Top 5 Oaxaca City Car Tours: Your Ultimate Guide

Oaxaca, Mexico, is that kind of city that gets to ya, right? There’s something very captivating when one visits Oaxaca, so very palpable and special with all of its colorful streets, yummy food, and a history that feels close enough to touch. If you’re looking for ways to experience all this coolness and maybe don’t feel like battling public transport or walking the whole time, getting to know what kind of car tours exist could just be the ticket. I mean, exploring with your own wheels and a friendly guide? Sounds just a little awesome, don’t you think? In this article, we’re gonna be looking at five of the coolest Oaxaca city car tours, trying to point you the right way with insights and suggestions so you get the absolute best from your visit.

1. The Classic Oaxaca City Tour

Okay, so first, there’s “The Classic,” right? Almost like the comfort food of Oaxaca tours. This one is usually the perfect start so you can grab the basics, so too it is almost perfect when you’re short on time and keen to soak up the main spots. Expect to check out the Zocalo (the town square), which is always pretty lively. Then, probably a visit to Santo Domingo Church, which is really just absolutely beautiful; it is known for having interiors that have gold leaf covering it, that is excessive in the best way. Tours usually squeeze in the Oaxaca Cultural Museum as well, it might be worthy to visit depending on your level of interest for regional backstories. In that case, do take into account the markets; these are usually pretty wild, full of things you won’t find anywhere else – alebrijes, textiles, and of course, food. What you may find is tours like this usually last around four to six hours, offering just enough to fill an afternoon but still get you back in time for supper.

2. Monte Alban and the Surrounding Valleys Tour

Now, if the stones are more your style, how about that Monte Alban? Really a must-see when one makes time to visit Oaxaca. Set way, way up on a mountain top overseeing everything, Monte Alban had always been a former Zapotec capital. With this kind of tour, you’re probably not just peeking at Monte Alban, but at other places too that could tickle your interest in this region such as the Arrazola village that might show off artisan creativity. Another goodie is Cuilapam convento that might take you back in time when visiting it, since the Spanish made efforts to influence the locals into assimilating to their religious beliefs, still that convento is quite incomplete which kind of contributes towards the vibe. Very generally, tours of this type might include lunch in a restaurant. With valley vistas surrounding you, that might make everything pretty Instagram-worthy! Keep in mind though, very commonly that Monte Alban tour will mean you spending a great amount of your time outside. Think comfy shoes, hats, and maybe, definitely, an extra bottle of water or two! Do bring a coat with you as well because the climate is really cold at the summit of the site, more or less.

3. Tlacolula Market and Teotitlan del Valle Tour

Getting into the feel for local life and textiles now with those tour types. This kind of tour can probably provide an authentic glimpse to one aspect or way of life in the Oaxaca area, that’s because you are almost guaranteed to witness and be a part of its historic marketplace scene at Tlacolula. What happens over there is almost an overload, right? All that bartering and selling in vibrant chaos will make an impression and you get to witness local transactions of all forms whether commercial, social, or financial and a very rare sight outside Mexico, you will even get to observe traditional meals and food from many food stalls selling from within the same marketplace as well. Next up, so that is usually Teotitlan del Valle: this is more like “rug central”, I mean that’s where many amazing rugs and textile-based artists can be found and seen creating their artwork. This area showcases talented artisans crafting their amazing works; the methods are the same that had been passed down in their families from generations. You’ll find yourself learning of natural dyes or discovering what a foot-operated loom can really accomplish, that might sound a little intimidating to a non-handy person, so if you find yourself there you might buy an item as some recognition to this impressive talent and amazing work. Usually, this type of tour might go for around a day, more or less, perfect for buying stuff and seeing true talent on display!

4. Mezcal Distillery Tour

Alright, so you like tasting Oaxaca? What about checking a distillery where they distill mezcal! Seriously though, any visit to Oaxaca could be fully considered not complete if mezcal hadn’t been on the list. Now picture a drive through that kind of agave fields, getting a first hand learning opportunity with some people that do mezcal from agave farms that are passed by ancestors. Here in this distillery, this shows the conventional methods; that means things cooked in underground pits before being crushed via the utilization of the tahona or a very heavy stone wheel before distillation into earthenware pots! Very often the mezcal tastes here are pretty great, of course, that goes hand in hand with having the people around here talking through mezcal varieties along with production methods, so, if you have got some people with you do share some mezcal together with them for bonding, so basically a way to deepen bonds while having a fun little exploration! Keep in mind though, a good mezcal tour really should place its bet that that is the place that handles things in old style to show just why this area makes its Mezcal uniquely Oaxacan from everything, or anywhere, that can be purchased or drank anywhere else.

5. Hierve el Agua and Mitla Tour

Hierve el Agua, sounds a bit peculiar, alright? The place happens to have waterfalls, albeit not like the kind that has water pouring. Essentially they are solidified waterfalls, very similar to mineral formations you would otherwise see in places such as Pamukkale in Turkey. The site gives a remarkable and memorable scenic moment plus great spots that one might be inclined to snap photographs, maybe! With Hierve el Agua you have that chance to witness those “petrified waterfalls,” but more often, some tours will have Mitla. I mean Mitla is something very very special to Mesoamerica. With very stunning and complex stone mosaic design, what results there has some unique styling and it is what differentiates this site against everything other locations found across the Mexican terrain. Those kinds of tours will allow you a peek inside that very ancient Zapotec plus Mixtec hub that once held great significance to the community and its populace as a ceremonial center, or the tombs there. One is almost surely never gonna leave there with something they had previously learned. One last piece of advice though; Hierve el Agua can easily become too crowded and quite hot during that heat season, so, going there beforehand, is something anyone ought to consider if ever touring throughout that span. The location can take just about a full-day trip depending largely by the amount there’s going to be when checking places like those spots! One gets great views combined alongside historical exploration on equal terms!