Oaxaca City is a beautiful destination to explore, with its colorful streets, many markets, and incredible food. But if you’re staying in the city for multiple days, it’s also worth it to explore the surroundings. When I was in Oaxaca, I stayed for 2 weeks. While there are a lot of things to do in Oaxaca City, I also made some day trips.
From ancient Zapotec ruins and traditional weaving villages to impressive landscapes, there are plenty of interesting places to visit nearby. Some are perfect for an easy half-day trip, while others are better for a full day or even a weekend away.
Day trips from Oaxaca City
Mitla: Discover Oaxaca’s ancient history
Best for: Archaeology, history, and local markets · Half a day
If you’re interested in history, Mitla is a great day trip from Oaxaca City. Located around 40–50 minutes away by car, this small town is where you will find an important archaeological site known for its geometric stone mosaics, characteristic of Zapotec architecture. During my visit, I explored the ruins, wandered through the local handicraft market, and stopped at the food market to try traditional Oaxacan food. It’s perfect for half of day of exploring!
Do you want to know how to get from Oaxaca City to Mitla, and learn more about what to do during your visit? Read my guide to taking a half-day trip from Oaxaca City to Mitla.
Teotitlán del Valle: Discover Oaxaca’s weaving traditions
Best for: Traditional crafts, textiles, and local culture · Half a day to a full day
Teotitlán del Valle is a small village famous for its traditional weaving. It’s a great place to learn more about the craftsmanship behind Oaxaca’s colorful textiles and meet some of the people who keep these traditions alive.
When I visited with a friend, we explored the village, stopped at the local market, and visited a family-run weaving workshop. What I liked most was that we hadn’t planned every stop in advance. By simply wandering around, we stumbled across workshops and had the chance to speak with local people along the way.
If you’re interested in local culture and handmade crafts, Teotitlán del Valle makes a lovely day trip from Oaxaca City. Want to know how to get there and what else there is to do? Read my guide to visiting Teotitlán del Valle from Oaxaca City.
Santa María del Tule: Visit an enormous ancient tree
Best for: Nature and a quick cultural stop · A short visit
If you’re looking for an easy excursion from Oaxaca City, Santa María del Tule is worth considering. The small town is home to the famous Árbol del Tule, a Montezuma cypress known for its enormous trunk, which is among the widest of any tree in the world. Located only around 12 kilometers from Oaxaca City, Tule is an easy trip that wouldn’t take a full day. You can even go to Santa María del Tule by bike, if you want to keep it more adventurous.
Centro de las Artes de San Agustín (CaSa): Explore Oaxaca’s art scene
Best for: Contemporary art, architecture, and culture · Half a day
Located in San Agustín Etla, north of Oaxaca City, the Centro de las Artes de San Agustín, known as CaSa, is a cultural center that is housed in a former textile factory. If you’ve visited most of the museums in Oaxaca City, it can be a fun day trip to head towards CaSa! Depending on the exhibitions and activities available, you may be able to explore contemporary art, photography, and other creative projects.
If you want to go from Oaxaca City to CaSa, you could get a colectivo (shared taxi) or get a private taxi if you’re with a group.
Hierve el Agua: Oaxaca’s natural landscapes
Best for: Nature, hiking, and impressive views · A full day
Hierve el Agua is one of the most visited natural attractions in the region. The name translates to “the water boils,” but it is famous for its petrified waterfalls: dramatic rock formations created over thousands of years by mineral-rich spring water flowing over the cliffs. Walk along the surrounding trails, and visit the natural pools overlooking the mountains. This day trip is a great choice if you’d like to spend a day outdoors.
If you go by car, it’ll take you 1.5–2 hours to get to Hierve el Agua so going there will be a full-day trip. You can also join an organized tour to Hierve el Agua, which may be convenient if you’d like to combine the visit with other stops. There are options for visiting Hierve el Agua, Mitla and Tule all in one big day trip!
San José del Pacífico: Escape to the mountains for a weekend
Best for: Mountain escape, nature, and a slower pace · At least 2 nights
Although San José del Pacífico isn’t an ideal destination for a day trip, it’s worth considering if you have a free weekend (or other days) during your stay in Oaxaca. Located in the mountains between Oaxaca City and the Pacific coast, this small town offers a completely different atmosphere from the city. Think misty mountain views, cozy cabins, hammocks, and a slower pace of life.
I spent a weekend here and stayed at Bostel Rancho Viejo, where I enjoyed the mountain scenery, met other travelers, and took part in a traditional temazcal ceremony. It was a great opportunity to slow down after spending time exploring the city and attending Spanish classes every morning.
The journey takes around three and a half hours each way by minibus, so I’d recommend staying for at least two nights rather than trying to visit in a single day. Here you can read about my weekend trip to San José del Pacífico from Oaxaca.
Practical tips for planning day trips from Oaxaca City
A little planning can make exploring outside Oaxaca City much easier. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Choose your destinations according to the time you have. Mitla and Teotitlán del Valle are good options for a half-day or full-day excursion. Tule is ideal for a short visit, while CaSa and Hierve el Agua are worth allowing more time for, depending on your plans.
- Consider local transport or an organized tour. Mitla and Teotitlán del Valle can be visited using local transport. For Hierve el Agua, an organized tour may be easier, especially if you want to combine several places in one day.
- Bring cash. In smaller towns, at local markets, and to use transport, you can’t always pay by card. It’s useful to carry cash for this.
- Leave room for unexpected experiences. Some of my favorite moments came from wandering around, discovering a weaving workshop, or stopping at a local market and talking to people. You don’t have to plan every detail to enjoy these trips.
Which day trips from Oaxaca City should you choose?
The best excursion for you depends on your interests and how much time you have.
- For history and archaeology: Choose Mitla to explore the impressive Zapotec ruins.
- For traditional crafts and local culture: Visit Teotitlán del Valle to discover the village’s weaving traditions.
- For a quick excursion: Head to Santa María del Tule to see its cypress tree.
- For art and architecture: Visit CaSa in San Agustín Etla.
- For nature: Spend a day exploring Hierve el Agua.
- For a full weekend away: Escape to San José del Pacífico for mountain views, fresh air and cabin vibes.
If you’re spending multiple days in Oaxaca City, I’d definitely recommend exploring beyond the city center. Each of these destinations offers something different, from the region’s ancient history and traditional crafts to its contemporary art and natural landscapes.
A day trip can add something special to your visit and help you discover more of what makes Oaxaca such an interesting part of Mexico. Going on these day trips from Oaxaca City taught me more about the culture and traditions.
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