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Home / Destinations / Oaxaca City

Oaxaca City

Mexico · City · MXN · 17.073200, -96.726600
Family friendly 7.1/10 · Rank 656 of 2 709
Best season: October-March

Best for

Suitable for gastronomy, culture, history, crafts, and authentic Mexico lovers

Best season

October-March

Daily budget
$79.00 (≈ 6 630 ₽ · ≈ 1 343 MXN)
For 7 days
$553.00 (≈ 46 408 ₽ · ≈ 9 401 MXN)
Oaxaca is a colorful city in southern Mexico, the capital of the state of the same name and recognized as the gastronomic capital of the country. The city charms with its green stone colonial architecture, rich indigenous traditions, and famous black chocolate, while its surroundings with the Monte Albán ruins and the Hierve el Agua canyon attract history and nature lovers. Oaxaca is the perfect place for those seeking an authentic Mexican experience.
Summer
29.0°C
Winter
12.0°C
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Description and atmosphere

Energy

calm

Pace of life

moderate

Local character

Friendly, traditional, proud of culinary and cultural heritage, hospitable

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Mexico's culinary capital with best mole and mezcal
  • Rich culture and traditions
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Excellent markets and crafts
  • Relaxed atmosphere
  • Excellent base for trips to Monte Alban and Hierve el Agua
  • Affordable prices

Cons

  • No direct flights from Moscow
  • No beaches
  • Limited nightlife
  • Rainy season from May to October
Climate
Summer Temperature
Average air temperature in June–August
23.0°C
Summer Daytime Temp
Average daytime temperature in June-August
26.4°C
Summer Max Temp
Maximum daytime temperature in summer months
29.0°C
Winter Temperature
Average air temperature in December–February
17.0°C
Winter Daytime Temp
Average daytime temperature in December-February
26.9°C
Winter Min Temp
Minimum temperature in winter months
12.0°C
Rainy Season
Months with the heaviest rainfall
May-October
Attractions

Monte Alban

Ancient Zapotec city on hilltop with pyramids and panoramic views, UNESCO site

Templo de Santo Domingo

Magnificent Baroque church with richly decorated interior and museum

Botanical Garden

Ethnobotanical garden at Santo Domingo monastery with collection of cacti and regional plants

Benito Juarez Market

Largest city market with local products, cheeses, chocolate, and crafts

20 de Noviembre Market

Market with famous grill corridor and local cuisine

Museum of Cultures

Museum in Santo Domingo monastery with pre-Columbian artifacts

Cuilapan Monastery

Former Dominican monastery with frescoes and archaeological site

Hierve el Agua

Petrified waterfall with natural pools, popular swimming spot

Textile Museum

Museum with collection of traditional Oaxacan textiles

Best areas

Historic Center

Heart of the city with Zocalo, Santo Domingo church, markets, and museums, UNESCO site

Jalatlaco Area

Bohemian area with galleries, cafes, and restaurants, popular among artists

Reforma Area

Residential area with parks, cafes, and local markets

San Felipe del Agua Area

Area with aqueduct and traditional restaurants

Must-try food

Mole

Complex sauce of chili, chocolate, and spices, seven varieties exist, served with chicken or turkey

