Guidebook for Oaxaca
Arts & Culture
Stunning array of handmade textiles, informational tours and the work of contemporary textile artists. The attached shop has some of the best pieces in town.
105 locals recommend
Textile Museum of Oaxaca
917 Miguel HidalgoStunning array of handmade textiles, informational tours and the work of contemporary textile artists. The attached shop has some of the best pieces in town.
Fantastic exhibitions of local, national and international artists. The openings are a great place to meet other creative souls.
64 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Oaxaca
202 C. Macedonio AlcaláFantastic exhibitions of local, national and international artists. The openings are a great place to meet other creative souls.
Interesting exhibits of locally made furniture, textiles and other works of art.
18 locals recommend
Oaxacan Culture House
403 González OrtegaInteresting exhibits of locally made furniture, textiles and other works of art.
Beautiful old theater that regularly shows reasonably priced movies, plays and dance performances.
86 locals recommend
Macedonio de Alcala Theater
900 Av. de la IndependenciaBeautiful old theater that regularly shows reasonably priced movies, plays and dance performances.
Massive museum where you can learn all about the history of the state.
121 locals recommend
Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo
s/n 1a. Cerrada de Macedonio AlcalaMassive museum where you can learn all about the history of the state.
Lovely collection of contemporary photography work.
19 locals recommend
Centro Fotografico Manuel Alvarez Bravo
104 C. de Manuel BravoLovely collection of contemporary photography work.
For lovers of the graphic arts, street art and graffiti.
59 locals recommend
Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca
507 C. Macedonio AlcaláFor lovers of the graphic arts, street art and graffiti.
Espacio Zapata
509 C. Porfirio DíazStreet art lovers rejoice – this is the place for you.
Though it may sound a bit dull, this stamp museum is super interesting, with a rotating offering of exhibitions, and a charming cafe with patio.
75 locals recommend
Philatelic Museum of Oaxaca
201 C/ de la ConstituciónThough it may sound a bit dull, this stamp museum is super interesting, with a rotating offering of exhibitions, and a charming cafe with patio.
Sightseeing
Guided tours in a variety of languages to learn all about the local plant life in the state of Oaxaca.
162 locals recommend
Ethnobotanical Garden of Oaxaca
Sur n ReformaGuided tours in a variety of languages to learn all about the local plant life in the state of Oaxaca.
Socially focused tours that offer informative outings to the pueblos to learn about the borrowers in their interest-free loan program for women. All tour fees directly support these loans.
Fundación En Vía
909 Av Benito JuárezSocially focused tours that offer informative outings to the pueblos to learn about the borrowers in their interest-free loan program for women. All tour fees directly support these loans.
Ehren works with a local weaving family who offer individual classes for $20USD/hour. Includes all materials and 100% of the money goes to the family. There are also interesting ruins in this pueblo.
95 locals recommend
Mitla
Camino NacionalEhren works with a local weaving family who offer individual classes for $20USD/hour. Includes all materials and 100% of the money goes to the family. There are also interesting ruins in this pueblo.
Weaving pueblo with quality handmade rugs and other products. Ehren also offers custom artisan tours to the pueblos, per your specifications for $50USD per person. This 5-hour tour includes transit.
101 locals recommend
Teotitlan Del Valle
Km 2 De JuárezWeaving pueblo with quality handmade rugs and other products. Ehren also offers custom artisan tours to the pueblos, per your specifications for $50USD per person. This 5-hour tour includes transit.
Giant Sunday market with everything from artisan handmade goods to fresh produce. Shop with the locals but get there early as it is wall-to-wall people after 1pm.
72 locals recommend
Tlacolula de Matamoros
Giant Sunday market with everything from artisan handmade goods to fresh produce. Shop with the locals but get there early as it is wall-to-wall people after 1pm.
Stunning petrified falls, with a pool where you can soak and look over the valley. You can get there by car or colectivo.
195 locals recommend
Hierve el Agua
Hierve el AguaStunning petrified falls, with a pool where you can soak and look over the valley. You can get there by car or colectivo.
Erick offers climbing outings in this area that fits all levels. Price is $50USD per person for a 4.5 hour day and includes transportation, all gear and instruction.
San Sebastián Tutla
Erick offers climbing outings in this area that fits all levels. Price is $50USD per person for a 4.5 hour day and includes transportation, all gear and instruction.
Artisan vendors, impromptu performances and all kinds of restaurants. Be cautious when buying artisan wares here, as much of it is mass produced in China.
129 locals recommend
Zócalo Oaxaca
Portal del PalacioArtisan vendors, impromptu performances and all kinds of restaurants. Be cautious when buying artisan wares here, as much of it is mass produced in China.
Lovely venue for a hike and picnic. They also have a zipline and reasonably priced cabins for overnight stays.
Benito Juárez
Lovely venue for a hike and picnic. They also have a zipline and reasonably priced cabins for overnight stays.
Home to the makers of the infamous barro nego (black pottery).
59 locals recommend
San Bartolo Coyotepec
Home to the makers of the infamous barro nego (black pottery).
The most beautiful church with interiors that are completely painted by hand using indigo and cochineal natural color.
