Top Oaxaca Outdoor Activities

To get a taste of Oaxaca, it pays to get out of the city. Skip the self-drive stress and the hassle of route planning and go deeper into what you see with a certified guide on this convenient tour. Admire the enormous Tule Tree; have a dip in the natural pools of Hierve el Agua; explore the Mitla archaeological site; and discover traditional textiles and authentic mezcal.

This experience combines a bicycle ride through some of Oaxaca’s most iconic and historic landmarks with visits to carefully selected local food stalls and eateries. Your goal is to introduce travelers to the authentic flavors that are part of everyday life in Oaxaca, allowing them to discover the city from a local perspective. More than a simple tasting experience, it is an opportunity to explore Oaxaca’s history, culture, and traditional cuisine while truly eating like a local.

Monte Albán is an archaeological site in Oaxaca and this half-day guided tour is the perfect way to learn more about its history, the ruins and the first inhabitants. Close the travel guide and enjoy a guided adventure with commentary throughout the tour. To save time, the tour travels between sights in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you can cover much more ground than on a walking tour.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of bioluminescence during this unforgettable experience in Huatulco, Oaxaca. Glide through glowing waters that light up with every movement as a starry sky surrounds you. This ecological tour guarantees a minimal impact on the environment, allowing you to appreciate and protect this natural phenomenon. With specialized guides, all safety equipment included and a focus on sustainable practices, this experience is accessible to swimmers of all levels. Duration: 2 – 3 hours, starting at 20:00 (depending on the tide) Includes: Roundtrip transportation and snorkeling equipment, life buoy, snorkeling manta ray board, private rest and hydration area, introductory talk, certified guide. Minimum age: 8 years, no swimming skills required

Explore Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte on an immersive 2-day hiking adventure through the cloud forests of Pueblos Mancomunados. Hike two distinct mountain routes through pine and oak forests, dramatic rock formations, and panoramic highland landscapes, reaching elevations over 3,200 m (10,500 ft). Along the way, experience community life, enjoy traditional meals prepared locally, and spend the night in a cozy private mountain cabin with a fireplace. With a maximum of six travelers, this small-group adventure combines beautiful hikes, nature, local culture, and time to unwind in the mountains. - Hike two distinct mountain routes of 8 km and 14 km through the Sierra Norte highlands - Spend the night in a cozy private mountain cabin surrounded by forest - Enjoy traditional breakfast and lunch prepared locally on both days - Small-group experience with a maximum of 6 travelers - Free afternoon with optional activities including ziplining, massage, and traditional cleansing

Come navigate the majestic shores of Huatulco. From pristine virgin beaches, uncharted coastline, to breathtaking marine life. It's common to see dolphins, exotic fish, sea turtles and whales during their yearly migration. Departing from Santa Cruz Bay, on this voyage you'll visit Playa Fandango, Playa del Amor (Love Beach), Playa Pescador (Fisherman Beach), Playa Punta Paraiso (Beach Point Paradise), Bahía Chahue, Playa esperanza and Playa Tejon. Making a stop at the crystalline emerald green waters of Playa La Entrega for optional snorkeling and great dining options at one of the amazing restaurants. Want to catch the sunrise or a romantic sunset on the way back? Whether it's a romantic getaway or a fun family adventure, this is one ocean adventure you won't soon forget.

Discover the exciting world of surfing with a private lesson in Puerto Escondido. Join your private instructor and learn the basics of surfing, from ocean etiquette to techniques. Then, take to the water to try and catch your first wave. For intermediate and advanced surfers, your instructor helps you to improve your technique.

Engage in a captivating eco tour focused on the conservation and learning about reptiles native to Oaxaca's stunning coast. This eco-tourism experience includes visits to two communities dedicated to protecting crocodiles, terrestrial turtles, marine turtles, and iguanas. Glide through the Ventanilla lagoon in a rowboat, observing a variety of migratory and endemic birds, while spotting crocodiles and iguanas in their natural habitat. Descend onto an island that shelters white-tailed deer, before heading to the Playa Escobilla turtle sanctuary. Here, participants learn about marine turtle conservation and its global significance, culminating in the release of newly hatched turtles back into their ocean home.

Discover the stunning Sierra Norte de Oaxaca on an unforgettable hiking trail through Mexico’s most beautiful forests. Immerse yourself in the lush vegetation and enjoy spectacular scenery of the mountain range that runs through the beautiful State of Oaxaca as you walk an easy and safe route for three hours among gigantic pine-oak trees and thousands of years old mesophile forests with incredible wildlife and flora. This tour offers a quick and perfect getaway to nature, ideal for people with a basic fitness level looking for a refreshing outdoor adventure. - Total tour duration: 5 hours, with 3 hours of hiking. Explore the most beautiful and impressive forests and viewpoints in the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca. - Ideal for small groups. - Includes entrance to the park and local guide who speaks English and Spanish.

Skip the crowded tourist boats around the Bay of Huatulco, and step aboard a small-group ocean cruiser with dedicated marine wildlife specialists instead. With a crew of naturalists, improve your chances of finding the region’s famous whales and dolphins, and learn all about them as you go. An underwater microphone is also on board to allow you to hear the marine life, too.

