How to Spend 3 Days in Oaxaca, Mexico Itinerary

Last Updated on 26th April 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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With houses painted in a rainbow hue of colours, the sound of Latin music filling the air and the scent of Oaxacan food meeting your nose at every step, it’s easy to fall in love with the city of Oaxaca. Here’s how to spend the perfect 3 days in Oaxaca itinerary, as well as what to know before you go.

The city has an immensely livable atmosphere that welcomes travellers as soon as they step in. With enchanting cobblestone streets and towering mountains on either side, it’s a photographer’s dream – no surprise that the city has been an artist’s haven for decades!

Oaxaca’s also famous for its food. When you’re here, try tlayudas with queso oaxaca or tamales, which are balls of dough with various fillings. 

While Oaxaca will pull you in, there’s also a variety of half-day and full-day trips in the local area. This blog post details a full Oaxaca city itinerary, detailing how to put all of the attractions together to ensure that you don’t miss anything! 

Day one: explore Oaxaca city

On your first day in Oaxaca, I’d recommend doing a walking tour around the city centre. There are a few companies offering tours; here’s a link to one of them.

This tour will take you around the historic centre, detailing important aspects of Oaxaca’s culture, food and history. You’ll learn about the fascinating Santo Domingo church which sits in the heart of town and dates back to 1724 – and even have the chance to take a look inside – and get a full education into Oaxaca’s biggest source of pride, mezcal! 

Once your tour has finished, head to Mercado 20 de Noviembre for lunch – this is one of the best markets in the city for eating, with a large food hall.

You’ll find traditional items like tamales or tlayudas here – or, opt for something more nationally Mexican such as tacos or quesadillas. Whatever you have, make sure you try the stringy quesillo cheese – originally from Oaxaca, it’s a delight! 

Once you’re suitably well-fed, take a walk to the Guelaguetza stadium for a beautiful view over the city. You can see the whole urban area and its surrounding mountains from a spectacular vantage point here!

Back in the city, spend some time exploring the streets at your own pace, perhaps heading to the Zocalo to people-watch and grab a drink. Or, you’ll find a variety of museums and art galleries in town, including Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Oaxaca and Museo Textil de Oaxaca. 

For dinner, head to La Popular. This local restaurant can be busy during peak times – as the name suggests, it’s very popular – but it has a menu with plenty of traditional Oaxacan fare, plus all the mezcal and Corona beers you’ll need! 

Day two: Monte Alban and Oaxaca’s markets

Monte Alban is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Oaxaca, and it sits just above the city!

You can either reach it by doing a private tour like this one which includes transport from Oaxaca and a guide who will detail its history, or by taking a bus from the city centre. 

Dating back to the 6th century B.C., these ruins were part of an ancient city inhabited by Zapotec people, who were native to this part of Mexico. Nowadays, the complex extends over four miles and encompasses pyramid temples, terraces and canals. 

Once you’re back in town, take a stroll to Parque el Llano. This green lung of the city is dotted with street food trucks; I used to work in a co-working space in the park and had a favourite taco stand, but there are plenty to choose from!

Spend your afternoon browsing Oaxaca’s excellent markets. Mercado Benito Juárez is one of the largest in the city and sells a wide array of handicrafts and textiles along with food and other products, or visit the appropriately named Mercado de Artesanías if you’re looking solely for artisanal products; it’s the ideal spot to get a souvenir. 

For dinner, head to Boulenc Bakery. This isn’t Mexican food – but I’m not exaggerating when I say that they serve probably the best pizza I’ve ever tried!

A friendly cafe in the daytime, popular with remote workers, in the evening Boulenc turns into a hip restaurant and bar, where you can enjoy pizza with a range of toppings washed down with beer and – of course – mezcal. 

Day three: day trip to Tule, Mitla and Hierve al Agua day trip 

On your last day in Oaxaca, a trip to the world’s widest tree and one of its two petrified waterfalls in the world awaits!You can tackle this day trip independently, or by doing a guided tour like this one.

When you take a guided tour, all of your transport is included, but it’s possible to see all of these sites in one day on public transport if you start early! 

If you’re doing the trip independently, start by taking a collectivo to Tule – they leave Oaxaca on the main road out of the city. Tule is a sleepy town on the city’s outskirts, home to allegedly the widest tree in the world. It’s quite interesting, but only a quick stop!

