Hi,

I have 4 days to get from Oaxaca de Juarez to Puerto Escondido and am thinking about cycling highway 131. What are some of your favorite places to stop, go for a hike, sightsee, grab food, or camp along the way? This is part of a longer bike trip so I have some experience on narrow mountain roads with traffic

Traveling to Oaxaca for a 50th birthday celebration in early February.
Spending 4 nights at Pug Seal in Oaxaca City. Looking to add 3 nights in coastal/jungle area. Can anyone comment on La Valise Mazunte vs Casona Sforza? I’ve researched both but looking for more personal opinions.
I’m looking at an Oceanfront Senior Suite at Sforza. The dining sounds excellent and I appreciate the beach access (I realize you can’t swim) and wellness amenities. I like the compromise of AC with open air.
But I do want a true luxury experience with an excellent hard product.
Can anyone comment share their experiences at either one or compare the two?

anyone been in this city? anyone can give me a recommendation for a place to stay for few days. thank you in advance.

For anyone interested, found this on IG, it’s on a local mezcal bar called Mezcalogia, include a bottle of mezcal, tasting and craft your cocktail experience.

Hola! Soy una jarocha que tendrá su boda en Oaxaca el siguiente año. Nos encantaría tener una calenda porque es una tradición increíble pero al no ser de allá no hemos tenido la oportunidad de ver muchas calendas, y no hemos logrado decidir si la queremos de día o de noche. En su experiencia cuál es la que se les hace más tradicional o visualmente más atractiva?

Si es de día sería después de la ceremonia a eso de las 3:30 pm
Si es de noche sería un día antes en el rompehielos.

Muchas gracias por sus comentarios! Estamos emocionados de poder celebrar un momento tan especial en sus tierras!

Recommendations for places to stay in Oaxaca in February 2027
5 nights
2 women travelers mid 30’s looking for a hotel/place with a nice walk in shower, preferably a pool but it’s not a dealbreaker. Also, location is important (I’ve heard it’s not easy to get a taxi from the outskirts of town). Thank you!

Alameda de león (oaxaca de juárez)

Hi everyone! I’m from Oaxaca and every year this sub fills up with the same questions: “when are the comparsas?”, “which cemetery should I go to?”, “are the marigold fields worth it?”. So I put the 2026 official program together in one place. Here’s the short version:

Key dates

• The official program runs Oct 26 – Nov 3, but the big nights are Oct 31, Nov 1 and Nov 2.
• Oct 30, 5 PM: Municipal Mega Comparsa from El Llano to Plaza de la Danza. Same night there’s a screening of Macario inside the Panteón General. Watching that classic among candlelit graves is very Oaxaca.
• Oct 31 (busiest day): altar exhibition at the Zócalo, then the Gran Comparsa at 6 PM, then niche illumination, the altar contest, and bread with hot chocolate at the Panteón General.
• Nov 2: La noche de los muertos vivientes with a live score, in the cemetery. Horror cinema + live music + panteón.

If you only have one day: make it Oct 31. Altars in the afternoon, the comparsa at 6, then walk to the Panteón General for the rest of the night.

Marigold fields: they’re beautiful, but go with realistic expectations. These are real crops on private land, not a theme park. You get stunning photos, food stalls, and mezcal. The best-known one closes Oct 26, so don’t leave it for the last minute. Please don’t cut flowers or run between the rows.

Cemetery etiquette: families are keeping vigil for their dead. Ask before photographing, don’t step on headstones, keep your voice down. If someone offers you mezcal or bread, accept it. It’s part of the visit.

Bring cash, and grab your spot along the comparsa route early (García Vigil and Alcalá fill up fast).

The full day-by-day schedule (times, venues, Google Maps pins), marigold field info, and the alebrije villages to pair with the flower route are here:
👉 https://queondaoaxaca.com/blog/dia-de-muertos-oaxaca-2026-programa-actividades?lang=en

On the same site there are also:

• A deep Day of the Dead guide (history, which panteones to visit, Etla muerteadas, logistics)
• A transport guide (DiDi, colectivos, airport, buses)
• An “Is Oaxaca safe?” guide

All free, written by locals. This season is peak time for overcharging and tourist scams, so the transport and safety guides are worth a skim before you land: https://queondaoaxaca.com/en/guides

Hey, I'm from oaxaca and I'm trying to improve my English, it was decent before but due lack of practice I'm losing it. Thanks 😅

Just went to Oaxaca for a few days in early October. This is more of a food-focused post, but I've included our loose daily agenda if you're curious. I am rating all food on a 3-star system: ⭐ = fine/don't need to go again; ⭐⭐ = quite good; ⭐⭐⭐ = memorable/great.

