Needless to say, the street food here is legendary.
Top 5 Cant Miss
Find the tastiest street food on every corner.
Or go formemelas, another traditional dish with similar ingredients served on a thick corn cake griddled on acomal.
Oaxaca’s Santo Domingo de Guzman Temple.Credit:Gonzalo Azumendi/Getty Images
It takes a few days to try it all, and first-timers may want to join a food tour.
Feast on mole and take a cooking class.
Making mole requires more patience than dexterity.
A mole tostada.Rodrigo Ojeda/Getty Images
you might also take cooking classes withSeasons of My HeartandSonia Silva.
Explore the city’s centera UNESCO World Heritage site.
Drive the new highway from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.
Dried chiles for sale in Oaxaca.Phil Clarke Hill/Getty Images
Family beaches, fishing towns, and resort areas likeHuatulcoare located alongOaxacas coastas well.
The scenic drive to the coast is a perfect side trip for visitors to Oaxaca.
Celebrate Oaxacas premier cultural celebration, Guelaguetza.
The Cathedral of Oaxaca City at night.Alfredo Martinez/Getty Images
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One of Oaxacas most important cultural festivals celebrates the rich traditions of the states Indigenous roots.
Naturally, theres plenty of mezcal served during Guelaguetza as well.
Or, plan your trip, around one of the city’s many other festivals.
Aerial view of road that follows Oaxaca’s coastline.Itzel Garrido/Travel + Leisure
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In addition to Guelaguetza, festivals are held year round in Oaxaca.
Theres Feria del Tejate y Tamal, a celebration of traditional foods also held in July.
As is the case in many Catholic countries, theres a lively Carnival celebration before the beginning of Lent.
Zapotec dancers in a parade during the Guelaguetza.Education Images/Getty Images
Visit one of the oldest, widest trees in the world.
Dive deep into Zapotec history at Monte Alban.
DedA Vargas/Getty Images
Oaxacas most famous archaeological site isMonte Alban(founded around 500 B.C.)
A young woman takes part of Day Of The Dead in Oaxaca.Jan Sochor/Getty Images
and IT served at the Zapotec capital for more than 1,000 years.
Check out the “frozen” waterfall at Hierve el Agua.
The area offers scenic hiking trails, beautiful views, and history.
El Árbol del Tule is one of the world’s largest trees.Prakich / Getty Images
Get some steps in while exploring Oaxacan street art.
Plan a dayand bring an extra suitcasefor souvenirs.
Visit San Martin Tilcajete & Arrazola to find your favoritealebrije.
Temple ruins of Monte Alban.Dedé Vargas/Getty Images
The animals are hand-carved from copal, a fragrant softwood native to the area.
Within the city, head for La Casa de las Artesanias de Oaxaca.
Dive into Oaxacan art and history at the citys museums.
Water of Hierve el Agua.Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure
TheMuseo de los Pintores Oaxaquenosfocuses on Oaxacan painters.
Museo Textil de Oaxaca showcases handwoven textiles from Oaxacas Indigenous communities.
Indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment.
A cat mural in the Xochimilco District of Oaxaca.VW Pics/Getty Images
Take your self-care to the next level with atemazcal.
Some of the best places for the experience in Oaxaca areCeviarem Temazcal OaxacaandTemazcal Centro Quetzalcalli.
Catch alucha librematch.
Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images
Buy your ticket at the door and get ready for a good time.
Its as much fun watching the crowdand being part of itas seeing the wrestling.
Skip the morning coffee and opt for hot chocolate.
Alebrije souvenirs in Oaxaca.Javier López Peña/Getty Images
Sip on mezcal at amezcaleria.
Some of the best places for an educational and enjoyable experience areMezcalotecaandIn Situ.
Explore Oaxaca on a hiking or biking tour.
An exhibit inside Museum of Oaxacan Culture.Jon G. Fuller/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
There are alsofree walking toursin Oaxaca that can help you get in your steps and see the citys sights.
Oaxacas Jardin Etnobotanico is a must-see for nature lovers.
The garden also offers eye-catching historic ruins, stone pathways, and sculptural elements.
A traditional temazcal structure.mofles/Getty Images
A lucha libre match.Thomas Barwick/Getty Images
Oaxacan chocolate being poured into a hand-painted mug.DarioGaona/Getty Images
Pouring mezcal into a glass in Oaxaca, Mexico.Indigoai/Getty Images
View of Oaxaca from the top of a mountain.Julio Ortega/Getty Images
Oaxaca’s Botanical Garden.Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure
