Attractions:

• Visit Mercados Benito Juárez & 20 de Noviembre: These markets are located right next to each other and open daily from 7:00am-9:00pm. You can find whatever you’re looking for here but handicrafts and food are the main appeals! And although I personally don’t eat them, there is no better place to try chapulines (a Mexican delicacy).

• Zócalo: Like Mexico City, this plaza is the main gathering space for tourists and locals alike. You’ll find plenty of selfie aficionados, food vendors, and cafes here making the square an ideal spot for some good, old-fashioned people watching!

• Hierve El Agua: Although this site is 2 hours from town, it is definitely worth the trip! These calcified waterfalls and natural pools are gorgeous! Tours from Oaxaca cost around $100 USD but if you make the trip on your own, you can do it for less than $5! From Oaxaca’s second class bus station, take a bus to Mitla. The bus ride is 1 hour and costs 20 MXN. From here, you will see camionetas (or pickup trucks) lined up to take travelers to the waterfalls. This truck ride is 45 minutes and costs 50 MXN. When you arrive to the site, an entrance ticket to the falls costs 25 MXN. I recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes and a swimsuit!

• Monte Albán Ruins: With structures dating back to 200 B.C., this archaeological site is a popular day-trip from Oaxaca. The ruins themselves were excavated less than 100 years ago making them some of the most well-preserved in Mexico! Monte Albán is open daily from 8:00am-4:30pm and the entrance cost is 75 MXN ($4 USD). From Zócalo, there are buses with “Monte Albán” on the front that will take you to within a 1-hour hike of the ruins (40 minutes; 8 MXN). The hike is uphill but not too strenuous. If you would prefer to take a tourist bus, they run hourly from Lescas Tours (25 minutes; 40 MXN). Be sure to bring sunblock and a hat since the elevation exposes you to strong UV rays!

• Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca: This garden is one of the most unique in the world because it highlights the relationship between plants and people through the lens of Mexican culture. In fact, you cannot visit the garden without joining a guided tour! English tours are 100 MXN ($5 USD), 2 hours in length, and offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11:00am.

• Andador Turístico: Calle Alcalá is a delightful pedestrian street in downtown Oaxaca lined with galleries, cafes, museums, and shops. I recommend carving out some time to experience a nice stroll among the beautiful Spanish colonial architecture!

• Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán: This extravagant, Baroque style church is a sight to see even if you do not consider yourself to be a fan of churches. The elaborate architecture is lovely! It is open daily from 7:00am-1:00pm & 5:00pm-8:00pm. Additionally, the church is attached to the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca which is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00am-8:00pm. Entrance to the museum costs 70 MXN ($4 USD).

• Other sites include: Mercado de Artesanías de Oaxaca, Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, Plaza de la Danza, and Fountain of the 8 Regions.