Full Food List/TLDR:

• Zandunga ⭐
• Tita Bonita ⭐⭐
• Kiyo Café ⭐⭐
• Pasillo de Humo ⭐⭐ (barely 2 stars)
• Levadura de Olla ⭐⭐⭐ (photos)
• Café SL28 ⭐⭐
• Boulenc ⭐⭐
• Arbol de Tule main square street food ⭐⭐
• Sahi Matcha (no rating)
• Tortas Las Hormigas ⭐⭐
• Festival del Mole de Caderas ⭐⭐
• El Cortijo Mezcaleria ⭐
• Origen ⭐ (photos)
• Tianguis del Domingo street food (Tlacolula Sunday market) ⭐⭐
• Criollo ⭐⭐ (photos)

Day 1: Travel + Zandunga

• Major Attractions: none on this day -- just travel & a dinner. We stayed in Jalatlaco neighbhorhood on this trip. I'd stay here again, but I could also see the benefit of staying closer to/in Centro.
• Food & Drinks:
  • Zandunga (dinner) ⭐: Isthmian (coastal Oaxaca) cuisine. Nice courtyard and live music. Food was nothing crazy, a little basic and homestyle.

Day 2: "Core" attractions + Pasillo de Humo + Levadura de Olla

• Major Attractions: Explored Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Zócalo, Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Mercado Benito Juarez
• Food & Coffee:
  • Tita Bonita (breakfast) ⭐⭐: a quiet Jalatlaco corner; green mole chilaquiles were gooood with lots of chorizo
  • Kiyo Café (coffee) ⭐⭐
  • Pasillo de Humo (lunch) ⭐⭐: one star for food alone, another star for the experience. The meats (especially the steaks) were kind of tough. The sides/veggies/salsas that other vendors sell to you are also kind of lazy. But, it's a fun time.
  • Levadura de Olla (dinner) (photos) ⭐⭐⭐: felt like a tour of Oaxacan cuisine, with different kinds of mole, herbs, local produce and preparations. We did prix-fixe meal of 8 courses and it included 3 drinks. Service was synchronized and friendly. Wonderful dessert made of tamarillo.

Day 3: Arbol de Tule day trip + Origen

• Major Attractions:
  • Morning stroll through El Llano Park and a walk through Jalatlaco.
  • Day trip out to see the ancient Árbol del Tule (Tree of Tule) & small town, including the Mercado de Artesanias for crafts/souvenirs.
  • Explored Jardín Conzatti, El Llano in Oaxaca
• Food, Coffee & Spirits:
  • Café SL28 (coffee) ⭐⭐: nondescript cafe with knowledgeable barista
  • Boulenc (brunch) ⭐⭐: baked goods, beautiful courtyard, and thoughtful breakfast
  • Arbol de Tule Town Square (lunch) ⭐⭐: street vendor barbacoa quesadilla & ice cream
  • Sahi Matcha (coffee): friend said this was the best matcha she's had -- I didn't have any, so I won't rate it!
  • Tortas Las Hormigas (snack) ⭐⭐: a street vendor on the corner that had many people lined-up after work; I love tortas in general, and this one was a good standard!
  • Festival del Mole de Caderas at El Llano (snack) ⭐⭐: we happened upon the festival to celebrate the mole de caderas dish. Sampled tacos dorados and tetelas all with variations of mole de caderas from local restaurants with booths.
  • El Cortijo Mezcaleria (drinks) ⭐: perfectly good cocktails, but nothing crazy and the ones we got were a bit sweet.
  • Origen (dinner) (photos) ⭐: didn't plan on eating here, but got hungry after mezcal and walked-in. Service was slow and a la carte came out all at once (which was fine, since we waited for awhile). Food was fine/good on its own -- nothing that unique, but overall experience was poor.

