Are you looking for inspiration for your next trip to Oaxaca? This 14 free things to do in Oaxaca City guide is written with the budget traveller in mind. I’ll be honest, though: a few of these things are not completely free.
I’m not gonna lie; during my first week in Oaxaca, I spent much more money than my budget allowed. But after staying in the city for a while, I figured out what you can do for free or very little money. And here they are, my present to you—my favourite free things to do in Oaxaca City.
1. Mercado Benito Juarez and Mercado de Noviembre
First up on my free things to do in Oaxaca list is the markets! This is an obvious first but a deserved first. Head to Mercado Benito Juarez to find everything you’ll ever need – cheese, hair brushes, artisanal crafts, nieves (similar to ice cream), fresh orange juice, and iPhone chargers. Then, pop next door to Mercado 20 de Noviembre, home of the mole, meat alley and tlayudas, for an authentic food experience. No need to spend lots of money; the markets are all about soaking up the atmosphere and trying a few local foods.
2. Soak up the culture at the zocalo
If you’re up early, grab your takeaway morning coffee and pastry from Boulenc and then head a short walk to Zocalo, Oaxaca’s main square. It’s the perfect people-watching spot.
If you’re an evening person, head there for sunset when hundreds of birds return to their base in the trees. It’s an incredible sight (and I don’t use that word too often). The nighttime brings out the street vendors and performers; it’s a vibe and costs nada!
3. Guided Tour at the botanical gardens
It’s not free but hella worth it. If you’re looking to explore the culture and artistic history of Mexico and its people, Jardin Etnobotánico de Oaxaca is the place. All the plants featured in the garden tell a unique story as they’re all specifically taken from their original site around the State of Oaxaca to be planted here for all of us to see.
You can only visit the garden on a guided tour from 11am Monday to Saturday for MXN 100 (bargain I think). You can’t reserve in advance or access the gardens at any other time, so be sure to get there 30/45 minutes early, as there are only 30 spots on the English-speaking tour. They, without a doubt, fill up quickly.
The Spanish-speaking runs more often at 10 am, 11am, 12pm and 5pm. So, you’d better start learning just in case!
Wear suncream and a hat as you’ll walk around for 2hrs. The staff are babes and have big cowboy-style hats ready for you. They also look pretty cool in your pics.
4. Cycle to the world's widest tree
I’m not joking; when I heard that the world’s widest tree was only 10km cycle from the centre of Oaxaca, I was buzzing. I’m a big lover of trees and cycling, so this was a double-whammy win for me.
To reach El Arbol de Tul, you need to head South out of the city on the road towards Mitla. Most of the route is on a cycle path that heads directly to the small town of Santa Maria del Tule, home of the mammoth tree.
Even if you’re not remotely interested in trees, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the sheer size of it. I’d go as far as to say that it’s more impressive than the Taj Mahal. Yeah, you heard!
Rather than paying to go inside the church ground where the tree is actually located, spend your precious pesos on a fresh orange juice and torte at Mercado El Tule next door. And enjoy them on a bench just outside the church fence to admire the tree’s glory. It’s a much better angle, too!
Cost: Bike – included with the hostel
Torta and OJ – MXN 60
If you need a bike, you can rent one for 5hrs from Bicibella Oaxaca for MXN 100!
5. Join the Oaxaca Free Walking Tour
It had to come creeping in somewhere, right? There’s a reason why it makes all the itinerary lists. Free Walking Tours are so bloody good. Apart from the awful one I went on in Valladolid, Mexico, I live by Free Walking Tours, and the Oaxaca one is no exception.
Every day the tour starts at Teatro Macedonio Alcala here at 10h, 13h and 18h. Landed!
Cost: Tip based
06. Take a self guided street tour in Barrio de Jalatlaco
Oaxaca is internationally renowned for its street art depicting Oaxacan culture. Barrio de Jalatlaco is a proud, local neighbourhood just off the centre covered in the street art of artists such as Bouler and Irving Cano. While I took a street art tour with a local, it’s definitely possible to walk around this neighbourhood and do your self-guided tour.
Another famous street art neighbourhood to check out is Barrio de Xochimilco. I touch upon the highlights of both neighbourhoods a little more in my Oaxaca neighbourhood guide.
07. Walk up to Panoramica del Fortin for sunset
A few blogs have recommended climbing up to El Mirador del Cerro del Fortin to watch the sunset. I think it was meh. The better option is heading up to Panoramica del Fortin, a quiet residential street boasting the most incredible sunset over Oaxaca.
On our first few days in Oaxaca, we rented an Airbnb on this street and let me tell you, without fail, every sunset was incredible. I loved witnessing the sun go down every night and the lights flickering all over the city.