Tlayudas

Large crispy tortilla with beans, meat, cheese, and salsa

Chapulines

Fried grasshoppers with salt and lime, traditional snack

Tejate

Drink made from corn and cacao, traditional to Oaxaca

Memelas

Thick tortillas with beans and cheese, popular street food

Cecina

Thinly sliced dried meat, grilled

Mezcal

Strong agave spirit, produced in Oaxaca

Where to go next

Monte Alban

Ancient Zapotec city, UNESCO site, 20 minutes away

Hierve el Agua

Petrified waterfall with natural pools, 1.5 hours away

Mitla

Archaeological site with unique geometric patterns, 1 hour away

Puerto Escondido

Popular beach resort on Oaxacan coast, 6 hours away

San Jose del Pacifico

Mountain town with coffee and crafts, 3 hours away

Family Friendly
Suitable for families with children
Yes
Nightlife
Level of nightlife
medium
Getting there
Nearest airports
Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX).
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Visa
Visa requirements
not required (SAE)
Best Season
Months with the most comfortable weather
October-March
Accommodation
Hostel (Dorm Bed)
Average price for a hostel dorm bed
$15.00
≈ 1 259 ₽ · ≈ 255 MXN
3-Star Hotel
Average price for a 3-star hotel room
$50.00
≈ 4 196 ₽ · ≈ 850 MXN
4-Star Hotel
Average price for a 4-star hotel room
$85.00
≈ 7 133 ₽ · ≈ 1 445 MXN
5-Star Hotel
Average price for a 5-star hotel room
$160.00
≈ 13 427 ₽ · ≈ 2 720 MXN
Villa / House
Average nightly rate for a villa or house
$120.00
≈ 10 070 ₽ · ≈ 2 040 MXN
Apartment
Average nightly rate for an apartment
$50.00
≈ 4 196 ₽ · ≈ 850 MXN
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Food and drinks
Lunch at a Cafe
Average price for lunch at a casual cafe
$9.00
≈ 755 ₽ · ≈ 153 MXN
Dinner at a Restaurant
Average check for dinner at a nice restaurant
$18.00
≈ 1 511 ₽ · ≈ 306 MXN
Coffee (Cappuccino)
Average price for a cappuccino
$3.02
≈ 253 ₽ · ≈ 51 MXN
Beer (0.5L)
Average price for a 0.5L beer
$2.50
≈ 210 ₽ · ≈ 43 MXN
Water (1.5L)
Average price for a 1.5L bottle of water
$0.80
≈ 67 ₽ · ≈ 14 MXN
Pizza
Average price for a pizza
$8.00
≈ 671 ₽ · ≈ 136 MXN
Burger
Average price for a burger
$7.00
≈ 587 ₽ · ≈ 119 MXN
Dessert
Average price for a dessert
$3.50
≈ 294 ₽ · ≈ 60 MXN
Fast Food Combo
Average price for a fast food combo
$7.00
≈ 587 ₽ · ≈ 119 MXN
Transport
Airport Taxi
Average taxi fare from the airport to the city centre
$15.00
≈ 1 259 ₽ · ≈ 255 MXN
Public Transport
Average price for a single public transport ticket
$0.40
≈ 34 ₽ · ≈ 7 MXN
Short Taxi Ride
Average fare for a short taxi ride
$3.00
≈ 252 ₽ · ≈ 51 MXN
Car Rental (per day)
Average daily rate for an economy car rental
$40.00
≈ 3 357 ₽ · ≈ 680 MXN
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Activities and rentals
Bike / Scooter Rental
Average daily rate for a bike or scooter
$3.00
≈ 252 ₽ · ≈ 51 MXN
Motorbike / Scooter Rental
Average daily rate for a motorbike or scooter
$9.00
≈ 755 ₽ · ≈ 153 MXN
Excursion
Average price for an organised excursion
$25.00
≈ 2 098 ₽ · ≈ 425 MXN
Yacht / Boat Cruise
Average price for a boat cruise
—
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Shopping
Shopping
Average amount spent on shopping
$30.00
≈ 2 518 ₽ · ≈ 510 MXN
Souvenirs
Average amount spent on souvenirs
$12.00
≈ 1 007 ₽ · ≈ 204 MXN
Tourist SIM / Internet
Average price for a tourist SIM card
$8.00
≈ 671 ₽ · ≈ 136 MXN
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Frequently asked questions
Oaxaca City: when is the best time to go?
The best season for a holiday is October-March. At this time of year the weather is the most comfortable: minimal chance of rain, moderate humidity and optimal air temperature. This is also when the tourist infrastructure runs at full capacity — all hotels, restaurants and entertainment are open. If you want to save money, consider the period right after the high season ends: accommodation prices are lower, and the weather is still pleasant. You can check the temperature by month in the match-by-month tool.
Oaxaca City: what is the weather like in summer?
In summer, the air warms up to an average of +29.0°C, during the day — up to +26.4°C. This is a great time for beach holidays and long walks. Sunscreen is recommended during the peak hours from 11:00 to 16:00.
Oaxaca City: what is the weather like in winter?
In winter, the air temperature stays around +12.0°C, during the day — up to +26.9°C. For the winter period these are very comfortable figures that allow swimming and sunbathing. Evenings can be cooler, so a light jacket will not go amiss.
Oaxaca City: when is the rainy season?
The rainy season falls on May-October. During this period rainfall is more frequent, but usually short — the rain lasts 1-2 hours, after which the sun comes out again. Humidity is higher, so being outside may be less comfortable. At the same time, accommodation and flight prices during the rainy season are significantly lower — an excellent option for a budget holiday.