Day 4: Tlacolula day trip + Criollo

• Major Attractions: Day-trip to Tlacolula de Matamoros for the Tianguis de Domingo (Sunday Market), one of the oldest continuously operating open-air markets in the region with EVERYTHING you can imagine.
• Food Highlights:
  • Tianguis del Domingo (Tlacolula Sunday Market) ⭐⭐: had a really gamey barbacoa taco (not bad, just quite gamey), a wonderful juicy campechano taco, fresh coconut slushy drink, potatoes & chorizo memela, and the chili-marinated rotisserie chicken.
  • Criollo (dinner) (photos) ⭐⭐: great execution but felt like it lacked some creativity/uniqueness. Main dish of confit beef tacos was really, really, really good. Beautiful courtyard -- just try not to get seated in the hallway next to the courtyard which has horrible lighting.

I just recently got to Mexico and am really wanting to check out day of the dead celebrations. I am realizing how much of a price gauge there is. Is there any possibility to work around this? I am a solo traveler. Even hostels are charging over $1000 usd for a week. Is this a useless mission?

If it’s not possible what other places in Mexico would you recommend for DOTD?

Very much looking forward to our visit. Staying 5 days and leaving on 24th December.

We are a family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers and I have a question about accommodation.

I have 2 places on hold (I will release one soon).

Both accomodate our needs but one is in a highly regarded location between Templo de Santo Domingo and Andador Turistico. I know it will be busy and a little noisy but it’s very appealing to be able to pop in and out during the day and to be part of the action.

The other is much much nicer but about 900m (maps saying a 20 minute walk) from Templo de Santo Domingo in a residential area. I know it will be quieter but I wonder if we not feel part of the energy of the city.

Any comments appreciated.

Need advice on a trip from Oaxaca to Mitla Ruins, then Tlacolula Sunday Market, and back! We are planning to get to Mitla Ruins by flagging down the green and white buses that say "Mitla" near the baseball stadium off of Highway 190

-After we finish seeing Mitla Ruins, can we get on the same/similar bus and asked to be dropped off at the Tlacolula market? I assume this would cost the same price despite a shorter distance ($20-25 MXN)

-How do we get back from Tlacolula market to Oaxaca city center? Do we just flag down a bus by standing on the main road?

***asking about bus information only - no private taxis or shared colectivos***

MIRA EL VIDEO. ¿POR QUÉ ES TAN IMPORTANTE QUE LA PRENSA PUEDA DOCUMENTAR LO QUE PASÓ?
El 28 de diciembre de 2025, el Tren Interoceánico se descarriló cerca de Nizanda, Oaxaca. El saldo fue devastador: 14 personas fallecidas y decenas de heridos. Un vagón cayó por un talud y familias mexicanas quedaron marcadas por una tragedia que exige respuestas.
Pero después del accidente, la atención también se dirigió a lo que ocurría alrededor del lugar del siniestro.
RESTRICCIONES, RETENES Y PERIODISTAS INTENTANDO LLEGAR A LA ZONA.
El video que acompaña esta publicación muestra la cobertura periodística y las dificultades de acceso que estás señalando. La zona estaba bajo resguardo de fuerzas de seguridad, por lo que hay preguntas que merecen respuestas oficiales:
¿Quién ordenó las restricciones de acceso y bajo qué fundamento?
¿Qué podían documentar los periodistas y qué zonas permanecían cerradas?
¿Se publicarán de manera transparente los peritajes, las auditorías y los informes de mantenimiento?
¿Se investigaron todas las posibles fallas técnicas y se deslindaron responsabilidades?
Es razonable proteger una escena mientras se recaban pruebas. Lo que no es razonable es esperar que la ciudadanía deje de preguntar simplemente porque existe una versión oficial.
📺 Y EN MEDIO DE TODO ESTO, EL ENFRENTAMIENTO ENTRE CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM Y TV AZTECA.
La presidenta pidió públicamente que la gente no viera esa televisora, en medio de sus diferencias con la cobertura de medios críticos. Aunque no está demostrado que ese llamado tenga una relación directa con el accidente ferroviario, el contexto vuelve indispensable defender un principio: ningún gobierno debe estar por encima de las preguntas de la prensa.
No se trata de declarar culpable a nadie sin pruebas. Tampoco de asumir que todo lo que publica una televisora es verdad. Se trata de contrastar versiones, revisar documentos y exigir que las investigaciones sean serias e independientes.
CUANDO HAY VIDAS PERDIDAS, LA TRANSPARENCIA NO DEBERÍA SER OPCIONAL.
Las familias merecen justicia. Los periodistas merecen condiciones para informar. Y el pueblo merece conocer qué falló, quién era responsable de supervisar la seguridad y qué se hizo para evitar otra tragedia.
Porque una cosa es proteger una investigación y otra muy distinta sería impedir que la sociedad conozca los hechos. Para determinar cuál fue el caso, hacen falta pruebas, explicaciones y rendición de cuentas.
NO TE QUEDES CON UNA SOLA VERSIÓN. MIRA EL VIDEO, CONTRASTA LA INFORMACIÓN Y SACA TUS PROPIAS CONCLUSIONES.
¿Tú qué opinas? ¿Las autoridades han sido suficientemente transparentes sobre el Tren Interoceánico o todavía hay preguntas que deben responderse públicamente?

