Church Santa Domingo outside in Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog Inspirations

Wonderful Oaxaca

I have fallen in love with Oaxaca! Pronounce Oaxaca like “Wah-hah-kah” This is a very attractive historical town with beautiful churches and plazas which are well preserved and on the Unesco World Heritage list. Oaxaca has it all; Zapotec history, gastronomy, historical buildings, boutique hotels, mezcal, charm, mountains and many more. The colorful streets are perfect to wander around and to have a nice coffee in one of the many cute coffee shops or bakeries. I stayed two full days in Oaxaca City, but I wish I stayed longer, so take this into account!!

In the morning and evening it could get chilly in Oaxaca so bring a sweater with you. During the day it’s fine; at least this was in January….

Travel to and from Oaxaca

I arrived in Oaxaca at 7:00 AM in the morning after taking the night bus from Mexico City (CDMX) at 23:45 PM. The ADO overnight bus leaves from Tapo Bus Station in CDMX (20 min with the Uber from Zona Rosa). You can choose several classes and times with ADO which are very comfortable and luxury if you take the Platina bus. Ticket prices differ per time, class and timing; mine was 800M$ (37$). I booked the ticket in advance online, very easy with PayPal. The ride is about 7 hours (I had some delay with departure…) so you can have a proper sleep if you use the right tools (see blog about jetlag). Taxi from the bus stop to the centro is about 60MXN.

So if you like to have a proper seat in a comfort class buss; I advise you to book in advance!

Flight from Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog InspirationsMy next destination is Puerto Escondido; a 10 hour bus ride through the winding mountains roads or a shuttle service that will be faster like 8 hours. Or the best option, but of course the most expensive one, fly. After some research and considering all the options I made the decision to fly; this to save time, see it as a tour and adventure to fly in a small Cessna plane. I booked the flight online with Aerotucán for 2550M$ (133$) and paid with credit card. The flight was very efficient, safe and fast. I could even sit in the front as well (felt I was flying myself!!). Indeed a great choice, loved the thrill and adventure flying in the small plane and the view over the mountains. Taxi from centro Oaxaca to airport takes you ±15 min for 200MXN.

What to do in Oaxaca?

The main attraction in Oaxaca is wandering around through the colorful streets and admire the beautiful buildings and plazas like the Zócolan, Templo de Santo Domingo and visit Museo the las Culturas de Oaxaca. Oaxaca is the gastronomic center of Mexico so food is very important here, perfect for a cooking class or eat in a high class restaurant or try the local fabricated mezcal drink. Don’t forget to visit the ancient site Mount Albán. Lots to do here; enjoy Oaxaca!!

Colorful streets of Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog Inspirations1. Templo de Santo Domingo

This Oaxaca church is the most splendid one and you will see it for yourself when wandering around the streets of Oaxaca. I really liked decorative cactus plants around the church. The blue sky in the back made the picture perfect. Inside is as just or even more beautiful as outside. Next to this prominent church you will find the Museo de Las Culturas de Oaxaca and behind the church you can visit the Jardín Etnobotánico which can only be visited by tour.

Church Santa Domingo inside in Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog Inspirations

View over Jardin in Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog Inspirations2. Museo de Las Culturas de Oaxaca

I was not planning to go to this Museum of the Culture of Oaxaca, but I went in to cover some time before I could check-in in my hotel (entrance fee 70MXN). I liked it; the building is beautiful and perfectly located. Through the open windows (no glass) you have an amazing view over the mountains, botanical garden and city center. The museum takes you back through the history and cultures of the Tuxtepec and Zapotec in the areas such as crafts, food and medicine of Oaxaca. One remark is that the explanatory was only in Spanish…. Good for my practicing my Spanish!

Museo Culturas in Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog Inspirations3. Cooking Class

I love to cook and Oaxaca is known for its culinary activities, so lucky me!! This is the perfect place to get more cooking inspirations. That is why I booked one of the many cooking classes offered in Oaxaca; at La Cocina Oaxaqueña. The graduated cook Gerardo is very helpful and explains all the steps in the 5 hours afternoon cooking class (900MXN or 55USD from 15:00 PM- 20:00 PM, morning session available too). First we went to the local market to get all the ingredients and we got an extensive explanation of many products we could see at the market. I found it very interesting. After the market we headed to the villa with attached cooking area where we received our menu and drinks. Gerardo’s family supported us in the kitchen; helping, preparing, serving and hosting the group (9 persons).

Cooking class in Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog InspirationsThe food we prepared was delicious and very divers: tamales, guacamole, mole (sauce) with 30 ingredients and chicken, tortillas and quesadillas. The menu differs from day to day but I’m sure you will like it!! Besides preparing the food its great fun and educational too; pressing the tortillas is harder than you think. So respect for the ladies in the streets preparing them!!!

Take a look at my Food blogs for inspirations. I will post some inspirations of this trip soon. I already bought a tortilla press.

4. Mount Albán

Find out why this 400m high Mount Albán archeological site in the Oaxaca Valley is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage!! In this ancient Zapotec city you can still see the well maintained remains of temples, stepped platforms and palaces. The view on top looking over the valley with the blue sky was perfect. And the best, this archeological site is less touristy than the other more famous sites in Central America and Mexico.

