10 Can't Miss Things To Do in Oaxaca, Mexico
If you are someone who likes to immerse yourself with the locals and the cultural history of a place, Oaxaca is the right destination for you. There are many things that you can do during your visit here - from sightseeing, attending traditional ceremonies to trying out the authentic cuisines and enjoyable visits to museums and zoos.
So, without further ado, here is a guide for the top 10 things to do in Oaxaca, Mexico!
1. Get Oriented with a Free Walking Tour
What better way can you get introduced to a place than a walking tour offered by the locals? That’s right, the free walking tour is offered by locals who want visitors to have the very best experience in Oaxaca.
Since these locals want you to experience the city just as they do, they will take you to the most popular tourist attractions as well as the hidden gems. Additionally, they also offer a “Flavors Food Tour” where they take you to the best places to eat in Oaxaca.
And that’s not all. Not only will you get to see restaurants that have been run by families for generations, but you will also get to meet the people that work so hard to give you some of the most memorable meals of your life.
An introduction to the city, the local traditions, and cuisine, the culture and history, all from the people who have lived in Oaxaca for ages - the free walking tour is definitely something that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
These walking tours are offered two times every day at 10 AM and 4 PM.
2. Visit The Museum of Oaxacan Cultures
The Museum of Oaxacan Cultures is a must-see for history buffs. It is located near the Temple of Santo Domingo and is surrounded by beautiful monastery buildings.
The Museum will give you a comprehensive history of the culture of the region. The exhibitions here display how the Oaxacan community has sustained from the pre-Hispanic period to contemporary times.
Each section of the museum is dedicated to different periods of time. This includes the pre-Hispanic period, the colonial period, the independence struggle and aftermath, and another section dedicated to the Santo Domingo Monastery.
Perhaps the most notable exhibit at the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures is the Zapotec tomb that was hoarded by the Mixtecs. It dates back to the 14th century and was used by the Mixtecs to bury one of their kings and his sacrificed servants.
Not only this, but the Mixtec tomb also contained jewelry made of silver, turquoise, coral, jade, amber, along with pearls, carved bone, crystals, gold, and a skull covered in turquoise. This tomb was discovered by Alfonso Caso in 1932.
Additionally, there is a huge, beautiful library in the museum that has a collection of over 30,000 books. Some of these books are as old as the 15th century and many of them are in languages other than Spanish and English.
3. Visit The Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman
The Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman is the most popular church in all of Oaxaca.
Not only has it become a popular tourist attraction, but it is also a symbol of the long and rich history and tradition of Oaxaca. The construction of the church was initiated by the Dominicans in 1551 and took a century to finish.
Moreover, the church was inaugurated before it was completed due to rifts between the Domicinans and the Mexican army. If you’d like to know more about the Mexican occupation and the independence struggle, you don’t need to go any further.
Originally, the church was meant to have a convent surrounded by a patio. However, the church is now a larger complex where the convent has been converted into a museum and the patio is now an ethnobotanical garden. Additionally, the entrance is through a huge plaza surrounded by a line of native cacti plants.
Another very interesting fact about the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman is connected with other churches through a network of (what used to be) secret tunnels.
So, if you ever visit Oaxaca, the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman is one spot that you surely cannot miss.
4. Go Mezcal Tasting
There is no better place to go mezcal tasting than in Mexico. Not only will you get to taste authentic mezcal in Oaxaca, but you will feel integrated with the culture and locals.
Before going to Oaxaca, there is one thing that you can know for sure. The locals here will be so welcome and friendly that you will have an experience like nowhere else.
So, if you are someone know likes to know the finer details, you can ask to meet the artisans who have been making mezcal for years. Most mezcalerias in Oaxaca will also let you see the mezcal preparation process as part of the experience.
Since many species of agave are found in Oaxaca, you can also expect to find many different flavors and varieties of mezcal here. The types of mezcalerias in Oaxaca range from fine dining restaurants, professional distilleries, to local bars and rooftop cafes.
Some of the best mezcalerias in Oaxaca are:
La Casa Del Mezcal
Expendio Tradicion
El Cortijo Mezcaleria
La Mezcaloteca
El Tendajon Algaveria
Boutique Hotel Terraza Los Amantes
Expendió Tradición
5. Visit The Archeological Zones From 500 BC
The National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico estimates that there are more than 4,000 archeological zones in the state of Oaxaca. So, needless to say, if you are interested in history and culture, there could not be a better place for you to visit.
However, out of these, many zones are yet to be excavated. Only the largest and most significant 11 archeological zones are open to the public as of now. The most popular out of these are Monte Alban, Mitla, Zaachila, Lambityeco, and Dainzú.
The Monte Alban archeological zone was the first urban complex in the region and also functioned as the capital of the Zapotec state. This region was highly politically and culturally significant between 500 BC to 850 AD.
Similarly, the Mitla archaeological zone is was used as a burial ground for Zapotec kings and priests. The name ‘Milta’ translates as place of the dead or the underworld. You will find large, beautifully decorative tombs here, many of which have symbols that connect this region to the rest of Mexico.
6. Shop for Souvenirs in the Zocalo
The Zocalo is where you will feel most like a local in Oaxaca.
