10-Day Best of Oaxaca Itinerary
Oaxaca is like its own country in terms of its geographic and cultural diversity. Each region has its own unique treasures to discover, so you could spend ages in each region without fear of running out of things to do. More good news for us explorers: It’s a pretty easy state to navigate, and you can hit several of Oaxaca’s highlights on this 10-day tour. Start your journey with a couple of days in the capital city, soaking in the best of the state’s cultural, architectural, and gastronomic offerings. After a day of exploring the artisan villages of the Valles Centrales, wind your way through the southern mountains, stopping for a refreshing change of pace in San José del Pacífico. Finish your travels with a few days of relaxing on Oaxaca’s gorgeous coast.
This itinerary can be done by rental car, but I recommend a mix of using private drivers and taking advantage of Oaxaca’s excellent public transportation options. Taxis, colectivos, suburbans, and camionetas can take you everywhere you need to go on this 10-day trip.
Day 1: Oaxaca City
Start your day in the heart of the city—the Zócalo. After enjoying the people-watching and admiring the architecture, head a couple of blocks southwest to the neighboring mercados of 20 de Noviembre (for eating—grab some mole) and Benito Juárez (for shopping). Refresh yourself with a tejate from Flor de Huayapam. After the morning mercado run, spend an hour or two exploring Museo de Arte Prehispánico de México Rufino Tamayo. Stop by the beautiful Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Soledad and enjoy the flavorful nieves at Jardín Socrates. Have dinner at Tr3s 3istro in Zócalo and enjoy the sights and sounds of a Oaxacan evening.
Day 2: Oaxaca City
Greet the morning with a walk in the garden—the Jardín Etnobotanico de Oaxaca, that is. Admire the ornate golden interior of Templo Santo Domingo and then explore the expansive Centro Cultural Santo Domingo. After lunch at Los Pacos, meander through the iconic narrow streets of Jalatlaco. For the evening, stroll down the pedestrian walkway Andador Macedonio Alcala. Top off the night with a mezcal tasting at In Situ.
Day 3: Valles Centrales
One of Oaxaca’s most iconic attractions, Monte Albán, is just minutes outside the city and makes the perfect day trip. Hire a private driver or negotiate a taxi for the day, and plan to arrive at Monte Alban by 9am to avoid the worst of the crowds and sun. Spend a couple of hours exploring the mountaintop ruins of this ancient Zapotec capital. Have lunch at the on-site café before exploring the nearby artisan villages of Arrazola and San Bartolo Coyotepec, which specialize in alebrijes (brightly painted carved wooden figures) and barro negro (black clay pottery), respectively. Return to Oaxaca City and enjoy dinner at Las Quince Letras.
Day 4: San José del Pacífico
This small mountain village known for its mind-altering mushrooms has a lot of magic to offer, even without the psychedelic trips. Steaming cups of coffee and chocolate are especially delicious in the crisp, pine-kissed mountain air. Leave Oaxaca City by 8am or 9am so you can spend your day enjoying the views and hearty cooking at restaurants like Cafetería Punto Sur and La Casa del Arbol, hiking up to breathtaking miradores (lookout points), and delighting in the spectacular sunset. Spend the night at the natural respite Refugio Terraza de la Tierra or the cozy Cabañas La Cumbre.
Day 5: Bahías de Huatulco
Leave San José del Pacífico by 9am, so that by noon you can be splashing in the clear waters of Playa La Entrega. Go snorkeling and get a bite to eat at any of the many palapas (this is a great place for fresh raw oysters, with lime and chile). Take pics at Mirador El Faro on your way to Playa Maguey, where you can snorkel, kayak, float on giant inflatables, and swim—or just relax on the golden sand. Have dinner in La Crucecita at Terra-Cotta and enjoy an evening in the town’s tiny but lively zócalo.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Day 6: Bahías de Huatulco
After a traditional and tasty breakfast at Campestre Santa Clara, take a day trip (booked in advance) to the Cascadas Mágicas. Spend a few hours soaking in the lush jungle views and cooling off in the crystal-clear pools of the waterfalls. Back in town, relax on Playa Santa Cruz before enjoying a fresh seafood dinner at Doña Celia Lobster House.
Day 7: Mazunte
Just when you thought you couldn’t get more relaxed… After your 1.5-hour drive from Bahías de Huatulco, start off by checking out the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga and learning about sea turtle conservation. Then it’s off to Playa Rinconcito to swim and relax beachside. If you feel up to it and want to experience the freedom of swimming au naturel, catch a taxi or camioneta to Zipolite. Just be sure to make it back to Mazunte before sunset to hike up to La Punta Cometa to see the sun slip below the horizon. End the night with dinner and drinks at La Tertulia.
Day 8: Puerto Escondido
Catch a camioneta early to Pochutla and take a bus from there to Mexico’s surfing capital. Enjoy the morning at Playa Zicatela if you surf, La Punta if you’d rather chill, or Playa Carrizalillo if you want to swim. Have lunch at Fish Shack if you’re around La Punta, or El Sultán around Playa Carrizalillo. Book a tour of Laguna de Manialtepec for the evening, or if you like to party, begin the night in La Punta and end it in Zicatela at Cactus Bar and Restaurant.
Day 9: Lagunas de Chacahua
In the morning, head to Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua, one of the most unique beaches Oaxaca has to offer. Tour the lagoons and spend your afternoon blissfully lounging on the shore (or surfing and swimming). Be sure to try a tamale de tichinda (mussel tamale). At Terra Tipi, spend the night in a hammock (or in one of their rooms, if it suits you), being lulled by the waves.
Day 10: Coast or Capital?
After you make your way back to Puerto Escondido, you have a choice. Will you spend your last day lounging about on the beach, or busing it back up to the city to grab some last-minute souvenirs? Whatever you choose, to beautiful Oaxaca you’ll be saying, “Nos vemos pronto!” (See you soon!)
Related Travel Guide
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Pin It for Later
