February is a beautiful time to visit Oaxaca Perfect for exploring the city before getting cozy in a bar in the evening If you decide to come for Valentine’s day the city definitely leans into decorating for the romantic holiday A chocolate tasting or workshop is a fun way to enjoy this day with your favorite person One of the top things people visit Oaxaca for is the mole February starts with a fair of seven moles in the beautiful town of San Pablo Villa de Mitla You can take a bus or shared tax from next to the baseball stadium or one of the many tour companies can arrange a visit This event will celebrate the gastronomic and cultural wealth of the region to enjoy the colors chocoatole and the seven different types of mole This will be part of a broader fair in Mitla that will include music dancing start the month with a night out and see Human Toys play in Oaxaca This month sees a major face-off for Oaxacan Lucha Libre with Alberto El Patron and L.A Park taking on Psycho Clown and Pagano Lucha Libre translates as “free fight,” and is a Mexican style of professional wrestling characterized by high-flying maneuvers Fighters often wear masks to hide their identity in and out of the ring the regular events are usually in a small arena on the outskirts of the city this bout will take place in the Guelaguetza stadium A unique opportunity to hear organ music and to experience Oaxaca off the tourist track with eight concerts on eight Oaxaca historic organs Concerts will be delivered by by renowned organists Luca Scandali (Italy) James O’Donnell (UK) and José Suárez with Horacio Franco (Mexico City) on the recorder with Valentín Hernández (Oaxaca) on percussion This venue is usually one recommended to visit to sip Oaxaca’s most famous spirit in an environment where they can talk you through the process 9 it will also be the spot to catch up with football fans and catch the sports most anticipated event you can go and see a rendition of Romeo and Juliet the fight between the Liberals and Conservatives stains the streets of the city Two young lovers refuse to accept that their love is prevented by belonging to opposing sides but will they manage to stay together this time After 15 years of producing an award-winning Key West Food & Wine Festival in Key West the team are bringing the event to Oaxaca “Known as the gastronomic center of Mexico Oaxaca is simply the perfect place for food lovers to gather.” Visit the 3rd Annual Unconventional Pet Fair at the University of Oaxaca As well as the iconic Ambystoma mexicanum — better known as the axolotl — there will also be an exhibition of reptiles and small mammals such as pygmy hedgehogs February is a great time to get down to the coast of Oaxaca join Zipolite’s 10th annual nudist festival The celebrations will start with a calenda get body painted and take part in a volleyball competition After spending a few days celebrating nudism head for a dance as German DJ Pauli Pocket plays house and techno on the Oaxaca coast’s Mazunte beach Mazunte is a firm favorite of hippies and travelling partygoers It’s a chiller vibe than Puerto Escondido but people get into the swing of things from the early afternoon ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - 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I would like to receive Newsletter from MICHELIN Guide Save lists of your favorite restaurants & hotels Top Image: Wakax Hacienda \u2014 Tulum Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker There has perhaps never been a more interesting time to visit the Mitla archaeological site southeast of the city of Oaxaca with news this month that researchers have discovered what is likely a pre-Hispanic burial temple for the ancient city’s rulers Mitla was once an important Zapotec and Mixtec city an example of two Mesoamerican peoples coexisting peacefully The Spanish-built San Pablo Church sits atop the ruins of Mitla located 40 km (25 miles) southeast of the city of Oaxaca in an area that’s been occupied for at least 2,000 years it eventually became an important political and religious center after the fall of the Mesoamerican city of Monte Albán around A.D While Mixtecas occupied the city around A.D the Zapotecans continued to inhabit the city after the Mixtecas arrival Some of the decorations on the buildings show the influence of both of these cultures as well as that of the mysterious Teotihuacán the city had approximately 10,500 inhabitants The name Mitla is a Spanish transliteration of Mictlán a Nahuatl word that means “place of the dead.” Zapotecans called it Lyobaa which has been translated as “place of rest.” It’s believed that Milta was a sacred city and one that was considered by its inhabitants to have an entrance to the underworld where a number of important priests and rulers of Mitla are entombed Recently, an archeological survey by a team of international scientists using imaging technology has revealed what the researchers believe is that supposed entrance to the underworld: a hidden pre-Hispanic temple that may have ended up beneath the main site in the colonial era or later due to volcanic activity missionaries sealed all entrances to the temple upon learning about it Dominican priest Francisco de Burgoa’s 1674 account claimed that the Spanish clergymen believed it was a “back door to hell.”  this “place of the dead” is currently underground and has yet to be excavated Mitla’s visible ruins consist of five compounds referred to by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) as groups and the Columns Group are the most extensively excavated the Adobes Group (also called Calvario) and the Southern Group