If your budget allows, head to Garnachero Imposter. It’s a beautiful, no-fuss restaurant serving cold beers and authentic Mexican food for an affordable price. Alternatively, if you don’t fancy walking up and fancy something closer to the centre, head to La Mezcalerita, a perfect sunset watering hole. This bar is unpretentious, not too pricey and a gathering spot for locals and tourists at sunset and through the night.
08. Vist a 100-Year Old Mezcal Bar
No trip to Oaxaca is complete without a cheeky few mezcals in La Casa del Mezcal. Expect a dark dive bar decorated in murals, crazy tiles, wood panelling, and a working jukebox in the corner.
A few Tom Jones songs may have been played the night I was there, guilty as charged.
It’s overwhelming and not for the classy type. But go on, head to this almost 100-year-old establishment, meet some locals and sink down a few mezcals.
Cost: Mezcal – MXN 60
Beer – MXN 30
9. Grab a Icecream Sundae at Plaza de las Nieves
Alright, it’s not ice cream but called nieves, a fruitier, icier version of ice cream (kind of like a sorbet).
I accidentally stumbled across this plaza, and let me tell you, it’s the sweetest little square with five old-school ice cream parlours with outdoor seating. I went back almost every day to try each place and can confirm my favourite was Nieves El Niagara here.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try a flavour like Nieve de Tuna (cactus pear) or Nieve de Zapote (mamey).
Cost: MXN 25
10. Check out Santo domingo church and the installations outside
Next up on my list of free things to do in Oaxaca is the city’s most beaut church. Generally, on my travels, I tend to avoid churches, purely because I grew up around churches in the UK, and for me, they’re nothing special. But Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxaca is stunningly beautiful with its Baroque style. You’d be a fool to walk past it without going in.
Outside the church, there are many free outdoor exhibitions and installations related to Oaxaca and its culture, which are definitely worth checking out.
11. Cafe hop around Oaxaca
I’m a coffee lover and let me tell ya, the coffee game is strong in Oaxaca. I spent many afternoons sheltering from the midday heat, reading or working in a cafe. My favourite coffee shops in Oaxaca are
- Marito & Mogile Cafe is the best environment to read, work and relax. You quickly lose a morning here.
- Muss Cafe has a big workspace and rooftop.
- Cafe Lupita for its cosy vibe.
- Cafe Caracol Purpura for a comfy vibe and a place to read.
- Boulenc purely for their pastries.
Cost of a fancy cup of coffee in Oaxaca: MXN 50
12. Learn about Zapotec Culture with a Visit to Monte Alban
Monte Alban is the most well-known site of Zapotec culture, the indigenous people of Oaxaca before Spanish colonisation. It was constructed in 500 BC and is worth visiting if you want your trip to Oaxaca to be more than delish food and mezcalitas.
Be sure to head there early as it gets hot hot hot. It’s around 9km from the centre, and you can head there by a shuttle bus that leaves every half an hour from this spot between 8.30-15.30.
Cost for return trip: MXN 100
Cost for entrance: MXN 70
13. Go on a Self-Guided Food Tour around Oaxaca
If you’re a big foodie but on a budget, check out this Oaxaca Street Food Guide, which locates the city’s best street food spots. They even have a downloadable map to do your self-guided food tour. Yas! I’m big on linking sites that are useful and valuable to you.
14. Stuff your Face with Artisinal Chocolate
Chocolate to the Oaxacan people is very important, and when you wander around the city you’ll spot so many chocolatiers: La Soledad and Mayordomo being the two most well-known. Head into the shops for tasters and see how the chocolate is made.
There’s no need to pay for an expensive tour if you check out Spanish and Go’s Self-Guided Chocolate Tour.
If your budget allows, I’d also recommend…
15. Watching Lucha Libre Live
Watching a live Lucha Libre fight in Oaxaca is not to be missed. It was one of my best nights in Mexico and a “pinch me, I’m really in Mexico” moment. The best way to determine if a Lucha Libre event is happening in the city is by looking at the street walls. If there’s an up-and-coming fight, posters will plastered on lamposts, shop windows, and random walls around the city so keep an eye out.
We watched the fight in Arena San Francisco a car park by day and a wrestling ring by night. If you turn up an hour before the starting time, you can pick up a ticket for MXN 250. There’s plenty of cheap beer, snacks, and iconic Lucha Libre masks. The fight lasts around 3hrs, starting with the amateur fights and building up to the big boys.
Read later: Lucha Libre in Oaxaca Guide
16. Take a Traditional Mexican Cooking Class
Oaxaca isn’t known as Mexican’s culinary capital for nothing! If your budget allows, definitely take a traditional Mexican cooking class. We were on a small budget on our first stay in Oaxaca, but it will definitely be on my itinerary next time we visit.
Buuuut here is two recommendations from my two close friends who have tried and tested these two bad boys:
For meat eaters: more info here
For vegetarians: more info here
