Day Trips from Oaxaca City: Experience the Local Culture, Crafts, History & Nature

Oaxaca de Juarez, also known as Oaxaca City, is a vibrant city teeming with culture, art, and history. However, it is not only the city itself that boasts such richness. As such, travelers should plan several day trips from Oaxaca to delve into the abundance of experiences the surrounding area has to offer.

Speckled all around the bustling city, one can find villages, communities, and sights that make for perfect excursions from Oaxaca. And it is only when you visit them that you can truly understand all the facets of the local history and culture. 

As you savor the famous Oaxacan cuisine, discover the Indigenous cultures through crafts, and explore natural and historic sights, you realize that Oaxaca is even more diverse than you could have imagined.

I, for one, am beyond happy that I had the time to do many day tours during the 10 days I spent exploring Oaxaca de Juarez and the city’s surrounding area. I got to visit all but one of the most popular day trip destinations while also venturing off the beaten path to take in places many travelers tend to miss. This article is a reflection of these impressions, and I hope this little glimpse of the story each of the places has to tell will inspire you to include them in your travel plans.

I visited many of these day trip destinations near Oaxaca during a press trip prior to attending ATMEX Oaxaca, or by joining tours as a hosted travel writer. As always, all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my own experience.

This post may contain affiliate links(*), which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. Please see the full disclosure for further information.

How to Get to the Day Trip Destinations

Public Transport — Should you not want to drive, you can also get to some day trip destinations by public transport. In many cases, you can take a bus or a colectivo heading in the direction of your destination, but sometimes you will have to catch a taxi to cover the final distance.

Tours — While I usually tend to be a fan of exploring places on my own, booking tours is an amazing way to explore the area around Oaxaca de Juarez. Aside from making the transportation part very convenient, you will have a guide who can tell you all about the places you are exploring while also serving as a translator. After all, there is a chance you will encounter locals who only speak Zapotec.

Oaxaca Day Trips for History Lovers

The state of Oaxaca has a rich history, and as luck would have it, the two most important archeological sites of the state are close to the city. As such, they are ideal day trips from Oaxaca that should not be missed when visiting the city.

Mitla

45 km / 28 mi. east of Oaxaca — ~ 0:55 h

“When visiting Mitla, one can still see houses without roofs, while in Monte Alban you just see the floors [of houses]”, was one of the first facts the guide shared upon arriving at the archeological site. And while the presence of complete walls certainly is impressive, it is the fact that nearly all of these walls are adorned with fine decorations depicting geometric patterns that amazes visitors.

These geometric patterns are unique in Mesoamerica and are mosaics fitted together without mortar. Although there are various interpretations, it is not known what the patterns of the mosaics depict.

After the abandonment of Monte Alban around 850 AD, Mitla became the main religious center of the Zapotec. Prior to that, it was already considered a sacred site, with Mitla being the location of the entrance to the underworld. Deriving from the Nahuatl word ‘Mictlan’, the name Mitla means ‘place of the dead’. Meanwhile, the Zapotec name ‘Lyobaa’ means ‘place of rest’.

The Mixtec took control of the area around 1000 AD, which resulted in Mixtec influences on the Zapotec site. Many Zapotecs remained in the area, and Mitla maintained its status until the Spaniards arrived in 1521.

In 1553, the Spanish forces destroyed many of the buildings of Mitla, and the Church of San Pablo was constructed on top of some of the ruins. Stone blocks deriving from the destroyed buildings were used to construct the church. Thankfully, some parts of Mitla survived the wave of destruction, and today, there are five remaining groups of buildings. Of these, the ‘Church Group’ and the ‘Columns Group’ are the most visited. Another group of Mitla that is open to the public is located inside the town.

Aside from the now historic church, the ‘Church Group’ consists of a temple, living places of the priests, as well as a courtyard adorned with intricate mosaics. In some places, you can still see traces of the red color that once covered the walls. Meanwhile, the ‘Columns Group’ consists of the hall of columns in the palace, tombs of high priests and Zapotec rulers, and an inner courtyard that can be accessed by walking through a narrow passage.