have only been partially excavated Each group consists of rectangular patios surrounded by rooms The main entrance to the ruins leads to the Church Group the Spanish built San Pablo Church in the 16th century using materials from destroyed indigenous structures The Spanish razed many pre-Hispanic sites — especially those considered to have political or religious significance — and built over them to demonstrate Spain’s power Zapotecan and Mixtecan royalty and religious leaders lived in the structures of the Church Group before they were displaced by the Spanish it is the altar of this church that obscured the mouth of a tunnel to the supposed “backdoor to hell.”  so called because of the six columns still standing in one room; these had served at one time to support a roof The buildings located here were most likely used for civic and religious activities Every structure in Mitla is covered with intricate geometric patterns made from thousands of small stones no mortar or any kind of glue was used to keep them in place The first European explorers who chanced upon Mitla’s ruins called them “friezes grecas” because of their similarity to Greek designs this comparison is not baseless; the patterns are meandering and continuous Some have suggested they resemble ancient textile designs that have been used as storytelling tools The Church Group and Columns Group are adjacent but the other three sites are a short distance away signs showing how to get to them are nonexistent but I was able to get there by asking a couple of people When I finally did get to the Arroyo and Adobe groups I asked a guard at Group of the North why those sites weren’t open and was told it was the responsibility of the local government I decided not to try to make the trek to reach the Southern Group The nearby town of San Pablo Villa de Mitla is a pueblo magico Adjacent to the ruins are large outdoor artisans’ markets that are definitely worth visiting The site’s open daily and although there are websites claiming it opens at 8 a.m Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries The world-famous weaving center of Teotitlán del Valle is only 20 minutes from Oaxaca City © Wolfgang Kaehler / LightRocket via Getty Images Oaxaca City has plenty to enthrall visitors – and day trips from this regional capital and cultural center complement any visit here Venturing out beyond the busy city promises a taste of old Oaxaca as ancient traditions come alive at rustic mezcal distilleries spirited artisan workshops and indigenous mountain communities that time forgot Here are some noteworthy getaways to explore the alluring environs of Oaxaca all just an easy day trip away from the big city A cluster of eight remote communities tucked away in the Sierra Norte mountains, the Pueblos Mancomunados (Commonwealth of Villages) provide the ideal setting for wilderness adventures on bike foot or horseback amid magnificent canyons Home to 400 bird species and thousands of plant varieties the cool cloud forest here is best experienced along some 60 miles of trails that connect the welcoming Zapotec towns all of which have no-frills cabins for rent and roadside cantinas whipping up hearty comfort food How to get to the Pueblos Mancomunados from Oaxaca Driving is the most convenient way to reach the villages lie about 1 hour and 25 minutes northeast of Oaxaca City turn left at the Oaxaca–Tlacolula Highway and head north Another option is Oaxaca City–based Expediciones Sierra Norte which operates shared vans to most of the towns and arranges guided hikes and tours There’s no shortage of downtown Oaxaca City stores selling barro negro (polished black pottery) and alebrijes (colorful wood-carved animal figures) – but nothing beats the experience of seeing these iconic wares taking shape in artisans’ studios dozens of workshops and homes dedicate themselves exclusively to the production of alebrijes where some larger sculptures can take up to 4 years to make Many of the surreal alebrijes are based on the sacred animals of Zapotec mythology On the return to Oaxaca, hit Alfarería Doña Rosa (after 4pm) in San Bartolo Coyotepec for a fascinating demonstration showing how black pottery is burnished with quartz stones to give it its distinctive luster How to get to San Martín Tilcajete and San Bartolo Coyotepec from Oaxaca Both towns are south of the city along Highway 175 Autobuses Halcón on Bustamante 606A has frequent bus departures to San Bartolo Coyotepec (30 minutes) will drop you at the San Martín Tilcajete (45 minutes) turnoff where it’s about 1 mile to the Jacobo & María Ángeles factory head for the majestic mountains of the remote Mixtec village of Santiago Apoala Wi-fi is spotty at best in these parts – but who needs it when you're hiking to a sublime 200-foot waterfall amid deep canyons with ancient rock carvings though the natural beauty and quiet calm make a strong case for an overnight excursion Community tour operator Ecoturismo Comunal Yutsa To’on rents affordable riverside cabins and runs guided hiking outings Santiago Apoala is about 2.5 hours northwest of Oaxaca City and is most conveniently reached by car Take Highway 135D to the town of Asunción Nochixtlán to access the bumpy dirt road to Santiago Apoala frequent Nochixtlán-bound buses depart from Oaxaca’s first-class bus station; from Nochixtlán hire a local taxi up to the village for about M$350 ($12.50) one way Oaxaca City-based Tierraventura offers 2-day tours to Santiago Apoala After taking in the spectacular panoramic views of Monte Albán (a must-visit while in Oaxaca City), head to the ancient Zapotec ruins of Mitla for sophisticated stone “mosaics” that