19 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca: Mole to Mezcal! 

Visiting a palenque and trying some of Oaxaca’s best mezcal was #57 on my travel bucket list. I finally got to check it off.

My husband and I love the smoky, earthy flavor of mezcal and often gravitate towards the mezcal-based cocktails when we go to the bar. We don’t have many mezcal distillers to choose from back home, so we were very excited to go on a mezcal tour.

We joined a mezcal tour with Alvin Starkman from Mezcal Educational Tours and learned so much!

One of our favorite parts of the tour was visiting two palenques who make mezcal the ancestral way through clay pot distillation. This technique gives a softer, unique mouthfeel.

Super fun tour and not to be missed.

Hierve el Agua is a unique one-of-a-kind experience.

There are only two places in the world, where you can see a petrified waterfall: Turkey and Oaxaca.

These distinctive rock formations result from an abundance of calcium carbonate in the water, creating petrified cascades along the cliffs. The stunning waterfall effect is mesmerizing.

There are natural and manmade pools at the top of the waterfall that glisten emerald in the right lighting. And yes, you can swim in them!

Get amazing photos of the glistening pools IF you go early before the crowds. We took a tour with our exceptional guides, who got us there before all the tourists showed up.

Not only did they show us around Hierve el Agua, but they also took us to a local food market to try street food and see how textiles are made (which is #4 on this list).

If you only have time to do one tour in Oaxaca, this is it!

Don’t miss Making Moles & Tamales with Mimi!

Mimi is quite the well-known chef in Oaxaca and was even featured in Mexico Vogue.

Her wit, sarcasm, and great sense of humor will have you laughing and feeling comfortable very quickly.

Oaxacan cuisine is incredibly unique, especially the very complex mole sauces. She’ll walk you through how to make the best mole you’ve ever tasted (dare I say even better than Pujol in Mexico City).

You’ll also learn very practical Mexican cooking like how to make a great salsa, which my husband and I have been able to replicate back home.

Oh, and you learn how to make mouthwatering tamales and incredible homemade tortillas. She packs a lot in this super engaging cooking class.

You don’t want it to end.

Oaxaca is famed for its beautiful, brightly-colored textiles. There are so many beautiful pieces from clothing, rugs, bedding, and bags.

About 45 minutes outside Oaxaca City is a cool village called Teotitlán del Valle, which is famous for its highly skilled weavers.

We were led through a demonstration of how they make their natural dyes, which is due to a little insect called a cochineal that likes to hang out on cacti. One pound of cochineal dye requires approximately 70,000 insects!

After the demonstration, you have the option of purchasing one of these beautiful handmade textiles.

Fun fact, we also learned that the famous Pink Biscuits in France are also due to this artsy insect (#3 on my top things to do in Reims).

If you are in Oaxaca City, there are plenty of vendors to browse through showcasing their craftsmanship.

Ladies, if you love brightly-colored beautiful dresses with incredible embroidery work, do not miss stopping in Santo Domingo Textiles. I purchased a gorgeous one-of-a-kind dress that I cannot wait to wear. It needs alterations but will post soon.

Everywhere you turn looks like an Instagram photo.

Oaxacan art is incredibly unique. One of the best places to admire it is the quaint Jalatlaco neighborhood, which is full of bright colors and cobblestoned streets.

We weren’t initially planning to visit, but the Templo de San Matías in Jalatlaco happened to be the meeting point for our Hierve el Agua tour. It boasts loads of traditional charm with plenty of eclectic cafes and shops.

If you start walking down 5 de Mayo St., you’ll see mural after mural.

Coyote Aventuras offers a unique small group bike tour around these streets checking out all the street art.

We love coffee!

There are four main coffee-producing regions: Veracruz, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Puebla.

Oaxaca produces lighter to medium-bodied coffee with low acidity and caramel overtones.

We recently took a coffee tasting class in Mexico City. Our instructor told us to look out for the Oaxacan variety called Pluma Hidalgo, which is grown under volcanic soil under cloud cover.

We haven’t found that type of coffee yet, but some of the best places we tried Oaxacan coffee in Oaxaca City were Cafeto & Baristas, Sagrado Filemón, and Muss Cafe.

