Everything You Need To Know About Backpacking Oaxaca

Thinking about backpacking through Oaxaca but not sure where to begin? From things to do in Oaxaca to budget travel tips, this Oaxaca backpacking guide has everything you need to start planning your affordable adventure in one of Mexico’s most incredible states!

Image Credit: Pixabay (Text Overlay: Backpacking Brunette)

How To Get From Mexico City To Oaxaca

If you’ve been following this blog for any amount of time, then I’m sure you know I’m OBSESSED with traveling by bus. While living in Spain, I fell in love with bus travel, and that’s definitely carried over to my time in Mexico.

>> Hold up: Is this your first time in Mexico? Check out this post with 35 do’s and don’ts for traveling in Mexico. <<

Not only is traveling by bus more often than not your most affordable transportation option, but it’s frequently faster and more convenient than air travel. Unlike airports, bus stations are usually located close to (if not IN) the city center. Personally, I hate arriving to the airport the recommended two hours prior to takeoff and would much rather roll up 20 minutes before the bus leaves with as many ounces of liquids as I please.

The bus from Mexico City to Oaxaca takes between six and seven hours depending on which terminal you leave from. There’s even a bus that takes you directly from the airport to Oaxaca. Since it’s a pretty long ride, I took the first class bus from Mexico City to Oaxaca to be more comfortable.

• Company: ADO
• Price: $15-$45 USD

Once on Oaxaca, you can either take a cab to the city center or hop on an intercity bus from the stop kiddy-corner to the station. Just look for a bus with “centro” on the windshield and have your 6 pesos ready.

How large is Oaxaca?

When I first decided on backpacking Mexico for two weeks this fall, I thought I’d be able to visit both Oaxaca and Chiapas. But, after realizing just how big the state of Oaxaca is, I changed my plans to focus my energy and time there.

So, just how large is Oaxaca? Well, it can take anywhere from seven to 13 hours to drive from Oaxaca City to the coast. Want to make a day trip to Hierve de Agua (Oaxaca’s famous petrified waterfalls)? That will be an hour bus ride plus nearly another hour on a curvy mountain road in the back of a pickup truck.

Oaxaca is a very large state indeed. You won’t have any trouble filling your Mexico backpacking itinerary in Oaxaca alone.

Things To Do In Oaxaca

There’s no shortage of things to do in Oaxaca. I could have easily spent a month exploring Oaxaca. But, since I only had two weeks, I packed a lot into my itinerary to hit as many of the Oaxaca highlights as possible.

Ancient ruins

You could spend a lifetime visiting the approximately 4,000 archaeological sites in Oaxaca. To start, I recommend Monte Álban—which is an easy day trip from Oaxaca City. Or, take the bus about an hour outside Oaxaca City and see the “city of the dead”: Mitla.

Beaches

Because I grew up near the greatest of the Great Lakes (Michigan), I’m generally a pretty harsh critic of beaches. But, the Oaxaca beaches thoroughly impressed me. Stay near Playa La Punta in Puerto Escondido for a relaxed, hippie vibe. Visit Mazunte for an even more relaxed, even more hippie vibe.

>> Don’t miss one of the best beaches in Mexico! Check out this detailed Puerto Escondido guide for EVERYTHING you need to know! <<

Culture

If possible plan your trip to Oaxaca around a festival (Day of the Dead, Fiesta Guelaguetza, Holy Week, Night of the Radishes) because Oaxaca City really puts on. The municipality offered a variety of well-organized activities for Day of the Dead.

If you don’t get the chance to visit during a holiday, get your dose of culture at one of Oaxaca City’s many museums. A few favorites are the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo and Museo Textil de Oaxaca.

Food

The absolute best thing to do in Oaxaca is eat, so don’t forget to pack your appetite. At Mercado 20 de Noviembre in Oaxaca City, you can taste some of the state’s best-known dishes such as tlayuadas (Oaxacan pizza), memelitas (open-faced taco), tamales oaxaqueños, tasajo (grilled meat), chapulines (grasshoppers) and, of course, mole (chocolate sauce). Wash down your food with some mezcal or Mexican hot chocolate.

Mountains

Escape the city and breath in the fresh mountain air of the Pueblos Mancomunados. These villages offer a variety of activities including hiking, zip-lining, agricultural tourism and horseback riding.

Natural wonders

In addition to its beautiful beaches and imposing mountains, Oaxaca also has some unique natural wonders. Swim with bioluminescent plankton in Manialtepec Lagoon, or hike in the shadow of petrified waterfalls at Hierve de Agua.

What is Oaxaca famous for?

Delicious food, pristine nature, exquisite handicrafts: Oaxaca is famous for a lot. In fact, one of my Mexican friends in Querétaro told me “you can’t say you’ve been to Mexico until you’ve been to Oaxaca.”

While you’re in Mexico, don’t forget to visit my home city: Querétaro! Find out more in THIS POST.

But, perhaps Oaxaca is most famous for its Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations.

The primary reason I wanted to backpack Oaxaca in early November was to see the festivities for myself. Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico, but it’s especially vibrant in the central and southern parts of the country. The two-day holiday (Nov. 1 and 2) is an opportunity for family members to remember loved ones who have passed on.

