Mexico · Region
Oaxaca
Oaxaca de Juárez is a high-valley capital famed for its black-clay pottery, mezcal distilleries and a cuisine so distinctive that UNESCO has recognised it alongside the city's colonial centre. Its baroque churches and bustling mercados sit against a backdrop of mountains shared by sixteen indigenous peoples, giving the city a depth of craft and ritual rarely matched elsewhere in Mexico.
Top-rated things to do in Oaxaca
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Where to stay in Oaxaca
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Plan your trip to Oaxaca
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Frequently asked questions about Oaxaca
How do I get to Oaxaca?
Most travellers fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), a small international airport about 7 miles south of the city centre with regular domestic connections, including to Mexico City in ~1.5 hours. Overland travellers typically take a first-class bus from Mexico City's TAPO terminal, a journey of roughly 6-7 hours that ends at Oaxaca's main bus terminal within walking or taxi distance of downtown.
How many days should I spend in Oaxaca?
Plan on ~3-4 days to cover the historic centre, markets and nearby archaeological sites such as Monte Albán, or longer if you intend to branch out to the Pacific coast or mezcal villages beyond the valley.
What is Oaxaca known for?
Oaxaca de Juárez is a high-valley capital famed for its black-clay pottery, mezcal distilleries and a cuisine so distinctive that UNESCO has recognised it alongside the city's colonial centre. Its baroque churches and bustling mercados sit against a backdrop of mountains shared by sixteen indigenous peoples, giving the city a depth of craft and ritual rarely matched elsewhere in Mexico.