10 Unmissable Tours & Day Trips From Oaxaca
Disclosure: This blog is reader-supported, and some posts contain affiliate links. If you make a booking, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for keeping me writing and doing what I love!
While there is plenty to do in Oaxaca City itself, there are even more treasures to find outside of the center on a fun day trip or tour!
Whether you want to drive out into mezcal country and sample artisanal mezcal straight from farm to cup or want to explore the most important Zapotec archaeological sites, you can do it on a short day trip from Oaxaca.
During our time living in Oaxaca, we got to check a few of the city’s best day trips off our bucket lists.
Keep reading below to discover the best tours and day trips to take from Oaxaca City!
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know, including how to get there, activity details, and the best (responsible) tour operators to book with.
10 Best Tours & Day Trips From Oaxaca
- 🥃 Best Mezcal Tour
- ⛰️ See Monte Alban
- 🌳 Visit the World’s Largest Tree
- 🇲🇽 Discover the Mitla Site
- 💧 See a Petrified Waterfall
- 🌮 Throw Your Tastebuds a Fiesta
- 🚶🏼♀️ Explore Oaxaca City on Foot
- 🎨 See Street Art in Oaxaca City
- 🏺 Visit the Oaxaca Artisan Villages
1.) Go on a Mezcal Distillery Tour
Mezcal is synonymous with Oaxacan culture, so what better way to learn about the nuances of this agave spirit than with a mezcal distillery tour?
I know what you’re thinking… “But what if I don’t like mezcal?” Even if you don’t enjoy the smokiness of this spirit, or don’t drink alcohol at all, you can still benefit from a mezcal tour. While sampling artisanal mezcal is a big part of these tours, you can just politely say no.
The highlight of a mezcal tour—beyond the tastings—is getting to learn about the harvesting, distillation, and production processes. It’s incredible to see the behind-the-scenes of this growing industry and learn from the passionate families who have been immersed in the culture of mezcal for generations.
Want an insider’s look into what a mezcal distillery tour is like? If so, read my in-depth guide about the best mezcal tours in Oaxaca.
Most mezcal tours will depart from Oaxaca City and take you on a one-hour drive to the “World Capital of Mezcal” in Santiago Matatlán.
From here, you’ll typically visit a handful of mezcal distilleries to see and learn about how artisanal mezcal is made.
It’s important to choose a responsible tour provider so you don’t end up visiting/touring industrial mezcal distilleries. For detailed recommendations, read my article linked above or go ahead and book this tour in San Pablo Mitla de Villa.
2.) Tour the Monte Albán Archaeological Ruins
Monte Albán is the most important Zapotec archaeological site in Oaxaca, followed by Mitla.
These ruins sit perched on the top of the hill, dubbed the “White Mountain”, and overlook the Central Valleys of Oaxaca.
You can visit Monte Albán with a guided tour, or go on your own.
If you do a DIY tour, you have two options for visiting: either hire a local guide at the entrance to walk around/explain the ruins to you or visit on your own (self-paced) without a guide.
You can read more details in my guide about visiting Monte Albán from Oaxaca City.
To get there, hop in a taxi ($200-300 pesos) or in a colectivo ($10 pesos).
Monte Albán is not far from Oaxaca, and is easy to visit in just half a day. I highly recommend going in the early morning so you can enjoy your visit without the crowds or the heat of the day.
3.) Visit the Àrbol del Tule (Widest Tree in the World)
The Tree of Tule is the world’s widest tree — crazy, right? And it’s located just 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca City in the Zapotec town of Santa Maria del Tule, making it a great day trip adventure.
You can visit the Tule Tree in one of three ways:
- As part of a day trip tour (like this one)
- On your own by taxi
- By bike
The town of Santa Maria del Tule is super cute and ideal for a half-day trip. You can visit a mezcal distillery, eat at the gastronomic food hall (and try yellow and green mole enchiladas), and stroll the curated gardens.
While you can easily reach the Tree of Tule on your own, you can also bike there with a knowledgeable local guide.
4.) Day Trip to Mitla’s Stunning Archaeological Ruins
San Pablo Villa de Mitla, better known as just Mitla, is another awesome day trip from Oaxaca City.
Mitla is known for its archaeological ruins, characterized by its mosaics and cut-stone architecture. The ruins are unlike those you’ll find among Mesoamerican religious ruins in Mexico, so it’s worth the day trip!
After you tour Mitla’s ruins and tombs, head into the town for the Mercado de Abastos. During the Día de Muertos celebrations, the town of Mitla bursts with color and decorations.
