Oaxaca
Travelers come to Oaxaca for its markets, mole and mezcal, and for Zapotec ruins and craft villages in the valley.
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Oaxaca City is the capital of Oaxaca state in southern Mexico, set in the Central Valleys at about 1,555 meters. Many older buildings are made of green cantera stone, which gives the city its nickname, La Verde Antequera. Colonial churches, monasteries and arcaded squares fill the historic center. The city and the nearby Monte Albán archaeological site have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Travelers come for the food, the markets and the living indigenous cultures around the city. Zapotec and Mixtec sites, craft villages that make pottery, wool rugs and painted alebrijes, and mezcal are all in the valley around town. The trip suits travelers who want walking, eating and museums more than beach time. Rain falls mainly in summer, and June is the wettest month. Allow a few days for the city, with at least one day for Monte Albán and the valley towns.
Oaxaca in five
- Book months ahead for Día de MuertosRooms near the zócalo and Santo Domingo sell out for late October and early November.Día de Muertos
- Plan around the GuelaguetzaThe dance festival falls on two Mondays in late July, with events all over town. Auditorium tickets on Cerro del Fortín sell out, so check the official program.
- Be at Monte Albán at openingThe Zapotec hilltop city is about 20–30 minutes from the center and has little shade. By noon the plaza is hot.
- Carry cash for markets and villagesMarket stalls, colectivos and craft villages mostly take pesos in cash. ATMs are easy to find in the center.
Things to do in Oaxaca
See all attractions in Oaxaca
Need to know
- Airport
- Oaxaca (OAX), about 30 min by taxi or shuttle
- Getting there
- Flights from Mexico City, about 1 hour; ADO bus about 6–7 hours
- Getting around
- Walk the center; colectivos and taxis for the valley
- Best base
- Centro Histórico, near Santo Domingo
- Time needed
- 3–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low11°Dry, sunnyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low11°Dry, warmFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low13°Hot, dryMarchClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh30°Low14°HottestAprilClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- MayClear10 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Hot, rains startMayClear
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains start
- JuneRain21 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°GuelaguetzaJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Guelaguetza
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Afternoon rainAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Afternoon rain
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°WettestSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 227 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Rains easeOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Día de MuertosNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Día de Muertos
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low11°Dry, festiveDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, festive
Average daily high and low in Oaxaca City, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul Guelaguetza
Right now in Oaxaca
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 State
03:14 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
Day trips by train
- Hierve el Aguaabout 1.5–2 hours by carMineral springs and rock formations that look like frozen waterfalls.
- Mitlaabout 1 hour by carZapotec ruins known for their stone mosaics, often paired with Hierve el Agua.
- Teotitlán del Valleabout 40 min by carA weaving village where families dye wool with natural colors.Read the guide
Before you go to Oaxaca
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Rules for Oaxaca, checked
- Many nationalities need a Mexican visa or a tourist permit (FMM) before arrival. Check eligibility on the INM website at gob.mx/inm.Source
- Customs officers may ask about food, plants and animal products. Declare them on the customs form when asked.
- Tipping is customary at restaurants. Check the bill for a service charge before you add a tip.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance in Oaxaca. Save the number before you travel to the mountains or the coast.
Plan around Oaxaca
Regions, entry, money and when to go
Read the guideMexico CityThe flight hub, an hour by air
Read the guideTeotitlán del ValleThe weaving village in the valley
Read the guideOaxaca CoastSurf towns and beaches south of the city
Read the guideDía de MuertosDates, altars and when to book
Read the guideMoney in MexicoCash for markets and villages
Read the guideVisas and entryStay length and the entry record
Read the guideOaxaca FAQ
When is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
October to February is dry and mild, and includes Día de Muertos. July brings the Guelaguetza but also afternoon rain.
How do I get to Oaxaca from Mexico City?
Fly in about 1 hour, or take a first-class ADO bus in about 6–7 hours.
How many days do I need in Oaxaca?
Three to four days covers the city, Monte Albán and one day trip into the valley to Mitla, Hierve el Agua or the craft villages.
Is Oaxaca safe to visit?
Oaxaca City is popular with visitors and easy on foot by day. Road blockades and protests sometimes disrupt highways, so check your government's advice and local news before overland trips.
What should you eat in Oaxaca?
Mole in several colors, tlayudas (large crisp tortillas), quesillo cheese, chocolate and mezcal. Market food stalls are good for lunch, and a mezcal tasting is easy to find in the center.