Location: Oaxaca
Top Things to do in Oaxaca
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The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Easygoing and vibrant, Oaxaca offers the best of southern Mexican charm, pairing lively festivals and entertainment with fantastic cuisine and unique cultural attractions. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Oaxaca is home to the spectacular Macedonio Alcala Theater and a short drive from the inspiring rock formations at Hierve el Aqua.
Restaurants in Oaxaca
1. Coyote Aventuras
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 214 reviews
Unforgettable adventure tours COYOTE Aventuras is a social enterprise dedicated to adventures, outdoors & nature tourism. Our goal: connecting people with nature, culture and adventure. Hiking + Mountain biking + Cultural tours + Social projects
2. Reserva de la Biosfera Tehuacan-Cuicatlan
3. Oaxaca Cooking Classes La Cocina Oaxaquena
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 151 reviews
La Cocina Oaxaquena is a cooking school devoted exclusively to Oaxacan cuisine and specializing in local dishes. The Chef comprehensive hands-on cooking classes in a sunny traditionally decorated Mexican kitchen. Two 5 hours cooking classes are available everyday at 9am or 3pm. Pick up and return from your hotel.
Reviewed By NorCalGuy57 - Palo Alto, United States
This morning our group of five travellers had the most wonderful experience with Chef Gerardo in his Oaxaca central market tour and cooking class. The morning started with Gerardo picking us up at our hotel. After picking up another attendee we proceeded to Oaxaca'a central food marketplace. We went around doing the shopping with Gerardo as he informed us about the wonderful meat and produce on display. I've never had so much fun doing shopping! Then on to Gerardo's lovely home which has been wonderfully set up for cooking classes. After a welcome beverage, we went about helping to prepare and cook three delicious Oaxacan delicacies, directed and coached by Chef Gerardo, with help from other members of his family. Whether you are a Julia Child or pretty novice like me, you will have a great time and learn something new. Then, of course, you get to sit down and eat the sumptuous meal you have helped produce!
4. Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,127 reviews
The Ethnobotanical Garden of Oaxaca exhibits hundreds of live plant species, all native to Oaxaca. Planting began in 1998 with plants coming from different regions in the state of Oaxaca; such as arid, humid, low tropical and high mountainous temperate zones. The garden represents the broad diversity of geological formations, types of vegetation and climates that characterize Oaxaca.
Reviewed By DBAA
We arrived early for the English speaking tour so the security guard told us to come back about 10 before the tour was to start. When we arrived 15 minutes before the tour, we were quite dismayed to find there were a huge number of English and Spanish speaking people before us, however there was absolutely nothing to worry about as the staff were extremely organized and we were very quickly on our way in a small group with a most excellent guide. The garden is quite fascinating with an interesting assortment of local plants and trees and also because of the history of the location. If you are interested in ethnobotanical gardens and want to learn more about the plant life of the area, the garden is definitely worth a visit or two.
5. Parque Juarez El Llano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By Suporto
Quiet and lovely, huge fountain, many trees, cooler part of town. I stop here and sit when I'm walking around town, just for a little delightful pause.
6. Cascada La Reforma
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
7. Pueblos Mancomunados
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
The Pueblos Mancomunados of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca constitute one of the most outstanding examples of community social organization in Mexico. Their Nature trails integrate a network of more tan 100 kilometers of rural footpaths and country roads suitable for hokers and mountain bikers of all abilities, designed to show its visitors the most relevant aspects of this exceptionally beautiful natural area. This is an intercommunity cooperation initiative which promotes the communities preservation of natural and cultural heritage through the promotion of responsible tourism of high quality, linked to the natural environment, traditions and customs of the pueblos. Please, help us to improve our services and complete our Satifaction Survey (only in spanish, available on our facebook page.Thank you!
Reviewed By kyao16 - San Francisco, United States
We really wanted to visit Pueblos Mancomunados, but we didn't have enough time to stay overnight, and the Expediciones Sierra Norte (ESN) office in Oaxaca was closed on the weekends so we weren't able to buy a tour package. It turns out this all worked out really well for us! TRANSPORTATION: At 9am in Oaxaca, we found a cab to take us to Cuajimoloyas for 1000 pesos (usually around 700 pesos according to our local guide). We knew we were overpaying, but we really needed to get there so we could finish all of our activities before sundown... On the way back, we found a collectivo truck who only charged us 50 pesos per person (usually around 70 pesos per person according to our local guide)! We were lucky to be able to sit in the second row of the inside of the truck with one other lady, so the ride was very comfortable. ACTIVITIES: We got to the tourist office in Cuajimoloyas, which is where you organize all activities. --ZIPLINING (2 hours total for 1km zipline): Costs 240 pesos per person, unless you band together a group of 10+ people in which case it's discounted to 200 pesos per person. Some domestic tourists asked us to join their group in order to get a cheaper price, and it was win-win for everybody and you make new friends! They give you a bag of equipment that you take on a steep hike up to the ziplining spot. As fit mid-20-year-olds, my husband and I didn't have much trouble trekking up to the spot, but others in our group did. Then once at the top, we watched another group get strapped in and zipline one at a time before we got strapped in. When you zipline, you can either sit or fly "airplane style" where you are strapped around the middle and "lie down" in the air like you're hanggliding. The 1km ziplining itself is scary only for the first few seconds, then really fun! After your whole group lands, then you walk back to the tourist office together. --HIKING (3 hour Cañon de Coyote): Only do this if you hire a local tour guide from the tourist office. Not only would the hike have been impossible to follow as there are almost no signs, but it wouldn't have been nearly as interesting. For us, the best part of our entire Oaxaca trip was the hike with our local guide, Hector, a local currently studying in Oaxaca City who spoke some English while we spoke some Spanish. Hector explained the local use and significance of many flowers, herbs, and historical places along the hike, and we asked him many questions ranging from farms we saw to local traditions, which he answered patiently even though there was some language barrier. We ended up learning a ton about their culture with a beautiful visual backdrop, plus there were some fun parts (e.g., rock scrambling, short climbing section aided by rope), and I would recommend this to any adults! WEATHER: Our guide told us the best weather is in the winter, as it rains in much of the rest of the year (May-November). We went in late December, and it was about 70-75 degrees and very sunny during the day. I've heard nighttime is much colder.
8. Yaguarxoo
9. Plazuela del Carmen Alto
10. Parque Comunal
This scenic park is just 15 minutes outside of Oaxaca, but has an extremely rustic atmosphere and serves as a relaxing contrast to the busy city.
