3 Things To Do In Oaxaca, Mexico

Amy Syed
4 min readMay 5, 2022

If you are a traveler who wants to immerse in history, culture, and art, consider visiting Oaxaca, Mexico, the pride and glory of Latin America!

Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca

One of the most historic and glorious landmarks of the country, ‘Museo de la Culturas de Oaxaca,’ is situated in the heart of Oaxaca city.

Formerly known as ‘the Regional Museum Of Oaxaca,’ this museum is housed in a previous Convent called the’ Santo Domingo de Guzman’ and offers a variety of attractions for visitors and patrons of art and architecture.

This building depicts the grandeur of the colonial era with a ground floor and an upper floor. In addition to exhibit rooms, there is a historical Botanical garden, Templo de Santo Domingo, the Fray Francisco de Burgoa Library, and Néstor Sánchez Newspaper Archive of Oaxaca.

Halls I to IV have artifacts and findings from the prehistoric period. Some even date back 10000 years. There are 14 exhibits and nine thematic halls.

  • V to VIII carry exhibits from the colonial period.
  • IX to XIII convey Oaxaca’s past and present.
  • Hall XIV is dedicated to Santo Domingo Monastery.

In 1932, Alfonso Caso discovered the treasures from the Zapotec tomb 7. This valuable treasure belonged to a Mixtec King. He was buried with his sacrificed slaves and prizes such as silver, turquoise, coral, jade, Amber, Pearls, crystal goblets, and gold and turquoise encrusted skull. These exhibits are displayed in room III.

Participate in interactive activities presented in its nine thematic rooms to make your visit memorable. Experience the Oaxacan culture through a generic overview of their ceramics, goldsmithing, saddlery, and gastronomical activities.

Wander the Markets of Mercado Benito Juarez

Visit Mercado Benito Juarez, to experience a fun filled Oaxaca city, Mexico activity.

If you appreciate delectable cuisines, the hustle and bustle of the food market, and the mouthwatering aroma of hot food wafting through the air, make a trip to this colorful bazaar.

Mercado Bento Juarez is the commercial hub of the whole region and the central marketplace in Villa Milpa Alta. Whether you want to devour a traditional hearty meal or buy local produce, this place is the one-stop source in Oaxaca city, Mexico.

Shop for traditional handicrafts, bountiful fruits, baskets of chapulines, mole paste, and exotic spices under the Oaxacan sky. Consume freshly cooked Mexican tortillas, empanadas, and quesadillas at the food stalls. There is a fantastic seating area for the patrons to sit and enjoy their meal.

Along with food and fresh produce, this market in Oaxaca city proudly sells items like pottery, silver jewelry, leather products, handicrafts, flowers, pinatas, and sombreros.

You can mill the pavements of this lively market in Oaxaca City by yourself or opt for guided tours.

Painting Experience

Like so many other activities in Oaxaca city, Mexico, painting sessions are conducted and are popular among tourists. If you are an avid painter who wants to learn new painting techniques from an Oaxacan artist or a novice who wants to experience fun painting for a few hours, workshops and classes are available.

‘Paint your Alebrije’ is an activity that teaches you about Mexican culture through art. You get to visit the village of Arrizola by private transport. Artisans give you information about Alebrije folk art and help you paint your animal figurine, which you can keep as a souvenir. This activity takes around 4 hours, and the total cost is $ 53.00. This activity is offered in English and Spanish.

Click the link below to book a tour and participate in a memorable activity in Oaxaca city, Mexico. This is a personalized activity catered to your needs and group size. All the materials and snacks are provided.

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Amy Syed

A teacher, freelancer and women’s rights activist…