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Oaxaca Experiences by a Oaxacan
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items Are you thinking of going to Oaxaca, Mexico? Maybe you've already booked your flight! Here are some recommendations from a native Oaxacan who visits Oaxaca around once a year!
Sections
6
Food You Can’t Leave Without Trying
Best Restaurants (Locals Actually Go To)
Markets & Shopping Like a Local
Culture & Art Experiences
Day Trips Worth It
Travel Tips
Food You Can’t Leave Without Trying
This is a list of traditional Oaxacan food you want to eat in the city before you leave. There is NOTHING like eating real Oaxacan mole in Oaxaca or a fresh Tlayuda (large tortilla) with beans and cheese!
You HAVE to eat one if you go to Oaxaca. It's a Tlayuda (large tortilla) with beans, cheese, and meat! Please don't call it a Mexican Pizza though! Call it by it's name! Best place to get one? The Markets! See restaurants.
Tlayuda
One of Oaxaca's pre-hispanic and most delicious drinks! The best one's can be found at the 20 de Noviembre Market! There are many ladies selling them throughout!
Tejate
You can find this at the markets or as an option in restaurants/stands/markets. A must try!
Quesillo
There are soooo many kinds of good mole in Oaxaca. Negro, colorado, verde, amarillo etc! I recommend the markets once again but also any mole tours where you can see it actually being made. You will have the BEST experience learning and eating!
Mole
Try it everywhere you go! There's amazing tours that show you the process of making Mezcal! But if you're more into drinking it hit up the markets and purchase it there! There will be no shortage of Mezcal offerings. If you're lucky and you happen to...
Oaxaca Mezcal
Best Restaurants (Locals Actually Go To)
Some restaurants that have both traditional cuisine and some more modern bites.
A lowkey modern coffee shop with art and a relaxing vibe and great coffee!
Kiyo Cafe
Boulenc is NOT traditional Oaxacan food but more modern brunch/lunch. A lot of tourists can be seen here and at it's hotel.
Boulenc, Pan Artesanal, Fermentos, Conservas, Restaurante, Café, Hotel
If you're looking for upscale at a reasonable price come to this Michelin restaurant! The prices are similar to U.S. pricing but the food is authentic with Michelin service.
RESTAURANTE LOS DANZANTES OAXACA
Sit on the balcony and enjoy a beautiful view of Oaxaca while you have a bite! I don't recommend this for a full meal but for some drinks and appetizers after visiting the museum across the street!
Los Andantes Terraza
This place is a little more tourist-y. But my sister and I loved it! The food is amazing and they have some fresh aguas frescas to cool you off on a hot day!
Casa Mayordomo Restaurante - Oaxaca
Markets & Shopping Like a Local
When in Oaxaca you do NOT want to skip the markets. These markets are the heart of the Oaxacan people. Here is where we eat, trade, sell, and enjoy our culture. Every market has the most authentic Oaxacan food, clothing, textiles and more! Do NOT ski...
The best market in Oaxaca! You can shop for everything clothing, souvenirs, art, artesian cheeses, chocolate, mole and more! And what's even better you can eat authentic food here! No need to go to a restaurant and it's the real deal!
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
A smaller but equally as magical market! This is next to Mercado 20 de Noviembre so make sure to stop by! This market typically offers more artisan goods. Clay, embroidery, textiles, bags and more!
Mercado Benito Juarez
Oaxaca has different regions and a diversity of indigenous peoples all specializing in different arts. Pottery and clay are a few highlights due to the black color of the clay. Embroidery from the Zapotecs, beautiful handmade bags, leather items, and...
MERCADO DE ARTESANIAS
I encourage you to check out the vendors along El Zocalo! You can find almost anything you need here. Plus they have events or art displays along the cathedral and the main square. Grab a snack with one of the food vendors or grab a taxi for a day tr...
Zócalo de la Ciudad de Oaxaca (Plaza de La Constitución)
Culture & Art Experiences
The rich history of Oaxaca is fascinating and the museums and experiences you can attend will teach you about the culture, pre-colonization and today. If you want a real cultural experience with music, rich pre-hispanic traditions, and some the happi...
DO NOT SKIP THIS! If you are not Oaxacan you must check this museum out. Located in one of the more notable churches in Oaxaca, the museum tells the history of the people of Oaxaca. Including pre and post colonization, the loss of culture, the preser...
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo
This area features streets lined with vendors both artisanal and food. You can walk in the street visiting different storefronts featuring chocolate, textiles, souvenirs and more!
Andador Turístico
I come here for the ice cream and the marimba. But there is more to do and see! You can visit one of the largest catholic shops in town, catch a festivity, or walk around taking in the sights. With your ice cream of course! Try the leche quemada!
Plaza de la Danza
Day Trips Worth It
The city of Oaxaca is rich with things to do whether it's catching a concert at el Zocalo or eating at one of the markets there's plenty to do! But if you're craving an excursion to beautiful landscapes, old ruins, or neighboring towns this is your l...
Monte Alban is one of the coolest short trips you can make from the city! You don't need a guide! Just download the DiDi app and use it like Uber/Lyft! It cost us $30 roundtrip and takes around 25 minutes to get there from El Zocalo! Pro-tip: there's...
Monte Albán
OaxacaToursMx offers the best day tours, excellent staff, if you choose a group tour the bus accommodates around 16 people and is very comfortable. On route to Hierve el Agua they also stop by Mezcal! You can grab a quick bite and drink before headin...
Hierve el Agua
The tree with the largest trunk in the world! It is a 30 minute car ride from El Zocalo. El Tule is situated in a quaint town, the tree itself sits next to a church and there's a market next door where you can eat ice cream, tacos, or buy souvenirs.
Tree of Tule
Travel Tips
Highly recommended hotel, amazing amenities, in a perfect location close to everything and the OaxacaToursMX folks pick you up directly from here for the tour!
Quinta Real - Oaxaca Mexico Hotels
OaxacaTours.Mx offers airport pick-up service. They are extremely professional, they tracked my flight for me, communicated with me via Whatsapp and made me feel safe and secure!
Book a Ride to and from the airport!