In Oaxaca City, the municipality put together quite the program of events including a Mexican legends tour, chocolate tasting and student poetry readings. The downtown was beautifully decorated, and there were several large alters on display. Every evening was a full-on fiesta in the streets with people in costumes and their faces painted in the traditional Calavera Catrina-style.

Many people, tourists and locals alike, elect to visit cemeteries. On the evening of Nov. 2, I strolled around Oaxaca’s Panteón General which was very much a local affair. I didn’t take any pictures. Why not? Well, I imagined how I’d feel if someone was snapping away while I was remembering my ancestors.

Tour companies advertise Day of the Dead tours that take you to Xoxo cemetery. Open all night during Day of the Dead, I’ve heard Xoxo is more of a party atmosphere.

Making Your Oaxaca Itinerary

For traveling between cities in Oaxaca, I highly recommend bus travel (surprise, surprise). I encourage travelers to trip plan with a physical map in front of them. Decide which destinations peak your interest, and watch your trip come together right before your eyes.

Oaxaca City

• Recommended stay:
  • 3-4 days
• Travel Tip:
  • Leave time for day trips from Oaxaca City. If you’re on a tight budget, opt for public transportation over an organized tour. I didn’t have any trouble getting to Monte Álban or Hierve de Agua via bus and colectivo.

Puerto Escondido

>> Check out this guide for Puerto Escondido! Find out where to eat, sleep and surf! <<

• Recommended stay:
  • 2-4 days
• Distance from Oaxaca City:
  • 258 km (160 mi.)
  • 12-13 hours by bus
  • 7-8 hours by colectivo (shared van)
• Travel Tip:
  • Take the night bus to save on accommodation, but buy your tickets a few days in advance because it’s a popular option.

Mazunte/Zipolite

• Recommended stay: 2-4 days
• Distance from Oaxaca City: 263 km (165 mi.)
• Travel Tip: The easiest way to get to Mazunte is by bus from Puerto Escondido (45 minutes). Zipolite and its nude beaches are just 15 minutes from there.

Pueblos Mancomunados

• Recommended stay:
  • 1-2 days
• Distance from Oaxaca City:
  • 59 km (37 mi.)
  • 1.5-2 hours by colectivo (shared van)
• Travel Tip:
  • If you intend to hike between the villages, bring a compass and/or make your own map using Google Earth. Some trails aren’t well-marked, and the map the tourist offices sell is essentially useless. Also, buy your return ticket in advance because the collective only has room for about 10 passengers.

San Jose del Pacifico

• Recommended stay:
  • 1-2 days
• Distance from Oaxaca City:
  • 98 km (61 mi.)
  • 2-3 hours by colectivo (shared van)
• Travel Tip:
  • San Jose del Pacifico is known for its hallucinogenic mushrooms, which—while not legal—are available everywhere. Even if you don’t plan on tripping, you can still visit to enjoy the panoramic views.

How much money does it cost to go to Mexico?

It’s totally possible to backpack Mexico on a budget, and during this trip, I diligently tracked my expenses to prove it.

Before leaving home, I calculated that I had $43.75 USD to spend per day. Of course, some days I spent more than that, but some days I spent less.

So, how much does it cost to backpack Oaxaca for two weeks? 

• Total: $600.30 USD
• Average/day: $42.89

By no means did I pinch pesos on this trip. I regularly took first-class buses, stayed in private accommodation, ate tasty meals, drank lots of cerveza and partook in whatever activities I felt like. It’s definitely possible to travel for much MUCH cheaper in Mexico.

In addition to traveling with a buddy (we split accommodation costs, cab rides, etc.),  I kept costs down by:

• Taking night buses to save on accommodation
• Buying basic groceries to prepare breakfast/lunch on my own a few days
• Bringing my own beer to the beach
• Utilizing public transportation
• Generally avoiding organized tours

The majority of my travel budget went towards accommodation and transportation (between cities). Eating, drinking and intercity transportation (including cabs) are all relatively cheap in Oaxaca.

Interested in other Mexico backpacking trails? Check out THIS POST about backpacking Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Is it safe to go to Oaxaca alone?

I explored Oaxaca with my boyfriend, but after two weeks backpacking through Oaxaca, I can say I’d feel extremely comfortable there as a solo female traveler.

As I’ve said before (and will continue to say because it’s THAT important), regardless of where you are, you need to always be aware of your surroundings. It’s when you think you’re invincible, that bad things happen.

While in Oaxaca, I encountered travelers from all over the world. There’s a large expat community, and many establishments in Oaxaca City have English-speakers on staff to help.

During my two weeks in Oaxaca, I went out at night, utilized public transportation and hiked in remote areas. Never once did I feel unsafe.

Oaxaca isn’t the only place in Mexico worth exploring. Don’t miss Central Mexico’s most colorful town: Guanajuato! Learn more in THIS GUIDE.

Another Helpful Guide For Backpacking Oaxaca

While many people spoke at least a little English in Oaxaca City, I found my Spanish skills to be absolutely essential while traveling about the rest of the state.

To help prepare yourself for backpacking through Oaxaca, check out The Ultimate Spanish Learner’s Resource Guide. It’s packed with language learning tips and my favorite free resource for students of any level.

Have you ever traveled to Oaxaca? Share your favorite spots and travel tips in the comments below! 

---

Psst…Don’t forget to pin this post for later!