If you decide to get here a little early or extend your stay after the wedding, Oaxaca has so much to offer. You can visit the most beautiful museums, galleries and libraries. You can take art workshops that focus on traditional crafts or go on day trips to smaller towns around the city. There are countless bustling Markets and puestos where you can purchase local artesania or beautiful clothes or textiles. And because of the Guelaguetza season, the entire city will be in celebration so you'll be able to catch free outdoor concerts and convites (processions announcing the big festival). Below is an abreviated list of all the awesome things to check out while you are in town. Shout out to Festival Sin Fronteras for introducing us to many of these awesome places last year.
Museums & Galleries
CENTRO CULTURAL SAN PABLO
This beautiful public space holds a library, a museum, a café and a gallery. Every nook and cranny creates a beautiful frame. There are public concerts here throughout the week, so check out their event schedule.
MUFI: MUSEO DE LA FILATELIA
This was one of our favorites! It is an incredibly impressive curation dedicated to the art of postage stamps. The architecture and flow of the MUFI is awe-inspiring.
MUSEO DE TEXTIL DE OAXACA
A small museum focused on the amazing textile arts of Oaxaca displaying impressive works from renowned local artisans. They also offer awesome day or week long workshops. This is where we learned telar de cintura!
MUSEO DE SANTO DOMINGO
A museum that holds some of the most precious artifacts form Mitla and Monte Alban. It also recounts the history of the different peoples of Oaxaca.
JARDIN ETNOBOTANICO DE OAXACA
Right behind Santo Domingo, the Jardín Etnobotanico is dedicated to the flora of Oaxaca. This garden displays a wide collection of the beautiful variety and complexity of the ecosystem in the larger Oaxacan region. Gorgeous place to visit!
INSTITUTO DE ARTES GRÁFICAS DE OAXACA
A great example of the many cultural centers that can be found in the city. The Instituto has a library, beautiful courtyards and art for sale.
Day Trips
HIERVE EL AGUA
One of the most popular destinations in Oaxaca. This is about 1.5 hours from the city but the trip is worth it! Hierve el Agua is a collection of gorgeous naturally occurring calcified springs. A place to recharge and be at one with nature!
EL TULE
El Tule is majestic tree. Massive in volume and scale, estimated to be about 2,000 years old, this tree was one of the most impressive beings we saw. Truly a cathedral of nature. Pictures do not do it justice.
SAN MARTIN TILCAJETE
One of the centers for the art of the Alebrije. San Martin Tilcajete is a town almost entirely dedicated to producing some of the most intricate pieces. You can visit the workshops of the artisans and see the entire process—including natural dyes to paint—to understand the care, skill and time dedicated to each impressive piece.
MONTE ALBAN
This archeological site was once the ancient center of both Zapotec and Mixtec people. Full of history and epic scenery, the ruins are awe-inspiring. The ruins overlook all the Oaxacan valleys making the sky feel infinite.
Markets & Shops
MERCADO DE ARTESANIAS
A market with a wide selection of textiles, traditional clothing and other crafts. About a 5 minute walk south of the Zocalo.
KITI KUATI
An exceptional sibling-owned boutique shop that is the perfect mix between traditional and modern design. Original minimalist fashion using intricate bordado from the region of Zacatepec, Oaxaca. Kiti Kuati means animalitos (little animals) in Tacuate. The people here are magic and so creative!
MERCADO BENITO JUAREZ
This bustling mercado has everything from clothing, to souvenirs, shoes, flowers, food and mezcal.
PUESTOS ON MACEDONIO ALCALÁ
Every year during the Guelaguetza season, artisans from all the regions in Oaxaca pop-up at the center of the city offering a beautiful array of their own artisanal work. Textiles, alebrijes, metal work, pottery, wool weaving, and so much more!
Guelaguetza Events
CONVITES
Convites are parades of the different delegations from different regions of Oaxaca that include musicians, dancers and representatives in traditional attire. They are a procession (a party on the street) designed to announce the coming of the Guelaguetza festival. These convites snake through the streets of the city, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays in July. Make sure to have your mezcal cup ready to be served by the dancers!
FREE CONCERTS
Many sites across the centro offer free concerts to the public. Traditional music, folklorico dance, Son Jarocho, Classical, Jazz, Rock-pop, etc. The shows are as diverse as the audience and a ton of fun to attend. You can also hear and watch the shows from some of the restaurant and bar balconies in the center of the city.
LA GUELAGUETZA
La Guelaguetza is a celebration of the cultural diversity of Oaxaca. Delegations from all the regions of the state converge to share their dance and traditional attire in a stage at el Cerro del Fortín. While it is not easy to get tickets to the actual celebration due to the popularity of the event, the rest of the city takes on the festivity throughout the month of July.