The 15 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca (Updated 2023)

Posted: 6/5/2023 | June 5th, 2023

Oaxaca stole my heart. I was enamored by this colorful and vibrant city from the moment I stepped foot on its cobblestoned streets. It has it all: history, culture, friendly people, food, mezcal. (I love this city so much that we run tours there now!)

While the town may be small, there’s a lot to do here. Its growing popularity post-COVID has seen a rise in a lot of new experiences, tours, restaurants, and art galleries. (The popularity is just not due to Americans and Europeans either. Mexicans also come here in droves!).

With so much more to do now, here is my list of all the best things to see and do in Oaxaca:

1. Take a walking tour

One of the first things I do when I visit a new city is take a free walking tour. They’re the best way to see the main sights, get introduced to the destination and its people, and connect with a local guide who can answer all your questions. My favorite company is Oaxaca Free Walking Tour. They offer free daily tours showcasing the main sights. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!
 

2. See the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

With original construction dating back to the mid-16th century, this Dominican church and monastery was also used as a military building during Mexico’s revolutionary war (1910–20). The interior is incredibly ornate, with intricate carvings on the walls, and it still holds services today (so dress respectfully when visiting).

One part of the complex became a museum in the 1970s: the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, which focuses on Oaxacan culture, with all kinds of religious and pre-Columbian artifacts in its collection. The “Treasures of Monte Albán” exhibition showcases over 400 relics from a Mixtec tomb that is one of the most important burial sites in Mesoamerica, including a skull covered in turquoise, carved bone objects, weaving tools, and jewelry made of gold and jade. It is by far one of the best things to do in the city. You’ll need a couple of hours to see it all.

C. Macedonio Alcalá S/N, +52 951 516 3720. The Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm. Admission to the church is free, while the museum is 85 MXN.
 

3. Stroll through the Botanical Garden

Also located in the former convent in the Santo Domingo de Guzmán complex, the Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca features 900 species of plants from across the state, which is one of the most biodiverse areas of Mexico. In addition to the flowers, trees,…