A Couple of Days in Oaxaca City
I want to share my experience and some of the sightseeing’s of a beautiful city in the State of Oaxaca (English: wə-HAH-kə) on the Southeast of my home country, Mexico. This State is also home to the very famous cities of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido, because of their surf-scene and surf competitions. But, further north, in-land there is Oaxaca City.
Oaxaca City is a colonial city with a population of about 300,000 habitants (2014). It is famous for its cuisine, mainly the mole sauce and the mezcal drink. Oaxaca City is a short flight from Mexico City.
We visited Oaxaca City, mid-December, which is perfect time to escape the Canadian winter, weather was perfect with lows of 18 °C and highs around 27 °C. This was my first time in this city, and I fell in love with it. Its restaurants, its people (always friendly greeting you with a smile), its architecture. Even though it was high-season and the city was busy, it wasn’t packed. Below are some of the highlights.
Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Santo Domingo de Guzmán is one of Oaxaca’s most iconic landmarks. This stunning Baroque church, with its ornate façade and richly decorated interior, reflects the city’s colonial history and vibrant culture. Its adjacent plaza and former convent, now a museum, make it a must-visit spot for history, architecture, and photography enthusiasts. Early mornings give it the perfect warm light.
Santo Doming o de Guzmán Church
Next to the church, there’s another beautiful building, a monastery now converted to the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca (Museum of Oaxacan Cultures). You can spend about two hours wondering around the different exhibitions.
Monte Albán
Monte Albán is an archeological zone, about 30 minutes from Oaxaca City. There are many tour operators that will take you there. We wanted to be on our own schedule, so we chose to hire a private driver to drive us there and pick us up. We arrived at Monte Alban about 10am in the morning. I’d suggest you hire a guide to get the most of your visit. You can spend about two or three hours on the ruins and then browse the museum/gift shop at the entrance.
Monte Albán Archaeological site
Food
Oaxaca, often called Mexico’s culinary capital, is a vibrant fusion of indigenous traditions and colonial influences. Its cuisine is famous for rich moles, hand-made tortillas, tlayudas, and artisanal cheeses, all bursting with bold flavors. From street food to fine dining, Oaxaca offers a taste of history, culture, and local ingredients in every bite.
Los Pacos
A restaurant that we liked a lot was “Los Pacos”. Here, they have a variety of traditional plates from Oaxaca. For example, you can get a sample of the 7 types mole sauce, and of course mezcal or one of their local beers.
El Pasillo de Humo
However, our favourite place, was “El Pasillo de Humo” literally translates as smoking hall, due to the smoke from the many grills. It is located inside the market “20 de Noviembre”. You have to be a little adventurous, you will be sharing your table with others and most of the time is crowded. You choose place you want to eat, sit down, order your meat (by the pound), choose your fixings, you buy the tortillas from another person, order your drinks and in 10 minutes you have a feast to make your own tacos.
El Rey de Matatlán
We visited El Rey de Matatlán, in Santiago Matatlán, about 1 hour drive SW of Oaxaca City. It was a great experience. We got to see how traditional mezcal is made, from roasting the agave hearts in stone ovens to fermentation and distillation. Tasting the mezcal right where it’s crafted gave me a true sense of Oaxacan tradition and craftsmanship.
Mezcal Tasting
Streets of Oaxaca
Below is a small gallery of the streets of Oaxaca. Wandering the streets was like stepping into a living postcard. Colorful colonial buildings, and the scent of fresh tortillas, elotes and spices fill the air. Every corner seems to have a story.
If you want to visit Mexico and are tired of the classic tourist destinations give, Oaxaca City a chance. You won’t regret it. Here are some helpful links:
For high quality prints, canvas and other items visiting my Oaxaca collection. If you’re interested in an image that is not listed in the store, please contact me for availability.
Thank you for reading.