{"id":23501,"date":"2023-06-23T11:55:44","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T11:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/23\/how-to-spend-5-days-in-oaxaca-updated-2023\/"},"modified":"2023-06-23T11:55:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T11:55:44","slug":"how-to-spend-5-days-in-oaxaca-updated-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/23\/how-to-spend-5-days-in-oaxaca-updated-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spend 5 Days in Oaxaca (Updated 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Posted<\/strong>: 6\/23\/23 | June 23rd, 2023<\/p>\n

Oaxaca<\/a> is one of my favorite cities. From the moment I first visited, I knew this was a place I would return to again and again and again. I\u2019ve been half a dozen times now, even leading tours around the city<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Located in southwestern Mexico<\/a> in a valley surrounded by craggy mountains, Oaxaca has been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec peoples. Today, it\u2019s a center for food, mezcal production, and artisan textiles and pottery, and features a rich history, owing to places like Monte Alb\u00e1n and Mitla.<\/p>\n

Take all that history, food, and drink, and package it in a place brimming with colorful buildings, scenic rooftop restaurants and bars, unique street art, and picturesque parks, and it\u2019s no surprise so many people \u2014 myself included \u2014 love Oaxaca<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Since I\u2019ve visited this city a lot, to help you plan your trip, I put together this five-day Oaxaca itinerary. It covers all the highlights, my favorite things to see and do, and some off-the-beaten-path activities too!<\/p>\n

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Oaxaca Itinerary: Day 1<\/span><\/h3>\n

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My favorite company here is Oaxaca Free Walking Tour<\/a>. They offer free daily tours that show you the hidden gems and what life is like for residents. I can\u2019t recommend them enough if it\u2019s your first time here. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!<\/p>\n

See the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzm\u00e1n<\/strong>
While in downtown Oaxaca, don\u2019t miss stopping in this complex, which features a 17th-century Baroque Roman Catholic church, a cultural museum, and a botanical garden. Originally used as a Dominican church and monastery, this photogenic site was later used as a barracks and military building during Mexico\u2019s revolution (1910\u20131920) all the way into the 1990s.<\/p>\n

While here, see the Museo de las Culturas, which is home to all kinds of religious and pre-Columbian artifacts. The \u201cTreasures of Monte Alb\u00e1n\u201d 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 town. Expect to spend a couple of hours in the entire complex.<\/p>\n

C. Macedonio Alcal\u00e1 S\/N. The Museo de las Culturas is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm. Admission to the church is free, while the museum is 85 MXN.<\/em> <\/p>\n

Wander the city and admire the street art<\/strong>
Oaxaca has a wealth of street art, ranging from political pieces commenting on social issues to murals focused on indigenous culture and history. The areas of Xochilmilco and Jalatlaco are two of the best for murals. You can also join a street art bike tour offered by Coyote Aventuras<\/a> (850 MXN) for an even more in-depth look.<\/p>\n

Try a street-stall hamburguesa<\/em><\/strong>
After a busy day of exploring, feast on an hamburguesa<\/em> for dinner. It\u2019s a burger topped with a hot dog, sliced cheese, Oaxaca cheese, ham, pineapple, lettuce, tomato, and jalape\u00f1o. I know it\u2019s weird to include this but trust me, you\u2019ll want one. And it\u2019s not made for Gringos and tourists either. Locals devour these. It started here. You\u2019ll see stalls all over town but Cangreburguer near Santo Domingo sells one of the best. <\/p>\n

Oaxaca Itinerary: Day 2<\/span><\/h3>\n

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20 de Noviembre 512. Open daily 7am-9pm. Admission is free.<\/em><\/p>\n

Stroll through the Botanical Garden<\/strong>
Located in the former convent in the aforementioned Santo Domingo de Guzm\u00e1n complex, the Jard\u00edn Etnobot\u00e1nico de Oaxaca was founded in 1994 and opened to the public in 1999. Spanning six acres, it features plants from across the state (many of which have been transplanted here, since the garden is so young). In addition to the flowers, trees, and cacti that dot the garden, there are also sculptures and works of art. <\/p>\n

Admission is by guided tour only and there is only one English tour per day (offered at 11am), which has only 25 spots and fills up quickly so be sure to arrive early to grab your spot.<\/p>\n

Reforma Sur, Ruta Independencia. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-3:30pm. Admission is by guided tour only. Admission (including the tour) is 50 MXN for Spanish tours and 100 MXN for English ones.<\/em><\/p>\n

Learn about mezcal<\/strong>
I love mezcal (which is one of the reasons why I love Oaxaca). This is the birthplace of mezcal, a spirit distilled from agave. Unlike tequila, which is also made from agave, when making mezcal, the heart of the plant is cooked in a pit in the ground before it is crushed. Then water is added, and it\u2019s allowed to ferment. Since the plant is cooked, mezcal has a much smokier flavor than tequila. <\/p>\n

If you want to learn more about this popular (and delicious) spirit, Rambling Spirits<\/a> runs the best mezcal tours in Oaxaca. Go with them if you want to learn more. Their guides have incredible knowledge and can take you to places the bigger tours can\u2019t. I learned a ton on this tour and highly recommend it! Most tours leave after lunch so it\u2019s a perfect way to spend the remainder of your day. <\/p>\n

Additionally, you can pop into one of the many mezcaler\u00edas<\/em> in town to taste and learn more about the region\u2019s favorite spirit. My personal favorites are Los Amantes Mezcaler\u00eda, Mezcalogia, Tres Hermanas, Mezcaler\u00eda In Situ, and Comere.<\/p>\n

