Oaxaca City, a vibrant city in southern Mexico, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, colorful and inspiring architecture, and cuisine that will blow your mind. This mini-guide will help you explore the best of Oaxaca consciously and sustainably.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Conscious Travel: A Mini Guide to Oaxaca City, Mexico

Oaxaca offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and gastronomy, making it an unforgettable destination for any traveler. There are so many cultural experiences and eats to have, so reach out to me, let’s have a coffee, and I’ll curate a personalized and memorable experience for you. You can't miss out on the famed, Lucha Libre experiences. 

Visit during Día de los Muertos (November 1-2) for a unique cultural celebration. Learn about the history of this celebration. 

• Take a cooking class to learn about traditional Oaxacan cuisine. I highly recommend this authentic experience and cooking class. With herbs and produce from the family’s garden, you learn to make mole, salsa, and other staple bites with a wide selection of Mezcals to try. They also offer accommodation.  

Best time to visit: April to May or September to October for mild weather and fewer crowds.

Getting around: The city center is walkable, but taxis are available for longer distances.

Oaxaca is famous for its culinary traditions. Hands down, some of the best food I’ve had in my travels — in the words of Anthony Bourdain, “My body is no temple, it’s an amusement park. So enjoy the ride.”

From the Airport: If flying into Oaxaca, Uber is not a thing, so you’ll have to book a taxi from the airport. There is a kiosk to book, either private or collective (shared minibus). The collectivo is the less expensive option at around $5-7 dollars per person (100 MXN pesos) depending on where you’re going in Oaxaca City (Zone 1 or 2). 

• It is a smaller airport so depending, there maybe limited flights. Flights from Mexico City are frequent and depending on the time of year affordable. If you need help scouting flight deals, book a time with me. 

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Responsible travel is crucial as it helps preserve local cultures, protects the environment, and ensures that tourism benefits local communities, creating a more sustainable and enriching experience for both travelers and destinations.

• Support local businesses: Choose locally-owned accommodations, restaurants, and tour operators to ensure your money benefits the community. See my list below!

• Use eco-friendly transportation: The city is very walkable, and use public transportation is readily available for longer distances.

• Respect cultural sites: Follow guidelines at archaeological sites like Monte Albán and respect local customs during festivals like Día de los Muertos.

• Reduce plastic waste: Bring a reusable water bottle and shopping bag to minimize single-use plastic consumption. If you're a coffee drinker, I love my Stojo collapsable coffee mug. 

Stojo is sustainable living made simple.

• Conserve water: Be mindful of water usage as this area experiences water scarcity. You can read more here and here are a few tips on how to conserve water during your trip:


• Less frequent showers or limited to a couple of minutes

• Mindful of water for brushing teeth, cooking, washing hands, and flushing the toilet

• Choose accommodation that participates in sustainable practices, as often big hotels may have higher allotted usage and priority over locals.    

Drought: The water crisis in Oaxaca

• Buy authentic, locally-made crafts: Support local artisans by purchasing genuine Oaxacan handicrafts, avoiding mass-produced souvenirs. 

• Participate in community-based tourism: Choose tours and experiences that directly benefit local communities and preserve traditional ways of life.  I recommend Oaxaca by Locals. 

• Minimize energy use: Turn off lights and air conditioning when leaving your accommodation to conserve energy.

• Hoja Santa Taller is a women-owned art shop.

• La Cosecha Organic Market for fresh, organic food stalls and artisanal products and gifts. 

Like many places, there is a growing issue with accommodation, from short-term rentals and gentrification and taking resources from locals. So one way is to choose accommodation more ethically and sustainably.  There's a sustainable or eco-friendly practices search feature on Booking.com. I stayed in Barrio de Xochimilco, a little outside the city center away from the tourist center for a quieter experience and amongst locals. 

Booking.com | Official site | The best hotels, flights, car rentals & accommodations

Like wrap me up in a ball of Oaxacan cheese and dip me in a bowl of mole. Too far? You get my point — the food here is amazing. Don't miss trying:

• Mole: A complex sauce with numerous ingredients, often served with meat.

• Tlayudas: Large, crispy tortillas topped with beans, cheese, and meat.

• Mezcal: A smoky spirit made from agave, similar to tequila.

• My friend Veronica of Abrecaminos Oaxaca is a local and offers several personalized and authentic tours. One is to Dainzu Mezcaleria, where you can learn about their family and sustainable practices as you stroll the agave fields with a machete in hand. 

Abrecaminos Tours en Oaxaca (@abrecaminos_oaxaca) • Instagram photos and videos

Authentic Cooking Class

What is Day of the Dead? A Look at the History of Día de Los Muertos

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Zócalo

Museo Textil de Oaxaca

Once In Oaxaca - Art & Specialty Coffee

Pan con Madre

6,116 Followers, 595 Following, 664 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Hoja Santa (@hoja_santa_taller)

Hoja Santa (@hoja_santa_taller) • Instagram photos and videos

Hoja Santa Taller

Voces de Copal

5,814 Followers, 148 Following, 1,594 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from La Cosecha Oaxaca (@lacosechaoaxaca)

La Cosecha Oaxaca (@lacosechaoaxaca) • Instagram photos and videos

La Cosecha Organic Market

Museo De La Filatelia MUFI

La Jícara Librespacio Cultural

Oaxaca by locals is a tourism agency created and run by people from the city of Oaxaca and its surroundings.

Conscious Travel: A Mini Guide to Oaxaca City, Mexico

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