Oaxaca Highlights: Mexico's Most Diverse State - 14 Days

Highlights

• Taste Oaxaca City's food scene with a tour of buzzing markets and street food
• Take a five-hour hike in an enchanted forest full of fungi, plants, and animals
• Drive to Oaxaca's coast for beach relaxation and outdoor activities
• Boat across a stunning national park, followed by fish tacos and mezcal

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Oaxaca, Free Time

Welcome to Oaxaca! You've landed in the capital, Oaxaca City, a place that's famous for its rich cultural heritage, colonial architecture, colorful markets, mezcalerías, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. On arrival at the airport, meet a private driver for the transfer to your hotel in the historic center. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to explore this UNESCO-listed city at your own pace.

You could visit the Textile Museum of Oaxaca or the Museum of Cultures, stop by the Ethnobotanical Garden, taste local spirits at a mezcalería, warm up with traditional hot chocolate, and visit the famous Santo Domingo de Guzmán church. In the evening, hit up the town for a drink at a trendy bar, then grab a cup of esquite banquetero (Mexican street corn) on your walk back to the hotel.

Day 2: Oaxacan Markets: A Culinary Journey of Colors & Flavors

The Chilean poet Pablo Neruda famously said: "Mexico is in its markets..." and today you'll discover what he meant. Meet your local guide and head to the popular local food and produce market, the Mercado de Abastos, where you'll try the popular Doña Vale memelas (maize tortillas). After, change neighborhoods and drop by the Mercado de la Merced, to taste empanadas prepared on a charcoal stove, accompanied by different salsas.

After, you'll try an Oaxacan specialty—a grasshopper omelet with pennyroyal tea. The next stop is the Trinidad de las Huertas neighborhood where you'll enjoy piedrazos, which is bread soaked in vinegar. The food and market tour continues to the Reforma neighborhood, where you'll sample tacos de guisados or homely stewed tacos. Then try the tetelas or tacos from Comal del Carmen. Finally, snack on the best tortas in Oaxaca, and taste empanadas de amarillo. This is one big day of eating—so wear stretchy pants and comfortable walking shoes.

Day 3: Full-Day Mitla, Hierve el Agua, Teotitlán & Mezcal Palenque Tour 

Today's day trip takes you out of Oaxaca City and into the countryside, where you'll discover a mix of archaeology, handicrafts, and nature on this full-day small-group trip. The first stop is Santa Maria del Tule to see the ancient Árbol del Tule (Tule Tree), a Montezuma cypress approximately 2,000 years old and whose trunk is known to be the strongest in the world. From there, you'll continue for around 90 minutes to Hierve el Agua Park, where you can bathe in the mineral-rich cold water springs of a petrified waterfall while enjoying the panoramic view of the surrounding mountain scenery.

After, you'll descend to the Mitla Archaeological Zone to explore one of Mexico's best-known Mesoamerican ruins and learn about the ancient site, thought to have been established as a sacred burial site by the Zapotecs. After a half-hour break, you'll continue to Teotitlán del Valle, a village famous for its textiles. Visit the house wool weavers to learn about the artisanal process of spinning, weaving, and dying the wool. Finally, you'll tour a mezcal palenque to taste different types of the smoky agave-base spirit and discover the elaborate distilling process. After, return to Oaxaca City.

Day 4: Full-Day Monte Alban, Arrazola, Cuilapam & Coyotepec Tour

A stone's throw from Oaxaca City lies Monte Alban, an ancient Zapotec city more than 2,500 years old with an impressive layout of terraces, pyramids, and ceremonial structures. An English-speaking guide will collect you for today's small-group day trip to the hilltop plateau and other historically significant places. After gaining valuable insights into the advanced urban planning and architectural achievements of the ancient Zapotec civilization you'll continue to Arrazola.