Oaxaca Itinerary: Day 3<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Start your visit by stopping in at the museum, as it\u2019ll give you context, especially if you\u2019re not on a guided tour<\/a>. Then, wander the sprawling site at your leisure, climbing ancient Zapotec pyramids and admiring the tombs, terraces, and canals that span several miles. The site takes about 2-3 hours to visit, depending on your pace. Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there isn\u2019t much shade.<\/p>\n

Ignacio Bernal S\/N, San Pedro Ixtlahuaca. Open daily 10am-4pm. Admission is 90 MXN.<\/em><\/p>\n

Take a food tour<\/strong>
Upon returning to the city, explore the culinary scene with a guided food tour. Oaxaca is considered one of the most important hubs for gastronomy in Mexico. My favorite tour company is Oaxaca Eats<\/a>, which runs several tours, most of which last around four hours. You\u2019ll get to sample over 20 dishes and learn a ton about the food and its history. It\u2019s one of the oldest food tour companies in town and run by a lovely local woman with a passion for food.<\/p>\n

Tour prices vary but expect to spend 2,000 MXN.<\/p>\n

Oaxaca Itinerary: Day 4<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"The

In addition to admiring the calcified cliffs, there are also hikes in the area, which is a good way to get away from the crowds. <\/p>\n

Open daily 7am-6:30pm. Admission is 50 MXN.<\/em><\/p>\n

Explore Mitla<\/strong>
Another historic site that I think is a must-see, this pre-Columbian UNESCO World Heritage Site was one of the main religious and spiritual hubs for the indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec people. Used as a sacred burial ground and believed to be a gateway between the realms of the living and the dead, Mitla was built in 850 CE but was mostly destroyed by the Spanish in the mid-16th century. However, some buildings were left intact (some of which date as far back as 400 CE), which you can explore on your visit to the archaeological site, which stands out from other Mesoamerican ruins due to the mosaics covering the tombs and walls. It\u2019s another site I always take people to see when I guide them around the city.<\/p>\n

Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-2pm. Admission is 90 MXN while skip-the-line tickets<\/a> are 160 MXN.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oaxaca Itinerary: Day 5<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Visit Oaxaca\u2019s artisan towns<\/strong>
Scattered throughout the state of Oaxaca are small folk-art villages, where you can meet artisans, see how traditional goods are made, and bring back a souvenir of your travels if you choose. Each village specializes in a different craft: Teotitl\u00e1n del Valle is known for its textiles, San Bartolo Coyotepec for black pottery, and San Mart\u00edn Tilcajete and San Antonio Arrazola for (brightly colored fantastical animal sculptures), to name just a few. <\/em><\/p>\n

Experience a temazcal<\/em><\/strong>
On your last evening in Oaxaca, wind down at a temazcal<\/em> (meaning \u201chouse of heat\u201d), a traditional Zapotec sweat lodge. You\u2019ll sit in a small domed hut that becomes increasingly warmer. You\u2019ll rub everything from clay to fresh fruit juices and peels on your skin as you heat up, cooling down by dunking yourself in cold water. It\u2019s a very meditative, spiritual experience with numerous health benefits. <\/p>\n

Visits usually last an hour and cost around 600 MXN.<\/p>\n

Wander the Sunday market<\/strong>
If you\u2019re in town on a Sunday, be sure to visit Mercado Tlacolula, one of the most popular markets in the region. It\u2019s been in operation for centuries and is a good place to buy local crafts, produce, food, and everything in between. It\u2019s located 45 minutes outside of town, so you\u2019ll need to drive there or take the bus, but it\u2019s absolutely worth the journey. Thousands of people come here, and there\u2019s tons of amazing food to try. Don\u2019t skip the barbacoa<\/em> (stewed meat) and chicharr\u00f3n<\/em> (fried pork rinds)!<\/p>\n

Admire the world\u2019s widest tree<\/strong>
Just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the center of Oaxaca, in the humble town of Santa Mar\u00eda del Tule, is the world\u2019s widest tree. Estimated to be 1,500-3,000 years old, this Montezuma cypress (Mexico\u2019s national tree) has a diameter of about 14 meters (46 feet) and is a magnificent sight to behold. <\/p>\n

***<\/center><\/p>\n

Oaxaca<\/a> quickly becomes a favorite of everyone who visits and a lot of people ending up coming back over and over again. There\u2019s a lot to see and do here. This itinerary is jus ta general outline as there are tons of little museums, churches, experiences, and markets you can find on your own. <\/p>\n

Use this itinerary to see the highlights and fill in the rest of your time with some wandering!<\/p>\n

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Book Your Trip to Mexico: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n

Book Your Flight<\/strong>
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It is my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is left unturned!<\/p>\n

Book Your Accommodation<\/strong>
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a> as it has the largest inventory. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com<\/a>, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Three of my favorite places to stay are:<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong>
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It\u2019s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I\u2019ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n

Looking for the best companies to save money with?<\/strong>
Check out my resource page<\/a> for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use!<\/p>\n

Want More Information on Mexico?<\/strong>
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Mexico<\/a> for even more planning tips!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Posted: 6\/23\/23 | June 23rd, 2023 Oaxaca is one of my favorite cities. From the moment I first visited, I knew this was a place I would return to again and again and again. I\u2019ve been half a dozen times now, even leading tours around the city. Located in southwestern Mexico in a valley surrounded […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-23501","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}