5 Unforgettable Things to Do in Oaxaca (You’ll Want to Do #3 Twice!)

Oaxaca City has a quiet way of settling in and staying with you. It might be the smell of mole drifting throughout  the markets, or the creative street art  on a wall you almost walk past. It might be the giant puppet mojigangas that turn an ordinary street into a small celebration, or a glass of mezcal that somehow tastes better here than anywhere else.

After spending weeks eating, walking and wandering Oaxaca City, I started to see a pattern in the moments that lingered. If you’re planning your own trip and wondering about the best things to do in Oaxaca City, these are the five experiences that capture the heart of the place, one meal, one street, and one unforgettable moment at a time.

1. Wander Through the Street Art Districts

If you want to understand the heartbeat of Oaxaca, start with its walls. The city’s street art scene is not just decoration, it’s storytelling, protest, and poetry rolled into one. Two neighborhoods, in particular, wear this artistic soul proudly: Barrio de Jalatlaco and Xochimilco.

Jalatlaco feels like a movie set, with narrow cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, and murals that spill across every surface. You’ll find everything from portraits of Zapotec women to dreamlike animal figures in bright blues and oranges. It’s small, flat, and easy to explore on foot—perfect for a slow morning stroll with an iced café de olla in hand.

Xochimilco, on the other hand, is a little different. The streets climb uphill, and the murals are big and bold, stretching across alleyways and over staircases. It’s worth the leg workout for the views alone, but the art that is created by both local and international artists makes it unforgettable.

If you want context behind the color, Oaxaca by Locals offers a free walking tour through Jalatlaco, and it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll walk away seeing Oaxaca not just as a pretty city, but as a living, breathing canvas.

2. Cooking Class at Dos Corazones

I’ve taken cooking classes all over the world, but Dos Corazones is one of those rare experiences that feels less like a class and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. Chef Aubrey greets you with a warm hug and a cup of Oaxacan hot chocolate, rich and frothy, before leading you through an afternoon that’s equal parts cooking lesson and cultural exchange.

The class starts with a tasting of regional fruits, some you may have never heard of (zapote negro, anyone?, before diving into some cooking. You will be  chopping, roasting, and stirring your way through recipes passed down from Aubrey’s grandmother. You’ll make things like chile rellenos stuffed with chicken picadillo and salsa de chileajo.

There’s laughter, mezcal, and the kind of stories that make you feel like you’ve been invited to Sunday dinner rather than a formal class. By the time you sit down to eat, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for just how layered Oaxacan cuisine really is.

3. Lucha Libre at Arena Oaxaca

Now for the experience you’ll want to do twice. Lucha Libre. Mexico’s iconic wrestling spectacle is not just a show; it’s pure theater, athleticism, and chaos wrapped into one neon-colored package. Every Sunday night at 6:30 p.m., Arena Oaxaca comes alive with cheering crowds, vendors hawking nachos, and wrestlers (the “luchadores”) flying through the air in glittering masks.

The matches pit the Rudos (bad guys) against the Técnicos (heroes), and while it’s choreographed to an extent, the passion in the crowd is anything but fake. Sit close to the ring if you dare—the wrestlers occasionally launch themselves right into the audience.

Don’t forget to bring small bills for snacks, souvenirs, and the time-honored tradition of tossing pesos into the ring to show your love for the performers.

4. Day Trip to Hierve el Agua

Just when you think Oaxaca can’t get any more beautiful, you drive into the mountains and find yourself standing at Hierve el Agua, a natural wonder that looks like a frozen waterfall cascading down the cliffs. The “waterfalls” are actually mineral deposits formed over thousands of years, but the real treat is the set of turquoise pools perched on the edge of the rock.

Take a dip with views that stretch for miles, and if you’re up for a bit of adventure, follow the short hiking trail that winds down to the base of the formations.

Most tours include a few bonus stops—a visit to El Tule, home of one of the widest trees in the world; a mezcal tasting at a small family-run palenque; and sometimes even a textile workshop in Teotitlán del Valle. It’s a long day, but one you’ll be talking about for years.

*If you’re interested in more tours from Oaxaca City, see my 5 Top Oaxaca City Tours You Shouldn’t Miss.

5. Jardin Etnobotanico

Right in the heart of Oaxaca City, tucked behind the Santo Domingo Church, lies one of the most peaceful spots in town: the Jardin Etnobotanico. From the outside, it looks small, but step through the gate and you’ll find yourself in a lush, sprawling oasis filled with cacti, succulents, palms, and native plants that tell the story of Oaxaca’s ecosystems.

Visits are only allowed with a guided tour (in Spanish), but even if you don’t speak the language, it’s worth it. The guides are passionate about the garden’s history, and you’ll often find someone in the group happy to translate bits along the way. It’s fascinating to see how ancient civilizations used these plants for medicine, clothing, and food—a reminder that Oaxaca’s connection to the land runs deep.

Oaxaca isn’t a city you check off a list—it’s one you feel. It’s in the swirl of a handmade mole, the laughter spilling out of a wrestling ring, the colors splashed across adobe walls. Whether you’re soaking in mountain views at Hierve el Agua or tasting salsas in someone’s kitchen, you’ll leave not just with memories, but with stories.

And chances are, by the time you finish, you’ll already be planning your return.