are unique in Mexico (and the world) mosey on over to Restaurante Doña Chica for some exquisite mole before heading out to Santiago Matatlán Oaxaca’s capital of mezcal (a distilled alcoholic agave spirit) To learn about the production process, swing by craft distillery 3 Mezquites de Don Goyo where you can sample and purchase complex mezcals made from wild agaves If time permits, squeeze in a visit to Hierve el Agua and take a dip in cliffside mineral springs with expansive views over the sierra (Just make sure it’s open before you head there as Hierve el Agua regularly closes due to long-running political conflicts.) How to get to Mitla and Santiago Matatlán from Oaxaca Take Highway 190 east to reach Mitla (45 minutes) and Santiago Matatlán (55 minutes) The turnoff for San Baltazar Guelavila is about 8km south of Santiago Matatlán Hierve el Agua lies about 45 minutes southeast of Mitla (look for the turnoff along Highway 179) Tour operator Experience Agave runs day trips to distilleries in the Santiago Matatlán area and beyond Villagers in world-renowned Teotitlán del Valle have been weaving colorful rugs and blankets since pre-Hispanic times, and the craft is still very much alive today. As you make your way to Teotitlán, stop in the town of El Tule to marvel at the Árbol del Tule a 2,000-year-old Montezuma cypress tree that is said to have the world's widest trunk In Teotitlán del Valle, a fairly new community center houses a museum celebrating all things weaving leads weaving classes for anyone looking for a more hands-on experience while cooking courses are available at El Sabor Zapoteco should you like to learn how to prepare classic Zapotec dishes How to get to Teotitlan del Valle from Oaxaca To reach El Tule (20 minutes) and Teotitlán del Valle by car Mitla-bound buses depart frequently from the second-class bus station; they’ll usually drop you along the highway Or simply hail a taxi colectivo (shared taxi) in Oaxaca near the first-class bus station You might also like:Ten places to grab lunch on a budget in OaxacaMezcal three ways: ten great places to get mezcal in OaxacaMexico's best off-the-grid-beaches Five residents of the town of San Lucas Quiaviní died while fighting a forest fire that threatened their village in the eastern section of the Central Valleys region of the state of Oaxaca some 40 kilometers from state capital Oaxaca City Villagers tried to contain the conflagration that started on Tuesday but the fire quickly spread and five men were overwhelmed by the advancing fire on Wednesday State authorities were alerted as soon as the fire was spotted but villagers say officials were slow to react The Oaxaca state government did not issue an emergency assistance plan until after the fatalities were reported San Lucas Quiaviní had issued a call to neighboring municipalities to help combat the blaze Designated officials are continuing to work to control this fire I send my deepest condolences to the families affected and reiterate our support and solidarity.” The National Forestry Commission on Thursday conducted a flyover to determine the magnitude of the fire and direct firefighting efforts in conjunction with the state Forestry Commission and civil protection personnel from the municipalities of Tlacolula de Matamoros Fire brigades from the nearby communities of San Isidro Huayápam and El Tequio Xoxocotlán are working alongside National Forestry Commission personnel Municipal and community officials have been tasked with safeguarding the volunteers helping to control the fire roughly 200 volunteers and official personnel were on site The Oaxaca Attorney General’s Office sent a forensic team to recover the bodies and help investigate the origins of the fire There are currently six active forest fires in Oaxaca including a second in the Central Valleys region far to the southwest near the village of La Compañía With reports from Proceso and El Universal Last Updated on 26th April 2023 by Sophie Nadeau With houses painted in a rainbow hue of colours the sound of Latin music filling the air and the scent of Oaxacan food meeting your nose at every step it’s easy to fall in love with the city of Oaxaca. Here’s how to spend the perfect 3 days in Oaxaca itinerary The city has an immensely livable atmosphere that welcomes travellers as soon as they step in With enchanting cobblestone streets and towering mountains on either side it’s a photographer’s dream – no surprise that the city has been an artist’s haven for decades which are balls of dough with various fillings.  there’s also a variety of half-day and full-day trips in the local area This blog post details a full Oaxaca city itinerary detailing how to put all of the attractions together to ensure that you don’t miss anything!  On your first day in Oaxaca, I’d recommend doing a walking tour around the city centre. There are a few companies offering tours; here’s a link to one of them. This tour will take you around the historic centre detailing important aspects of Oaxaca’s culture You’ll learn about the fascinating Santo Domingo church which sits in the heart of town and dates back to 1724 – and even have the chance to take a look inside – and get a full education into Oaxaca’s biggest source of pride head to Mercado 20 de Noviembre for lunch – this is one of the best markets in the city for eating You’ll find traditional items like tamales or tlayudas here – or opt for something more nationally Mexican such as tacos or quesadillas make sure you try the stringy quesillo cheese – originally from Oaxaca take a walk to the Guelaguetza stadium for a beautiful view over the city You can see the whole urban area and its surrounding mountains from a spectacular vantage point here spend some time exploring the streets at your own pace perhaps heading to the Zocalo to people-watch and grab a drink you’ll find a variety of museums and art galleries in town including Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Oaxaca and Museo Textil de Oaxaca.  