During my two weeks in Oaxaca de Juárez in Mexico, I wanted to spend some time exploring places outside of the city. There are so many small towns nearby, each known for a different craft, tradition, or local specialty. One of the places I was thinking of visiting was Teotitlán del Valle, a village famous for its weaving tradition and textiles. It’s an easy day trip from Oaxaca, and after my Spanish teacher recommended it, I knew I wanted to go. Knowing my friend would most likely also be interested in visiting, I waited for her to arrive in Oaxaca so we could go together 🙂
How to Get to Teotitlán del Valle from Oaxaca
There are a few ways to get to Teotitlán del Valle from Oaxaca. The most affordable option is to take a colectivo (shared taxi) from the eastern side of the city. You can also hop on a bus heading toward Tlacolula or Mitla and get off at the Teotitlán junction. If you have a rental car, driving is the easiest option, and there are also organized day tours if you prefer that.
We ended up taking the bus, which dropped us off at the highway junction. We wanted to grab a mototaxi into town, but there wasn’t a single one in sight. Maybe it was because of the day. The time. But all good, we started walking.
About ten minutes later, just as we were accepting the fact that we’d be walking the entire 40 minutes in the blazing Oaxacan sun, a colectivo happened to drive by that still had space for 2 more.
Teotitlán del Valle: Oaxaca’s Weaving Village
Teotitlán del Valle is best known for its centuries-old weaving tradition. Nearly every street has a workshop or family-run store selling handwoven rugs, textiles, and other crafts. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s such a nice town to wander through and learn about this important part of Oaxacan culture.
What to Do in Teotitlán del Valle
Visit the Centro Cultural Comunitario Teotitlán del Valle
Our first stop was the Centro Cultural Comunitario Teotitlán del Valle, a small museum in the center of the town. We entered after paying a small entrance fee, and learned so much about the town’s customs, traditions, and history. The exhibits explain the weaving process, the beautiful candles used during local celebrations, and even how traditional marriage proposals work in the community. It was such an interesting visit! I would definitely recommend to start your day trip to Teotitlán del Valle here.
Join a Free Weaving Demonstration
One of the highlights of our visit was stumbling upon Taller Huella Carmín & Nashun – Tapetes Artesanales. We were simply walking around when we spotted signs pointing toward the workshop. When we arrived, a tour had just started, and we were invited to join.
The experience began with an introduction to the wool and the natural dyes used to create the colors in the rugs. Then came the best part: a tasting of traditional chocolate and mezcal. After that, we watched the weaving process and even got the chance to try weaving on one of the large looms ourselves.
The tour was in Spanish, but it was incredibly interesting (I think I understood most parts of it). The family was so welcoming, and it was special to see them open up their workshop to visitors. The tour is completely free, though tips are appreciated, and of course you purchase their handmade rugs and other items afterwards to support the business.
Grab a Coffee at Café 40
Before exploring the town, we stopped at Café 40 for a coffee. There are a few cafés around Teotitlán del Valle, but this one has a lovely terrace and was the perfect place to start the day while deciding what we wanted to see next.
Wander Through Town
One of the best things to do in Teotitlán del Valle is simply wander. The town is small enough to explore on foot. We stopped inside the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Natividad, then wandered through the Mercado Municipal de Teotitlán del Valle next door. While enjoying a warm cup of atole, we had a conversation with a lovely local woman, who ended up showing us the workshop where her husband creates handwoven rugs. It made the whole visit feel even more special.
Shop for Handmade Textiles
Before leaving, don’t miss the Teotitlán del Valle Craft Market. It’s a great place to shop for handmade souvenirs, including the town’s famous rugs, clothing, bags, and other woven items. You’ll also find plenty of family-run workshops and small stores throughout the streets.
Lunch at Dulizun Café in Teotitlán del Valle
Before taking the bus from Teotitlán del Valle to go back to Oaxaca, we wanted to eat something. While walking around, we passed by Dulizun Café. A workshop, as well as a café. We took place at the lovely patio, and enjoyed some tostadas. A cute place in the town, with beautiful hand crafted goods as well!
I’m very happy to have done the day trip from Oaxaca to Teotitlán del Valle, right before going back to Mexico City. We weren’t sure whether or not to book a visit to one of the workshops in the town, which is also a possibility, but I think we made a right choice by just walking around and seeing where we’d end up.
If you have some extra time during your stay in Oaxaca, definitely make your way to Teotitlán del Valle! It’s beautiful. Colorful. Has a story to tell. And a fun change of scenery after staying in the city for a bit. I really enjoyed it, as well as my day trip from Oaxaca to Mitla! Both great options for day trips from Oaxaca 🙂 If you have a full weekend available, go from Oaxaca to San José del Pacífico! Want to see all the recommendations combined? These are my recommendations for day trips to make from Oaxaca City.
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