Seeking advice on Oaxaca

Oaxaca becomes a topic of discussion on the forum in waves. There have been a few in the past month - and I think that is a very good thing. Oaxaca is a wonderful state and city and I highly encourage a visit.
I posted this skimpy report in October, 2025 with a reference to Mike Beebe's two outstanding reports from slightly older visits.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/oaxaca-adventure
Here's another recent posting:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/beyond-europe/oaxaca-6d5f9172-65e5-4278-b5b7-aa19a5791fd1
As I reflect on my brief adventure in Oaxaca, if I had it to do over, I would have included a day to just walk around and let the magical atmosphere wash over me. I overplanned our adventure and by doing so, missed what may be Oaxaca's best gift.

Blue, Your post is very helpful. Thank you. OP

There are some Road Scholar tours there:

https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/8695/D-a-de-Los-Muertos-in-Oaxaca

https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/23949/Oaxaca-Puebla-A-Modern-Look-Into-an-Ancient-Land

Valerie, very helpful. The sold out Oaxaca ones look great…maybe 2027?
The other one…Puebla is not a must visit for me and have been to CDMX so was thinking just Oaxaca. But I so appreciate your providing these!!

It's so very easy to visit Oaxaca on your own. When you are there, it is also very easy to book day trips to places including Monte Alban, the weekend markets in outlying towns, etc.

Sometimes you will find a driver and hire him for several trips during your stay..

The "big tree" take about two minutes to view..you will pass it on the way to other sites...

I'd say 5-6 days is perfect; I like to spend a week but I take things very slowly.

The center is very walkable.

You can take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. The taxi driver will probably ask you how long you are staying and where you want to go during your trip. If you like that person, you can arrange day trips right then.. If not, you can ask your hotel for the names of drivers that they like. It's all really easy....not at all daunting.

January/February are great months to visit the city.

You can fly from NYC to Mexico City and connect to a Oaxaca-bound flight. You could also take a bus from the capital; buses are very, very good in Mexico..MUCH better than those in the US.

I am happy to recommend hotels--there are many good ones in the center. Last time I was there, we stayed at the small CASA OAXACA, but there are many other great places to stay...it's a very good city for accommodations.

https://casaoaxaca.com.mx/en/index.php

It's a really delightful city and supremely easy to visit on your own--no organized tour needed...

If you want to combine city with beach time, there are many options in the state of Oaxaca, easy to reach from the capital, Oaxaca city.

EKScrunchy, I was hoping you would reply. Thanks. That hotel is sold out!

May I ask which airlines you used and which CDMX airport you used? I think there are two.

What type of hotels do you prefer? There are many wonderful places to stay on Oaxaca. We were there 3 weeks last January. We stayed in an apartment for two weeks then a b&b for one week. Oaxaca has many great museums and restaurants and the main square, the zocalo has live music several nights a week.

NYCMOM, I sent you a private message.

Culinary Backstreets does week-long tours in Oaxaca as well as other Mexico locations. https://culinarybackstreets.com/trips?region_filter%5B%5D=mexico

Thanks, I am thinking of a not B and B. And bigger than 10 guest rooms. I would like to be in the Centro Historico to walk to loads. Breakfast a plus. Outdoor space a plus. Do not care about number of floors or need to use stairs. Price agnostic. Chains or non chains are both fine. I think location is key. A room bigger than 200 sq. Feet is good. Quiet, I guess will depend on night of the week. Concerned if weddings are hosted by hotel. Thanks for asking and any help.

I like reviews from actual people followed by TripAdvisor reviews. I also like ratings of 8.8 and up on booking.com.

Look at Camino Real Oaxaca. It is in a beautiful historic building with outdoor space.

I think the hotel you mean is the Quinta Real..it's had many different names over the years--Santa Catalina, etc.
I've had very good stays there, but there are a couple of things I'd look into: 1. That hotel tends to get a lot of tour groups. 2. It's a popular wedding venue. 3. Rooms vary a lot, since it's in an old convent....so you might want to go for the rooms in the more expensive categories to make sure the room is a good size for you...

See if you can find others similar to CASA OAXACA that are in the upscale "boutique" category. They might even call themselves B&Bs...all these terms get thrown around so much it's hard to tell what's what.. Small hotels and B&Bs in Oaxaca tend to be of a very high standard..more so than in some other cities..there really are no larger hotels in the center except for the QUINTA REAL.and the FIESTA AMERICANA, as far as I know... Your best bet< I think, will be one of the upscale smaller hotels..

Maybe the HOTEL SIN NOMBRE??

https://www.hotelsinnombre.com

Or the MAJUAGA..don't pay attention to the "B&B" in the name..

https://www.majaguahotel.com/en/

I looked at my files and I see that I had marked the MARIALISIA for a future trip, but I can't remember why,,I must have read good things about it...

https://www.marialiciasuites.mx

EKScrunchy, greatsuggestions. I appreciate them and you.

Yes, wedding noise and facilities being blocked off concerned me about Quinta Real.

I've been to Oaxaca many times and love it. You should be able to do it on your own, it helps to be mobile, flexible, and willing to learn a little Spanish if you haven't already. January and February would be a good time, little rain, warm days and cool nights. The sights include several big churches, the Tamayo museum with pre-Hispanic art, the Museum of Cultures, the textile museum, several markets, and about half a dozen villages that specialize in different crafts, best enjoyed on their market days. Nearby are Monte Alban (one of Mesoamerica's greatest cities), Mitla, and other ruins. The Tule tree is a short stop on one of the roads to Mitla and other villages, worth a few minutes and some photos.

Five or six days would be time to appreciate all that Oaxaca has without feeling rushed. But you might find yourself planning another visit. The center is very walkable and mostly level. From New York, United flies there via Houston and American via Dallas. Either of these would likely be easier than flying via Mexico City. Oaxaca's airport is quite easy, with taxis and a collective shuttle to get into town.

I traveled to Oaxaca with Travel Fever Tours. Our hotel was Casa de la Tia Tere. Maybe not central enough for you, but I thought I'd throw it out. I'm a walker and had no trouble walking from there to the central area. But be careful of the bad sidewalks! Never felt unsafe.

But be careful of the bad sidewalks!

This is the only safety concern, no poured-in-place sidewalks. Only heaving pavers (due to inadequate subbase). CDMX has the same issue.

Delta or AeroMexico connecting in MEX would probably be fine. Delta and AeroMexico share Terminal 2.

We changed our trip dates and had to book another hotel. Thank goodness, had initially gone with Hotel Trebol which booking.com pushes, and once there thought the area too busy and there was a public pay toilet on the ground floor (hotel above).

I forgot: From NYC, I go through Mexico City...I'd rather connect there than in one of the large airports in Texas.
If you plan to stay in Mexico City before Oaxaca (??). you could fly or take the bus....the luxury-class buses in Mexico on those major routes are really great, and you pass by the volcanoes....just a thought, in case you want to stop off in DF for a few days....