The Perfect 3 Days Oaxaca Itinerary

If you are planning to travel Oaxaca and wondering “what to do in Oaxaca” then this Oaxaca itinerary is perfectly for you!

Oaxaca is the city of colorful and bright buildings, joyful parades, delightful cuisine and best countryside views.

This Oaxaca itinerary includes the best things to do in Oaxaca in three days and these include cooking classes, visit to historical places, mole tasting, hiking trips, pool bathing, waterfall views, visit to Zapotec ruins and peaceful walks.

Oaxaca Itinerary: Oaxaca City Favorites

• Explore historical neighborhoods of Oaxaca: I would highly recommend to visit and explore the charming places near Oaxaca and these are Xochimilco and Jalatlaco.
• Visit countryside: Another exciting thing to do is to visit the countryside and enjoy at Santiago Apoala and Hierve el Agua waterfalls. Hiking near the mountains is also a good option.
• Try Oaxacan cuisine: You will find best food in Oaxaca so, do not forget to book a food tour in Oaxaca like this immersive Oaxacan food tour.
• Explore Zapotec ruins: It is the famous archaeological site near Oaxaca that is visited by most of the people and is a beautiful place.
• See widest tree via bike: El Tule is a tree that is considered as the widest tree in the world, you must visit it through bike to see the wonders of the world.
• Join Oaxaca art walk: Another best thing to do is to join the city tour and visit hidden gems of Oaxaca. In this tour you can visit the gorgeous streets, art studios, markets, and taste yummy cacao.
• Where to Stay in Oaxaca: Three top places to stay in Oaxaca are; Hotel Tabáa Oaxaca that is located in Jalatlaco, boutique hotel Pug Seal in Centro, and Hotel Casa Santo Origen.

Oaxaca Itinerary Overview

Here is a brief overview of 3 days Oaxaca itinerary or what to do in Oaxaca.

Day 1: Visit the Centro Historico in Oaxaca and Seven Flavors of Mole.

Day 2: Day Trip to Hierve el Agua, Zapotec ruins, Mezcal Distilleries, and countryside.

Days 3: Brunch at Jalatlaco, Rooftop Pulque, and Zócalo

What to do in Oaxaca: Detailed 3 Days Oaxaca Itinerary

Day 1: Oaxaca’s Centro Historico and the Seven Flavors of Mole

Oaxaca city has a rich history and you will get to know about it by a joining a free walk tour around Centro Historico. A guide is available to guide the foreigners about the culture of Oaxaca and also reveals the hidden gems of Oaxaca.

It is a good idea to walk around because in this way you will be more familiar about the city and can get a better idea about your itinerary.

There are various flexible timings for the free walk tours and you can select it according to your schedule but is recommended to have walk in the morning so you can spend the rest of your day in the most favorable manner.

Starting place and timings: Teatro Macedonio Alcala, 2-3 hours.

Monday to Saturday: Tours starts at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 4pm, and 5pm Sunday: Tours starts at 10am and 4pm.

Note: do not forget to give a tip of few pesos to your guide because he deserves it.

Now spend the next half of your day in the vibrant streets of historical center. Here you have plenty of options such as exploring the art galleries, taking pictures, visiting the local shops, and experience the delicious cuisine.

The highly recommended place for dinner in Oaxaca is the seven flavors of mole (means sauce). Moles have different variety in Mexico and is a favorite Mexican cuisine that is made up of chiles and chocolates. It is a yummy sweet sauce that tourists enjoy very much.

You can taste seven moles at various places in Oaxaca and restaurant Hierba Dulce is one of them. Their mole tastes good and they also have various traditional Oaxacan foods and their menu is plant-based.

You should also visit this place because they have beautiful courtyard and mezcal margarita as well!

Day 2: Day Trip to Hierve el Agua, Mezcal Distilleries, and More

Hierve el Agua is famous for the waterfalls, pools, and lush green farms. You can hike here and enjoy swimming in the beautiful waters. If you just got one day to visit Oaxaca then this place is highly recommended.

You can join a guided tour for best experience that will take you to the mezcal distillery, ruins of Mitla, artistic workplaces, Mercado Tlacolula, and enchanting town of Teotitlan del Valle.

Many people enjoy tasting mezcal here in Oaxaca at the mezcal distillery, also Mitla is worth visiting. Mitla is off the beaten path in Oaxaca and an archeological site near Hierve el Agua that has breathtaking ruins.

Mercado Tlacolula is a good local market to visit here where local goods are served but it is opened only on Sunday. Another important place to visit here is the Teotitlan del Valle artisan workshop where you can see and learn traditional weaving and dying.

Day 3: Brunch in Jalatlaco, Oaxaca’s Zócalo, and Rooftop Pulque

If someone asks you “what to do in Oaxaca” then must refer them to Zócalo, Jalatlaco, and Rooftop Pulque.

Jalatlaco offers the delightful brunch and breakfast so opt according to your choice. I would suggest to not miss Jalatlaco as it is slightly off the beaten and people mostly miss this beautiful place. It is famous for variety of cafes, church, murals, and art galleries.

Santa Hierba is a beautiful spot here that is somewhat similar to cafes in Tulum. They have delicious food and dining area and serve gluten free and vegan food along with the normal food. So, they attract the variety of customers. Their vegan hamburgesa doble queso is really a yum.

After having food, you can visit the local market and the garden cafe La Selva De Los Gatos. At this garden café you can play and pet the cats and enjoy some drinks in the peaceful environment.

Following that, you can have rest for sometime at hotel or go to Centro Historico to see the Zócalo which is the main square.

Once you’ve seen all you need to see in Jalatlaco, perhaps head back to your hotel to refresh, or go straight into Centro Historico for some people watching at the Zócalo. There is another place to visit at Centro Historico and that is Calle Macedonio Alcalá (pedestrian street). This is bustling street where you can see the true colors of the Oaxaca.

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is a famous church in Jalatlaco that is worth visiting because of its fabulous view.

I will suggest to eat dinner from the local street vendors to get the true Mexican taste and then visit La Mezcalerita for mouthwatering pulque (alcoholic drink) and mezcal. Honestly speaking pulque is not liked by everyone so order it according to your taste, they usually mix fresh juice with it to make it less intense.

Best Day Trips from Oaxaca City

Still wondering, what to do in Oaxaca, look at the comprehensive guide below:

Hike through the mountains of Sierra Norte: Go for hiking and experience the best hike with a local guide.

Customizable visit of Oaxaca’s tourist attractions: Hire a private tour toartisan workshops, Zapotec ruins, El Tule, mezcal distilleries, Hierve el Agua, and traditional villages.

Mezcal Distilleries: Taste the magical mezcal at famous distilleries in Oaxaca and you will definitely enjoy it.

Hierve el Agua: See the wonderful Hierve el Agua waterfalls and natural pools to admire the nature’s beauty.

Santiago Apoala: It is beautiful and serene village near Oaxaca where you will find a chance to hike and swim.

Monte Alban and Mitla Ruins: These are among the best archeological sites in Oaxaca that are located a bit outside the city but worth visiting.

Where to Stay in Oaxaca City

Best places to stay in Oaxaca include;

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: If you are looking for a luxury hotel then this is the best option. Along with other facilities they also provide beautiful pool and hot tub

Hotel Tabáa Oaxaca: It is gorgeous boutique hotel with charming rooms in Jalatlaco.

Pug Seal: It is located in the historical center and peaceful place to stay in Oaxaca.

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