Then, take another collectivo to San Pablo Villa de Mitla, and walk through the town to the ruins. These extremely well-preserved ruins also date back to Zapotec days; it’s thought that they were predominantly a sacred burial site. 

From San Pablo Villa de Mitla, caminonetas (vans) leave to drive up to the mountains to reach Hierve al Agua. You’ll find these in the same place where you disembarked the last collectivo.

They leave once they are full (usually when they have 10 people), although the driver will leave early if you offer to pay more than the usual rate. 

It’s a bumpy drive up to Hierve Al Agua, taking around 45 minutes, but it’s all worth it once you reach the top! 

Formed when dripping water mixed with minerals in the rocks and calcified, the frozen waterfalls give the illusion of a permanently still waterfall hanging off the cliff.

Walk around the area and take some photos, and then relax in the pools at the top – they’re safe for swimming and are the perfect antidote to a hot, sweaty journey! 

On the way back, you won’t need to stop in Tule – simply take a camioneta back to Mitla and then change buses to head back to the city. 

For your last dinner in Oaxaca, head to the homely Calabacitas Tiernas restaurant, which serves up fresh dishes for all dietary requirements. The menu changes frequently, but they have extensive veggie and meat menus.

Once you’re well-fed, hit the town! Oaxaca has a variety of mezcal bars, such as Mezcal Tasting Room by Gül-Roo, cocktail bars including Selva Oaxaca, and all-night venues such as Txalaparta, a multi-room space with a rooftop bar. 

Extra activity: cooking class in Oaxaca

If you have one more day to spend in Oaxaca, or if you don’t fancy one of the days on this list, then consider doing a cooking class!

You’ll receive a full education in Oaxacan food, with a market visit and cooking lesson to make some of the city’s most famous products, and of course, the day will end with eating all of your creations.

You can book a vegetarian or non-vegetarian class on Get Your Guide. 

Where to stay in Oaxaca

There’s something for all budgets in Oaxaca – whether you’re a budget or luxury traveller, you’ll find somewhere to rest your head in this city! 

If you’re looking for a hostel, there’s nowhere better than Casa Angel. With a range of dorm rooms of all sizes, this hostel is renowned for its airy rooftop space, where they have regular BBQs and cumbia dancing lessons.

A delicious breakfast (with beans, spicy salsa and eggs) is served daily, and there’s a packed schedule of events, making it the ideal place to meet other travellers. Check prices and availability here.

For a mid-range option, check out Hotel Casa de Sierra Azul which is set in a traditional Oaxacan house with a lovely courtyard. Rooms are authentic yet well-furnished, and you’ll be greeted like an old friend as soon as you walk through the door. Check prices and availability here.

Quinta Real Oaxaca is a luxurious and historic hotel housed in a 16th-century convent. It features elegant rooms with antique furnishings, a beautiful courtyard and a pool. If you’re looking for somewhere high-end to stay at while you’re in Oaxaca, there’s nowhere better! Check prices and availability here.

Where to go from Oaxaca

If you’re on a wider Mexico trip, here are some places you can visit from Oaxaca!

• Puerto Escondido: This is the most popular place to visit after Oaxaca; it’s a laid-back surf town and is reachable by camioneta or ADO bus. 
• The Sierra Norte Mountain Range: One of the best spots for nature in the region, the Sierra Norte is home to a range of indigenous villages and plenty of hiking trails. It’s quite a difficult area to travel without Spanish; you’ll need to take a few collectivo taxis and speak to the guides in the language! Capulapam is one of the best villages for hiking in the area.
• San Jose Del Pacifico: Sitting high in the mountains in Chiapas state, this charming village has beautiful architecture and lots of native cultures to learn about. It’s reachable by ADO bus from Oaxaca. 

A final note on planning a trip to Oaxaca

There’s something for everyone in wonderful Oaxaca. Whether you visit the city for the stunning mountains, the fascinating cultures or the rich food, you won’t be left disappointed: in fact, it’s the kind of city that totally sucks you in!

These three days in Oaxaca will help you to scratch the surface, but you’ll no doubt be dreaming of days spent traversing the cobblestone streets or trying authentic market food for years to come. Want more Mexico inspiration? Here’s how to spend 2 weeks in Mexico.

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