Few places reward curiosity like Oaxaca. In the highland capital, layers of Zapotec and Mixtec history sit beside Spanish-era stonework, world-class contemporary cuisine, and a mezcal culture that’s both ritual and art. The coast at Puerto Escondido swaps church bells for breakers, with palms, pelicans, and Pacific sunsets as daily rites.

Oaxaca City’s UNESCO-listed center shines with the Church of Santo Domingo, the Zócalo, and museums guarding 2,500 years of stories—from Monte Albán’s plazas to Mitla’s geometric friezes. Markets hum with moles, heirloom corn, and string cheese; cooks and artisans still anchor daily life. On the coast, beaches like Zicatela and Carrizalillo promise surf, snorkeling, and salt-sprayed cafés.

Practical notes: Oaxaca City sits at ~1,550 m (5,085 ft)—hydrate and wear sun protection. ATMs are common in town centers; carry small cash for markets and colectivos. Drink filtered water, and expect cool evenings in the city and humid heat by the sea. Book key sites (Ethnobotanical Garden tours, top restaurants, and popular activities) ahead—especially around Day of the Dead and summer’s Guelaguetza.

Oaxaca City

Oaxaca de Juárez is Mexico’s cultural crossroads—home to seven moles, centuries of craft, and a culinary scene that marries tradition with authorship. Walkable streets connect the cantera-green Santo Domingo complex, the Textile Museum, and characterful barrios like Jalatlaco with its pastel facades and murals.

• Top sights: Monte Albán, Ethnobotanical Garden, Templo de Santo Domingo, Andador Macedonio Alcalá, Jalatlaco, and artisan towns (Arrazola alebrijes, San Bartolo Coyotepec black pottery, Teotitlán del Valle weavers).
• What to eat: Memelas and tlayudas on the street, tasajo in Mercado 20 de Noviembre’s Pasillo de Humo, moles negro/coloradito, tejate and chocolate de agua.
• Evenings: Mezcal tastings at Mezcaloteca or In Situ; inventive cocktails at Selva; nieves on Plaza de la Soledad.

Stay: Browse VRBO Oaxaca stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com (Oaxaca). Notable picks: Hotel Quinta Real Oaxaca (historic cloister charm), Hotel Hacienda Los Laureles (leafy San Felipe del Agua), and budget-friendly Casa de Don Pablo Hostel (central and social).

Getting there: Fly into OAX. Compare routes and fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. On arrival, pre-book a hotel transfer for ease: Private Transportation from Oaxaca Airport to Hotel.

Day 1: Arrival, Santo Domingo, and a Mezcal Nightcap

Afternoon: Arrive at OAX and settle in. If you like a smooth start, use the pre-booked airport transfer. Stroll the Andador Macedonio Alcalá up to the Church of Santo Domingo; pop into the courtyard museum if time allows.

Evening: Dinner at Casa Oaxaca (rooftop salsas made tableside, standout mole) or Los Danzantes (modern Oaxacan plates and house mezcal). Nightcap at Selva—botanical cocktails that spotlight endemic herbs.

Day 2: Monte Albán + Markets and Jalatlaco

Morning: Explore the Zapotec capital with a guided visit.

Monte Alban Guided Half Day Tour covers plazas, tombs, and observatory views in ~4 hours—bring a hat and water.

Afternoon: Refuel in Mercado 20 de Noviembre’s Pasillo de Humo: choose your meats (tasajo, cecina, chorizo), hand over to grill masters, then add salsas and grilled onions. Wander pastel Jalatlaco for murals and coffee at Muss Café (inside Casa Antonieta) or Café Brujula.

Evening: Dinner at Levadura de Olla (Chef Thalía Barrios champions countryside recipes—don’t miss the chochoyotes). For a late sip, duck into Mezcaloteca (reservations recommended) for a guided tasting.

Day 3: Market Immersion, Garden, and Mezcal & Mole Pairing

Morning: Eat your way through Oaxaca’s food halls with this guided tasting (all food included).

Immersion Tour and Oaxaca Markets, All gastronomy included dives into tlayudas, memelas, and chocolate de agua with context and stories.

Afternoon: Book the Ethnobotanical Garden’s guided visit to learn how climate and cuisine shaped Oaxaca’s biodiversity. Grab nieves (sorbets) on Plaza de la Soledad—try leche quemada or tuna (prickly pear).

Evening: Elevate your palate with a focused pairing:

Mezcal & Mole by a Certified Sommelier reveals why specific agaves shine with certain moles. Afterwards, dinner at Origen (Chef Rodolfo Castellanos; seasonal tasting menu or à la carte).

Day 4: Hierve el Agua, Tule, Mitla, and Mezcal

All-day excursion beyond the city to calcified waterfalls, ancient cypresses, and mezcal palenques.

Explore Hierve el Agua, Mitla, Textile and Mezcal for a day typically runs 8–10 hours with time to soak in views at Hierve el Agua, admire Mitla’s stonework, and taste small-batch mezcals. Back in town, keep dinner simple with a late tlayuda at Tlayudas Libres (crispy, smoky, perfect with asiento).

Puerto Escondido

On Oaxaca’s Pacific, Puerto Escondido blends surf-town ease with nature-packed day trips. Zicatela’s famed break draws pros; Carrizalillo’s cove is a beginner’s dream. Beyond the beaches, lagoons ignite with bioluminescence and sea turtles hatch at sunset.

