Oaxaca City, Mexico
Nestled in the mountains of southwestern Mexico is a place teeming with distinct culture, endless sunshine, and more Mezcalerias than places to eat. (Not really, but it sure feels like it!) Oaxaca, Mexico is a place I decided to call home without ever having been before. The promise of cobble-stoned streets, fresh mountain air, and plenty of unique local traditions to dig into drew me to it without a second thought. On this ever-evolving page, come to know the city that quickly found a place in my heart.
A Curated Guide to Oaxaca
Having spent an ever-lengthening amount of time in this charming city of cobble-stoned streets, waist-expanding eateries, and stop-you-in-your-tracks art and architecture, I’ve come to identify a few gems worth being on your radar. Use the links below as a starting point for your own Oaxaca adventure, then message me with all of the noteworthy places and experiences you discover along the way.
Getting to Oaxaca
From Mexico City
By Bus
I typically travel by bus between Oaxaca and Mexico City. It’s about a 5 to 6-hour journey in a relatively comfortable and clean bus. ADO, AU, and OCC are the most reputable companies and who I typically travel with inside of Mexico. You can check and compare pricing across all companies on either Bookaway or BusBud.
By Plane
VivaAerobus, Volaris, and AeroMexico fly direct to Oaxaca City from Mexico City. The flight is little more than an hour from lift off to touch down. You can compare your flight options at WayAway, my favorite flight aggregator tool.
From All Other Destinations in Mexico
By Bus
Mexico is such a bus-friendly destination, in general. It’s how I get around typically, unless flight pricing is too good to pass up. You can check out fares and schedules from pretty much any destination in Mexico to Oaxaca on either Bookaway or BusBud. As a general rule, stick to ADO, OCC, AU, ETN, Primera Plus, Estrella Blanca, Senda, Autovias, Ovnibus, and Flecha Roja. These are the most reputable among the bus carriers in Mexico.
By Plane
VivaAerobus, Volaris, and AeroMexico all fly direct to Oaxaca City from pretty much all major destinations within the country, though some only on a few times per week. You can compare your flight options at WayAway, my favorite flight aggregator tool.
Travel Resources
Please note that some, not all, of the following recommendations may include affiliate links, meaning I do receive a small commission at no additional cost to you when you click and purchase through these links.
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.
Oaxaca is Mexico’s mountain biking mecca and home to a wild group of enduro riders. Hit these beloved beginner-friendly mountain biking trails to follow in the bike tracks of Oaxaca’s best.