Since Mitla is close to Hierve El Agua, you could visit both on a full-day trip from Oaxaca City. Santiago Matatlán is also just a stone’s throw away!
Book your guided tour to Hierve El Agua, Mitla, the Tree of Tule, and a mezcal distillery here!
5.) Explore Hierve El Agua Petrified Waterfall
Hierve El Agua is one of the top things to do in Oaxaca, which also makes it one of the top day trips to take from Oaxaca City. This ancient waterfall is frozen in time, created by calcium carbonate deposits on the edge of a cliff that overlooks Sierra Madre del Sur mountains.
Pools collect in a series of steps at the top of Hierve El Agua, which is where visitors can bask in the sun.
You can visit this geologic wonder on a guided day trip, which makes it really easy to reach. This tour in particular leaves early in the morning (7:30 AM) so you have a better chance at having Hierve El Agua (mostly) to yourself!
6.) Take Your Tastebuds for a Ride: Oaxaca Food Tour
A food tour in Oaxaca is a must! With this authentic food tour, you can stroll the streets of Oaxaca and learn—and taste—the culture via its food and drink.
This tour will have you “explore the flavors and smells of Oaxacan cuisine from the most traditional places” such as inside the local markets and street vendors peppered around the city squares. You’ll try traditional Oaxacan street food like tlayudas and drink the ancestral cacao and corn drink tejate.
Want to take your experience to the next level? You should also consider doing this ancestral Oaxacan cooking class with Chef Miguel Alvarez.
7.) Do the Oaxaca City “Free” Walking Tour
Whenever I first arrive at a new destination, I always look to do a walking tour.
Oaxaca City has so many hidden gems, and it would’ve taken me much longer to uncover them had it not been for our 2-3 hour walking tour.
P.S. Even though it’s advertised around the world as free, most city walking tours are donation-based; meaning, you are more/less expected to offer whatever you can afford to pay based on the perceived value of the tour. In most cases, between $50-$150 pesos per person, although this varies.
8.) Take a Street Art Tour of Oaxaca City
Love food, art, AND culture? Then you should also check out this exclusive street art tour of Oaxaca City.
You’ll have plenty of photo opportunities in the colorful Jalatlaco neighborhood, strewn with vibrant papel picado, as you uncover Oaxaca’s thriving street art scene.
Follow your local guide to seek out murals and art galleries, before participating in your very own art class later in the day. As if that wasn’t fun enough, the cacao tasting is the cherry on top!
Book this guided tour for a unique look at Oaxaca City!
9.) Visit Oaxaca’s Artisan Craft Villages
The state of Oaxaca is known for its incredible artisans, scattered in villages across the region. While you can find plenty of souvenirs in Oaxaca City’s markets, why not spend an entire day discovering authentic art in traditional villages, instead?
San Bartolo Coyotepec and San Antonio Arrazola are the two most popular craft villages near Oaxaca City and offer visitors a window to the past.
San Bartolo is known for its black pottery, created using dark clay and an artform that’s been perfected since ancient Mesoamerica.
On the other hand, San Antonio Arrazola is where alebrijes originated, colorful Mexican folk art figurines that you might be familiar with from the Pixar movie Coco. They are carved from Oaxacan copal wood and make for the perfect souvenir.
You can discover workshops in both of these villages and see Monte Alban on this guided tour.
Or opt for a private, all-day tour where you’ll have plenty of time to peruse the shops and galleries to your heart’s delight and the undivided attention of your tour guide!
10.) Be immersed in Oaxacan culture in Teotitlan del Valle
About 45 minutes east of Oaxaca City, Teotitlan del Valle is known for its Zapotec heritage. You might feel like you’ve stepped into another craft village as this tiny town is known for its weaving workshops and cooperatives.
Nicknamed “Oaxaca’s Rug Village”, Teotitlan del Valle offers visitors a snapshot of the Zapotec culture through its local market, art galleries, pre-Columbian ruins, a community museum, and colonial churches. It’s absolutely worth checking out!
You can book a guided tour with a local who will help you better understand the cultural significance of Teotitlan del Valle. Watch traditional weavers and pay a visit to the town’s most popular sites!
Book your tour of Teotitlan del Valle here!
Is Visiting the Coast Doable From Oaxaca City?
A new highway was built in 2024 that connects Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido on the coast in just 3 hours. While it’s a bit far for a day trip, it’s technically possible to do, and this surfing mecca is well worth a visit!
You can rent a car or book a bus to make the trip, which generally takes the same amount of time.
Pin this guide to Oaxaca’s best tours and day trips for later planning!