Let Me Inspire You in Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog InspirationsI took a 30 minute taxi for 200MXN to the entrance of the park including museum (75MXN). Local busses run as well. I arrived in the late afternoon in order to see the sunset, but it was not possible to see a sunset because the park closes at 17:00 PM. Still got a good impression of the great view over Old and New Oaxaca valley.

Go so that you have enough time to visit all you want to see, the park closes at 17:00 PM so no sunset tours possible. 

5. Ruta Mercado Materia

I stepped into a shop where the girl explained to me that they have route called; Ruta Mercado Materia. All the shops have a relationship with textile and fashion; technics, process and materials that the artisans used and fashion today. The route includes some real nice shops but also the Museo Textile de Oaxaca is in the route. A very nice way to explore the city of Oaxaca and walk through the colorful streets with nice shops and cafes. So ask around to get a free flyer with the route!

Ruta Mercado in Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog InspirationsTips to sleep, eat and drink in Oaxaca!

Start the day to have lunch or brunch at the hot spot in Oaxaca: Boulenc Pan Artesano. This place is a hipster café with a bakery attached. The coffee and avocado on toast are the best. The place looks really relaxed and seated at the common table; I had multiple interesting conversations with fellow travelers. As you probably guessed, I visited this place more than once.

Oaxaca is the area for the Mezcal; the alcoholic beverage is made from the heart of the agave plant. Mezcal is more expensive and tastier than the more known tequila which is made of the blue agave. In Oaxaca you can find different bars where you can taste and try different types of the very strong alcoholic drink. Too strong for me!!

Create your own cocktail and mix some Mezcal with the other local drink Jamaica. Jamaica is made of the hibiscus flower. For me this was the perfect drink during my cooking class.

Oaxaca is packed with boutique hotels and other nice accommodations. I booked a very trendy design boutique hotel called: Casa Antonieta. The rooms are large and comfortable, but can be a bit cold. It was not summer yet and the building was not heating up, which is comfortable in the hot summers. But with a blanket and comfortable hot shower and free bathrobe it was perfect!

Hotel Casa Antonieta in Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog InspirationsThe vibe is really good, good front desk that is willing to help you to explore the surroundings. The coffee bar attached to the hotel is well visited too. The front desk recommended me to have dinner at the restaurant Origin. Which was a good tip. The 5 courses surprise menu including mezcal cocktail (770MXN) is not cheap, but you get a real almost Michelin star food experience. All in all a very good experience!

At Mercado de la Cosecha you can have a nice organic lunch outside in a local food market place. Food and vibe are really good here. A must go when you are in Oaxaca! Open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:00AM to 6:00PM.

Mercado Cosecha in Oaxaca Mexico, Mexico Travel Blog InspirationsGo and do at least a 2 day stop-over in Oaxaca!

Next stop San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Mexico City or Puerto Escondido

More about Mexico

Tips before you go to Mexico

Tips before you go to Mexico

Is it safe to travel in Mexico? Yes it absolutely safe to travel to Mexico! At least I had no bad experience at all during my travel in this amazing country. I loved it so much, Mexico surprised me in a very positive way. People are very friendly, helpful, its cheap,...

Surprisingly San Cristóbal de Las Casas

Surprisingly San Cristóbal de Las Casas

San Cristóbal de Las Casas (San Cristóbal), is located in a beautiful highland valley in the Chiapas state; which is the most southern part of Mexico close to the border of Guatemala and Belize. San Cristóbal is a popular tourist destination and I understand why. It...

Beaches & Surfing Puerto Escondido

Beaches & Surfing Puerto Escondido

Beach Time!! I always plan beach time in my holidays, just to chill and relax from my travels, I call this; The Holiday within my Holiday. The Pacific coast of Oaxaca is not yet overdeveloped and you can do many activities at these white/golden beaches. The coast is...

Metropolis Mexico City

Metropolis Mexico City

When I used to think of Mexico City; I thought of a big, overcrowded and dangerous city. But nothing like that was true; Mexico City or abbreviated to CDMX (Ciudad de México) really surprised me in a very positive way!! I will explain why and where to go, to get the...

Follow me on Instagram!

Let Me Inspire You Mirja; Lifestyle tips and inspirations Blog

More about other countries

Tips before you travel to Peru

Tips before you travel to Peru

Before you travel to Peru make sure you are well prepared. See here my tips and inspirations that will help you to plan your holiday. Visa for Peru As a Dutch citizen we don’t need to request a Visa, we get one in our passport for 90 days, within any 6 month period...

North Sicily: Tyrrhenian Coast, Cefalù and Milazzo

North Sicily: Tyrrhenian Coast, Cefalù and Milazzo

In this Sicilian travel blog, I will give you tips, information and inspirations on the Northern part of Sicily. In this part of Sicily: drive past the dramatic beach and mountain scenery of this Tyrrhenian Coast, you can visit the coastal beach town of Cefalù and...

Route for 3 to 4 weeks Peru

Route for 3 to 4 weeks Peru

I visited Peru during my three months travel through South America. After Bolivia I went to Peru and visited Ecuador thereafter. See below my route suggestion and other option. I found it very easy to travel in Peru; tour operators everywhere and transport via large...