Oaxaca

Arbol del Tule

This tree has the largest base of any tree in the world. Legend has it that it is over 1400 years old. It is just outside of a church with a lovely garden around it.

M$20 entrance fee; colectivo transport M$25 one way

Archivo Maguey

A popular bar that borders on a nightclub late at night. Contains a hidden bar and balcony located behind a not-so-secret moving bookcase.

Wed 15:00-23:00, Thu 15:00-00:00 Fri-Sun 15:00-01:00·M$30 cover

Barbacoa Obispo Cocina Real

Comfortable outdoor dining room serving authentic Mixtec barbacoa that's at once familiar yet unique in its traditional flavor profile. Order the "paquetes". Awarded a star in the 2025 Michelin Guide, yet the food is affordably priced and served in an everyday humble style, making it an outstanding value for the cash-strapped gourmet.

Tue-Sat 09:00 - 21:00, Sun 09:00 - 17:00, closed Mon·M$300

Basílica de la Soledad Plaza

Plaza de Nieves

The plaza in front of this church is filled with stores selling nieves (snows), frozen sorbets flavored with any number of fruits. The most classic flavoring is tuna, the fruit of the prickly pear cactus.

Benito Juarez National Park

Large natural park with hiking trails, zip lines, and great opportunities for bird watchers.

M$20

Boulenc

Should you tire of the traditional Oaxacan fare and desire something more familiar, this is the place to go.

Daily 08:30-22:30

Cabuche

A pleasant little restaurant with fresh-tasting Oaxacan cuisine and an understanding of vegetarian/vegan requirements.

Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00

Café Los Cuiles

Good coffee, free Wi-Fi, friendly staff, good atmosphere. Try the Café Oaxaqueña (slightly sweet, with cinnamon. Yum!

Daily 08:00-22:00·Moderate

Cantina Salón de La Fama

An extremely local bar with great service and occasionally hilarious artwork. Live, local music, should you be so lucky.

Mon-Sat 12:00-00:00

Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante

If you're looking to splurge on a meal that you won't be able to find in other restaurants in Oaxaca, Casa Oaxaca fits the bill. Ask for a rooftop table and enjoy the 5-course tasting menu for US$32/person. Treat yourself to corn mushroom soup, fresh fish with tomato marmalade and succulent sorbets. The wine list is decent with some excellent Spanish wines and good local options. There is another Casa Oaxaca restaurant, in the same location as Casa Oaxaca Hotel.

Mon-Sat 13:00-23:00, Sun 13:00-21:00

Casa Oaxaca Reforma

Traditional Oaxacan cuisine by chef Alejandro Ruiz Olmedo of Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante, but at slightly more affordable prices.

Mon-Sat 07:45-19:00, Sun 10:00-18:00

Casa de Benito Juarez

Historic childhood home of former Mexican President Benito Juarez. It's an unassuming home fitting for a man of humble roots.

Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00·M$43 (adults), free (disabled/children under 13), free admission on Sundays for residents; M$45 video permit

Casa de Mezcal

A local bar serving several mezcales, bottled beer and other drinks

Catedral Metropolitana

Oaxaca's largest church dates from 1533 and is known for its unique interpretation of baroque style architecture.

Centro Fotográfico Álvarez Bravo

Established by Mexican photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo and housed in a beautifully-restored colonial building, this center hosts changing exhibits of work by Mexican and international photographers.

Wed-Mon 09:30-20:00·Free

Chedraui

A large hypermarket (supermercado) with better selection and quality than Soriana. Has a well-stocked pharmacy as well as a bakery and a deli.

Daily 07:00-23:00

Coffee Beans

A cozy cafe and bar selling various beers and a good selection of coffees including various flavours in both hot and cold at decent prices M$16 for a beer, M$12 for a coffee and a little more with flavour). Doesn't have Wi-Fi.

Comala

Serves a good selection of Oaxacan fare, and international favorites including burgers and sandwiches. Has a good comida corrida.

Mon-Sat 08:30-24:00·M$80 (comida corrida), M$85-120 mains

Estadio Eduardo Vasconcelos

Estadio del Beisbol

Oaxaca has a popular and successful baseball team, the Guerreros, who play from late March through late August in a modern, well maintained stadium. Good concessions at reasonable prices.

Tickets start at M$10

Fundacion En Via

A non-profit microfinance organization that runs tours to Teotitlan del Valle every Thursday and Saturday. They are working to fight poverty around Oaxaca and to educate travelers about the power of micro-finance. In Teotitlan, participants get to meet two groups of three women who are applying for their micro-loans. Participants hear about their lives and projects, which could be anything from weaving the beautiful rugs for which the town is famous, to making tortillas, raising chickens, making pinatas, or selling flowers in the market. At the end of the day 100% of the tour fee is given as an interest-free micro-loan to one of the two groups of women. Trips run every Thursday 13:00-19:00 and every Saturday 09:00-16:00.

M$655 or US$50

Hierve el Agua

The Water Boils

Natural mineral springs that flow into several open pools located at an altitude of about 3,000 meters. Despite the name, the water is not actually boiling; it's actually a comfortable temperature. Nearby is a massive "petrified waterfall", which is not actually petrified; it is the result of mineral deposits from dripping mineral spring water over many, many years. From the plateau, you have a breathtaking view over the mountain ranges. Bring a swim suit. Changing areas and restrooms are available. Also bring a few coins to buy a cup of fresh, sliced fruit, the tastiest you will find! Allow an hour.

$50 plus $20 for the road fee

In Situ

Well over a hundred bottles of mezcal to choose from a dizzying array of producers with many varietals, and with options from young, unaged platos to complex dark anejos. The expert mescaleros can explain how the mezcals are made and how they differ from each other in the glass.

14:00 - 23:00 (closed Sun)

Instituto de Artes Gráficos

A smaller venue which hosts rotating exhibits of work by national and international artists.

Daily 10:00-20:00·Free

Itanoní

Non-GMO corn-based quesadillas, tacos and tamales are prepared fresh to order on an open comal.

Mon-Sat 07:00-16:00 Sun 07:00-14:00

Jardín Etnobotánico

Oaxaca Botanical Garden

A former army base, converted to a large botanical garden in 1993. The garden, designed by Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo who led the project to create it, has the largest collection of living cacti and agave plants in Oaxaca. Paths take visitors though the constantly growing collections that show the rich biodiversity of Oaxacan plant life. Entrance to the garden is through guided tours only, limited to 30 people, and no reservations are accepted. Spanish tours are one hour long, and English tours are two hours.

English tours: Mon-Sat 11:00; Spanish tours: Mon-Sat 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, Mon-Fri also at 17:00·Spanish tours $50, English tours $100

La Biznaga

Dine in a covered courtyard surrounded by art and wireless web surfers. Prices are reasonable for creative Oaxacan cuisine, and the people watching is a bonus.

Mon-Thu 13:00-22:00, Fri Sat 13:00-23:00

La Capilla

Excellent place to eat, They have mole and various typical meals worth the trip to Zaachila.

La Casa de la Abuela

Offers a good selection of regional cuisine, with great views from the balcony.

Daily 10:00-23:00

La Casa de la Ciudad

City Museum

Features exhibitions devoted to architectural styles, historical photographs and urban art. Two aerial photographs taken of Oaxaca in 1990 and 2006 are embedded in an underlit floor so that visitors can walk over them and explore the changes in the city that occurred during those 16 years.

Daily 09:00-20:00·Free

La Casa del Tío Güero

Typical Oaxacan cuisine. A good deal with good food, all made with purified water.