Oaxaca

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Why visit Oaxaca?

Oaxaca City serves as the culinary and artistic heartbeat of southern Mexico, anchored by the sensory overload of the Mercado 20 de Noviembre. Here, the scent of charcoal-grilled tasajo and cecina permeates the air, drawing travelers toward stalls serving authentic mole negro, a complex sauce crafted from dozens of ingredients including chilhuacle chiles and cacao. Beyond the markets, the sixteenth-century Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán stands as a masterpiece of New Spanish baroque architecture, its gilded interior contrasting sharply with the sober stone facades lining the nearby Andador Turístico. Stroll through the lush botanical gardens adjacent to the church before heading to the Zócalo, the city's main square, where marimba bands play under the shade of laurel trees as vendors hawk clay whistles and hand-woven textiles.

Travel thirty minutes outside the urban core to reach the Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán, perched atop a flattened mountain overlooking the entire valley. After exploring the ball courts and subterranean tombs, head to the nearby village of Santa María del Tule to marvel at the gargantuan Árbol del Tule, one of the world's widest trees. In the evening, settle into a rooftop mezcalería to sample artisanal spirits distilled from wild agave species like tepeztate or tobalá, best enjoyed with a side of salty chapulines.

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Popular experiences in Oaxaca

The things travellers book most here. You pay the same price as booking direct.

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When to go to Oaxaca

The best months for Oaxaca are January, February, October, November and December. Highs then sit around 27°C, crowds are medium at peak, and a week here is mid-priced.

Jan
26°
low 11°
1 wet day
Feb
28°
low 11°
0 wet days
Mar
30°
low 13°
0 wet days
Apr
31°
low 15°
3 wet days
May
30°
low 16°
11 wet days
Jun
26°
low 15°
20 wet days
Jul
26°
low 14°
23 wet days
Aug
25°
low 14°
23 wet days
Sep
25°
low 15°
19 wet days
Oct
26°
low 14°
10 wet days
Nov
27°
low 12°
3 wet days
Dec
26°
low 10°
0 wet days
Highlighted = best monthsNumber = average daytime highBar = how wet the month is

Temperatures and wet days are measured, not estimated: ERA5 reanalysis for 2021-2023, at Oaxaca City, Oaxaca. Source: Open-Meteo.

Planning Oaxaca

Best time to visit OaxacaMonth by month, measuredWhere to stay in OaxacaWhich area suits youHow many days you needWhat fits in a short or long stay

Oaxaca — common questions

When is the best time to visit Oaxaca?

The best months for Oaxaca are January, February, October, November and December. Highs then sit around 27°C, crowds are medium at peak, and a week here is mid-priced.

What is the weather like in Oaxaca?

April is the warmest month, with daytime highs around 31°C. August is the coolest, around 25°C by day and 14°C at night. July is the wettest, with about 23 wet days. Figures are measured averages, not estimates.

What is Oaxaca known for?

Oaxaca is best known for culture, history, food, architecture and mountains. The things people come for: Monte Albán, Templo de Santo Domingo, Hierve el Agua, Mercado 20 de Noviembre.

Who is Oaxaca best suited to?

Oaxaca works particularly well for couples, groups of friends and first-time visitors. That is based on what there is to do there, not on who books it most.

What can you book in advance in Oaxaca?

The experiences that sell out first are food tours, cooking classes, day trips, skip-the-line tickets, walking tours and night tours. You can check availability and prices on our booking partners below — you pay the same as booking direct.

Do I need a visa for Mexico?

That depends on your passport and how long you are staying, so there is no single answer. TonyPlan has a visa and entry checker — put in your nationality and it tells you what applies to you.

Get the Oaxaca guide as a PDF

Why to go, the best months with real measured temperatures, which area to stay in, and what flights cost right now — in one file you can read on the plane. Free.

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Getting to nearby places

To Mexico City (bus)To Puerto Escondido (car)