Oaxaca at a Glance

  • Best for: food, culture, and solo travelers who want something less touristy than Mexico's coastal hotspots
  • My take: my favorite destination in Mexico, out of everywhere I've been in the country
  • Weather: hot! I was there April into May and felt it
  • Getting around: very walkable within the historic center. A car would help for exploring the outskirts, which I wasn't able to do
  • Is it safe? Yes, I felt safe walking around Oaxaca as a solo woman throughout my stay

Why Oaxaca Is My Favorite City in Mexico

Of everywhere I've traveled in Mexico, Oaxaca is the one that stuck with me most. It felt culturally rich in a way Cancún and Cabo San Lucas didn't — the kind of place I pictured when I first imagined visiting Mexico.

The food scene alone is worth building extra budget into your trip for. I ate at Michelin-starred restaurants here for a genuinely reasonable cost. The city streets are vibrant, colorful, and full of culture, and I felt safe walking around as a solo woman the entire time I was there.

It's still somewhat touristy, but far less than Cancún or Cabo. It felt like the best mix of "real Mexico" and tourist-friendly infrastructure I found anywhere in the country. If I go back to Mexico, Oaxaca is where I'd start, and I'd love to find more cities like it while I'm there.

Top Things to Do in Oaxaca

Walk the historic center

Street food, endless markets full of crafts and goods, and stunning churches. I could have spent every day just wandering here.

See the street art in Barrio de Jalatlaco

Colorful buildings and street art line the cobblestone streets of this neighborhood — one of my favorite pockets of the city.

Go to a Lucha Libre match

This was a blast. I paid a little extra for front-row seats, and it was worth every peso! Lively atmosphere, entertaining show, an easy highlight of my month here.

Hit the weekend street markets

A different rhythm than the historic center on weekdays — worth planning around if you can.

Grab coffee at the cat sanctuary

A small, easy stop that turned into one of my favorite quiet mornings in the city

Budget for the food scene

Oaxaca's restaurants, including Michelin-starred ones, are genuinely reasonably priced. I'd recommend building extra room into your budget specifically for eating out here.

Where to Stay in Oaxaca

Check out the interactive map below to find the perfect place to stay.

Book Your Stay in Oaxaca

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frequently asked questions

Oaxaca FAQ

Is Oaxaca safe for solo female travelers?

Yes! I felt safe walking around Oaxaca on my own throughout my entire month there. Of all the places I've been in Mexico, it's one of the destinations I'd most confidently recommend to a solo female traveler.

What's the best time of year to visit Oaxaca?

I visited in April into May and found it hot (which I don't mind). If you're heat-sensitive, look into cooler months before booking, but the city's energy made it worth the heat for me.

Do you need a car in Oaxaca?

Not for the historic center, which is very walkable. I would have liked to explore more of the outskirts of the city, but that's difficult without a car — something to plan for if you want to go beyond the center.

Is Oaxaca expensive?

Not particularly, including its food scene. I ate at Michelin-starred restaurants here for a reasonable cost, and I'd recommend building extra budget specifically toward eating out.

Oaxaca or Cancún — which should I visit first?

It depends what you're looking for. Cancún was a great, easy starting point for me as a new solo traveler; Oaxaca felt more culturally rich and became my favorite of the two once I had more solo travel experience under my belt.

Digital Nomad Diaries from Mexico

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    Useful context before you go, especially if Oaxaca is on your list.

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