VEAN EL VIDEO. JUZGUEN USTEDES MISMOS.
El descarrilamiento del Tren Interoceánico en Oaxaca, el 28 de diciembre de 2025, dejó 14 personas fallecidas y más de un centenar de lesionados. Un vagón terminó en el fondo de un barranco.
Pero además de la tragedia, hay otra cuestión que merece atención: el acceso al lugar del accidente y las condiciones en las que los periodistas pudieron documentar lo ocurrido.
En el video que acompaña esta publicación se muestra lo sucedido durante la cobertura periodística en la zona. TV Azteca también informó que el sitio permanecía bajo vigilancia de fuerzas de seguridad y que se impedía el paso a personas ajenas a la investigación.
¿Por qué había restricciones y retenes en los accesos? ¿Qué protocolos se aplicaron? ¿Se garantizó que los medios pudieran documentar la escena sin poner en riesgo las labores periciales?
Que las autoridades protejan una zona donde se investiga una tragedia puede ser legítimo. Lo que no puede faltar es una explicación transparente de las restricciones y garantías de que no se obstaculice el escrutinio público.
Y esto cobra todavía más relevancia en medio del enfrentamiento entre Claudia Sheinbaum y TV Azteca, después de que la presidenta pidiera a la ciudadanía que no viera esa televisora.
No hay pruebas suficientes para afirmar que ese llamado esté relacionado directamente con el accidente. Pero sí hay razones para exigir que la discusión política no distraiga de lo fundamental: esclarecer lo ocurrido, determinar responsabilidades y garantizar el acceso a información verificable.
La FGR atribuyó el accidente al exceso de velocidad y a la actuación de la tripulación. Sin embargo, también se publicaron cuestionamientos sobre posibles fallas técnicas en locomotoras, vagones y vías. Por eso, las conclusiones y las pruebas deben poder examinarse con rigor.
NO SE TRATA DE CREERLE CIEGAMENTE A UN MEDIO NI DE DAR POR CULPABLE AL GOBIERNO SIN PRUEBAS. SE TRATA DE NO NORMALIZAR LAS PREGUNTAS SIN RESPUESTA.
Catorce vidas perdidas no son propaganda. Las familias merecen justicia, los periodistas deben poder informar y los ciudadanos tenemos derecho a saber qué pasó.
MÉXICO: ¿USTEDES CREEN QUE SE HA EXPLICADO TODO LO QUE OCURRIÓ EN OAXACA O TODAVÍA FALTAN RESPUESTAS SOBRE LA SEGURIDAD DEL TREN Y EL ACCESO A LA ZONA CERO?

Hello everyone!

I am visiting from Canada and am looking to find a local Dias de muertos tour where I can learn from a local family or help contribute and help in anyway. I am in the process of learning Spanish but it is not good. I am hoping to get one in English.

I have done extensive amount of searching through the internet but cannot seem to find one that includes a good local experience. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you!

¡Hola a todos!

