Oaxaca holidays
Oaxaca holidays at a glance
Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most diverse regions, famed for its indigenous cultures, colonial churches and impressive ancient ruins. Around 500km south-east of Mexico City, the region is dotted with craft villages, each preserving its own traditions and identity.
Oaxaca City, widely regarded as Mexico’s cultural heart, blends indigenous and colonial influences, with vibrant markets, artisan workshops, baroque architecture and a UNESCO-listed historic centre.
The region is also home to some of Mexico’s most important archaeological sites, including the spectacular Zapotec city of Monte Albán and the intricate stone mosaics of Mitla, two of the country’s finest pre-Columbian treasures.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Oaxaca
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Few places in Mexico combine indigenous heritage, food, architecture and archaeology as successfully as Oaxaca.
When to visit Oaxaca
Oaxaca enjoys a pleasant highland climate throughout the year, with temperatures generally ranging from the low to high 20s Celsius. Oaxaca hosts some of Mexico’s most famous cultural celebrations, including the Guelaguetza folk dance festival in July and Day of the Dead on 1-2 November, with music and dance ceremonies at the cemetery and elaborate sand sculptures at the cathedral.
Temperatures are pleasant, ranging from low to high 20°Cs throughout these months. There is a high density of visitors between December – January as this is Latin American holiday season, and you’ll find the most sunshine hours from January – March. Day of the Dead celebrations are particularly exciting in Oaxaca, with music and dance ceremonies at cemeteries and impressive sand sculptures at the city’s cathedral. Mexico’s biggest religious festival, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, takes place on 12 December and there are nightly nativity plays, fireworks, processions and dancing in the run-up to Christmas.
Temperatures are slightly warmer during these months, sometimes rising above 30°C, and rainfall is at its heaviest between June – September. Guelaguetza is an extravagant Oaxacan folk dance festival in July, which is accompanied by fireworks and processions. There are religious celebrations of Virgen de Carmen on 16 July. While June to August are some of the busiest months, May and October can be great times to visit, with moderate temperatures and fewer visitors.
Top Things to do in Oaxaca
Oaxaca rewards curious travellers with an exceptional range of cultural, culinary and historical experiences, from wandering its markets and workshops to venturing out to ancient Zapotec ruins. Whether your interest lies in archaeology, gastronomy or simply soaking up daily life in the city and surrounding villages, there’s plenty here to fill several days.
Take part in an ecotourism initiative in the laid-back rural village of Benito Juarez.
Wander past historic buildings and leafy plazas on a guided walking tour before visiting an authentic food market.
Take a guided tour of the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán, an important archaeological site with sweeping views from its mountain-top location.
Accommodation in Oaxaca
Accommodation in Oaxaca ranges from charming colonial-style hotels to boutique properties within easy reach of the city’s major attractions. Many visitors choose to stay in the historic centre, keeping markets, museums, churches and restaurants all within walking distance.
Friendly colonial-style hotel opposite a quiet park in central Oaxaca. A comfortable base for exploring the city and its environs.
Well-loved boutique hotel in a converted colonial house with just seven individually styled rooms, each brimming with colour and character, and an exceptional restaurant.
Historical gem in the heart of the city offering colonial décor with modern comforts.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Oaxaca
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.
Group Oaxaca Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Eagle: Aztecs, Mayas and conquistadores
Places visited: Mexico City · Oaxaca · Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque · Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Caribbean coast: Riviera Maya and Holbox
15 days from £4,598
Tailor-Made Oaxaca Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Discover Mexico: Oaxaca’s culture and coastline
Places visited: Mexico City · Colonial and silver towns · Oaxaca · Southern Pacific Coast
13 days from £3,500
Mexican street food
Places visited: Mexico City · Colonial and silver towns · Oaxaca
10 days from £2,550
Signature Mexico: Cultural heartlands to Caribbean coast
Places visited: Mexico City · Oaxaca · Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque · Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Caribbean coast: Riviera Maya and Holbox
15 days from £4,485
Signature Mexico: Day of the Dead
Places visited: Mexico City · Oaxaca
9 days from £3,300
Treasures of Central America: Heritage of the Aztec and Mayan Empires
Places visited: Mexico City · Colonial and silver towns · Oaxaca · Chiapas, San Cristobal and Palenque · Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan · Copan · Antigua and the highlands
19 days from £6,000
FAQs about visiting Oaxaca
Oaxaca is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When Is The Best Time to Visit Oaxaca?
The highland town of Oaxaca has a pleasant climate with temperatures ranging from the low to the high 20s Celsius throughout the year. Maximum sunshine hours Jan-Mar. Most rain falls Jun-Sept.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What Language Is Spoken in Oaxaca?
Spanish is the main language spoken in Oaxaca
- What Currency Should I Take To Oaxaca?
The Mexican peso is the currency used in Oaxaca. Notes can be withdrawn from several ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. You may have ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK, and amounts are lower than permitted in the UK. Money exchanges (casas de cambio) exchange dollars cash; rates for Euros and sterling are low.
- What Is The Time Difference Between Oaxaca and the UK?
The time difference between Oaxaca and the UK is GMT -6 hrs.
- What Does Oaxaca Combine Well With?
A visit to Oaxaca combines well with the beach resorts and hotels at Huatulco (by the dramatic, literally breath-taking drive on Highway 175, 3.5hrs or 35mins by air) and Puerto Escondido, both on the Pacific coast (38mins by air).
- How Do I Get To Oaxaca/
To get to Oaxaca fly from Mexico City, 1.5 hrs. There is an excellent highway now connecting the two cities, it takes 5hrs to cover the 500km.
- What key events are there in Oaxaca?
Guelaguetza! Two Mondays in Jul. Extravagant Oaxacan folk dance fiesta taking place in the amphitheatre. Accompanied with processions and fireworks.
Virgen de Carmen, 16 Jul. Processions and fireworks
Day of the Dead, 1-2 Nov. Celebrated throughout the country. Music and dance ceremonies at the cemetery; sand sculptures at the cathedral.
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe), 12 Dec. Not a public holiday, but it is Mexico’s biggest religious festival of the year.
Christmas events: 16-25 Dec. Nightly nativity plays, processions, fireworks, traditional dancing.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.