If you are in Oaxaca, you have to try the mole!

7 moles to be exact: rojo, coloradito, amarillo, verde, negro, chichilo, and manchamantel.

Los Dazantes stands out as one of the most ROMANTIC dining establishments in Oaxaca.

Plus, it just won a well-deserved Michelin star!

We tried five distinct moles (rojo, amarillo, negro, chichilo, and manchamantel) accompanied by their plantain dumplings as an appetizer.

After doing our cooking class with Mimi and making coloradito mole, I had a new appreciation for all the work that goes into making this delicious sauce.

Weddings are a huge thing in Oaxaca, especially on Saturdays!

Venues sometimes have to be booked a year in advance.

Post-ceremony, the streets of Oaxaca transform into a lively parade route. As a tourist standing on the street, this was so much fun to witness. The infectious vibrancy of the event makes you want to become a part of the procession.

The parade includes brass bands, beautiful dancers dressed in regional costumes with long flowing skirts, marmotas (massive globes on wooden frames that are twirled around), and giant puppets.

Maybe one day I’ll be invited to a Mexican wedding!

There are many mezcal bars (mezcalerias) in Oaxaca. One of our favorites is the intimate bar, Mezcalogia.

The bartenders are incredibly friendly. Let them know what flavor profile you prefer (earthy, herbal, fruity, etc), and they’ll make a tasting menu of excellent mezcals to try.

Mezcalogia carries the whole range of Casa Cortés including El Jorgorio! Try the Tobala. Wow. Ultra smooth.

Casa Cortés is a Oaxacan family who has a portfolio of three brands: Nuestra Soledad, Agave de Cortés, and El Jolgorio. El Jolgorio is their premium line representing 16 different families.

After checking Distiller on the top mezcals, I found two mezcals from El Jolgorio were in the top 10. Very impressive.

There are a few amazing Chefs who put Mexican cuisine on the culinary map.

One is Chef Enrique Olvera from Pujol (watch Chef’s Table now if you haven’t already), and the other is Alejandro Ruiz from Casa Oaxaca.

Chef Alejandro Ruiz grew up in a farming community, where using what was in season was the norm. Utilizing the traditional cooking methods passed down from his mother, he infuses his own modern twist to craft extraordinary dishes that honor Oaxacan cuisine.

Dining at his restaurant, Casa Oaxaca, is a must if you are a foodie!

Ask to sit on the open terrace overlooking the Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church for a romantic date night.

One of our favorite dishes was the short rib, manchamanteles mole sauce, and plantain puree. So delicious!

Oaxaca boasts a diverse array of artisans who engage in various crafts, ranging from mezcal distillation and exquisite textiles to talented artistic endeavors.

Additionally, the region is home to communities specializing in red and black clay pottery, producing truly exceptional pieces.

One incredibly unique pottery shop we found was Tierra Quemada.

The potter responsible for all these beautiful pieces is Vicente Hernández. He has an incredible ability to blend traditional and contemporary elements into one masterpiece.

We picked up a few gorgeous espresso cups. If you want something unique, don’t miss his shop!

Selva is #31 on North America’s 50 Best Bars thanks to the talented Beverage Director, Alexandra Purcaru. I loved the incredibly unique well-balanced cocktails, which were focused on seasonal ingredients.

Experience cool drinks like the Aspic, which is made of Alipus Santa Ana Mezcal, avocado and avocado leaves, Piedra Lisa Session IPA beer, and honey.

Or try the classic Selva, which consists of Alipus Santa Ana Mezcal, hoja santa (Mexican pepperleaf), lemon, agave syrup, chile poblano liquor, Oaxacan cheese & basil, and juniper bitters.

Ask to sit on one of the two Juliet balconies for a killer view over the Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church. Super romantic.

Some like it. Some don’t.

I think it’s refreshing. Think of pulque as a low alcohol kombucha that has a slightly viscous mouthfeel.

It’s made from fermented agave sap. You have to drink it fresh (and cold) for the best flavor. We had the chance to try it during our mezcal tour.