You have to be careful not to bump your head on supporting beams, but having to lower your head while making the final step out of the walkway and then slowly lifting your head again, only makes the first glimpse of the inner courtyard more impressive. All walls are decorated with mosaics, and you can step into several rooms whose roofs have been reconstructed to reflect their original form. As such, you get to experience it in its full grandeur.

After leaving the site, you should have a look around the small area where locals sell handmade crafts and Nieve Oaxaqueña, the Oaxacan ice cream. If you haven’t tried it before, you should order ‘tuna’ flavor alongside lemon. ‘Tuna’ is the fruit of the nopal cactus, so it is a true Mexican flavor of ice cream.

Monte Albán

11 km / 6.8 mi. west of Oaxaca — ~ 0:20 h

Monte Albán is the main archeological site of the state, and as such, visiting is a staple of most Oaxaca itineraries. Founded by the Zapotecs in 500 BC at a sacred site, it was turned into a fortified city that became the political and economic center of the Zapotecs.

At times carved into the mountain, the vast site consists of pyramids, plazas, terraces, canals, and manmade mounds. As you visit the site, you can explore ball courts, tombs, temples, and reliefs.

After inhabiting the city for thirteen centuries, the Zapotecs left Monte Albán around 850 AD, and the Mixtecs started using the site. One of the most famous examples of this re-use is Tomb 7, which the Mixtecs used as an offering-laden resting place for their elites. More than 600 objects were discovered inside the tomb, and many of them can be seen at the Museum of Culture of Oaxaca in Oaxaca de Juarez.

To make the most of your visit, it is best to have a guide who can tell you more about the significance and use of individual structures of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nature-Centric Day Trips from Oaxaca

Located in the central valley and surrounded by mountainous areas, Oaxaca de Juarez is surrounded by natural beauty in many forms. There are hundreds of caves within two hours of the city, formations looking like petrified waterfalls, and a tree so stout you cannot grasp the width of its trunk until you are standing next to it. If you are a nature lover, these day trips from Oaxaca are not to be missed.

Hierve El Agua

66 km / 41 mi. to the east — ~ 1:20 h

Thanks to social media, Hierve el Agua has become one of the most popular day trips from Oaxaca, and in this case, the destination deserves the hype. It combines natural formations only found in few places around the world, pools with a scenic view of the valley, and hiking.

What makes Hierve el Agua so special are the seemingly ‘petrified’ waterfalls towering high above the valley. These rare formations formed over the course of Millenia when calcium carbonate rich water emerges from the rocks near the cliff edge and slowly trickled down the cliffside. Not unlike stalactites form, some of the minerals were deposited on the cliffside as the water tricked down, and the ‘waterfalls’ formed.

The most accessible one is the 12 meter high ‘Cascada Chica’, and you will find natural pools and two artificial pools on the mountain shelf above it.  And of the manmade pools was constructed right at the edge in 2007, and thanks to mineral deposits slowly covering the bricks, it has the appearance of a natural infinity pool.

While the name translates to ‘the water boils’, it actually refers to the fact that the water bubbles when it reaches the surface. Unlike the name suggests, it is nowhere near boiling and emerges the mountain at 22°C to 27°C, which makes it the perfect temperature for a dip in the pools on a typically hot Oaxacan day.

To get a better view of the ‘waterfalls’, you will find two viewpoints only a short walk away. However, it is the hike down to the bottom of the 30 meters high ‘Cascada Grande’ that was my personal highlight. The path down consists of around 300 steps of varying heights (20 to 60 cm), and it takes around 20 minutes to reach the bottom. 

The descent is fairly easy, but in the midday heat, the climb back up can be quite taxing. Therefore, it is best to do the hike early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Looking up the larger formation from the bottom is incredible, and adding the fact that there are great views along the way, the hike is well worth it.

I recommend hiking down to the bottom of Cascada Grande first, so you can cool off in one of the pools afterwards. For me, relaxing in the pool near the edge of the cliff was the perfect post-hike activity. Due to the minerals, the water is thought to have healing qualities.

If you want to explore Hierve el Agua with a guide, you have to hire a local guide. It will cost approximately 300 – 400 MXN for small groups.