Arrazola is known for its workshops dedicated to the carving and painting of alebrijes, which are colorful mythical creatures. In the artisan workshops, you'll learn about their history and witness the production process. After, continue to Cuilapam, where you'll visit the 16th-century Monastery of Santiago Cuilapam. After a break for lunch, your grand tour will conclude with a visit to a black pottery workshop in Coyotepec, where you'll learn about its history and the production process of this famous product before your return to Oaxaca.

Day 5: Adventurous Forest Hike at Ixtepeji

It's time to slow down after a few busy days exploring Oaxaca City and its surroundings. Today you'll meet a nature guide for a relaxed drive to the impressive mountains and forest of La Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, about one hour from the city. Here you'll find an enchanting cloud forest full of fungi, plants, and animals that will surprise and delight you on your five-hour hike. You'll begin on a trail with colorful flowers and imposing guardian trees, with whom your guide will honor and request their permission to access the mountain.

Then, the climb begins. While you walk, your English-speaking guide will share stories about the way of life of the region, the history behind the forest, and Oaxacan culture. At the highest point of the trail, you'll pause for a delicious picnic with views of the mountains, clouds, and sky. The return walk follows a bright and adventurous trail alongside a spring. At the end of the 6-mile (10 km) journey, you'll sit down for a meal at a community dining room, mostly prepared with ingredients and recipes from the region.

Day 6: Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to Huatulco & the Coast

Pick up your rental car after breakfast and begin the six-hour journey to the golden Oaxacan coast. Your final destination is Huatulco, a resort region on Mexico's Pacific coast that's known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush jungle-like landscapes. The drive to get there's a winding one, with plenty of hairpin turns and steep mountainous terrain—if you're not comfortable with tackling the long and challenging drive, you could take the bus and rent a car once you reach the coast. 

You'll arrive late in the afternoon, hopefully just in time to see one of the area's nine gorgeous bays. Huatulco offers plenty of fun outdoor activities, from snorkeling and scuba diving to hiking in the nearby Sierra Madre mountains. If you have time, you could squeeze in an activity before dark, or simply kick back and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this coastal paradise.

Day 7: Full-Day Waterfalls Adventure

Venture deep into the Oaxacan jungle today in the Sierra Madre del Sur. A local guide will lead the way, sharing the greatest secrets of the region, starting with a tasting of organic coffee. Fueled up, you'll continue through the amazing natural landscapes, stopping at the viewpoints, special places, and waterfalls that together give life to the paradise of the Sierra Madre del Sur. After a warm welcome from the local community, you'll embark on a short hike to the mystical waterfalls, a place where nature surprises with the formation of crystal-clear pools.

Day 8: Tortilla Corn Workshop, Rescue & Release of Sea Turtles at La Escobilla

Mexico is fueled by corn, so start your day in the hands of Josefa in her village for a hands-on, three-hour corn experience. You'll meet your hosts' extended family, their dogs, ducks, and chickens before getting to work with the help of an interpreter. Hear stories about growing corn, learn the process of nixtamalization, and try shucking by hand. Josefa will turn soaked kernels into flour and you'll make tortillas. Finally, enjoy a traditional breakfast with handmade tortillas, eggs, salsa, and beans, then taste a range of corn products from tamales to atole.

Spend the early afternoon relaxing by the ocean, soaking up coastal breezes while sipping on a margarita or two. Closer to sunset, make the one-hour drive to La Escobilla for a special release of baby sea turtles. You'll witness Oaxaca's natural phenomena at one of the most spectacular protected natural areas in the world. Sail through a lagoon where you'll admire all kinds of wildlife from vultures, storks, and herons to crocodiles, and even turtles. Once you reach the beach, you'll join a turtle release, giving the next generation of sea turtles the best chance of survival.

