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Mexico · Trip plan

4 days in Oaxaca

Mole, mezcal and the most moving Day of the Dead in Mexico.

Best time
Oct – Mar
Ideal length
4 days
A day, mid-range
$150 per person
Trip for two
about $1,200

Planning a 4-day trip to Oaxaca? Here's a day-by-day Oaxaca itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

Oaxaca's Día de Muertos (31 October–2 November) is famous for candlelit cemetery vigils, parades and altars.

Oaxaca is a colonial city in southern Mexico, known for its indigenous cultures, crafts, mezcal and Mexico's best food.

  1. Jan: a good time to go
  2. Feb: a good time to go
  3. Mar: a good time to go
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct: a good time to go
  11. Nov: a good time to go
  12. Dec: a good time to go

October to March: 22–28°C days, cool nights.

Create my Oaxaca trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Oaxaca

  • 01

    Day of the Dead

    Altars, comparsas and cemetery vigils.

  • 02

    Monte Albán

    Zapotec ruins on a mountaintop.

  • 03

    Hierve el Agua

    Petrified waterfalls and mineral pools.

  • 04

    Mezcal tastings

    Palenques in the valleys.

Day by day

Oaxaca itinerary for 4 days

  1. D1

    Day 1: The centro

    Morning
    Visit the Templo de Santo Domingo, dripping in gold leaf, and the cultural museum in its former monastery.
    Afternoon
    Lunch in the smoky grill aisle of Mercado 20 de Noviembre, where you pick meat to be grilled.
    Evening
    Mezcal tasting in a centro bar.

    Try chapulines (toasted grasshoppers) if you're brave.

  2. D2

    Day 2: Monte Albán

    Morning
    Explore Monte Albán, a Zapotec city built on a flattened mountaintop with valley views.
    Afternoon
    Visit the alebrije (painted wooden animal) workshops in San Martín Tilcajete.
    Evening
    Watch a Day of the Dead comparsa parade through the streets (late October to 2 November).

    Go to Monte Albán early for the light and cool.

  3. D3

    Day 3: Hierve el Agua

    Morning
    Drive to Hierve el Agua's petrified waterfalls and mineral pools on a cliff edge.
    Afternoon
    Visit a palenque to see mezcal being made in earth pits.
    Evening
    Join the candlelit cemetery vigil at Xoxocotlán on Day of the Dead nights.

    Be respectful at the cemetery and ask before photographing.

  4. D4

    Day 4: Home

    Morning
    Shop for textiles and black pottery.
    Afternoon
    Lunch of mole negro.
    Evening
    Fly home.

    The airport is about 20 minutes away.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Oaxaca in 3, 4 or 6 days

3 days in Oaxaca

Follow days 1 to 3 above and leave out “Home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

6 days in Oaxaca

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Mexico City.

What it costs

Oaxaca trip budget

StylePer person, a day4 days for two
Budget$70$560
Mid-range$150$1,200
Luxury$400+$3,200

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Oaxaca is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Oaxaca for every budget

  • Budget

    Hostels in the centro

    Centro

    Walkable.

    from $30 /night

    Prices
  • Mid-range

    Boutique hotels in the centro

    Centro

    Colonial courtyards.

    from $150 /night

    Prices
  • Luxury

    Hotel Escondido Oaxaca

    Centro

    Design hotel with a rooftop pool.

    from $350 /night

    Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Oaxaca

  • Mole negro

    A complex chilli-chocolate sauce.

  • Tlayudas

    Giant crispy tortillas.

  • Mezcal

    Smoky agave spirit.

Getting there

How to reach Oaxaca

Travel
Oaxaca airport has flights from Mexico City and some US cities.
Getting around
Walk the centro; colectivos and tours for the valleys.
  • Book Day of the Dead stays months ahead.
  • Ask before photographing families at graves.

Before you go

What to pack for Oaxaca

  • Power bank and charging cables
  • Passport and visa printouts
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
  • A forex card or some local cash
  • Travel insurance

Good questions

Oaxaca trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Oaxaca?

4 days are enough to see the highlights: Day of the Dead, Monte Albán, Hierve el Agua. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 4-day Oaxaca trip cost?

Roughly $70 a day per person on a budget, $150 mid-range and $400+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $1,200 for 4 days.

What is the best time to visit Oaxaca?

Oct – Mar. Oaxaca's Día de Muertos (31 October–2 November) is famous for candlelit cemetery vigils, parades and altars.

Where should I stay in Oaxaca?

Budget: Hostels in the centro (Centro), from about $30 a night. Mid-range: Boutique hotels in the centro (Centro), from about $150 a night. Luxury: Hotel Escondido Oaxaca (Centro), from about $350 a night.

How do I reach Oaxaca?

Oaxaca airport has flights from Mexico City and some US cities.

Is 3 days enough for Oaxaca?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 3 of the itinerary above and skip "Home". 4 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Oaxaca?

October to March: 22–28°C days, cool nights.

What food should I try in Oaxaca?

Mole negro: A complex chilli-chocolate sauce. Tlayudas: Giant crispy tortillas. Mezcal: Smoky agave spirit.

How do I get around Oaxaca?

Walk the centro; colectivos and tours for the valleys.

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