Tule Tree

10 km / 6.2 mi. to the east — ~ 0:17 h

At first glance, one might not consider a tree a worthwhile day trip destination, but given its size and the legends surrounding it, the El Arbol del Tule (Tule Tree) in Santa Maria del Tule is not to be skipped. It is a Montezuma Cypress, which is estimated to be between 1200 and 3000 years old, but it is not the age that makes it such an impressive sight.

What makes it special is the girth of its trunk, which makes it the stoutest (known) tree in the world. With an overall girth of 42 meters, the buttressed trunk hides many shapes and animal figures. Among them are an elephant, an anteater, and a jaguar. And of course, it is also home to many birds, including parrots.

I visited the town twice, but only paid to get closer to the tree the second time, and it was well worth the nominal fee of 20 MXN. Without getting close to it, it is not possible to grasp its true size or to spot all the animal shapes formed by the tree bark.

According to local Zapotecs, the tree was planted at a sacred spot around 1400 years ago by Pechocha, a priest of the Aztec wind god Ehecatl. However, there is also the legend of El Rey Condoy that explains the origin of the Tule Tree.

Both origin stories are deeply rooted in Zapotec culture, so it is great to visit the site with a guide who can tell you the full stories. There is a second tree on site that is over 1000 years old, which is also connected to the origin of El Arbol del Tule. As was usually the case, the Spaniards decided to claim the sacred site by building a church next to it.

There is a beautiful, small park next to the tree, and if you walk through it, you will reach several food and drink stalls. Be sure to order a ‘taco de tinga’ at the Tacos Tía Bertita stall before you leave. It tastes delicious and is not to be missed.

San Sebastián de las Grutas

82 km / 51 mi. south of Oaxaca City — 2:00 h

Often overlooked when it comes to day trips from Oaxaca, San Sebastián de las Grutas is an ecotourism destination in the Sierra Sur. As the name of the Zapotec community alludes, it is located in an area with around 100 caves, making it the perfect getaway for adventure-loving travelers looking to escape the Oaxacan heat.

While many of these caves cannot be accessed, you can explore Primera Cueva, a cave that once served as a hiding place during revolution times. Following the water-carved halls of the cave, you can marvel at natural formations that sometimes resemble animals like an elephant, a towering column, and a petrified waterfall not unlike the one at Hierve el Agua. And yet, it is the aragonite sections of the cave that astound the most, as the stone reflects lasers and therefore creates a unique light show. The path through the cave is 420 meters long.

If you are up for an adventure that takes you deeper underground, you can also climb down a series of ladders and muddy steps to get to the underwater river flowing through the cave. Located 50 meters below the main path through the cave, it is a rather adventurous climb. Upon reaching the bottom, you then get to walk through the shallow underwater river for a while.

As someone always looking for unique experiences, I loved exploring this area that relatively few people visit and seeing the wondrous natural formations hidden beneath the surface. However, I want to emphasize that this optional part of the tour is not for everyone. I recommend thinking about whether you want to climb down before you enter the cave and making the final choice once you see the first ladder.

In the past, people have gotten lost in the caves, and locals believe that the Nagual (a shape-shifting guardian spirit) protecting the cave will keep people in the cave if they enter it with bad intentions. Consequently, access to the cave is now restricted, and you are only allowed to enter it with a local guide. 

In addition to touring this cave, you can also swim in one of Oaxaca’s few cenotes before eating a delicious meal at the restaurant on site.

Day Trips for Foodies

With its seven moles, cheese, and ancestral foods based on corn, beans, and chili, Oaxaca is one of the pillars of Mexican cuisine. It is a local cuisine that also includes many drinks like mezcal and pulque. All of them can be enjoyed without leaving Oaxaca de Juarez, but if you are a foodie looking to discover the culinary roots of the cuisine’s staples, you should head to the surrounding villages.

It is while doing day trips from Oaxaca City that you will learn about the production of mezcal from the plant to the distillation processes and enjoy other foods like Oaxaca’s renowned string cheese balls.

