Oaxaca in 3 days

Mexico's culinary capital: mezcal, mole, and the most vivid markets in the country. Best time to visit: October-April (dry season), late October for Día de Muertos. Average daily budget: $45 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Centro Histórico, The colonial heart: the zócalo, Santo Domingo, and the main markets.

Morning: Eat through Mercado 20 de Noviembre. Grill your own meat at the smoky 'pasillo de humo'.

Afternoon: Explore Centro Histórico, The colonial heart: the zócalo, Santo Domingo, and the main markets.

Evening: Monte Albán ruins. Zapotec mountaintop city, 30 minutes from town. Go for opening.

Eat: Mole negro over chicken or enmoladas

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Jalatlaco, Cobbled, mural-covered, the city's most charming barrio.

Morning: Mezcal tasting in the valleys. Visit a family palenque to see agave roasted and distilled.

Afternoon: Explore Jalatlaco, Cobbled, mural-covered, the city's most charming barrio.

Evening: Santo Domingo church and museum. Gilded baroque interior and the Cultures of Oaxaca museum.

Eat: Tlayuda with tasajo (thin grilled beef)

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Xochimilco, Quiet, leafy, the old aqueduct and artisan workshops.

Morning: Hierve el Agua's petrified mineral 'waterfalls' and natural infinity pools.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Xochimilco, Quiet, leafy, the old aqueduct and artisan workshops.

Evening: Teotitlán del Valle for handwoven rugs dyed with cochineal.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Quesillo (Oaxaca string cheese) and chapulines

Hidden gems

Hierve el Agua's petrified mineral 'waterfalls' and natural infinity pools.
Teotitlán del Valle for handwoven rugs dyed with cochineal.
A tlayuda from a late-night street cart, Oaxaca's giant crisp 'pizza'.
Sunset from the rooftop bars around Santo Domingo.

Getting around

The centro is flat and walkable, the best way to see it. For day trips use a colectivo (shared taxi), a booked driver, or a small-group tour to the valleys; distances are short but public buses are slow. Use Didi or registered taxis at night.

Safety

Oaxaca is one of Mexico's safest tourist cities and very walkable by day and evening in the centro. Use registered taxis or Didi late at night, watch your belongings in crowded markets, and drink bottled or filtered water. Altitude is around 1,500m, so ease into the mezcal.

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