Tlacochahuaya
TlacochahuayaThe most beautiful church with interiors that are completely painted by hand using indigo and cochineal natural color.
Gorgeous venue for art and taking in the views – founded by Francisco Toledo, a famous local artist and activist.
95 locals recommend
Arts Center of St. Augustine
s/n Av. IndependenciaGorgeous venue for art and taking in the views – founded by Francisco Toledo, a famous local artist and activist.
Home to the famous green glazed pottery and other works. Ehren also offers custom artisan tours to the pueblos, per your specifications for $50USD per person. This 5-hour tour includes transit.
50 locals recommend
Santa María Atzompa
Home to the famous green glazed pottery and other works. Ehren also offers custom artisan tours to the pueblos, per your specifications for $50USD per person. This 5-hour tour includes transit.
A good place to relax with a coffee – make sure to grab a torta from the little white stall called La Hormiga.
24 locals recommend
Conzati Garden
s/n Valentín Gómez FariasA good place to relax with a coffee – make sure to grab a torta from the little white stall called La Hormiga.
Food Scene
The best pastries in town by a mile. Our friends own this little shop that sells quality bread and sweet treats. Try their sandwiches and pizzas too.
132 locals recommend
Boulenc
207 C. Porfirio DíazThe best pastries in town by a mile. Our friends own this little shop that sells quality bread and sweet treats. Try their sandwiches and pizzas too.
Good prices, giant healthy salads and some of the best chicken tacos dorados around. Free wifi, but doesn't work out in their courtyard – you have to sit inside for that.
13 locals recommend
Cafe Los Cuiles
115 LabastidaGood prices, giant healthy salads and some of the best chicken tacos dorados around. Free wifi, but doesn't work out in their courtyard – you have to sit inside for that.
The best handmade tortillas and a tasty brunch, to boot. People come from miles around to eat at this place.
35 locals recommend
Itanoni, tortilleria y antojeria
513 Av Belisario DomínguezThe best handmade tortillas and a tasty brunch, to boot. People come from miles around to eat at this place.
Super authentic and tasty dishes from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec where you can sample a range of local delicacies.
9 locals recommend
La Teca
200 C. VioletasSuper authentic and tasty dishes from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec where you can sample a range of local delicacies.
This is a sweet little tea venue where you can relax with a cake and pot of tea and write in your travel journal while people watching.
La Pasión, Café y Casa de Té
518 C. VioletasThis is a sweet little tea venue where you can relax with a cake and pot of tea and write in your travel journal while people watching.
Excellent place to sample contemporary take on mole, along with other regional items. They also have an amazing salad with feta, spinach, bacon and grapefruit.
67 locals recommend
La Biznaga
907 Av Benito JuárezExcellent place to sample contemporary take on mole, along with other regional items. They also have an amazing salad with feta, spinach, bacon and grapefruit.
If you're feeling fancy, this is one of the best restaurants in the city.
149 locals recommend
Restaurante Casa Oaxaca
104-A C/ de la ConstituciónIf you're feeling fancy, this is one of the best restaurants in the city.
The cafe version of Casa Oaxaca in centro. This location offers breakfast and comida and the food is tops.
15 locals recommend
Casa Oaxaca Café
518 C. JazminesThe cafe version of Casa Oaxaca in centro. This location offers breakfast and comida and the food is tops.
Tasty soup that is cooked in pre-Hispanic method using a searing hot stone to boil the soup in your bowl. Shrimp soup is our favorite, but you can also get fish soup and tortilla treats.
Caldo De Piedra
Tasty soup that is cooked in pre-Hispanic method using a searing hot stone to boil the soup in your bowl. Shrimp soup is our favorite, but you can also get fish soup and tortilla treats.
Beautiful interiors, amazing cuisine (try the shrimp tlayuda) and a drink list entirely comprised of mezcal cocktails. If it's a busy time of year, make a reservation in advance.
143 locals recommend
Los Danzantes
403 C. Macedonio AlcaláBeautiful interiors, amazing cuisine (try the shrimp tlayuda) and a drink list entirely comprised of mezcal cocktails. If it's a busy time of year, make a reservation in advance.
Next door to La Biznaga – his venue has quality dishes and is a good place to try pulque.
83 locals recommend
Zandunga
#512 C. de Manuel García VigilNext door to La Biznaga – his venue has quality dishes and is a good place to try pulque.
Origen
820 Miguel HidalgoBeautiful plates with artistic presentation and quality ingredients.
Fairly new venue with contemporary comida and dinner menu. Note: they close early.
17 locals recommend
Cabuche
1017 Miguel HidalgoFairly new venue with contemporary comida and dinner menu. Note: they close early.
Lovely interiors and while the food is not the typical traditional Oaxacan fare, it is tasty.
Zicanda
409 C. de Manuel García VigilLovely interiors and while the food is not the typical traditional Oaxacan fare, it is tasty.
