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, established in 1831, is a must-visit for these within the area’s Indigenous roots. Its 14 everlasting reveals span millenia, showcasing every thing from historical arrowheads to insights into modern native life. Only a brief stroll away, the Oaxaca Textile Museum—set in a fantastically restored nineteenth century mansion—shows an array of vibrant weavings and clothes, providing a colourful glimpse into the world’s artisanal traditions.

Whereas there is no scarcity of issues to do—backyard lovers ought to stroll the Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca; meals fans ought to take a cooking class at La Cocina de Humo; and artwork aficionados will discover inspiration atthe Centro de las Artes de San Agustín—listed below are another standout actions to think about when visiting Oaxaca.

Fundacion en By way of Excursions

E book an schooling tour by way of non-profit Fundacion en Via Tours, which promotes accountable tourism. Its funds give interest-free loans, enterprise coaching, and schooling workshops to feminine entrepreneurs in six Zapotec communities within the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. The bilingual excursions embrace round-trip transportation from Oaxaca Metropolis, conventional meal shared in one of many ladies’s houses, and neighborhood visits.

“Our applications are primarily funded by way of our Accountable Tourism initiative, which creates significant alternatives for vacationers to have interaction with and immediately assist the ladies in our program,” Izmir Luna, a coordinator with Fundación En Vía, advised T+L. “Each tour we provide is constructed round respect for native tradition, language, and management. When vacationers be part of a tour, they aren’t solely studying from the ladies entrepreneurs—they’re serving to to fund interest-free loans and academic applications that assist sustainable growth within the area.”

Strolling Meals Tour With Oaxacking

Alonso has been guiding guests by way of the Oaxaca meals scene for 12 years. “Our meals tour is designed to showcase the complete spectrum of Oaxacan delicacies in a method that feels each immersive and approachable,” says Alonso. The expertise isa four-hour strolling tour that sometimes begins within the morning, although afternoon departures are additionally out there throughout excessive season.

Vacationers meet in a espresso store and make their method towards the Mercado de Abastos, the most important within the state, making stops alongside the best way at eating places and distributors. The tour ends at a bar the place company can strive craft cocktails and Mexican wine. “This meals tour was every thing I dreamed of and extra,” Luis Luna, an Austin native, advised T+L. “Our information was a legend, the meals was next-level wonderful, the mezcal was at all times flowing, and in some way I ended up with new buddies and a full abdomen each 5 minutes.”

For these extra eager about spirits, there’s additionally a full-day mezcal tour that dives deep into the guts of manufacturing. “This one’s for mezcal lovers or anybody eager about studying every thing about,” Alonso stated of the journey, which visits two totally different villages to discover each ancestral (distilled in clay pots) and artisanal (distilled in copper) strategies.

Mitla and Hierve el Agua

Excessive within the mountain of Oaxaca, Hierve el Agua is an otherworldly web site to see and scenic escape from town. The petrified waterfalls have turquoise swimming pools perched on cliff edges. Right here, guests can soak within the heat spring waters whereas having fun with views of the seemingly countless valley. As for the science of how the formation got here into existence: the mineral-rich water spilled over the cliffs leaving a calcium residue that hardened, creating the rock formations. Professional-tip: Head on to Hierve el Agua very first thing within the. morning and make your method again to town with stops in Mitla and Teotitlán del Valle.

Monte Albán

Rising greater than 1,300 toes above the Oaxaca Valley, Monte Albán is the second-largest ceremonial web site in Central America. This historical metropolis presents sweeping views and a glimpse into pre-Columbian life, with its terraced pyramid, carved stone monuments, and sacred plazas which might be nonetheless largely intact. Constructed by the Zapotecs—an Indigenous civilization believed to have inhabited the area as early as 500 B.C.E—the positioning is without doubt one of the most essential archaeological wonders in Mexico. “Monte Albán will not be solely a treasure of historical historical past, but in addition a UNESCO World Heritage Website that holds important significance in understanding the cultural heritage of Oaxaca and the encompassing area,” Rabinor stated.

Mezcal Experiences

Rooted in Indigenous practices relationship again 400 years, mezcal was first distilled by Zapotec and Mixtec communities utilizing clay stills and underground ovens. Rabinor notes that these kinds of actions assist native communities that depend on the business, assist folks “perceive the arduous work and historical past that goes behind producing [mezcal], and let vacationers ‘be taught and admire one of many world’s most complicated spirits.'” In the present day, Oaxaca is the heartland of mezcal manufacturing. Some must-visit spots embrace Mezcalería In Situ, El Distilado, Selva, and Puro Burro, however for a deeper dive, do not miss out on popping right into a palenque (farm distilleries).

Go to the Close by Cities

Rabinor recommends not skipping the artisan communities exterior of city, comparable to San Martín Tilcajete, San Bartolo Coyotepec, and Teotitlán del Valle. “That is the place expert communities create beautiful artworks, together with colourful alebrijes (wood collectible figurines), intricate black pottery, and vibrant textiles,” Rabinor stated. (Should you’re seeking to create an ideal streamlined day, get a driver or hire a automobile, and pop into Alfosina for lunch, go to San Bartolo Coyotepac for the black pottery, after which make your technique to San Martín Tilcajete for alebrijes. If the timing aligns, go to Almú Tilcajete for dinner earlier than heading again.)

