Oaxaca Artist Travel Guide
Oaxaca, a dream city for artists! Between the museums, galleries, shops, street art, artisans, and the incredible food this is a dream trip to gather inspiration. Below was our itinerary in hopes that it helps you plan your next trip to Oaxaca or brings inspiration back home to your studio and art practice.
DAY 01
This was a quick trip but packed full! We arrived late Sunday evening and settled into our hotel Casa Hotel Carmen Oaxaca. Conveniently located within walking distance to the heart of Oaxaca but off the path slightly so it felt more quaint. Designed and owned by the local and famous artist Amador Montes, each room is meticulously designed with a mix of modern and eclectic flair. You feel fully immersed into the culture from the local art and decor to the homemade meals made by the Incredible staff each morning.
DAY 02
There is nothing I love more than arriving to a new place in the dark and waking up the next day to see and explore everything in the light! We woke early and enjoyed a homemade chilaquiles breakfast at the hotel made by the staff. We decided to spend the first day touring the city by foot so we could get a lay of the land and explore our surroundings. I was fortunate to travel with a friend who has visited the area and original from Mexico so I could see the city through the eyes of someone who had been already. We decided to tour Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán in the morning when there were less crowds. A kind lady offered to give us a tour for a small fee so we could learn more about the history. Adjacent to the church and convent is Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca but you must go in a tour group. Check ahead of time for daily tour times in English or Spanish.
After the tour, we headed to Pitiona for tacos and gorgeous views of the city on the rooftop. These were truly some of the best tacos I have ever had! We tried a variety and split them and it was a perfect break from the heat. Onward to explore more shops in the area as well as a market afternoon. There are several markets in the area that offer food stalls, local artisan goods and souvenirs and gifts. We visited Mercado Benito Juárez which is a maze of booths and Mercado 20 de Noviembre.
Next we headed to Centro Cultural San Pablo and toured the museum and surrounding area. Once a convent, the space now serves as a place for art exhibitions and events. I was amazed at not only the variety of museums free of cost but also how they used existing historic spaces and buildings to house the arts and cultural experiences.
We finished the day with one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca besides the tacos we had for lunch is Dinner Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante. You will want to call ahead for a reservation but the food was incredible.
DAY 03
When planning this trip, we wanted to have a tour with some of the local artists and artisans. We had scheduled a tour of Alebrijes Voces de Copal to see the intricately decorated hand carved and painted wood animals. About a 45 minute drive from Oaxaca, this region is known for their alebrijes so you can tour many different places and shops but this particular one employs over 200 people and artists. The space is home to a school to teach many how to become master artists. The details are absolutely incredible on these works of art and can take up to a year to finish depending on the size and detail. Down the road, you can find shops that sell the famous Oaxaca black pottery.
A drive back to Oaxaca City and a rest at the hotel and then an afternoon treat from one of the best bakeries Boulenc. Boulenc has a storefront with baked goods and coffee and an amazing seated area for breakfast. And a quick afternoon bite at a local Italian restaurant. Our next stop was one I will cherish forever. We had the opportunity to tour Amador Montes gallery. His artwork was absolutely moving. A local Oaxacan, his work had so many layers, incredible depth behind his pieces, and the most beautiful lighting.
DAY 04
On our last day before traveling home the following day, we decided to take the second artisan route to visit the weavers, candle makers, and do a Mezcal tour and tasting. Connecting and talking with the local artisans about their crafts was incredible. Each person was so generous with sharing their process and diving deeper into the history behind each art. We learned about what materials were used for the wool rugs from the animals the fur is sourced from to the dyes used to get the vibrant colors in the rugs. Next we toured a candle making shop where we had our hand at making our own flower candle models. Candles are often used in wedding celebrations and engagements as well as in festivals such as Día de los Muertos.
Mezcal tasting time! We had an entire flight of Mezcal to try learning of the process throughout. Mezcal is made from various agave plants in the area, all which give it the unique flavor. The plants are collected, then placed in a fire pit, and then mashed by a large stone pulled by a horse, fermented, casked, distilled and matured. Watching the process makes you appreciate it so much more. After our tasting, a chef cooked us up a variety of moles served over rice with chicken and fresh tortillas. Oaxaca is known for its mole including seven variations. If you want to skip the tasting, you can try a cooking class instead!
We made the drive back and explored the Museo Textil de Oaxaca and Museo De La Filatelia MUFI. Our last meal was at an Los Danzantes and did not disappoint! Stop by after for a cocktail at Selva. We had so much more in between that we explored including shops
Other places to explore
Monte Albán
The Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude
San Jerónimo and Santa María del Tule
Hierve El Agua
Thank you for following along, to download our travel guide from an artist’s perspective press below. Look for more lessons on Oaxaca on our blog or join our Art Passports to Mexico class.
