Quick Answer
- Best time: October to March, dry, with SMN average highs around 29 to 31°C in winter.
- Festivals: Day of the Dead centres on 31 October to 2 November; the Guelaguetza falls on the Mondays after 16 July.
- Where to stay: the Centro Histórico near Santo Domingo, or quieter Jalatlaco.
- Ruins: Monte Albán and Mitla, 210 pesos each for foreign visitors (INAH).
- Getting there: domestic flight, or ADO bus from Mexico City’s TAPO terminal.
At a glance
- Best time
- October to March, the dry season
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 days
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)
- Language
- Spanish, plus Zapotec and Mixtec
- Getting around
- Walk the centre; taxis and tours
Oaxaca city sits in a highland valley at about 1,600 metres, which is why its winter days are warm and its nights cool. The trip comes down to three choices: whether to time it for a festival, where in the colonial centre to sleep, and which ruins to see. Fees and dates below were checked on 10 October 2026.
When is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
The dry season, October to March, gives you sunny days, cool nights and almost no rain. The figures below are 1991-2020 normals from SMN’s Oaxaca station.
| Months | Average high / low (SMN) | Rainy days a month | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| November to February | 29–31°C / 10–12°C | 1 to 4 | Sightseeing, ruins, Day of the Dead week |
| March to May | 33–35°C / 14–17°C | 4 to 14 | Warm and dry early; storms start in May |
| June to September | 29–31°C / 16–17°C | 20 to 21 | The Guelaguetza in July, green valleys, afternoon storms |
| October | about 29°C / 15°C | about 12 | Rain tapering off, Day of the Dead build-up |
April is the hottest month, at around 35°C, and December and January the coolest at night, so pack a jacket for evenings. Mexico’s hurricane season matters on the coast more than in the highland city; our hurricane season guide covers the dates.
Day of the Dead and the Guelaguetza
Day of the Dead centres on 31 October to 2 November, and UNESCO, which lists Mexico’s festivity dedicated to the dead as intangible heritage, describes it as running from the end of October to the beginning of November. In Oaxaca that means altars in homes and hotels, marigolds and sugar skulls in the markets, comparsas (costumed street processions) and candlelit vigils in the cemeteries. Be respectful at graves: ask before photographing families. It is the year’s busiest week, so book well ahead.
The Guelaguetza is Oaxaca’s July festival of regional dance. The state’s official site places the Lunes del Cerro celebrations on the Mondays following 16 July, which in 2026 fell on 20 and 27 July with dance delegations from across the state’s regions.
Where should you stay in Oaxaca?
Oaxaca’s historic centre is compact, so the right base lets you walk to almost everything.
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Centro Histórico (around Santo Domingo) | First-timers, walking to markets and sights | Busiest and priciest during festivals |
| Jalatlaco | Quiet cobbled lanes, murals, cafés | A short walk to the main sights |
| Xochimilco (north of the centre) | Calm, residential, a local feel | Fewer restaurants on the doorstep |
| Reforma | Residential streets, newer hotels | Taxi or long walk to the centre |
First time? Stay in the Centro Histórico within a few blocks of the pedestrian Andador Macedonio Alcalá, or in Jalatlaco if you want quieter nights. Compare hotels in central Oaxaca early if your dates touch Day of the Dead.
How do you get to Oaxaca and around?
Most visitors fly in on a domestic connection or take the bus from Mexico City. Once in town, your feet do most of the work.
See getting around Mexico for buses versus flights and the Mexico visa guide for entry rules.
What should you not miss in Oaxaca?
| Sight | Entry for foreign visitors (2026) | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Templo de Santo Domingo | Free (church) | Look up at the gilded interior, then visit the garden-facing museum next door |
| Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca | 210 pesos (INAH) | Housed in the former Santo Domingo monastery; check INAH’s page for current hours |
| Monte Albán | 210 pesos (INAH) | Open daily 08:00 to 17:00, last access 16:00; go early for cooler air |
| Mitla | 210 pesos (INAH) | Zapotec geometric stone mosaics; last access 16:30 |
| Hierve el Agua | Small community fee | Petrified waterfalls; confirm it is open before you go |
- Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez: the two markets just south of the Zócalo for mole, tlayudas, chapulines (toasted grasshoppers), fresh fruit and breads.
