Oaxaca State
Go to Oaxaca for a colonial capital, craft villages and a Pacific coast that runs from surf towns to quiet bays.
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Oaxaca is a state in southern Mexico, with Pacific coastline and mountain ranges running through its interior. Its capital, Oaxaca City, has a colonial center of stone churches, plazas and markets, and it is known for food such as mole and mezcal. Oaxaca City also works as a base for the valleys. Day trips reach Monte Albán in about 30 minutes and Teotitlán del Valle in about an hour. Around the capital, Zapotec and Mixtec communities have long worked in crafts, and Teotitlán del Valle is known for wool rugs made by weaving families.
The coast stretches from Bahías de Huatulco and Puerto Escondido to smaller towns such as Mazunte, Zipolite and San Agustinillo, where beaches range from surf breaks to quiet bays. A trip here suits travelers who want a city stop followed by a slower week by the sea. Plan for the dry season, roughly November to April, for the most comfortable weather. The rainy season runs from about May to October.
Oaxaca State in five
- Get a Mexican SIM or eSIM before the coastMobile signal drops on the mountain roads between Oaxaca City and the coast. Load data before you leave the city so maps and bus times still load on the road.Phones and eSIM
- Carry small pesos for colectivos and marketsColectivos and market stalls take cash, and large notes are hard to break in villages.
- Book the coast bus a day aheadThe road from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido and Huatulco is long and winding, and seats can sell out on busy weekends.Getting around
- Check the flags before you swimZicatela beach in Puerto Escondido has big surf and strong rip currents. Swim where local people swim, and ask before going out past the break.
- Insure the surf and the hikesMany policies exclude surfing and motorbike riding. Check the activity list before you buy.Travel insurance
Neighborhoods
Oaxaca
Travelers come to Oaxaca for its markets, mole and mezcal, and for Zapotec ruins and craft villages in the valley.
Bahías de Huatulco
Nine bays on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, most with calm water, several reached only by boat, and much of the shore inside a national park.
Zipolite
A Pacific beach town on Oaxaca's coast, known for hammocks, a clothing-optional beach and surf that calls for caution in the water.
Puerto Escondido
Travelers come for the surf at Zicatela, the calmer coves nearby and a relaxed beach-town pace on Oaxaca's Pacific coast.
Things to do in Oaxaca State
See all attractions in Oaxaca State
Need to know
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check the SRE page Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 10 to 15 percent at restaurants is customary; check the bill first
- Time
- UTC-6, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, cool
- FebruaryDry, warm
- MarchDry, hot
- AprilHot, dry
- MayRains start
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy, green
- AugustRainy, green
- SeptemberRainy season
- OctoberRains ending
- NovemberDry, Day of the Dead
- DecemberDry, holidays
Right now in Oaxaca State
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 36%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Oaxaca
03:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°14°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue28°16°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed28°12°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 28°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu28°13°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri29°15°2%Friday: Fog. High 29°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat27°14°31%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun26°14°49%Sunday: Rain. High 26°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 49%.
Updated 02:21 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JulGuelaguetzaOaxaca, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Monte Albánabout 30 min by carHilltop ruins of the ancient Zapotec capital above the city, best reached early.
- Teotitlán del Valleabout 1 hour by roadA weaving village known for wool rugs dyed with natural pigments.Read the guide
- Pueblos Mancomunadosabout 2 to 3 hours by roadMountain villages linked by hiking trails through pine forest and lookouts.Read the guide
Before you go to Oaxaca State
Rules for Oaxaca State, checked
- Many nationalities need no visa for Mexico. Immigration issues a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival; check entry rules at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with Mexican customs (SAT) before you travel.
- Ask before photographing people or ceremonies in villages such as Teotitlán del Valle; some residents decline.
Plan around Oaxaca State
Entry, transport, money and connectivity for an Oaxaca trip
Read the guideOaxaca CityThe usual base for markets, ruins and the valleys
Read the guideTeotitlán del ValleA weaving village in the valleys near the city
Read the guidePuerto EscondidoSurf beaches and a town on the Pacific coast
Read the guideBahías de HuatulcoA group of bays with resorts and calmer water
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, colectivos and car hire between the city and the coast
Read the guideOaxaca State FAQ
How many days do you need in Oaxaca?
Two to three days cover Oaxaca City, Monte Albán and a weaving village such as Teotitlán del Valle. Add days if you go on to the coast, since the road is long.
Is Oaxaca City worth visiting?
Yes, for markets, food, mezcal and the Zapotec ruins nearby. It works well as a base for the valleys and as the start of a trip to the coast.
When is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
November to February for dry days. The rainy season runs roughly May to October, when roads and trails can be slow.
Do you need a car in Oaxaca?
Not in the city, where the center is walkable. Buses and colectivos reach the valleys and villages, but a car saves time on back roads.
Is Oaxaca safe for tourists?
Most visits pass without trouble. Keep valuables out of sight, use taxis at night and check your government's current travel advice before you go.
How do you get from Oaxaca City to the coast?
By long-distance bus to Puerto Escondido, Huatulco or Puerto Ángel. The trip takes most of a day, so book seats in advance.