Before you go

Your trip to Oaxaca.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Oaxaca – Oaxaca Destination Oaxaca and Monte Albán Capital

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional de Oaxaca (OAX) 7 km
Terminal de Autobuses ADO Oaxaca 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. Oaxaca airport (OAX) is about 7 km from the center, with taxis and vans. From Mexico City there are direct buses to the bus station, a trip of about 460 km.

How many days

Two days for the center, Santo Domingo and Monte Albán. More days allow for excursions through the valleys.

When to go

From October to April the weather is usually dry, with cool nights. From May to September it rains more in the afternoons. In July the Guelaguetza takes place and, at the end of October, the Day of the Dead.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not needed for the city, which is explored on foot. For Monte Albán there are vans; for Mitla, Hierve el Agua and the villages, a car or an organized tour is helpful.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Oaxaca

Morning
Monte Albán
Go up early in the morning to Monte Albán, about 10 km away, and walk the Great Plaza and the platforms with views over the valley.
Afternoon
Santo Domingo
In the afternoon, visit the temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca and the ethnobotanical garden in the former convent.
Late afternoon
Calçadão Alcalá
In the late afternoon, walk down the Macedonio Alcalá pedestrian promenade to the Zócalo, passing galleries, craft shops and colonial houses.
Evening
Oaxacan cuisine
Have dinner in the center and try a mole negro or a tlayuda, paired with a mezcal from the valley.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What to see in Oaxaca center?

The Zócalo and the cathedral, the temple of Santo Domingo, the Macedonio Alcalá pedestrian promenade, the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad and the 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juárez markets.

Is Monte Albán far from Oaxaca center?

About 10 km, atop a hill, with vans that depart from the center.

Is Oaxaca a cold city?

Days are usually warm and sunny, and nights cool, especially from November to February. Bring a jacket.

What to buy in Oaxaca?

Wool rugs from Teotitlán, black pottery from San Bartolo Coyotepec, painted wood alebrijes, chocolate and mezcal.

Back to Oaxaca