You can visit the Zocalo (which translates to the main square) at any time of the day. In the morning, there is a park where you can sit and bask in the Sun. You can have a delicious, authentic Mexican breakfast while being surrounded by the buzz of the locals.
The Zocalo is overlooked by a 19th-century cathedral and is surrounded by shops. Make sure that you spare at least a few hours during your vacation to visit the Zocalo. Here, you can witness the day-to-day life and culture of Oaxaca in its full glory.
In the evening, you will find live music and street vendors at the Zocalo. Not only can you buy souvenirs to always remember your trip to Oaxaca, but you can find pretty much anything that you could think of!
Beautiful fountains, large trees, numerous food stalls, and shops coupled with tourists as well as locals. Needless to say, the Zocalo will definitely be the most vibrant and lively part of your vacation in Oaxaca.
7. Try All the Delicious Food
One of the best things about Mexico is the variety of delicious and authentic food. Oaxaca in particular is the ideal destination for food lovers. You can find a huge variety of traditional Mexican dishes made with a range of ingredients and preparation styles here.
Some dishes that you must try are mole, tamales, tejate, caldo de piedra, barbacoa, chapulines, tlayudas, and quesillo. Mole is an intense and flavorful sauce in which the primary ingredient is ground chilies along with other spices.
There are several types of moles that you can find. The most famous type in Oaxaca is the black mole. It is made of chocolate and has a sweet and spicy flavor. This type of mole is usually served with sweet bread or egg yolk bread.
Other types of moles are coloradito, manchamantel, rojo, amarillo, verde, and chichilo. These include a variety of ingredients such as nuts, dried fruit, garlic, onion, cilantro, tomato, cumin, sesame seeds, etc. They are served with sides like chicken, pork, or turkey and rice or incorporated into dishes like tamales, enchiladas, and more.
There are unique foods in Oaxaca that you won’t find anywhere else. For example, chapulines are spicy grasshoppers that are eaten with guacamole and tacos. They are prepared by frying grasshoppers and then adding chili, lime, and garlic for seasoning.
There is a popular legend according to which, anyone who tries chapulines will return to Oaxaca someday. But I can guarantee you, anything you try here will be so delicious that you will want to come back!
8. Attend A Temazcal Ceremony
You must visit a Temazcal ceremony while you’re in Oaxaca. Temazcal or sweat lodge ceremonies are intended to purify one’s mind, body, and spirit. Not only will it be an exciting experience for you as a tourist, but you will also feel more in tune with yourself.
The ceremony takes place in an igloo-shaped sweat lodge made of volcanic stone, wood, or cement. The sweat lodge is heated by pouring water on hot volcanic stones that are placed in the center. Each person is handed tobacco that they onto the stones while thinking of an aspect of their life that they want to improve.
Additionally, Temazcal ceremonies are usually headed by a shaman who guides people to give thanks or chant. The ritual starts with being around a fire and expressing gratitude to the earth. Each person gets on their knees and kisses the earth.
The Temazcal represents the belly button of the earth whereas the ritual is the rebirth of the participants!
9. Visit The Botanical Garden
The ethnobotanical garden in Oaxaca has a gorgeous display of the biodiversity of the region. Mexico as a country has a huge variety of plant and animal life that can fascinate people regardless of being interested in nature or not.
However, what makes this destination so special is that Oaxaca is the most biodiverse region in all of Mexico. So, you definitely cannot afford to miss the botanical garden.
You won’t even need to go through any trouble - the ethnobotanical garden is located right in the Santo Domingo Cultural Center, close to the Oaxacan Museum of Cultures.
The intention for the foundation of this garden was to preserve Oaxaca’s flora while allowing people to appreciate the state’s botanical diversity and an understanding of human interaction with plants throughout history.
Note that the ethnobotanical garden can only be visited as part of guided tours that are offered in English on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11 am; in French on Tuesdays at 5 pm; and daily in Spanish at 10 am, 12 noon, and 5 pm.
10. Go Hiking in Sierra Norte
All nature and fitness enthusiasts would be glad to know that there is a gorgeous hike that they can take in Sierra Norte. Even if you are not a huge fan of hikes and other fitness activities, I suggest that you don’t miss out on this adventurous experience.
The slopes of Sierra Norte stand at a height of 3,200 meters above sea level. They are covered with pine and oak trees, as well as numerous spices of cacti. Like the rest of Oaxaca, your experience here will be made better by the efforts of the locals.
Throughout the hills of Sierra Norte, a path of more than 100 km was built where you can hike, and even find food and accommodation. There is a network of 8 villages spread across the area, so you will always be safe along with the natives that reside here.
Moreover, you can also travel part of your journey on horseback. People from the indigenous communities often offer such help so that you have the best possible experience during your time at Sierra Norte.
Final Thoughts
As I reach the end of this article, I hope that you are as fascinated by Oaxaca as much as I am. It is the ultimate destination for every kind of person - whether you are someone who loves architecture, history, and culture, a food and drinking enthusiast, or someone who likes nature and traditional ceremonies.
You will never run of out exciting and unique things to do and experience in Oaxaca. What makes Oaxaca better than any other destination is how easily you will feel a part of the local culture and life. So, what are you waiting for?