Santiago Matatlán: Mezcal

east of Oaxaca — 0:50 h

“Para todo mal, mezcal; para todo bien, también; y si no hay remedio, litro y medio.” As the Oaxacan saying goes, mezcal can be drunk when all is bad and when it is good (and a liter and a half if there is no remedy), so you always have a reason to drink mezcal while in Oaxaca. And what better place is there to drink mezcal than at a palenque where the mezcal is distilled?

Santiago Matatlán is considered the ‘Mezcal Capital of the World’, which makes the village the prime place to visit if you want to get to the ‘heart’ of the mezcal. 

A regular visit to a palenque usually includes a short tour of the fields, walking around the distillation facilities, and then a mezcal tasting, but there are also tours that go way beyond the basics.

One of these tours is a Mezcal de Pechuga tour, during which you get to participate in the second distillation process. During this unique tour to Mezcal Desde La Eternidad, a women-owned and run palenque in Santiago Matatlán, you help make a special ceremonial mezcal which is distilled with chicken.

This tour was an all-around incredible experience, and I highly recommend booking it as a day trip from Oaxaca if you enjoy drinking mezcal, want to know more about it, and want a hands-on experience that will make you appreciate every sip of mezcal you drink in the future.

If you are limited on time and therefore do not want to head all the way to Santiago Matatlán, you will also find palenques in Teotitlán del Valle. I did a tour and mezcal tasting at Mezcal Don Agave there, and enjoyed it. Although I have to emphasize that it cannot be compared with the hands-on mezcal de pechuga tour.

Etla: Quesillo

22 km / 13.7 mi. to the northwest — ~ 0:36 h

For cheese lovers, a day trip from Oaxaca to Reyes Etla is a must. After all, this village is where quesillo, the delicious Oaxacan cheese, was invented. The state of Puebla is now the largest producer of industrial quesillo, but Etla is still the biggest producer of artisanal quesillo. Having eaten quesillo from out of state before, I can only say that getting to eat the artisanal quesillo was a revelation.

While you could just visit the village to look at the quesillo-themed murals and buy some cheese, the best way to experience it is to do a quesillo workshop. Mine was a private tour organized by Where Sidewalks End, and I had a fabulous time having a hands-on lesson on how quesillo is made and eating as much cheese as my cheese-loving self wanted.

Aside from being the birthplace of quesillo, Etla is also known for its Muerteadas (Day of the Dead parades) and Santuario Las Peñitas. The small church rose to fame after being one of the main sets for the movie ‘Nacho Libre‘, and while it appears to be situated on a hill, it is in fact located on buried Zapotec ruins.

Day Trips from Oaxaca: Crafts

Learning more about the traditional arts and crafts of Oaxaca is the perfect way to learn more about the local culture and history. Therefore, doing a day trip from Oaxaca and visiting at least some of the nearby villages specializing in certain crafts is a must.

As you marvel at hand-carved alebrijes, pottery, and textiles, you learn about Zapotec traditions and how they helped forge Oaxaca’s cultural identity. And if you are anything like me, you will leave the villages not only with a new appreciation of Zapotec craftsmanship but also with intricate handmade pieces of art.

San Antonio Arrazola: Alebrijes

14 km / 8.7 mi. west of Oaxaca de Juarez — ~ 0:30 h

Today, Alebrijes, wooden-carved fantastical creatures, are an integral part of Oaxacan culture. However, it was only in the last century that they were first carved by artist Manuel Jiménez. Inspired by the papier-mâche versions from Mexico City, the artist from San Antonio Arrazola invented the Oaxacan version, carved from copal wood.

The Alebrijes represent Zapotec nahuales and tones, spiritual guides from the Land of the Dead. Dante, the dog from the Disney movie ‘Coco‘, is an Alebrije.

Alternatively to San Antonio Arrazola, you can also head to San Martin Tilcajete, another village near Oaxaca de Juarez known for alebrijes. Here, you can also do a workshop and paint your own Alebrije.

Teotitlán del Valle: Naturally-Dyed Textiles

28 km / 17.4 mi. to the east — ~ 0:40 h

Oaxaca is a state of vibrant colors, and a day trip to Teotitlán del Valle will show you just how colorful it always has been. This Zapotec community is famous for handmade, naturally dyed textiles, carpets in particular, and it is possible to tour many of the workshops.