- Chocolate: Oaxaca grinds its own cacao with sugar and cinnamon; order hot chocolate made with water or milk, often with pan de yema for dipping.
Eat like Oaxaca
Mole comes in several Oaxacan styles, from the dark mole negro to the brick-red coloradito. A tlayuda is a large, crisp tortilla topped with beans, quesillo cheese and meat, often cooked over charcoal at night. Markets at lunch and tlayuda stalls in the evening beat the Zócalo restaurants on value.
What day trips can you take from Oaxaca?
- Monte Albán: the Zapotec capital spread across a levelled hilltop above the city, the half-day trip almost everyone makes.
- East along the valley: the Tule tree in Santa María del Tule, the craft villages of Teotitlán del Valle (wool rugs), Mitla’s carved stonework and, when open, Hierve el Agua. Tours bundle these into one long day.
What goes wrong in Oaxaca?
- Festival prices and sell-outs. Rooms for Day of the Dead and the Guelaguetza book up months ahead and cost far more than in November or February.
- Hierve el Agua closures. Land disputes between neighbouring communities have shut the site for long periods; one closure lasted about a year and seven months before it reopened in 2021.
- Road blockades. Protests can block roads around the city and delay buses and tours, so leave slack in your plans and ask your hotel about the day’s conditions.
- Sun and altitude. At about 1,600 metres the sun is strong even in winter, and Monte Albán has little shade: bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
How many days do you need in Oaxaca?
Three to four days covers the essentials: a day for Santo Domingo, the Zócalo and the markets, half a day at Monte Albán, and a full day east to Mitla and Hierve el Agua. Add one or two days for a festival, or continue to the coast. Our Mexico itinerary shows how Oaxaca fits after four to five days in Mexico City, and the Mexico budget guide gives daily cost bands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
October to March is the dry season and the best time to go. Mexico’s weather service (SMN) records average highs of about 29 to 31°C in Oaxaca city from November to February, with lows around 10 to 12°C and only one to four rainy days a month. April and May are the hottest months, with highs near 34 to 35°C, and June to September is the rainy season, with about 20 rainy days a month, usually as afternoon storms.
When is Day of the Dead in Oaxaca?
The main days are 31 October to 2 November, and UNESCO describes the festivity as running from the end of October to the beginning of November. In Oaxaca the city fills with altars, marigold-decked markets, street comparsas (costumed processions) and candlelit cemetery vigils over that week. It is the busiest and most expensive time of the year, so book your room months ahead and check the state government’s official programme for parade times.
Where should I stay in Oaxaca for the first time?
The Centro Histórico, close to Santo Domingo and the pedestrian Andador Macedonio Alcalá, puts the main sights, markets and cafés on foot. Jalatlaco, a short walk east, is quieter and more residential, with cobbled lanes and murals, and the ADO bus terminal sits on its edge. Xochimilco, north of the centre, is another calm, walkable option.
How much does Monte Albán cost?
INAH charges foreign visitors 210 pesos for Monte Albán and Mexican nationals 105 pesos. The site opens Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00, with last access at 16:00. Mitla, the other big Zapotec site east of the city, has the same 210-peso fee for foreign visitors and last access at 16:30.
Is Hierve el Agua open?
Check before you go. The petrified waterfalls and mineral pools sit on land disputed between neighbouring communities, and the site has closed for long periods in recent years, including a closure of about a year and seven months that ended in 2021. Entry is a small community-run fee paid on site. Most tours combine it with Mitla and the Tule tree, so ask your operator to confirm it is open on your date.
How many days do you need in Oaxaca?
Three to four days covers the city well: a day for Santo Domingo, the Zócalo and the markets, half a day at Monte Albán, and a day trip east to Mitla and Hierve el Agua. Add a day or two around Day of the Dead or the Guelaguetza, when the festivities fill the evenings.
Start planning your Oaxaca trip
If you are only passing through on a coast-to-capital bus trip, one night in the Centro is enough. For a proper stay, compare a few dates between late October and March first, and book early for Day of the Dead.
Find cheap flights to Oaxaca | Compare Oaxaca hotel prices
Planning the wider trip? See our best time to visit Mexico guide, the Mexico eSIM guide and the hotels hub.