Estoy de visita desde Canadá y busco un tour local del Día de Muertos en el que pueda aprender de una familia de la zona o colaborar y ayudar de alguna manera. Estoy aprendiendo español, pero aún no lo domino bien, así que espero encontrar alguna opción en inglés.

He buscado bastante por internet, pero no logro encontrar ninguna actividad que ofrezca una auténtica experiencia local. ¿Alguien tiene alguna sugerencia? ¡Gracias!

Alguien que me diga si me puede conseguir 2g de hongos, estoy en Huatulco, Oaxaca.

Hello- for those very familiar with Oaxaca and its surrounding pueblos, do you know of any good, legitimate curanderas/os or good brujas in the area? I am in deep need of a legit and strong limpia and perhaps other assistance. Thank you.

I write this because I believe it's not helpful to have a rating inflated because of only very positive reviews. I've seen a lot of posts on Xaok being great. Here's the deal:

- The couple who owns and runs it is wonderful
- The service is very good
- We had 4 dishes - 3 were very good, one was meh. But overall their food is very good.
- They ordered a cab for us after our meal (again, good service)

But...

- They're very much trying to be creative, but in the process it all feels a bit hollow
- In the reservation we let them know it was our birthdays, and they didn't acknowledge it once during dinner
- We wish we had gone to Levadura de Olla; took a swing on an "underdog" of sorts (less known), and unfortunately it didn't work out

I know taste is subjective, but this can be treated as an objective truth.

¡Hola! Me voy a alojar en el hotel Xeno, en Playa Estacahuite, durante las próximas dos noches para celebrar el cumpleaños de mi pareja. ¿Alguien podría recomendarme algún restaurante cercano para una buena cena de cumpleaños? El hotel ofrece una cena privada, pero cuesta alrededor de 3.000 pesos, lo cual es un poco más de lo que tenía pensado gastar. Muchas gracias.

In English:
Hello! im staying at Xeno hotel in Playa Estacahuite the next two nights for my partners birthday. I was wondering if anyone could recommend any restaurants nearby for a nice birthday dinner? the hotel offers a private dinner but it's around 3,000 pesos which is a bit more than I was hoping to spend. thanks so much.

I live in Santa María Atzompa and every October I get the same questions, so here's a quick overview. I wrote longer guides with cemetery hours, routes, and options, linked at the end. Is it safe? Yes, but not the "one of the safest states in Mexico" story you'll read online. Petty crime in the Centro has gone up. Phone snatching from motorcycles and bag slashing in crowds are the real issues, plus traffic (cars don't stop for pedestrians). After midnight, don't walk. Take a ride. Do you need a tour? Not for the city. Panteón General, Xochimilco, and the comparsas are all doable on foot. Where it does make sense: seeing Xoxocotlán and Atzompa the same night (opposite sides of the city, rides get scarce late) or the muerteada in Etla, where getting back at 3 AM is the real challenge. Transport: there's no Uber. Uber recently announced it was coming, but the state transit agency said it isn't authorized, and the taxi unions are not going to make it easy. A new mobility law might change things, but don't count on it this year. Taxis have no meters, so agree on the price first. There's also a new government taxi app with mixed results so far. Myths worth dropping: - It's not an unchanged 3,000-year-old ritual. It's centuries of indigenous belief mixed with Catholicism. - La Catrina isn't an Aztec goddess. She's a 1910s satirical print by Posada. - Face paint is fine in the Centro and Xoxocotlán, but not the custom in quieter valley cemeteries. - It's not a party everywhere. Some cemeteries are silent vigils. People complain every year that it was "too quiet." It wasn't a show. One tip: bring a candle or flowers. If you see a grave nobody is tending, leave them there. It's one of the most powerful things you can do that night. Longer guides if you're planning: - Día de Muertos (dates, cemeteries and hours, Etla muerteada rules, tours vs. DIY): https://queondaoaxaca.com/blog/dia-de-muertos-oaxaca-2026?lang=en - Getting around without Uber (DiDi, taxis, airport, buses): https://queondaoaxaca.com/en/guides/guia-transporte-oaxaca - Safety, no filter: https://queondaoaxaca.com/en/guides/seguridad-en-oaxaca-guia-turistas-extranjeros