During the often free tours, you will learn how the wool is prepared and dyed using natural colorants like indigo, cochineal insects, walnut shells, and marigolds (the Day of the Dead flowers), before being woven using large pedal looms. It is an intriguing process in all its aspects, and you will be fascinated by how many different colorations can be created using natural products.

Santa María Atzompa: Green-Glaced Pottery

8.5 km / 5.3 mi. to the west — ~ 0:17 h

When it comes to traditional crafts, the village of Santa María Atzompa is another destination not to be missed. Looking back at a long history of pottery making that dates back to the 7th to 9th century, the village is still known for its green-glazed pottery that is a combination of traditional techniques and glazing techniques brought there by the Spaniards in the 16th century.

As was the case centuries ago, the clay is sourced 4km away in San Lorenzo Cacautepec before being formed using a special flat disk with a rounded bottom that cannot be found elsewhere. Then, the glaze, which originally received its jade green coloration thanks to lead monoxide. Lead-free alternatives were developed in the 90s.

If you want to buy green-glazed pottery and have a large selection, Mercado de Artesanías de Santa María Atzompa is the place to go. There, you can find works by numerous artists showcasing a wide range of artistic styles. Given that 90% of the people living in Santa María Atzompa work in the pottery business, the selection is larger than you can imagine.

You can also find a small selection of the pottery at the Mercado de Atzompa, but said market is best visited to buy tole, a traditional local drink, before or after heading to the crafts market. Please note that some glazes still contain lead, so be sure to inquire about the glaze of the pieces you are buying or test them. 

Aside from being a place that will make you appreciate pottery tradition, the village also has an archeological site with a large ball court. The historic Atzompa was once a satellite city of Monte Alban.

Additionally, you can also do a chocolate workshop at La Auténtica Chocolatería, where you make traditional Oaxacan chocolate.

San Bartolo Coyotepec: Black Pottery

14 km / 8.7 mi. to the south — ~ 0:25 h

While Santa María Atzompa is famous for its green-glazed pottery, San Bartolo Coyotepec is known for barro negro (black clay pottery). It is the traditional form of Zapotec pottery, and many pieces of it have been found at archeological sites like Monte Alban. Due to this, a day trip to San Bartolo Coyotepec is more than a visit to an artisan town, but also an exploration of the local history and culture. 

Traditionally, barro negro pottery is matte grey, but in the 1950s, local artist Doña Rosa discovered that she could turn the matte grey into a shiny black by rubbing a quartz stone over the nearly dried clay just before firing the pieces. It is a process known as burnishing, and it helped revive the traditional craft. However, it makes the clay more fragile and porous, so the pieces are decorative and cannot be used to store food like the fully traditional pottery from San Bartolo Coyotepec.

Nowadays, there are over 300 workshops producing and selling black clay pottery, and it is possible to visit some of them. Travelers looking to buy black clay pottery should head to the Mercado de Artesanías Coyotepec, where one can find pottery from many different local artists.

While in town, you should also visit the State Museum of Popular Art of Oaxaca. The museum has one one exhibition focusing on modern and historic barro negro pottery as well as two other exhibitions that focus on local crafts from nearby villages.

Weekend Trips from Oaxaca

While technically still within day trip distance, some destinations near Oaxaca de Juarez require at least two days to experience them fully. As such, I highly recommend planning an overnight trip.

Capulalpam

72 km / 44.7 mi. north of Oaxaca City — ~ 1:45 h

Capulalpam de Mendez is one of Oaxaca’s six pueblos magicos and is best known for traditional Indigenous medicine. However, the town also offers many other cultural experiences and outdoor adventures.

It is the ideal day trip from Oaxaca if you are looking for a relaxed day (or weekend) with a temazcal and massages. I recommend booking your traditional medicine experience with ‘Manos que Curan Medicina‘. The massage I had there was incredibly relaxing and completely eased the back pain I was experiencing.