El Infierno
212 C. de Manuel Sabino CrespoExceptionally priced three-course comida.
Las Quince Letras
300 C. de Mariano AbasoloAn excellent venue for a reasonably priced quality comida.
Marco Polo Seafood Restaurant
806 Calle de José María Pino SuárezGood venue for brunch with a nice outdoor space.
PEZ
407 MurguíaGood new restaurant with excellent fish tacos at a good price.
Lovely outdoor dining area that is surrounded by a library. Well-priced two-course comida.
33 locals recommend
La Jícara Librespacio Cultural
1105 C. Porfirio DíazLovely outdoor dining area that is surrounded by a library. Well-priced two-course comida.
One of the most famous places in town for tlayudas, but we know a better place that is street-side, not far from our house.
14 locals recommend
Libres Tlayudas Doña Martha
212 C. de Los LibresOne of the most famous places in town for tlayudas, but we know a better place that is street-side, not far from our house.
This chain serves up good, if a bit pricey, tlayudas. The condiment bar is sometimes worth the extra 30 pesos that you will pay here for this Oaxacan treat. Various locations in town.
I Love Tlayudas Oaxaca Reforma
602 C. AlamosThis chain serves up good, if a bit pricey, tlayudas. The condiment bar is sometimes worth the extra 30 pesos that you will pay here for this Oaxacan treat. Various locations in town.
La Red
110 Nicolás del PuertoGood seafood restaurant in the city.
A good bet for eats while you are in Teotitlan del Valle – owned and run by the Mendez sisters.
Restaurante Tlamanalli
A good bet for eats while you are in Teotitlan del Valle – owned and run by the Mendez sisters.
Essentials
Massive grocery store that stocks a number of hard-to-find ingredients and products from other countries, as well as an array of quality Mexican brands. You can also buy beer, wine and liquor here.
26 locals recommend
Chedraui
917 Heroica Escuela Naval MilitarMassive grocery store that stocks a number of hard-to-find ingredients and products from other countries, as well as an array of quality Mexican brands. You can also buy beer, wine and liquor here.
Shopping
This is the official government shop for the state of Oaxaca that sells artisan goods. They have excellent quality for prices just barely over what you would pay direct to the maker.
18 locals recommend
Aripo
809 C. de Manuel García VigilThis is the official government shop for the state of Oaxaca that sells artisan goods. They have excellent quality for prices just barely over what you would pay direct to the maker.
Amazing handmade ceramics from Guanajuato. Supreme quality and contemporary designs.
Javier Servin Ceramica
305-B C/ de la ConstituciónAmazing handmade ceramics from Guanajuato. Supreme quality and contemporary designs.
Huge market with handmade crafts, food vendors and other delights. Try the chapulines (grasshoppers fried with chili and lime).
201 locals recommend
20 de Noviembre Market
512 20 de NoviembreHuge market with handmade crafts, food vendors and other delights. Try the chapulines (grasshoppers fried with chili and lime).
Endless stalls of shoes, sandals, food, produce, flowers and more. This is also where you can get colectivos out to pueblos. Note: this area is not the best - watch your things and avoid at night.
Mercado de Abastos
Juárez MazaEndless stalls of shoes, sandals, food, produce, flowers and more. This is also where you can get colectivos out to pueblos. Note: this area is not the best - watch your things and avoid at night.
Giant open-air market every Friday – ceramics, produce, prepared food items and more.
18 locals recommend
Ocotlán de Morelos
Giant open-air market every Friday – ceramics, produce, prepared food items and more.
Entertainment & Activities
Museum for kids with an excellent selection of books and classes.
22 locals recommend
BS Biblioteca Infantil de Oaxaca
1342 C. José López AlavezMuseum for kids with an excellent selection of books and classes.
Drinks & Nightlife
Brooklyn-esque bar with great selection of mezcals and simple food menu.
15 locals recommend
El Destilado
409 5 de MayoBrooklyn-esque bar with great selection of mezcals and simple food menu.
Tastavins
309 MurguíaDecent wine selection with tasty tapas.
Los Amantes Mezcalería
107 C. de Ignacio AllendeFancy venue with some of the best mezcal in town.
Rooftop patio, multilevel venue for drinks and sometimes live music and dancing on weekends.
78 locals recommend
Txalaparta Bar
208 Mariano MatamorosRooftop patio, multilevel venue for drinks and sometimes live music and dancing on weekends.
A good place to move through introduction to the different types of mezcal.
33 locals recommend
La Mezcaloteca
No. 506 ReformaA good place to move through introduction to the different types of mezcal.
La Farola
Traditional Mexican cantina – heavy on the history, as well as the libations.
Mezcaleria Mezontle
413 Vicente GuerreroGreat place to sample a flight of mezcals.
Bar La Tentacion
101 Mariano MatamorosExcellent venue for dancing (salsa, cumbia, etc) and drinks.
Good selection of reasonably priced mezcal with indoor and outdoor seating area.
18 locals recommend
Cuish Mezcaleria
712 Díaz OrdazGood selection of reasonably priced mezcal with indoor and outdoor seating area.
Live music, good mezcal list and tasty food. Try the jamaica and cheese stuffed tacos dorados.
Tutuma Comercio Justo
Live music, good mezcal list and tasty food. Try the jamaica and cheese stuffed tacos dorados.