Oaxaca is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Mexico. In this guide, I’ll show you how to make the most out of your 3 days Oaxaca, day by day. Discover the best sites, tours and food.
Are you planning a trip to Oaxaca?
Check out the best tours and accommodations in Oaxaca for your perfect 3-day stay.
Best tours and experiences in Oaxaca:
Day trip from Oaxaca tour (including the beautiful Hierve el agua pools)
Monte Alban archaeological site tour
Traditional cooking class
Vegetarian Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class
Mexican chocolate and cacao tasting experience
Best hotels in Oaxaca:
Casa Antonieta (High-end)
NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca (Mid-range)
Un Sueño Valle de Huajes (Budget)
Oaxaca has everything you think of when you picture the best of Mexico: a warm and lively traditional culture, delicious food (plus it’s the birth place of mezcal), colonial architecture and archaeological sites, plus great natural areas for day trips.
In this itinerary, I have put together my favorite places in the city, highlighting some of my favorite activities, restaurants, and experiences along the way.
I’m sure you will enjoy your 3 days in Oaxaca!
Day 1: Exploring the Historic Center
Breakfast at Quince Letras
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at Quince Letras, a cozy cafe located in the heart of Oaxaca’s historic center. This charming spot is known for its fresh, homemade food and excellent coffee. Try the chilaquiles, a popular Mexican breakfast dish made with tortilla chips, eggs, cheese, and salsa.
Santo Domingo Church
After breakfast, walk for 5 minutes to get to Santo Domingo Church, one of the most popular attractions in Oaxaca. Santo Domingo is actually considered one of the most beautiful churches in Mexico. Admire the intricate gold leaf decorations and the impressive altar, and learn about the church’s history from a local guide. Guided tours are available daily in both English and Spanish.
Museum de las Culturas de Oaxaca
Next, head to the Museum de las Culturas de Oaxaca, which you will find right next to the church. Actually, the museum is housed in the former convent that was attached to the church
While most exhibition rooms remain closed since the pandemic, the museum’s most important exhibition – that of the 7th tomb of Monte Alban – remains open. This exhibit contains a remarkable collection of artifacts from the ancient Zapotec civilization, which were found at the Monte Alban site. The skull covered with a turquoise mosaic is amazing.
The museum closes on Mondays.
Lunch at Benito Juarez Market
For lunch, head to this iconic market to eat taste some of the most traditional Oaxacan dishes.
I recommend to try the tlayudas, which is what we had there and were delicious! Tlayudas are a typical dish from the region. They are big tortillas covered in cheese, refried beans and other toppings. Their shape is like a pizza, but of course the taste is very Mexican. Be sure to explore the different sections of the market and try a bit of everything!
Alcalá Street and around
After lunch, take a stroll down Alcalá Street, a pedestrian-friendly avenue lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Admire the colorful architecture and soak up the local atmosphere.
Along the way, be sure to check out some of the great art shops in Alcala street and around (we got great beautiful ceramics from there). You will also pass by art galleries, and handicraft and mezcal shops.
In the nearby streets you will also find some cute shops and bookshops (with books in English as well).
Zócalo
Later in the afternoon, head to the Zócalo (the main square of Oaxaca), and the area around it. Relax on a bench and people-watch, or visit the Palacio de Gobierno, which has murals depicting Oaxacan history by famous artist Rufino Tamayo.
Be sure to check out the Mercado de Artesanias, which you can find just six blocks away from the Zocalo. It’s a nice market filled with all kinds of handmade crafts and souvenirs.
Dinner at El Destilado
After tasting some of the local flavors at the market, dinner will be at the highly acclaimed contemporary cuisine of El Destilado. With an impressive collection of rare and obscure mezcals, El Destilado actually started as a mezcaleria. Soon after, they expanded their offerings to include an innovative menu that showcases the best of Oaxacan cuisine.
Day 2: A Day Trip out of Oaxaca City
The second day out of your 3 days in Oaxaca will actually be outside of Oaxaca. This day you will take a trip to some of the region’s top attractions.
Ideally, if you want to make the most out of the day, take a tour. Visiting sites by public transport is totally possible especially if you speak Spanish, but you won’t really be able to visit all of the places you could with a tour in one day.
This highly rated day tour includes stops at the Tule Tree, Teotitlan del Valle, Mitla, Hierve el Agua, and a mezcal distillery, giving you a taste of Oaxaca’s natural wonders, traditional crafts, and famous spirits all in one day.
Otherwise, you could go by public transport to the Tule Tree, and from there to Teotitlan and to Hierve el Agua. But fitting more sights in one day going by public transport would be more difficult.
Tule Tree
The day starts with a visit to the Tule Tree, located in the town of Santa Maria del Tule just outside of Oaxaca City. This ancient tree is over 2,000 years old and has a circumference of 42 meters (around 138 feet), making it one of the largest trees in the world.
Teotitlan del Valle
Next up is Teotitlan del Valle, a charming town known for its traditional weaving techniques and colorful textiles. There, you will visit a local workshop to see how the weavers use natural dyes and age-old techniques to create their beautiful designs.
I bought a very nice colorful carpet at Teotitlan, it’s really a great place to buy some Mexican souvenirs.
Mitla
After Teotitlan del Valle, you will head to Mitla, an ancient Zapotec archaeological site known for its intricate stone mosaics and geometric patterns. You will have time to explore the ruins and before continuing on to your next stop.
Hierve el Agua
Hierve el Agua is a natural wonder that’s unlike anything else you’ll see in Oaxaca. It was my favorite place outside of the city, and it will probably be one of your highlights from your 3 days in Oaxaca as well.