• Top beaches: Zicatela (advanced surf), La Punta (sunsets, laid-back vibe), Carrizalillo (swim/learn to surf), Manzanillo & Puerto Angelito (calm coves), Bacocho (turtle releases).
• Tastes of the coast: Aguachile, grilled fish, tiritas, and tropical fruit smoothies. Try Oaxacan coastal twists on mole and corn.
• When to go: Surf peaks May–Oct; whale sightings Dec–Mar. Bioluminescence is best on moonless nights.

Stay: Search beachside homes on VRBO Puerto Escondido or compare hotels by neighborhood on Hotels.com (Puerto Escondido). Base in La Punta for boho cafés, Rinconada for restaurants and Carrizalillo access, or Zicatela for nightlife and surf scene.

Getting from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido: Morning departure recommended. Flights (when available) take ~40 minutes (often $80–180 USD; check Kiwi.com or Trip.com flights). Vans via Hwy 131 take ~6–7 hours (~$20–30 USD) with mountain curves; ADO/OCC buses via Hwy 175 take ~10–11 hours (~$25–40 USD) and are smoother for those prone to motion sickness.

Day 5: Travel to the Coast, Carrizalillo, and a Turtle Release

Morning: Depart Oaxaca City. If flying, aim for an early OAX–PXM hop (or via MEX/HUX if needed) using Kiwi.com or Trip.com. If taking a van, pack Dramamine and sit near the front.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Playa Carrizalillo—stone steps lead to turquoise water ideal for a first dip. Lunch at El Cafecito (Rinconada; big plates, smoothies, reliable service) or fish tacos at La Olita (casual, surfer crowd).

Evening: Mark sunset with a conservation moment:

Release of Sea Turtles at Sunset on Bacocho Beach pairs an educational talk with hatchling releases. Dinner with a view at Espadín (terrace above Carrizalillo; try the catch of the day with coastal mole.)

Day 6: Surf Lesson, La Punta, and Bioluminescent Lagoon

Morning: Learn to surf with a patient, technique-forward class:

2-Hour Surf Lesson in the Waves of Puerto Escondido often uses Carrizalillo for friendly breaks—perfect for first pop-ups.

Afternoon: Drift to La Punta for beach time and a late lunch. Try Lychee Thai (bright, herbal, fresh) or bowls and ceviches at Rinconada’s healthy cafés. Grab a golden-hour smoothie and watch slackliners and surfers at sunset.

Evening: After dark, witness nature’s neon:

Bioluminescent Night Tour in Laguna de Manialtepec. Go on a moonless night for peak glow; bring quick-dry clothes.

Day 7: Dolphins at Dawn, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Head offshore to find pods that ride the bow wave:

Dolphin Watching Tour often spots sea turtles and rays too; December–March may add humpback sightings.

Afternoon: Brunch at Dan’s Café Deluxe (pancakes, eggs, good coffee) or another round at El Cafecito. Depart from PXM—compare your flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you return to Oaxaca by road, allow 6–11 hours depending on van vs. bus.

Where to Eat and Drink (Save These Spots)

• Breakfast/coffee (Oaxaca): Boulenc (country loaves, cardamom rolls), Muss Café (sleek, seasonal), Café Brujula (reliable espresso).
• Lunch (Oaxaca): Mercado 20 de Noviembre’s grills; Itanoní (heirloom-corn memelas and tetelas); Tierra del Sol (sunny terrace, vegetable-forward moles).
• Dinner (Oaxaca): Casa Oaxaca, Origen, Levadura de Olla, Los Danzantes.
• Night (Oaxaca): Selva (cocktails), Sabina Sabe (mezcal-forward), nieves on Plaza de la Soledad.
• Breakfast/coffee (Puerto): El Cafecito (two locations), smoothies and fruit bowls along Rinconada, terrace cafés near Carrizalillo.
• Lunch (Puerto): La Olita (tacos, salsas), beach shacks at Manzanillo/Puerto Angelito (whole grilled fish).
• Dinner (Puerto): Almoraduz (modern coastal Oaxaca; reserve), Espadín (sunset views), Lychee Thai (flavor-packed plates).
• Drinks (Puerto): Zicatela beach bars for cold micheladas; casual live music around La Punta and Selina Puerto Escondido.

Getting Around

• Oaxaca City: Walk most of the center. For farther barrios or nighttime rides, use site-licensed taxis. Many travelers also use local ride-hail apps.
• Puerto Escondido: Taxis and colectivos connect beaches; ask prices before hopping in. Many stays in La Punta/Rinconada are walkable to sand.

Optional Oaxaca Add‑Ons: Prefer a hands-on kitchen day? Swap Day 3’s afternoon for a cooking class like

The Real Traditional Oaxaca culinary Cooking experience—shop markets, grind on the metate, and sit for a long, delicious meal.

This 7-day Oaxaca itinerary pairs deep culture with open-water bliss: ancient plazas and modern plates, mezcal wisdom and market heat, then surf, sunsets, and star-lit lagoons. You’ll leave with sun on your skin, chile on your lips, and a soft spot for Oaxaca that’s hard to shake.