Oaxaca tours

Things to do in Oaxaca

Oaxaca is a canvas of colours and cultures, where each day embraces life in its essence. The city resonates with the aromas of mole and mezcal, while the gentle notes of marimba float through the air. Your local guide in Oaxaca tours turns your visit from simple sightseeing into an unforgettable exploration. Whether you're navigating through markets on a walking tour or enjoying local fare on a food and wine tour, you'll bypass the queues and immerse yourself in the vibrant core of Oaxacan traditions. With your guide, each encounter carries a personal touch, every story is vivid, and every experience is uniquely yours. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Oaxaca. Explore Oaxaca your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Oaxaca tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Oaxaca for every interest, including: History tours: Climb Monte Albán’s plazas early to trace Zapotec alignments and read carved Danzantes with context. Back in town, tour the Church of Santo Domingo and its museum to see Mixtec treasures and the former convent’s courtyards. Art and Culture tours: Sit with weavers in Teotitlán del Valle for a cochineal dye demo and loom work, then visit San Martín Tilcajete to carve and paint a small alebrije. If clay calls, your guide can arrange a studio visit in San Bartolo Coyotepec to learn the black pottery finish. Nature and Wildlife tours: Hike with a community guide in the Sierra Norte’s Pueblos Mancomunados, looking for warblers and orchids along pine‑oak trails. Cool off at Hierve el Agua’s mineral pools and photograph the “petrified waterfall” from a short rim path. Public transit and getting around: The centre is very walkable, but villages and trailheads are spread out. For smooth logistics, ask your local guide about private transportation or a chauffeured tour. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Oaxaca inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Experience Oaxaca on a private walking tour and immerse yourself in its vibrant neighborhoods with the help of a local guide. Check out these areas during your tour: - Centro Histórico: Ideal for cultural tourists and history enthusiasts, this area is filled with colonial architecture, lively markets, and the impressive Oaxaca Cathedral, showcasing the city’s rich cultural tapestry. - Jalatlaco: Known for its colorful streets and artistic vibe, this quaint neighborhood is perfect for those interested in street art and photography. It offers a charming and welcoming atmosphere for a leisurely exploration. - Santo Domingo: Home to the stunning Santo Domingo Church, this area is great for those interested in art and history, featuring museums and galleries that highlight Oaxaca’s vibrant cultural scene. Day trip ideas from Oaxaca From Oaxaca, you can slip out to nearby ruins, villages, and wild landscapes on an easy day trip tour, trading busy streets for views, craft workshops, and quiet trails without long drives; here are Oaxaca day trips that match different interests. - Monte Albán: Stand on a hilltop city with wide views over the valleys, walk ancient plazas, and see tomb art in the on-site museum; great if you like history, short walks, and photography, and your tour can add nearby Atzompa for green-glazed pottery. - Mitla, Tlacolula Valley, and Teotitlán del Valle: Explore a Zapotec site known for geometric stonework, browse a bustling market on Sunday for rugs and street food, then watch weaving in Teotitlán where natural dyes turn wool into bold patterns; ideal if textiles, food, and living culture are your thing. - Hierve el Agua: Look out over petrified waterfalls, hike simple trails to viewpoints, and wade in mineral pools with mountain air all around; a relaxed stop at a small mezcal palenque on the way back rounds out the day for nature lovers and spirit fans. - Sierra Norte villages: Head into cool pine forests for marked trails between communities like Benito Juárez and Latuvi, enjoy village kitchens serving hearty lunches, and watch for birds and cloud-swept ridges; perfect if you want fresh air and a slower pace. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Oaxaca most travellers miss.