Hierve el Agua is a set of beautiful mineral-rich natural pools and petrified waterfalls, which are formed by natural springs. Even though the name translates as “The Water Boils”, they are not hot springs, but the water is rather cold/lukewarm.
The pools are located at a cliff, from where you will get stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Mezcal Distillery (Mezcal El Rey de Matatlán)
Last, you will visit a mezcal distillery to learn about the production process of this famous spirit, and sample some of the region’s best offerings. El Rey de Matatlán is a popular choice for its range of mezcal flavors (you can taste up to 20 different ones). The distillery offers good guided tours.
By the end of this action-packed day trip, you’ll see why Oaxaca is one of the best places to visit in Mexico. You will have experienced the best of Oaxaca’s natural beauty, traditional crafts, and famous spirits. It’s a long day, but definitely worth it if you’re short on time and want to see as much as possible.
You can book this day tour here.
Day 3: Oaxacan cuisine or visiting Monte Alban
Breakfast at La Popular
Start your day at La Popular, a bustling breakfast spot beloved by locals and tourists alike. This restaurant is known for its freshly baked bread, traditional hot chocolate, and chilaquiles, a classic Mexican breakfast dish made with fried tortillas, eggs, and salsa.
For the morning of the last of your 3 days in Oaxaca, I propose you two different alternatives.
Option 1: Monte Alban
The first option for Day 3, would be booking a tour to Monte Alban. This will be an interesting cultural tour in Mexico, if you want to learn more about Mexico’s ancient civilizations and explore the places where they used to live,
Monte Alban sits on a mountaintop, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valley. This ancient city was once the capital of the Zapotec civilization and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you already visited a major site like Teotihuacan for example, maybe you could skip Monte Alban and spend more time in Oaxaca city. Unless you are a big archaology fan, of course.
Option 2: Cooking Class
If you decide to stay in Oaxaca, I highly recommend taking a cooking class in the morning.
Oaxaca is known for its seven moles, a sauce made from a combination of various spices, chilies, nuts, and seeds, each with its unique flavor and texture. You’ll have the opportunity to prepare and taste during the cooking class and learn about the history and significance of this traditional dish in Oaxacan culture.
For the cooking class experience, you’ll first head to a local market to shop for ingredients. This is a great opportunity to see and learn about the variety of traditional ingredients used in Oaxacan cuisine.
The cooking class itself is led by a local chef who will guide you through the process of making traditional Oaxacan dishes, such as tortillas, empanadas, memelas, quesadillas, and mole.
If you are vegetarian, you can opt for a vegetarian Oaxacan cooking class.
You can check out the traditional cooking class here, and the vegetarian cooking class here.
Lunch at Casa Oaxaca
After your cooking class or tour, head to Casa Oaxaca for lunch. This elegant restaurant is known for its contemporary twist on traditional Oaxacan cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients and creative flavors.
Afternoon: Cacao and Chocolate Experience
Did you know that cacao is originally from Mexico and has been used in traditional Mexican cuisine for over 3,000 years?
In the afternoon, I recommend taking a cacao and chocolate tasting experience to learn about the rich cacao tradition in Oaxaca. If you are a chocolate lover like I am, you will love the experience.
You’ll taste between up to 20 types of cacao and chocolate, including pure cacao and cacao endemic to the region. At the same time, you will also learn about the history of cacao cultivation in Oaxaca and the traditional techniques used to make chocolate.
You can book this cacao experience here.
Dinner at Los Danzantes
For your last meal, head to Los Danzantes. This restaurant serves contemporary Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. It’s the perfect end of your 3 days in Oaxaca.
Best Hotels for your stay in Oaxaca
Casa Antonieta (High-end)
This hotel is located close to the Zocalo, restaurants, and shops, making it a great base for exploring the city. The property itself is stunning, with a beautiful interior courtyard surrounded by spacious and chic rooms. The rooftop terrace and bar is the perfect place to end a busy day. The staff is very helpful and attentive to guests’ needs.
You can book a room at Casa Antonieta here.
NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca (Mid-range)
This lovely hotel boasts a central location, making it easy to explore the city. The hotel offers a beautiful courtyard where you can enjoy breakfast and an extremely helpful staff to make your stay comfortable. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated with local art. They offer special touches like artisan soaps, huipil gifts, and waters/drinks on arrival.
You can book a room at NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca here.
Un Sueño Valle de Huajes (Budget)
This hotel is located within walking distance (15 minutes) to the city center. Although there is no breakfast served on-site, there’s a small market nearby with great options for breakfast like quesadillas and tamales. The hotel has a quiet ambiance and great rooftop with a beautiful view.
You can book a room at Un Sueño Valle de Huajes here.
What Else to Visit in Oaxaca State?
If you are still planning your Mexico itinerary and are wondering what else to visit in the area, Oaxaca is home to several Pueblos Magicos that are worth a visit.
Pueblos Magicos, if you are new to Mexico, translate as Magic Towns. They are towns that are given this name because they have conserved their original architecture, customs and traditions. It’s where the magic of Mexico comes alive.
Out of the several Pueblos Magicos of Oaxaca, Mazunte is a particularly worth a visit. It’s a beautiful, town by the beach, where you can spend your days at a yoga class, releasing baby sea turtles at the beach, go whale watching and more.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, if you’re planning a trip to Mexico, make sure to include some time in Oaxaca. Just a bit over an hour by plane from Mexico City, Oaxaca is absolutely one of the best places in Mexico to spend some days enjoying the local culture and nature.
While some travelers may have concerns about safety in Mexico, it’s important to note that with common sense, Oaxaca is generally a very safe place to visit. Here you can read more about safety in Oaxaca.
I hope you will enjoy your 3 days Oaxaca. Leave a comment if you need any other recommendation!
