Top Oaxaca Attractions & Museums

Explore thousands of years of history at the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca. Enjoy an English audio tour and check out more than a dozen exhibition rooms that span the region’s prehistoric, colonial, and contemporary eras. Marvel at a special exhibit dedicated to the ancient archaeological site of Monte Albán and discover Oaxaca’s rich ethnological and cultural history.

Spend the day in the great outdoors and explore Chacahua National Park on this guided tour with a small group. Take a boat ride through the lagoons to discover the fauna and flora of the region including mangroves, crocodiles, and iguanas. After lunch (own expense), enjoy free time to explore the island, snorkel in the pristine waters, or swim in the ocean before heading back to your hotel.

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.

Walk among Mitla, a Mixtec-Zapotec ruin noted for the well-preserved, detailed geometric masonry. Learn first-hand why the name Mitla comes from the Nahuatl word Mictlan - the place of the underworld. Mitla, an ancient ceremonial center, includes two cross-shaped tombs, a promenade of strong stone columns, and an elevated suite of ornate rooms once occupied by the Zapotec high priest for you to learn about and explore. On your way out, take in a beautiful cactus garden growing in the archaeological park. At the gates of the ruins, shop at the local craft market hosting folk art goods.

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.

Escape the bustle of Oaxaca City for an adventurous day trip including hiking and a mezcal tasting. Travel to Hierve el Agua to see its calcified “waterfalls” (rock formations that resemble waterfalls) and then hike to Las Salinas for a swim beneath a waterfall. Finish the day with a visit to a family-owned distillery to learn about how mezcal is made and enjoy a tasting.

Venture beyond Oaxaca city to explore ancient ruins, scenery, and culture—covering multiple top sites in just one day. A dedicated driver lets you cover more ground than you could on your own, with time to swim, shop for textiles, sip artisanal mezcal, and stand in the shade of the famed Tule Tree. And with a local guide to share insights, you’ll soak up fascinating culture at every stop.

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.

Oaxacan food is nationally and internationally recognized. The markets of Oaxaca are the best option to taste the true traditional food! This tour will give you the best introduction to Oaxacan cuisine. You will be able to understand everything that happens in the markets and clarify your doubts while you explore the flavors and smells of Oaxacan cuisine from the most traditional places.

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.

Visit Mitla, Tule, and Hierve del Agua in a single day on this multi-stop tour from Oaxaca. With round-trip transportation provided, it’s easy to move between the different sites and there’s no need to rent a car. Learn about the Zapotec people at the Mitla archaeological site, see a 2000-year-old tree at Tule, and swim in the natural pools at Hiever del Agua. Get the most out of your visit to the region through guided commentary on the local people, culture, and history.

Find culture, history, and excellent souvenir shopping on this small-group guided tour of the city of Oaxaca. Explore by foot the ‘zocalo’ (town square) and city center, and visit the Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzman and the Oaxaca Regional Museum located in its former convent. Wander the stalls of 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juarez, two of Oaxaca’s most popular markets, and pick up woven goods, crafts and tasty snacks like chocolates and chilies.

Explore Oaxaca’s pottery, textiles, and other artisanal goods on this half-day excursion. After a convenient hotel pickup, visit three towns famous for their crafts—San Bartolo Coyotepec, Santo Tomás Jalieza, and San Martin Tilcajete. Led by an informative local guide, you’ll find the best spots for exquisite black pottery, embroidered belts, shawls, and handbags, and gorgeous alebrijes, the colorful wood sculptures carved from the copal tree.

Receive personalized attention on this private full-day tour of Hierve el Agua and Teotitlan del Valle. After being met at your hotel you'll be taken to Hierve el Agua to enjoy three hours of hiking, swimming, and admiring the views of the petrified waterfalls. After, enjoy a mezcal pick-me-up at a distillery, then head to the markets of Teotitlan del Valle, where you can learn about (and buy) traditional handicrafts.