Get Out of Town: The Best Day Trips from Oaxaca City
There’s plenty to do in Oaxaca City, but there’s also a world of ancient ruins, artisan towns, and even the world’s widest tree just beyond Oaxaca’s captivating cobblestone streets. Get out of town for a day or two on these day trips from Oaxaca City.
This list could go on and on, but I’ll keep it to five of the best day trips from Oaxaca City. I’ve written similar posts for Eternal Expat and Coyote Aventuras that are linked within if you need even more Oaxaca day trip ideas, but these five should certainly get you started.
Slip into the sun-warmed springs of Hierve el Agua
One of two petrified falls in the world, Hierve el Agua is a Oaxaca day trip you just shouldn’t skip. Pack you swimsuit and your most comfortable walking shoes because this adventure requires both. The infinity-pool like natural mineral springs invite you to take a dip, while the trails that weave through the park offer new angles of the impressive calcium carbonate-formed frozen falls that drip from cliff edges. To get to Hierve el Agua you can hop on a colectivo headed for Mitla (usually departing from the baseball stadium). In Mitla, you’ll spot the trucks that will take you up to Hierve el Agua’s doorstep.
Bike down shaded lanes to El Arbol del Tule
For another outdoor adventure that involves visiting a one-of-a-kind site, follow the bike trail to Santa Maria del Tule, where the world’s widest tree still lives and grows. Its said to be over 2,000 years old. Just imagine the history this tree has witnessed in a lifetime like that. For information on how to get there, where to rent a bike, and some more fun facts about this impressive tree, follow this link to my more in-depth guide on this fun day trip from Oaxaca.
Explore the Zapotec headquarters of Monte Alban
The views from this hill-crowning Zapotec ruin are reason enough to get your butt up to Monte Alban for a morning or mid-day dose of ancient history. Monte Alban’s pyramids, plazas, and ball courts are said to date back to 500 B.C. They served as the geo-political headquarters for the Zapotec civilization. Many rulers and high-ranking Zapotecs are buried in the hundreds of tombs that hide in the hilltop. I highly recommend jumping on a guided tour once you get up there. I explored on my own, but regret not getting the earful of background information that brings each pile of rocks to life.
Witness centuries’ old tradition continue in Oaxaca’s artisan-focused villages
Take your pick: there are the master weavers and candle makers of Teotitlan del Valle, the imaginative alebrije-makers of San Martin Tilcajete and San Antonio Arrazola, or the passionate claymakers of places like San Bartolo Coyotepec, Santa Maria Atzompa, and San Marcos Tlapazola. Oh and we can’t forget the art of ancestral mezcal production transforming the landscapes and livelihoods of Santiago Matatlán and Santa Catarina Minas. Sometimes it feels like there’s a town worth checking out for every day of the year in Oaxaca, each of which clings to an art that continues to be passed through the generations with pride. Be sure to take a day trip to at least a few of these villages while you’re in Oaxaca.
If having a guide into each cultural tradition and town is more your style, here are a few tours and experiences I’d recommend:
Zapotec Candle-Making Experience in Teotitlan del Valle with WSE Travel ($150 for 6-hour all-inclusive experience)
Cotton Textiles Experience in Santo Tomás Jalieza with WSE Travel ($160 for 6 to 8-hour all-inclusive experience)
Red Clay Pottery Experience in San Marcos Tlapazola with WSE Travel ($145 for 6-hour all-inclusive experience)
Artisanal Cheese-Making Experience in San Augustin Etla with WSE Travel ($120 for 5-hour all-inclusive experience)
Ancestral Mezcal Experience in Santa Catarina Minas with WSE Travel ($150 for a 6-8-hour all-inclusive experience)
Sacred Alebrije Experience in San Martin Tilcajete with WSE Travel ($140 for a full-day all-inclusive experience)
Wool Textiles Experience in Teotitlan del Valle with WSE Travel ($150 for 6 to 8-hour all-inclusive experience)
Test your lungs in the enchanting forests and mountainscapes of the Oaxacan Sierra
There’s no better way to escape the city than to venture up the forested and cactus-full trails of Oaxaca’s Sierra. Closer to town are the sunset perch of Cerro del San Felipe del Agua, the sacred peak of El Picacho in Teotitlan del Valle, and the mountain bike and hiking trails of Ixtepeji too. Further away is Santiago Apoala, San Pablo Cuatro Venados, Cerro Nueve Puntas, and Lachatao. I’ve written a lot of content about these adventures for a local outdoor-focused tour operator named Coyote Aventuras, like this one about Oaxaca's 8 best day hikes and this one about 3 off-the-beaten-path Oaxaca trails. If you’re into enduro or mountain biking (a popular pastime here), this one about entering the world of Oaxaca’s enduro riders on their favorite local trails is a must read.
Travel Resources
Accommodations: When I’m not booking directly with the accommodation (which is sometimes cheaper), I often use Booking.com, Trivago, and Hostelworld.com. Agoda is also a great tool when searching for longer stay options at discounted rates that include hotels and private homes.
Tours: While I personally prefer do-it-yourself travel most of the time, sometimes it’s just better with a guide. In those cases, I typically use Viator, GetYourGuide, EatWith, and Airbnb Experiences. For self-guided audio tours, I recommend WeGoTrip.
Flights: My favorite flight aggregator tool is WayAway and my favorite tool for finding out about the best flight deals is FareDrop.
Shuttle Services: My go-to is Bookaway. They operate in more than 90 countries and work with only the top, traveler-reviewed suppliers in each country.
Rental Cars: While I more often take public transport when I travel, there have been destinations that are better explored by renting a car (like Costa Rica and Europe/UK for example). In these instances, I recommend starting your car rental search on Discover Cars. They compare car rental deals across more than 500 suppliers, including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and more.
Travel Insurance: If you’re a full-time nomad like me, I recommend SafetyWing. Look into their Nomad Travel Medical Insurance and Nomad Health Insurance (a full-fledged health insurance that covers your emergency and non-emergency medical needs worldwide, including in your country of residence). If you’re not a full-time traveler, I’d recommend Squaremouth. It aggregates your insurance options across more than 22 providers and offers what I’ve found to be the best rates.
Travel ATM & Credit Cards: If you travel often and like perks like airport lounge access and annual travel credit, I recommend the Capital One Venture X credit card that includes Priority Pass, a $300 annual travel credit, and covers your Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee. For a fee-free ATM card that reimburses you at the end of every month for any incurred ATM fees, I recommend opening a Schwab Bank Investor Checking Account.
VPN: I recommend Surfshark. It’s one of the best and most budget-friendly VPN services out there.
