Oaxaca Travel Guide and What You Can Do

Are you looking for a Oaxaca travel guide? If there is a state in the Mexican Republic that must be visited to know and appreciate the Mexican culture is Oaxaca. 

It is a destination that offers a great diversity of places of great natural beauty in terms of landscapes: forests, beaches, and cities with many things to offer travelers, in addition to having one of the most representative cuisines of the country. 

So if you are planning your next vacation in a relaxed style and accompanied by friends, we give you the guide to travel around Oaxaca and make this an unforgettable walk.

How to travel to Oaxaca?

You can get to Oaxaca by plane if you leave Mexico City the flight takes approximately 1 hour with 10 minutes. 

But if your idea is to visit different places, we recommend you start this trip by car, as it will allow you to move more easily through the state when you are there. 

The trip by car lasts almost 7 hours, also leaving from Mexico City.

The places you can not miss

Our first recommendation is to make the first stop in Oaxaca City. Here you will find museums, craft markets, and other emblematic places. 

Very close to there, approximately 10 kilometers, we recommend one of the attractions that are almost obligatory to know as the Tule Tree. 

Why? Because it is one of the oldest trees. It has the thickest trunk in the world and is a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

San Martin Tilcajete

Image by Davidanegas

This is another town that you should mark in your travel guide through Oaxaca. Here you will find some of the most representative crafts of the country: the alebrijes. 

These fantastic figures are recognized all over the world, so by visiting this place, you will be able to become one, since they are considered protective and good luck. 

To get there you can take public transport walking in the opposite direction to the Temple of Santo Domingo and get on those that indicate the destination to Ocotlán. 

When you arrive in this town, you can take a bike taxi that leaves you in Tilcajate.

Mitla

Image by Antonio Chaves

Mitla is also located near Oaxaca city, so it is a good route to move through this territory. 

Mitla is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country; it was the second most important ceremonial center of the Zapotecs. Hence the next point to visit is Hierve el Agua.

Hierve el Agua

Image by LBM1948

Of the favorite places for those looking to take pictures for their spectacular beauty, this is one of the favorites for bloggers. 

This place has petrified waterfalls that measure more than 200 meters high; with unique colors in the wells and the water that gushes from the mountain. 

This makes Hierve el Agua one of the places you can’t miss when traveling around Oaxaca. 

The petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua Oaxaca are a tourist attraction that has become one of the must-sees in Oaxaca.

To get there, take the federal highway towards the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, then take the detour to Mitla. After 7 kilometers the deviation to San Lorenzo Albarradas and continue along a road of 5 kilometers of dirt that will take you to your destination.

Monte Albán

Image by Linfocito X

To say that you have known Oaxaca, in your travel guide remember to put a pin to visit Monte Albán. 

It is also an archaeological destination where you can see where the Ball Game was practiced, being one of the most important rituals of the ancestral culture of Mexico.

If you want to drive, you will have to take the road to Pedro Ixtlahuaca and continue along Dr. Ignacio Bernal. 

From here you will begin to see the signs that will take you to the destination. If, on the other hand, you prefer to take public transport, the best option is to take a taxi from Oaxaca City and you will be there in 20 minutes.

A mezcal route

Image by Andrea Mendoza Santillán

This is another must-see in your Oaxaca travel guide. 

Mezcal is the ancestral drink of the state and there are several places where you can take tours to know the process of its elaboration and of course, take a tasting later.

Oaxaca travel guide: Let’s go to the beach!

Here if you have several obligatory stops in the tour of the nature of Oaxaca, because it has some of the most beautiful beaches, being Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, Mazunte, and Zipolite the most popular for travelers.

Puerto Escondido is ideal for both those looking for a party and for those who want to relax to the fullest. 

As well as for those looking to do different water activities, since in the place you can find skimboarding classes, sport fishing or diving.

Here you can also carry out one of the most beautiful activities: the release of turtles.

Mazunte is without a doubt a magical beach. It is ideal for bohemian travelers or as they are known today hipsters. On this beach, you will find cabins, do not expect to see 5-star hotels, but the essence of the place makes this beach an authentic and unique place so you really can not miss knowing it.

Before reaching the beach area, do not miss the opportunity to make a stop in the town of San José del Pacífico. 

Here you can have a spiritual healing trip with the ancestral temazcal baths, try the mushrooms if you are looking for a trip in every way and perform different sports activities such as hiking, zip-lining, and mountain biking, in a scenario that will make you feel that you are in the sky since it is 2,500 meters above sea level, so the landscapes are spectacular.

We are sure that you will not lack the desire to start preparing your bags and embark on this adventure through Oaxaca.

 Here is our Oaxaca travel guide. If you still need more things to discover, we give you the following recommendations:

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