Oaxaca City: how much does a holiday cost?
A holiday for one person will cost around $79.00 (≈ 6 630 ₽ · ≈ 1 343 MXN) per day. The daily budget includes: a 3-star hotel, lunch at a cafe, dinner at a restaurant, drinking water, two public transport trips. Flights are not included in the calculation. You can calculate the cost of your holiday in more detail in the trip planning calculator across all 70 parameters.
Oaxaca City: how much does accommodation cost?
Accommodation is available for every budget: a hostel dorm bed — $15.00 per night, a 3-star hotel room — $50.00 per night, a 4-star hotel — $85.00 per night, a five-star hotel — $160.00 per night, an apartment — $50.00 per night, a villa — $120.00 per night. In high season prices can be 20-30% higher, and in low season — lower.
Oaxaca City: how much does food cost?
Food is one of the main expense items: lunch at an affordable cafe — $9.00, dinner at a restaurant — $18.00, a cup of cappuccino — $3.02, a 0.5L beer — $2.50, a 1.5L bottle of water — $0.80. You can eat significantly cheaper at markets and street cafes.
Oaxaca City: how much does transport cost?
a taxi from the airport — $15.00, a single public transport ticket — $0.40, a short taxi ride — $3.00, car rental — $40.00 per day. Public transport is the most budget-friendly way to get around.
Oaxaca City: what is there to see?
Among the main attractions are: Monte Alban — Ancient Zapotec city on hilltop with pyramids and panoramic views, UNESCO site; Templo de Santo Domingo — Magnificent Baroque church with richly decorated interior and museum; Botanical Garden — Ethnobotanical garden at Santo Domingo monastery with collection of cacti and regional plants; Benito Juarez Market — Largest city market with local products, cheeses, chocolate, and crafts; 20 de Noviembre Market — Market with famous grill corridor and local cuisine. These places are worth visiting first to get a full impression of the destination.
Oaxaca City: what local food should I try?
Be sure to try the local cuisine: Mole — Complex sauce of chili, chocolate, and spices, seven varieties exist, served with chicken or turkey; Tlayudas — Large crispy tortilla with beans, meat, cheese, and salsa; Chapulines — Fried grasshoppers with salt and lime, traditional snack; Tejate — Drink made from corn and cacao, traditional to Oaxaca; Memelas — Thick tortillas with beans and cheese, popular street food; Cecina — Thinly sliced dried meat, grilled; Mezcal — Strong agave spirit, produced in Oaxaca. Local dishes are an important part of the travel experience.
Oaxaca City: what are the best areas to stay?
For accommodation you can consider the following areas: Historic Center — Heart of the city with Zocalo, Santo Domingo church, markets, and museums, UNESCO site; Jalatlaco Area — Bohemian area with galleries, cafes, and restaurants, popular among artists; Reforma Area — Residential area with parks, cafes, and local markets; San Felipe del Agua Area — Area with aqueduct and traditional restaurants. The choice of area depends on your preferences: active or relaxing holiday.
Oaxaca City: is a visa required?
Visa: not required (SAE). Before your trip, be sure to check the current requirements with official sources, as the rules may change.
Oaxaca City: how do I get from the airport?
The nearest airport — Xoxocotlán International Airport (code OAX). You can get from the airport to the centre by taxi, the average cost is $15.00. Public transport is also available — a more budget-friendly option.
Oaxaca City: what is the currency and how much money should I take?
Currency — MXN. It is recommended to have cash for small expenses and a bank card for larger purchases. The approximate daily budget is $79.00 (≈ 6 630 ₽ · ≈ 1 343 MXN). Check the current exchange rate before your trip.
Oaxaca City: is it suitable for a holiday with children?
Yes, the destination is excellent for a family holiday with children. It has all the necessary infrastructure: well-maintained beaches, cafes and restaurants with children's menus, and entertainment for all ages.
Oaxaca City: what is the nightlife like?
Nightlife is rated as medium. There is a good choice of bars and restaurants, but without excessive noise.
Oaxaca City: where can I go nearby?
Nearby you can visit: Monte Alban — Ancient Zapotec city, UNESCO site, 20 minutes away; Hierve el Agua — Petrified waterfall with natural pools, 1.5 hours away; Mitla — Archaeological site with unique geometric patterns, 1 hour away; Puerto Escondido — Popular beach resort on Oaxacan coast, 6 hours away; San Jose del Pacifico — Mountain town with coffee and crafts, 3 hours away. These places are convenient to visit on a day trip.

Putivator rating

7.1/10
Overall rank: 656 of 2 709
Rank among cities: 188

Best season

October-March

Useful information

Currency: MXN
Coordinates: 17.073200, -96.726600