My Favourite Photos of Oaxaca to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on Updated on

Oaxaca is one of the most captivating places I’ve ever been to.

It’s a state full of contrasts, with dramatic mountains, pristine coastlines, ancient ruins, and exquisite food.

I spent a month exploring Oaxaca and was blown away by its incredible diversity.

With its colourful streets, markets, and historic buildings, Oaxaca City is an iconic destination.

I loved watching the live music and dance in the zócalo (main square), sipping mezcal in shaded courtyards, and soaking in the city’s artistic energy.

The markets here are unforgettable. At Mercado 20 de Noviembre, the smoky aroma of grilled meats and tlayudas fills the air, and you can taste different moles – complex sauces that are a unique feature of Oaxacan cuisine.

Oaxaca’s Pacific Coast beaches are among the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

Puerto Escondido is a haven for surfers, with its famous waves, including the “Mexican Pipeline” at Zicatela Beach.

Mazunte and Zipolite exude a bohemian charm, with eco-lodges, yoga retreats, and a relaxed vibe.

My favourite place on the coast, though, was San Agustinillo. The beach is picturesque and pristine, framed by rocks and cliffs.

In San Agustinillo, life moves to the rhythm of the ocean, and I found myself slowing down to match its pace. The sunsets here are breathtaking, too.

Oaxaca’s archaeological sites are just as awe-inspiring. Visiting Monte Albán, a vast ancient Zapotec city perched high on a hill, was another highlight of my trip.

Mitla, with its intricate geometric carvings, offers a perspective on Zapotec culture. It’s smaller than Monte Albán but no less fascinating.

The state’s Indigenous heritage is also alive in its villages and the pueblos of the Valle Central.

Teotitlán del Valle is famous for its handwoven rugs, dyed with natural colours, while San Bartolo Coyotepec produces beautiful black pottery.

Oaxaca has a way of getting under your skin. It’s the kind of place that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve left. I still find myself thinking about it quite often.

If you’re looking for culture, adventure, and discovery, Oaxaca should be at the top of your list.

Need help planning your next trip? Hire me as your Personal Travel Planner!

Two dolphins swimming and jumping out of the ocean, their bodies half out of the water, creating splashes as they move.

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A dark seabird with its wings outstretched, preparing to land on top of a turtle swimming on the calm surface of the ocean.
A hand carefully holding a tiny black sea turtle in a coconut shell, with sandy ground visible in the background.
A small baby sea turtle crawling across the sandy beach, leaving small tracks behind it.
A large crocodile sunbathing near a small pool of water, with a blue boat in the foreground.
A crocodile resting in the dirt and shade, mouth slightly open, surrounded by trees and plants.
A panoramic view of the petrified waterfalls and natural pools at Hierve el Agua, with mountains stretching into the distance under a clear sky.
A towering petrified waterfall formation at Hierve el Agua, rising dramatically from the mountainside, with a few people resting at the base.
A sunset scene on sandy San Agustinillo Beach in Oaxaca, Mexico, with silhouettes of people and boats along the shore, and hills in the background.
A cozy outdoor area with a table covered in a blue checkered tablecloth, a laptop, and chairs under a vine-covered pergola with pink flowers in the background.
A relaxed orange cat sitting on a white chair at a table by the pool, with pink flowers and potted plants nearby.
A quiet street in Oaxaca lined with colorful colonial-style buildings, with mountains visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
A red Volkswagen Beetle is parked along a street lined with vibrant buildings, while a Pepsi sign and various storefronts can be seen in the background.
A city view in Oaxaca City with a large political billboard featuring "AMLO" and a call to vote on April 10, set against the backdrop of mountains and residential buildings.
A colorful sculpture of two horses made from geometric stained glass stands on display in front of a historic stone church under a clear blue sky in Oaxaca.
A bustling indoor food market in Oaxaca City filled with smoke from grilled meats, with vendors preparing food and customers walking through narrow aisles beneath hanging banners and signs.
A plate of tacos al pastor with pineapple, onion, and cilantro on soft corn tortillas, served on a simple plate over a striped tablecloth.
A street at night with a mural of an elderly woman's face painted on a lavender wall, with an old Volkswagen Beetle parked in front and a streetlight illuminating the scene.
Faded, ancient red and white geometric murals painted on a stone wall, remnants of a pre-Columbian civilization.
The historic Santo Domingo church in Oaxaca, lit up at night against a cloudy sky, with its intricate stone façade glowing warmly.
An artistic arrangement of tomatoes in various shapes, sizes, and colors scattered on a wooden table, showcasing their diversity in a vibrant display.
A bustling street in Oaxaca with cars and motorcycles, blue domed buildings in the background, and a sign pointing towards Oaxaca city center.
A wide view of ancient ruins at Monte Albán, with large stone structures under a bright blue sky and mountains in the distance.
A close-up of a pyramid structure at Monte Albán, surrounded by trees and mountains under a clear blue sky.
Stone ruins at Monte Albán, with various walls and structures surrounded by mountainous terrain, tourists exploring the area.
A field of agave plants stretching across a hillside, with rolling hills and mountains in the distance under a cloudy sky.
A bottle of mezcal and a glass on a wooden bar counter, with shelves full of mezcal bottles in the background, at a bar in Oaxaca.
A city street at sunset with palm trees and traffic, with a sign pointing towards Mexico City and the Reforma neighborhood.
A mural of two skeletons in traditional Mexican attire painted on a bright orange wall, with a red pickup truck parked in front.
A narrow street decorated with colorful papel picado banners overhead, lined with brightly painted buildings and cars parked on both sides.
A narrow cobblestone street at sunset, with warm orange and pink hues in the sky. A man stands by a grill with a fire, cooking, while a woman in a dress walks down the street. The houses are painted in vibrant colors like red, orange, and teal. Power lines stretch overhead, adding to the rustic charm of the scene.

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Essential Travel Resources


🛏️ Book cheap hotels
I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗 Find cheap rental cars
Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍 Book the best tours
Viator and GetYourGuide have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️ Find cheap flights
I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights.

📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.

• World Nomads – for adventurous travellers, covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as skydiving, heli-skiing, rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here).

💻 Do I need a VPN?
YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.
Alex Tiffany

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.

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