It comes in two flavors: natural and curado (flavored). Give me this fizzy drink any day over a beer. FYI, I’m not a beer drinker, but I do like pulque.

One of the best places to try it is at A&V La Casa del Pulque. It’s run by fifth-generation owner Reina Luisa Cortés Cortés.

Culinary Backstreets has a great writeup on her story. 

One way to delve right into Oaxacan culture is to stroll through a local market.

Many guidebooks will recommend Mercado Benito Juarez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre. Oaxaca by Locals will take you on a food tour to visit both!

Mercado de Abastos is another famous market visited by Anthony Bourdain and Somebody Feed Phil, but I’ve heard it’s strongly recommended to go with a guide because of petty crime that has occurred.

We visited the famous Tlacolula Market about 45 minutes outside the city center when we did a tour to Hierve el Agua.

You can see just about everything in this market: fresh produce, meats, baked goods, Oaxacan cheeses, pottery, flowers, and textiles.

If you go on a Sunday, they close the streets down to vehicles for vendors to set up shop. Locals come from all over to sell and buy products and food. The market is hopping!

Sundays are also the days you can enjoy delicious slowly cooked barbacoa.

Interesting fact we learned.

Most tourists will flock to the Mercado 20 de Noviembre for the famous El Pasillo de las Carnes Asadas. Choose your meat, and they cook it right in front of you.

Tlacolula Market is home to the original Meat Aisle as seen in my photo above.

It’s not the oldest. It’s not the tallest.

The Tule Tree is the WIDEST tree in the WORLD, and you can visit it in Oaxaca. The tree is located in the cute town of Santa María del Tule.

The tree may look like several trees squished together, but it is only one big girthy tree. If you look closely, you can pick out animal shapes among its branches.

Explore the renowned “Tree of Life” either through a full-day tour (included in our itinerary returning from Hierve el Agua) or opt for a highly-rated bike tour.

Burnt milk? Tuna?

These flavors are probably the last ones you would pick if given the choice of flavors, but they are DELICIOUS!

Traditional Oaxacan ice cream is known as nieves and is the perfect treat to cool off from the hot sun.

Every region is known for its unique flavor. Oaxaca is known for leche quemada con tuna or bunt milk with tuna. Don’t worry. There’s no fish in this ice cream! Tuna is actually the fruit of the prickly pear cactus.

Delicious combo, I promise! Creamy, savory, sweet. Addicting.

Oaxaca is known for its incredibly tasty street food. Here are a few of our favorites.

Memelas are delicious. It’s a fresh tortilla that’s been grilled on a comal and topped with beans, queso fresco, salsa, and meat if you desire.

Empanadas are another popular street food. I’ve had plenty of empanadas in Argentina, but the Oaxacan version is way different. They look like giant quesadillas stuffed with various fillings like chicken and mole amarillo.

Don’t miss the tlayuda, which is best described as a large Oaxacan pizza served open face or folded over like a quesadilla. Toppings include refried beans, Oaxacan cheese, lettuce, tomato, and your choice of meat. The meats are served on the side.

Lastly, if you love corn, elote is worth a taste. Grilled corn, cheese, and mayo. Yes, please.

We have stood in awe at Machu Picchu and seen the Mayan ruins of Tulum, so making the drive out to Monte Albán was not high on our list.

Monte Albán stands as the remnants of an ancient hub for Zapotec and Mixtec cultures, situated in present-day Oaxaca state, Mexico. The site boasts expansive plazas, pyramids, a ball court, and tombs. 

My husband and I decided to skip it, however, I did want to include it because it is rated a 5.0 on TripAdvisor.

Readers rave about the stunning views AND you can actually climb the pyramids.

It is a large complex with no shade, so plan accordingly. Travelers will either take a short taxi ride (it’s only about 20 minutes from the city center) or join a highly-rated half-day tour.

I really hope this curated list of my favorite things to do in Oaxaca sparks your excitement to uncover the magic of this incredible city. Mole, mezcal, and memalas. Throw in a little nature and artsy vibe, and I’m not sure what more you can ask for.

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Questions about our top things to do in Oaxaca?

Let me know in the comments below!