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Mexico · Oaxaca

Oaxaca travel guide

Mole, mezcal and Mexico's richest traditions

Santo Domingo church, Oaxaca. Photo: No machine-readable author provided. João Sousa assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

11h 30mflight from London
OAXnearest main airport
20° in Aprwarmest month
14° in Jancoolest month

Oaxaca is a colourful colonial city in the southern highlands, known for its food, crafts and strong indigenous culture.

Nearby are the ruins of Monte Albán, petrified waterfalls at Hierve el Agua and villages making pottery, rugs and mezcal. It's the best place for Day of the Dead.

Good forFoodCultureCraftsFestivals

What Oaxaca is known for

  • Mole

    Seven rich, complex sauces.

  • Mezcal

    Smoky agave spirit.

  • Day of the Dead

    Altars, parades and candlelit graves.

  • Monte Albán

    A Zapotec hilltop city.

Top things to do in Oaxaca

  1. 1

    Monte Albán

    Ruins with mountain views.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Hierve el Agua

    Mineral pools on a cliff edge.

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  3. 3

    A cookery class

    Learn to make mole.

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  4. 4

    Mercado 20 de Noviembre

    Grill your own meat in the smoke-filled hall.

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See all tours and tickets in Oaxaca

Where to stay in Oaxaca

Find a hotel in Oaxaca

Best time to visit Oaxaca

Best value: May–Sep. October to April; early November for Day of the Dead.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
14 C14°J16 C16°F17.9 C18°M20 C20°A19.9 C20°M18.2 C18°J17.2 C17°J17.2 C17°A16.8 C17°S15.9 C16°O14.3 C14°N14 C14°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Oaxaca, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 11h 30m from London to OAX, and flights from most UK airports.

Walk the centre. Tours or colectivos go to the villages and ruins.

Find flights to Oaxaca (OAX)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • Book months ahead for Day of the Dead.
  • Nights are cool at altitude.
  • Fly via Mexico City.
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Oaxaca FAQ

How do I get to Oaxaca?

Fly via Mexico City (1 hour).

How long to stay?

Four or five days.

More places in Mexico

Back to the Mexico travel guide + Add Oaxaca to your bucket list