Itinerary Oaxaca

November is an excellent season to visit Oaxaca: it’s the dry season with comfortable temperatures (16–27°C), clear skies, and lively cultural events right after Día de Muertos.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1350 USD
🏨 Accommodations	800 USD
🧳 Gear	50 USD
🗺️ On-site	250 USD
Total	2450 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇲🇽 Oaxaca de Juárez - 5 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Iconic baroque church and former monastery; don’t miss the intricate gold-leaf interior.

• [ ] 🏙️ Centro Histórico de Oaxaca ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • UNESCO-listed historic core with colorful streets, artisan shops, and colonial architecture; ideal for a self-guided walking tour.

• [ ] 🖼️ Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Fascinating museum inside Santo Domingo, showcasing regional history, Mixtec treasures, and Zapotec jewelry.

• [ ] 🌳 Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca ⭐⭐ (~1.5h, guided)

  • Garden of endemic plants, cacti, and agaves—guided tours only, book ahead.

• [ ] 🏛️ Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (MACO) ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Small but valuable contemporary art space, often featuring local and national artists.

• [ ] 🛕 Basílica de la Soledad ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • 17th-century baroque church, site of local fiestas and lively serenades.

• [ ] 🎨 Centro de las Artes de San Agustín (CASA) ⭐⭐ (~3h, nearby San Agustín Etla)

  • Renowned cultural center founded by artist Francisco Toledo—worth a half-day trip for exhibitions and workshops.

• [ ] 🗺️ Mercado Benito Juárez ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Vibrant market for crafts, moles, and local food—great for souvenirs and sampling classics.

• [ ] 🎨 Textile Museum of Oaxaca (Museo Textil de Oaxaca) ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Free-entry museum displaying diverse indigenous textiles; highlight for culture/heritage lovers.

• [ ] 🌳 Parque El Llano ⭐ (~1h)

  • Lively urban park with street food and morning exercise class; good for a sunrise stroll.

• [ ] 🏙️ Xochimilco Neighborhood ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Colorful, less-touristy area north of the center; packed with murals, cafes, and bakeries.

• [ ] 🏛️ Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo) ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Main plaza—best at dusk for people-watching, street musicians, and local performers.

• [ ] 🏙️ Barrio de Jalatlaco ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Bohemian area with murals, indie boutiques, cool coffee shops—amazing for photos.

• [ ] 🗺️ Mercado 20 de Noviembre ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Best spot to try grilled meats at the “pasillo de las carnes asadas”—local flavor central.

• [ ] 🛕 Ex-Convento de Cuilápam de Guerrero ⭐⭐ (~2.5h, half-day excursion)

  • Dramatic 16th-century Dominican convent in ruins with mountain views; access by taxi or driver.

• [ ] 🌳 Hierve el Agua ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h, day trip)

  • Surreal rock formations and mineral springs in the mountains—swimmable pools and epic scenery; go early to avoid crowds.

• [ ] 🏛️ Monte Albán ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h, half-day excursion)

  • Ancient Zapotec city atop a hill, legendary ruins, sweeping valley views; hire a local guide.

• [ ] 🛍️ Aripo / Cooperativa de Artesanos ⭐ (~1h)

  • Buy authentic crafts, pottery, and textiles direct from artists.

• [ ] 🏛️ Teatro Macedonio Alcalá ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Restored 20th-century theater—catch a concert or guided tour if possible.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Mezcaloteca ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Premier mezcal tasting bar—reservations recommended and try an expert-guided tasting.

• [ ] 🎶 Casa de la Cultura Oaxaqueña ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Regular evening music, dance, and cultural programs; check schedule.

• [ ] 🍸 Los Amantes Mezcal Bar ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Atmospheric mezcal bar with terrace and live music on weekends.

• [ ] 🎭 La Katarsis ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Small, indie theater—unique Oaxacan performances.

• [ ] 🍸 Sabina Sabe ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Stylish bar-bistro fusion—creative cocktails, local culinary influences, trendy crowd.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Mercado 20 de Noviembre (Food Stalls) ⭐⭐⭐

  • Iconic food market—tlayudas, carne asada, mole; approx. $10–15 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🍽️ Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante ⭐⭐⭐

  • Cut-above local cuisine and elegant setting; moles and mezcal tastings.

• [ ] 🍽️ Itanoní ⭐⭐

  • Breakfast spot for traditional corn-based dishes (“tetelas”, “memelas”), $8–12 USD.

• [ ] 🍽️ Los Danzantes ⭐⭐

  • Contemporary Oaxacan, stylish patio; $20–30 USD.

• [ ] 🍽️ La Biznaga ⭐

  • Mexican bistro, tacos and salads, creative menu; $15–20 USD.

• [ ] 🍽️ El Destilado ⭐⭐

  • Trendsetting for creative small plates and cocktails.

• [ ] 🍽️ Chocolate Mayordomo ⭐

  • Famous for Oaxacan drinking chocolate and sweet treats, snack $5–10 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ San Bartolo Coyotepec (Black Pottery Village) (~3h)

  • Known for unique black pottery—visit studios for demos.

• [ ] 🏙️ Tlacolula Sunday Market (~4h)

  • Traditional market in nearby town; best on Sundays, authentic rural Oaxacan experience.

• [ ] 🏙️ Mitla Archaeological Site (~4h)

  • Zapotec ruins with intricate geometric stonework—combine with Hierve el Agua trip.

• [ ] 🏙️ Teotitlán del Valle (~3h)

  • Village famous for wool weaving and hand-dyed rugs.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇲🇽 Oaxaca de Juárez

• [ ] 🎬 Roma (2018) — ⭐ 7.7 — Although set in Mexico City, beautifully depicts Mexican family life and culture — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 La Leyenda de la Nahuala (2007) — ⭐ 6.7 — Animated tale rooted in Mexican folklore, great to understand local legends — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Somebody Feed Phil: Oaxaca Episode (2020) — ⭐ 8.2 — Food and culture travel show, excellent intro to Oaxacan specialties — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Street Food: Latin America - Oaxaca (2020) — ⭐ 7.9 — Fascinating episode on Oaxacan food history and street vendors — Netflix

🍜 Local specialties

🇲🇽 Oaxaca de Juárez

• [ ] Mole negro
• [ ] Tlayudas
• [ ] Memelas
• [ ] Tamales Oaxaqueños
• [ ] Chapulines (toasted grasshoppers)
• [ ] Quesillo (Oaxacan string cheese)
• [ ] Mezcal (artisan agave spirit)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇲🇽 Oaxaca de Juárez

1. 🏛️ Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
2. 🍸 Mezcaloteca
3. 🛍️ Mercado Benito Juárez
4. 🏨 Hotel Quinta Real Oaxaca
5. 🍽️ Mercado 20 de Noviembre

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Oaxaca de Juárez (likely via layover Mexico City or US hub)
• [ ] ✈️ Oaxaca de Juárez → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Oaxaca de Juárez	5	Hotel Quinta Real Oaxaca (4*)	800 USD
Total	5		800 USD