Travelers looking to learn more about the Zapotec culture and reconnect with nature while in Capulalpam should look into booking the ‘Secretos del Monte’ night walk. As you walk through the forest at night, you will visit places of high significance to the local Zapotec community, learn about local legends, and if you are open to it, you can feel the natural current of the forest, made up of sounds, scents and the texture of the ground, all around you. It is a walk that will leave an impression as it encourages you to experience your surroundings with all your senses.

Other experiences in nature include hiking in the mountainous terrain around the magic town, seeing stalagmites and stalactites in Cueva del Arroyo, bird watching, and seeing white-tailed deer at the Environmental Management Unit.

Those wishing to extend their stay to take in all Capulalpam has to offer can stay at cabins that often offer a stunning mountain view. I recommend the charming, traditional, and rustic Cabañas Xhendaa.

Where to Stay in Oaxaca de Juarez

If you want to make the most of your time in Oaxaca de Juarez and be within walking distance of many of the city’s highlights, it is best to stay in the historic ‘Centro’ in the heart of the city. I stayed in several hotels in this area, and my favorite accommodation was Sauvé Casa Boutique.

Breakfast is available from 7:30 AM onwards, so you can enjoy a tasty meal in the covered inner courtyard before heading out for a day trip from Oaxaca.

Should you prefer not to stay in the city center, the nearby barrio de Jalatlaco is a great option. It is a magical neighborhood that is known for its murals, and there are plenty of nice hotels for all budgets.

Travelers who prefer to stay further away from the city center and want to be closer to the northern mountains should consider an accommodation in San Felipe del Agua. Only 15 minutes away from the historic center, it is a good alternative for those who also want to explore the nearby Parque Nacional Benito Juarez. In this area, I recommend Hotel Angel Inn and Casa de Adobe Gallery & Luxury Boutique.

How to Get There

In case you are still in the early planning stages of your trip, it is good to know that you can get to Oaxaca de Juarez by plane, bus, or simply drive there.

Fly to Oaxaca: With Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), the city is easily accessible by plane. At the time of writing, there are 10 direct routes from within Mexico and the United States. Hereby, the most common connection within the country is the route from Mexico City to Oaxaca. Direct flights from the States are available from Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston.

Take the Bus: Like many other popular destinations in Mexico, Oaxaca de Juarez is part of the ADO bus route network. If you are traveling there from other states, you can catch direct buses from Mexico City, Puebla, and San Cristóbal de las Casas. Within the state, there are also connections to Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.

Driving to Oaxaca: If you are on a road trip or are traveling to Oaxaca City from within Mexico, you can safely drive there. If you are heading there from Mexico City, you can take toll highway 150D, which passes the city of Puebla. If you are coming from the south, you can take highway 190 (part of the Pan American Highway), which connects Oaxaca to Chiapas and Guatemala. Travelers coming from Veracruz can drive along highway 175 from Tuxtepec.

Which day trips from Oaxaca are must-dos if you have limited time?

Reflecting on my own time in Oaxaca, I can only attest that exploring the area around the city gave me an even more profound appreciation of the state, its culture, and history. Each new place adds a piece of the puzzle, and you slowly dive deeper into Oaxaca’s colorful tapestry. All listed destinations are worth a visit, and to get a better understanding of Oaxaca’s life force, try to visit as many of them as your travel plans allow.

However, you might not have the time to explore them all, in which case I recommend focusing on day trips from Oaxaca that combine several destinations and different types of adventures.

If you only have two days for excursions while in Oaxaca, you should spend one day exploring the region west of the city to visit Monte Alban and one or two artisan villages like San Bartolo Coyotepec or San Antonio Arrazola. On the second day, a combination of Mitla, Hierve el Agua, and the Tule Tree is ideal. All three are located east of Oaxaca de Juarez, and if you are not driving, you can also include a visit to a palenque for a mezcal tasting at the end of the day.

Oaxaca offers something for everyone, and if you have more time, you will find an ideal excursion that focuses on your individual interests. As such, travelers with a love for mezcal should dedicate an entire day to touring a palenque where master mezcaleros will share their craft with you, and those who love geology and caving should consider a trip to San Sebastián de las Grutas.