Is Oaxaca worth visiting?
Is Oaxaca worth visiting?
This incredible region is an absolute must-visit when heading to Mexico. Here we’ll find everything – from incredible food and welcoming locals to beautiful Pacific beaches and sprawling ruins.
In this article we’ll list the seven best reasons to visit Oaxaca, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Oaxaca worth visiting?
The quick answer: Yes – this region is one of the very best in Mexico for an all-rounder experience. We feel that any itinerary through this country should spend at least a week here in Oaxaca.
Where is Oaxaca?
This region is nestled in the south-west of Mexico, and is actually full of various terrains and landscapes. The majority is made up of mountains, where cities like Oaxaca City are based as well as various ruins such as Monte Albán.
Then we have the Pacific, with major hotspots like Puerto Escondido tucked away along the coast (be sure to read our guide on how to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido).
We can even find jungle and several forests located deep within the state too!
How far is Oaxaca from Mexico City?
Oaxaca City is located roughly 460 km south of Mexico City, with the drive taking around 6 hours.
There’s different ways of getting here, although the bus is the most popular. Major operators like ADO and AU serve this route daily, who are some of the best in the country.
You can also fly directly from the capital which takes just an hour, although it will be more expensive, if you’re staying in a hostel in Oaxaca you can easily mitigate the cost.
If possible, we highly recommend travelers to stop off at Puebla City along the way, which is full of stunning colonial architecture as well as Cholula – the largest pyramid on earth!
7 Reasons to Visit Oaxaca
Are you still wondering if Oaxaca is right for you? Here’s 7 fantastic reasons why you should head to this awesome region.
1. Visit the Monte Albán Ruins
The majority of travelers either head to Teotihuacán or Tulum Ruins, however these sprawling pyramids are just as impressive. Located on top of a hill within the Oaxacan wilderness, the Monte Albán Ruins were created by the Zapotec Culture, who built this site here strategically for its panoramic views (to help prevent any planned attacks).
One of the oldest cities of Mesoamerica, it was first built around 500 B.C, and researchers have since unearthed numerous painted skulls, gold and textiles that were once used daily by the tribes. Just remember to bring lots of water when visiting given it gets really hot here (with little shade).
We highly recommend heading here with this tour from Oaxaca City, which includes all logistics as well as a professional guide on-hand ready to teach you some really interesting facts.
2. Head on a Food Tour in Oaxaca City
Mexican food really is a gem in and of itself, and is also one of the highlights of a trip to this Latin American nation. Oaxaca especially is known for its rich variety of dishes, and is unofficially known as the food capital of Mexico.
There’s many must-tries such as Tlayudas and Burritos, and the best place to eat them all is at the Mercado 20 de Noviembre. This famous market is heaving with local food stalls, and is the perfect place for trying both Oaxacan and Mexican street foods. Just be sure to follow our food safety advice in this article, given many travelers get ill in Mexico from a lack of planning on their part.
Joining a Food Tour like this one is another great way of safely exploring Oaxaca’s food scene, where you’ll get to know Mexican cuisine on a much more personal level. As well as the foods, you’ll also have samples of various non-alcoholic drinks too.
If you’re after something stronger, then we’re sure this Mezcal Tour will be pretty memorable to say the least…
3. Live it up in Puerto Escondido
Those after good vibes and a more inclusive experience will love Puerto Escondido. Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, here we’ll find many picturesque beaches that are perfect for relaxing on.
Playa Carrizalillo is one of the very best for scenic views, whilst La Punta has a perfect blend of music and restaurants for the vibe as well as a good swell for surfers.
This area is also the best for nightlife, where the streets turn into a festive party when the sun goes down. Some of the best bars include Bonita Escondida and Juana Mezcala, and you can then head to Iguana after.
Further north we’ll find the neighborhood of Zicatela, which is more relaxed and has a bohemian feel to the place. There’s many beautiful accommodation options here such as Selina, however be careful with the sea given the waves are notoriously strong here.
Lastly we have the town centre of Puerto Escondido, which has more amenities and a more local feel (whilst the other two are a lot more touristy). Be sure to read our Puerto Escondido travel guide to learn more about what to see and do in town.
4. Visit the Petrified Waterfall of Hierve el Agua
As well as interesting culture, tasty food and postcard-perfect beaches, we can also find a pretty incredible, natural phenomenon too.
Located around an hour and a half south of Oaxaca City we can find the waterfall of Hierve el Agua – except instead of a regular cascade, it’s frozen in time. And given it’s not exactly Arctic conditions here (daily temperatures regularly hover between 87-92°F), there’s something else entirely going on. Carbonated water is running off the top of the cliff face, which “freezes” and creates this incredible piece of scenery.
Whilst here you can also visit the natural infinity pools too, where you can go for a swim within the arid Oaxacan landscapes.
We recommend heading with this all-inclusive tour, where you’ll not only visit Hierve el Agua but also the picturesque town of Teotitlán del Valle too. You’ll even get to try some high-quality Mezcal at a local factory too!
5. Explore the Historic Center of Oaxaca City
Of course a big part of a trip through Mexico is about seeing incredible sceneries and beautiful beaches – we know that feeling well. However many cities also have some great histories too, and are full of architectural delights and colonial gems worth visiting.
One of these is the historic centre of Oaxaca City, which is centred around the Zócalo. The main plaza of the city, here there’s usually lots of cultural activities going on (parades for example), and you can also explore the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral. Others around that are worth visiting include the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, as well as the Museo De La Filatelia MUFI.
We’ve already mentioned the infamous Mercado 20 de Noviembre for trying out street foods, however after you can then head to the Oaxaca Artisan Market to pick out some great souvenirs of your trip (as well as something special for friends and family back home).
6. Go Surfing in Mazunte
Mazunte is a more relaxed town an hour south of Puerto Escondido, and is a recommended day trip where you can visit the markets as well as walk along the scenic cliffs of Punta Cometa. It’s also a great place for beginner surfers to come and learn, and also for the moderate to catch some Pacific waves.
Whilst much of Oaxaca can be quite intimidating, here we’ll find some more relaxed spots such as San Agustinillo and Zipolite (the latter is a nudist beach – just as a heads up).
If you don’t fancy venturing so far, then the area of La Punta is also great for surfing. There are some parts that only experienced or pro surfers should attempt, which are quite obvious when walking along the coastline.
However there are also some good spots for beginners too, and there’s plenty of surf schools offering hourly lessons.
7. Release Baby Turtles into the Pacific Ocean
One of the most popular things to do in Puerto, there’s nothing quite like participating in a turtle release. Whilst turtles nest and hatch all along the Mexican Pacific, Puerto Escondido is one of the overall best places to get involved since they have specialised centres and programs dedicated to helping these sea amigos.
Although the natural turtle hatching season runs from August until October, here they have turtle releases happening year-round. The majority take place on Playa Bacocho after 5:00pm, given it’s the safest time for the babies to make their dash towards the Ocean.
You can also go with this organised tour too, which is useful since it provides both pick-up and drop-off from the turtle release site.
Is Oaxaca worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Oaxaca.
This region is one of our favourites in Mexico. Here you can discover some incredible foods and cultures, whilst also enjoying all kinds of beautiful landscapes.
There’s also a tonne of experiences to be had here too. From surfing in Puerto Escondido to sampling street food in Oaxaca City’s markets, you’ll find it all to do here!
Be sure to read our comprehensive backpacking Oaxaca itinerary, where we have even more travel tips and suggestions for your trip here.
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