Finest Buying

Oaxaca is full of small boutique retailers promoting handmade items (assume sandals, baggage, homeware, and different trinkets) for each price range. Alonso’s prime purchasing spots are Rocinante, Silvia Suarez, Atavío, Cooperativa Acquainted, Huizache, and Casa de las Artesanias. (All gross sales from the latter two go on to the artisans.) For ceramics, you may pop into Barrios García’s TK, TK, or TK.

Seize a bottle of your favourite mezcal or some native beans as a meals memento. For perishable treats, go to Suculenta for salsa macha and jams; and Panadería El Nanchalito, a second-generational bakery with conventional candy breads like conchas, polvorones, and pan de manteca.

Finest Eating places in Oaxaca

Oaxaca is usually lauded for its meals scene. Some basic dishes so as to add to your listing, Alonso says, are Oaxacan scorching chocolate or chocolate ice cream from El Rito, memelas with morita peppers and inexperienced tomatillo with an over straightforward egg at Doña Vale; Michelada at La Giralda; Chilaquiles with Birria from Xaok; and Chorizo Taco with inexperienced salsa from Tacos del Carmen.

First time guests ought to contemplate popping into Mercado 20 de Noviembre, a bustling market well-known for distributors that cook dinner your freshly ordered meat proper in entrance of you over open flames. It is a sensory feast and excellent for a first-time customer. And for a vegetarian pleasant possibility, head over to Mercado Organico La Cosecha.

• Bakeries: Oaxaca’s pastry scene is blossoming. Bodaega, Boulenc, and Adobe Mestizo. “Surprisingly, one of the best croissant I’ve had shortly was in Oaxaca,” Hope Willow, a New York Metropolis-based chef, advised T+L. “Every unassuming bakery provided an Instagram worthy assortment of each native delicacies and conventional French pastries. I anticipated to be wowed by the tiny meals stands littering the streets, however the baked items have been the spotlight of my trip.”
• Tacos: Hit up Chemita, El Lechoncito de Oro, Tacos Del Carmen, and TK.
• Mezcal Bars: Selva Cocktail Bar; Sabina Sabe; Cuish; Endémico; In Situ Mezcaleria; Mezcaloteca
• Espresso Outlets: Kiyo Cafe; Cafebre; Muss Cafe; Terno; Yegolè Café; Sagrado Filemón; Pan con Madre; and Nono Café.
• Eating places: Alonso advised T+L that his private favorites embrace: Xaok; Levadura de Olla; Terraza Istmo; La Cevicheria; Origen; and Tierra del Sol. Different nice eating places embrace Alfonsina, Crudo, and Casa Oaxaca.

Finest Time to Go to

Alonso says there is no “greatest time” to go to Oaxaca: “The fantastic thing about it’s within the villages , markets, mezcal distilleries, artwork galleries, eating places, bars, streets, and all over the place. We welcome everybody twelve months.” Rabinor echoes that sentiment, including that one of the best time to go to Oaxaca is determined by your private preferences for climate, crowds, and cultural occasions.

Although town typically enjoys heat, sunny days year-round, the rain seasons runs from Could by way of September. Throughout this time, you may count on occasional showers and better humidity, however it additionally “presents lush landscapes and fewer guests.” July, for instance, is a very vibrant (and busier) month, because it coincides with Guelaguetza, the Indigenous cultural competition often called Lunes del Cerro or “Mondays on the Hill.”

Early November is one other particularly well-liked time to go to. With the dry season simply starting, the climate is pleasantly delicate and concept for exploring. It additionally marks the celebration of Dia de Muertos, when town and surrounding villages come alive with music, colour, and marigold-decked altars, providing a deeply transferring and joyful glimpse into considered one of Mexico’s most cherished traditions.

Tips on how to Get There

One of the simplest ways to go to Oaxaca is by flying into Oaxaca Worldwide Airport (OAX), formally often called Aeropuerto Internacional Xoxocotlán. Vacationers from the U.S. can reap the benefits of nonstop service from Los Angeles (LAX) on Volaris, Dallas-Fort Value (DFW) on American Airways, and Houston (IAH) on United Airways. Alternatively, these arriving from different U.S. cities can join by way of Guadalajara (GDL) or Mexico Metropolis (MEX), with onward flights Oaxaca provided by home service comparable to Aeroméxico or Viva Aerobus.

Tips on how to Get Round

Whereas accessing a car can be helpful for visiting websites exterior town, Oaxaca is fairly walkable and you may at all times rent a neighborhood automobile service to drive you to farther locations. Cabs are available for securing transportation inside the downtown space, however if you wish to hail through smartphone, obtain DiDi.

To journey to and from the airport, you may take a taxi or bus should you’re not renting a automobile. The taxi stand on the airport presents fastened charges to totally different components of town relying on whether or not you are reserving a personal cab or a collectivo.

Native Etiquette and Tradition

• Be conscious that not everybody might be fluent in English and as a visitor in Mexico, contemplate downloading a translation app to bridge the communication hole should you’re not fluent in Spanish.
• When visiting markets or earlier than photographing distributors, it is best observe to get consent: “Puedo tomar un photograph?” is how one can ask “Could I take a photograph?”
• As for tipping, Alonso stated 10-15 % is customary, whereas noting that its greatest to tip in money.