Day 9: Drive to Mazunte, Free Time

This morning after breakfast, make the short drive from Huatulco to Mazunte. Within an hour you'll reach the relaxed and quiet beach town. The remaining day is yours to explore Mazunte. If you enjoyed the turtle release yesterday, you might like to deepen your knowledge at the National Mexican Turtle Center, a sanctuary and aquarium where you can learn about six species of sea turtles. There's also a natural and ecological cosmetics factory, and you can't skip the sunset in Punta Cometa, which is about a 20-minute hike up the mountain next to Mazunte. 

Day 10: Getaway to Manialtepec: Horseback Ride, Lunch & Kayak Tour

Today you'll climb into the saddle for a horseback adventure through idyllic fields to the isolated beach of Manialtepec. But first, make the 90-minute drive west from Mazunte. Meet your local steed and start your trot through nature. Upon arrival at the beach, you'll be welcomed with a glass of mezcal and sit down to a lunch of the region's favorite dishes, straight from the skillet of your warm host. After some free time relaxing on the golden sands, you're invited to explore the lagoon by kayak with a local expert.

This destination is a must for nature enthusiasts, and it provides a habitat for a variety of animal species such as crocodiles, iguanas, and several species of birds. The local communities around the lagoon have been working to promote sustainable development and conservation practices to preserve the lagoon's natural beauty and biodiversity. Your local kayak guide will share the secrets of its remarkable diversity and rare flora and fauna. Enjoy a spectacular sunset before saddling up for the return journey by horseback.

Day 11: Drive to Puerto Escondido, Bioluminescence at Manialtepec

Located on the pristine Pacific coast, the laid-back beach town of Puerto Escondido is known for its bustling center, cobbled streets lined with handicrafts, and a selection of breathtaking beaches, including Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito, and Bacocho. This morning your road trip continues with an hourlong drive west to the large beachfront town. Take a stroll through the downtown to get a feel for the region's distinct culture, or head to the Benito Juárez Market to find a wide variety of local products and a bustling taco stall.

Later, you'll meet a guide at Playa Puerto Suelo, near Puerto Escondido, for an after-dark bioluminescence experience at Laguna Manialtepec. Once the sun has set you'll embark on a boat and let the spectacle begin. Bioluminescence, caused by the microorganisms that live in the water, will light up the water with the movement of the boat. Although this experience is beautiful on any night, it's particularly lovely on a new moon, when the sky is dark and the colors light up everything around you.

Day 12: Whale Watching or Surf Lesson, Free Time

If you happen to be in Puerto Escondido during the whale watching season, then mark this morning aside to board a boat and set sail. Between December and April each year, humpback whales pass by the Oaxacan coast, and it's well worth making a trip to see their acrobatic displays. Between January and March, you'll also spot grey whales. If it's not whale season, you can still take a boat trip to go dolphin watching. Year-round you can find bottlenose, striped, spinner, and spotted dolphins in the waters off Puerto Escondido.

The rest of today in Puerto Escondido is yours to relax by the ocean. You could walk along the beach and watch the surfers carve up Zicatela, or lock in a lesson and give surfing a go. Over an hour or two, skilled instructors will teach you basic surf skills and even have you standing by the end.

Day 13: Nautical Safari at Lagunas de Chacahua National Park

One of the great natural protected areas of the Oaxacan coast is the Laguna des Chacahua National Park, which was declared a Ramsar site in 2008. This habitat is home to three species of sea turtles—leatherback, hawksbill, and Olive Ridley—which nest on the beaches of San Juan and Bahía de Chacahua. Along with a local guide, you'll explore the two lagoons, Chacahua and Pastoria, with a full-day nature trip. Pass between mangroves by boat and observe various types of resident and migratory birds.

Day 14: Depart Puerto Escondido

It's your final day in Puerto Escondido. If you have time, wander down to the beach one last time for a fresh juice by the water, swim in the ocean, or walk along the shore. Then, with enough time to return your rental car, make the 15-minute drive to the airport. Puerto Escondido has flights to limited destinations, so you may need to connect in Mexico City or elsewhere for your flight home. After an exciting trip, it's time to say adiós to Mexico. Safe travels!

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