This local restaurant can be busy during peak times – as the name suggests it’s very popular – but it has a menu with plenty of traditional Oaxacan fare plus all the mezcal and Corona beers you’ll need!  Monte Alban is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Oaxaca You can either reach it by doing a private tour like this one which includes transport from Oaxaca and a guide who will detail its history these ruins were part of an ancient city inhabited by Zapotec people the complex extends over four miles and encompasses pyramid temples This green lung of the city is dotted with street food trucks; I used to work in a co-working space in the park and had a favourite taco stand Spend your afternoon browsing Oaxaca’s excellent markets Mercado Benito Juárez is one of the largest in the city and sells a wide array of handicrafts and textiles along with food and other products or visit the appropriately named Mercado de Artesanías if you’re looking solely for artisanal products; it’s the ideal spot to get a souvenir.  This isn’t Mexican food – but I’m not exaggerating when I say that they serve probably the best pizza I’ve ever tried in the evening Boulenc turns into a hip restaurant and bar where you can enjoy pizza with a range of toppings washed down with beer and – of course – mezcal.  On your last day in Oaxaca, a trip to the world’s widest tree and one of its two petrified waterfalls in the world awaits!You can tackle this day trip independently, or by doing a guided tour like this one. but it’s possible to see all of these sites in one day on public transport if you start early!  start by taking a collectivo to Tule – they leave Oaxaca on the main road out of the city Tule is a sleepy town on the city’s outskirts home to allegedly the widest tree in the world take another collectivo to San Pablo Villa de Mitla These extremely well-preserved ruins also date back to Zapotec days; it’s thought that they were predominantly a sacred burial site.  caminonetas (vans) leave to drive up to the mountains to reach Hierve al Agua You’ll find these in the same place where you disembarked the last collectivo They leave once they are full (usually when they have 10 people) although the driver will leave early if you offer to pay more than the usual rate.  but it’s all worth it once you reach the top!  Formed when dripping water mixed with minerals in the rocks and calcified the frozen waterfalls give the illusion of a permanently still waterfall hanging off the cliff and then relax in the pools at the top – they’re safe for swimming and are the perfect antidote to a hot you won’t need to stop in Tule – simply take a camioneta back to Mitla and then change buses to head back to the city.  head to the homely Calabacitas Tiernas restaurant which serves up fresh dishes for all dietary requirements but they have extensive veggie and meat menus a multi-room space with a rooftop bar.  If you have one more day to spend in Oaxaca or if you don’t fancy one of the days on this list You’ll receive a full education in Oaxacan food with a market visit and cooking lesson to make some of the city’s most famous products the day will end with eating all of your creations There’s something for all budgets in Oaxaca – whether you’re a budget or luxury traveller you’ll find somewhere to rest your head in this city!  this hostel is renowned for its airy rooftop space where they have regular BBQs and cumbia dancing lessons making it the ideal place to meet other travellers. Check prices and availability here For a mid-range option, check out Hotel Casa de Sierra Azul which is set in a traditional Oaxacan house with a lovely courtyard. Rooms are authentic yet well-furnished, and you’ll be greeted like an old friend as soon as you walk through the door. Check prices and availability here. Quinta Real Oaxaca is a luxurious and historic hotel housed in a 16th-century convent. It features elegant rooms with antique furnishings, a beautiful courtyard and a pool. If you’re looking for somewhere high-end to stay at while you’re in Oaxaca, there’s nowhere better! Check prices and availability here. here are some places you can visit from Oaxaca There’s something for everyone in wonderful Oaxaca Whether you visit the city for the stunning mountains it’s the kind of city that totally sucks you in These three days in Oaxaca will help you to scratch the surface, but you’ll no doubt be dreaming of days spent traversing the cobblestone streets or trying authentic market food for years to come. Want more Mexico inspiration? Here’s how to spend 2 weeks in Mexico Enjoyed reading this 3 days in Oaxaca itinerary Claire Martin is a travel blogger and freelance writer who specialises in overland adventures travelled from Bali to London without flying lived in Mexico and has spent many months exploring Europe and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I started this site back in 2015 with one mission in mind: I wanted to create useful travel guides with a historical and cultural focus Today it has blossomed into my full time job and together with a small team of writers (including my husband and sister) we craft articles to help you travel better throughout Europe © 2015- 2025 Sophie Nadeau. Nadeau Pasquier LTD. 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