Oaxaca attractions

Home to fewer than 100 people—mostly fishermen—San Agustin Bay (Bahía San Agustín) has no electricity or running water. The bay itself is known for its prime snorkeling opportunities. Visitors head into the ocean straight from the shore and are immediately surrounded by schools of tropical fish, coral plates, crabs, snails, bivalves, and sea urchins.

Órgano Bay (Bahía Órgano) is an isolated stretch of beach just south of Santa Cruz in Mexico. Recommended for travelers who want to get away from it all, it’s an ideal spot for snorkeling and diving with calm, clear blue-green water and several interesting rock formations. Organo Bay is very near Maguey Bay, but not as popular or easy to access.

Luxurious all-inclusive resorts and private beachfront villas line the rocky cliffs ofTangolunda Bay (Bahía Tangolunda) in Huatulco. Some of the big names that you’ll find here include Dreams, Barcelo, and Las Brisas. It’s a top choice for those wanting to stay right on the bay, and the endless stretches of sandy shores are perfect for early morning walks.

Designed by Oaxacan artists Francisco Toledo and Luis Zárate, Oaxaca’s Ethnobotanical Garden (Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca) is home to hundreds of plants native to Oaxaca, Mexico’s most biodiverse region. Look out for towering cacti, medicinal plants, and rescued agaves as you learn about the relationship between people, culture, and plants on a guided tour of the truly impressive garden.

Situated beneath the Monte Albán archaeological site, the artisan town of San Antonio Arrazola offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of Oaxaca. Best known for its fantastical painted wooden figurines called alebrijes—and the street art dotted around town dedicated to them—San Antonio Arrazola is the ideal spot to pick up some souvenirs from your time in Oaxaca.

One of the oldest and largest markets in Oaxaca—if not the entire country—the fragrant and bustling Abastos Market is a hub of fresh produce, Oaxacan goods, and more. Also known by its official name of the Central de Abastos, this market is the perfect place to pick up Oaxacan snacks and souvenirs, from local pottery to chili-laced candies and freshly made mole.

The Benito Juárez Market (Mercado Benito Juárez), which takes up two blocks and is just a short walk from the city center zócalo (square), is one of four markets in close proximity in downtown Oaxaca City. Home to a wide variety of typical foodstuffs and artisanal handicrafts, the market is the ideal spot to browse for souvenirs or just get lost among the stalls.

Opened in response to the dwindling turtle population in Mexico, the Mexican Turtle Center (Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga) is a 10-acre (4-hectare) attraction located in Mazunte, Oaxaca. Here, you’ll find a variety of sea and freshwater turtles across over a dozen aquariums, including hawksbills, leatherbacks, and green turtles, all of which you can learn about on a guided tour of the center.

Marked by holy cloisters, intricate gilt interiors, and a baroque facade, the Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church (Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán) is perhaps the defining landmark of Oaxaca City. Located just off Oaxaca’s “tourist corridor,” Santo Domingo adjoins the Oaxaca Culture Museum and is backed by the scenic Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Gardens, making it a must-visit for any traveler in the city.

Replete with fresh produce, grilled meats, fragrant spices, and lots of mole (a spicy sauce), the 20 de Noviembre Market (Mercado 20 de Noviembre) is a must visit for food fans and casual visitors alike in Oaxaca City. Located just outside the city’s central zócalo, the market is also a great place to grab lunch from one of the many fondas and vendors.

Situated 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca proper, this former Dominican convent in Cuilapam de Guerrero is an impressive complex which includes cloisters and a roofless chapel. Once home to praying monks and the place where former Mexican president Vicente Guerrero was executed, the 16th-century Cuilapam Convent is now a place to enjoy religious murals and sweeping views over the valley below.

Popular with surfers and river rafters alike, the Copalita River (Río Copalita) is one of the region’s most popular water sports destinations, surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna. From the river rafting opportunities offered inland to the boogie boarding and surfing conditions you’ll find as the river empties into the ocean, the Copalita River is a must for adventurous travelers in Oaxaca.

Quieter than its more popular sister sites of Monte Albán and Mitla, Yagul is home to the second largest Mesoamerican ball court after Chichén Itzá. Visitors can admire striking views over the Tlacolula Valley from the vantage point of these elevated ruins; explore the elaborate stone palace and courtyards, which date from between AD 750 and 950; and enter the underground tombs.

Known for its distinctive black clay ceramics, San Bartolo Coyotepec is a must-visit for fans of traditional crafts in search of the perfect Oaxacan souvenir. Situated just 9 miles (15 kilometers) south of Oaxaca City, San Bartolo Coyotepec’s quiet streets are lined with shops, galleries, and studios selling this regional pottery that’s now an essential part of Oaxacan tradition.

La Ventanilla—a popular ecotourism destination on the Oaxacan coast—incorporates a small coastal village, undeveloped beaches, and the Tonameca River lagoon, all scenically sandwiched between the Pacific and the Sierra Madre mountains. Visitors to La Ventanilla can explore mangroves with a guide, ride horseback, and visit crocodile farms on the Costa Chica.

Connected to the Templo de Santo Domingo, the impressive Oaxaca Culture Museum (Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca) is housed in a beautifully restored monastery. Well-curated exhibits featuring crafts, herbal medicines, and local dress transport travelers through the history of Oaxaca, from ancient times to the modern day. A particular highlight is the collection of Mixtec silver, jade, and gold.

Once home to former Mexican president Benito Juárez, the Benito Juárez House-Museum (Museo de Sitio Casa de Juárez) is now a modest museum situated in a restored 17th century building. Visitors can learn about the extraordinary life of Mexico’s first indigenous president, marvel over personal artifacts once belonging to Juárez, and observe the bookbinding shop which belonged by the building’s owner, Antonio Salanuevas.

Travelers seeking a true Oaxacan culinary experience will find it at Casa Crespo, a popular restaurant and cooking school that serves up traditional regional cuisine that highlights age-old flavors and market-fresh ingredients. Settle in for an alfresco cocktail on Casa Crespo’s rooftop, enjoy a multi-course meal at the restaurant, or opt for a hands-on cooking class.

Get a first-hand look at the process of turning fresh coffee berries into a cup of aromatic brew at Finca La Gloria. This family-owned coffee plantation in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca is known for its fertile green farms and butterfly sanctuary. Here you can tour the working coffee farm and sample high-quality organic blends straight from the roaster.

Imagine shopping at a market that’s existed for 800 years before wandering the grounds of an ancient city populated by unearthed tombs; both are possible in Zaachila, a small town known for its Thursday tianguis and archaeological ruins. Visit for the chance to pick up local goods—from fresh fruit to clay pottery—and learn about Zapotec culture, all just a quick drive from Oaxaca City.

Unlike most museums of its kind in Mexico, Tamayo Museum (Museo Tamayo) brings together a collection of over 1000 pre-Hispanic artifacts and presents them as artwork rather than archaeological finds. At this 18th century Oaxacan mansion-turned-museum, visitors can marvel over Mayan, Olmec, and Purepecha sculptures, figurines, and more—once the private collection of Zapotec artist Rufino Tamayo.