Foodies know that every meal is precious when traveling, so don't risk wasting time on a bad meal. Walk and eat your way around Oaxaca on this small-group tour. Sample a plethora of different local dishes at markets and street food stalls, starting at Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman. Learn about Oaxacan culture through its food, and get a close-up look at a side of the city many travelers miss.

Puerto Escondido’s beaches might look stunning in the sunshine, but they appear even better after dark when they’re illuminated by bioluminescent plankton. This evening tour takes you to one of the prime places to spot the underwater phenomenon, and includes round-trip rides from your accommodation so you don’t have to worry about traveling after dark.

This City tour of Bahías de Huatulco is a multi-sensory experience that takes you through beautiful landscapes and local architecture, including a tasting of Oaxacan cuisine and a visit to the Church of Guadalupe. Enjoy stunning views and purchase crafts while learning about the area's culture.

From the mountaintop pyramids of Monte Alban to the Cuilapam Convent on the valley floor, learn all about the rich history of the Oaxaca Valley. This tour packs in four top destinations into one day. Discover the Zapotec pyramids and excavated ruins of UNESCO-listed Monte Alban, admire the mystical woodcarvings of San Antonio Arrazola, and meet resident artisans in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town known for its beautiful black pottery.

Discover Oaxaca's most magnificent pre-Columbian archaeological site on a tour to Monte Alban, which is perched on a vast mountaintop expanse with spectacular 360-degree views of Oaxaca Valley. In the company of an expert guide, explore the complex filled with pyramids, ceremonial rock carvings, a huge ball court, and 170 excavated tombs.

Mezcal Soul: The spirit of a land This is not just a tasting — it’s an immersive journey into the land, the people, and the science behind one of Mexico’s most iconic spirits. Guided by a local expert and chemist, you’ll explore mezcal from its roots in the agave fields to the final pour in your glass. You’ll taste a curated selection of artisanal mezcals, learning how different agave species, terroir, and traditional production methods shape each flavor. As you sip, you’ll discover the stories behind the producers, the cultural significance of mezcal, and the subtle notes that define quality — from smoky and earthy to floral and fruit-forward. Expect a relaxed yet elevated atmosphere where education meets pleasure. You’ll develop your palate, gain insider knowledge, and experience mezcal in a way that goes far beyond the typical tour. By the end, you won’t just taste mezcal — you’ll understand it, connect with it, and carry a deeper appreciation of Oaxaca’s spirit with you.

Discover the tastes and textures of Oaxaca during a cooking workshop right in the heart of the city. Join a small group and visit a local market to gather ingredients for your class. There's no set menu, so the group can select which traditional dishes to make. Learn about the origins of each dish and several techniques during your hands-on class. Your tour end with the delicious meal that you've created.

This cooking class is developed through deep research with people specialized in pre-Hispanic food, we seek to spread the heritage value of Oaxaca vegetarian food. Together with a traditional Cook we will tour the neighborhood and buy the freshest products for our dishes.

We give you the opportunity to live an unforgettable experience in the Laguna de Manialtepec, observing the wonderful phenomenon of Bioluminescence, which generates the lagoon to be illuminated with flashes of light, this event can only be found in three places in Mexico and the most beautiful is in Oaxaca. In addition to participating and experiencing the release of turtles on a beach considered as a turtle sanctuary, where millions of species arrive each year, always providing the best quality, service and satisfaction to all our clients. It is important to note that the best days to make the experience are when there is less moonlight, so we recommend checking the lunar calendar of the day you would like to make it. In case you want to take the tour on days with lots of light, in the lagoon houseboats are installed that are covered to observe the Bioluminescence from the inside, we recommend to bring swimsuit.

Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to release sea turtles into the ocean when you book this excursion. With a private guide, depart your hotel in Huatulco and drive towards Puerto Escondido to Coyote Escobilla Beach. This is where thousands of turtles come to lay their eggs every year. You can watch the eggs hatch and help the baby turtles into the water, if necessary.

Take the hassle out of your arrival in or departure from Huatulco with this handy private airport transfer. Instead of wasting time lining up for taxis you can pick up your bags and head straight to your private shuttle, available at any time of day or night. One-way or return-trip transfers can be arranged to suit your needs.

Oaxaca doesn't need an introduction — but this hunt will make you fall for it all over again. This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through Oaxaca on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start time. • Marvel at the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, one of Mexico's most dazzling Baroque churches • Wander the Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca, a living museum of Zapotec plants and traditions • Dive into the Mercado Benito Juárez, where the colors, smells, and flavors of Oaxacan life collide Available in 24 languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian — see the full list when booking and choose yours when you start the game in the app. Around 2 hours - any group size. A city that hits all the senses at once — this tour makes sure you catch every detail.

Climbing experience for all levels, from first-timers to advanced climbers (up to 5.13d). Great knowledge of the area and all safety protocols needed. Get to know the basis of climbing and enjoy from Oaxaca´s nature.