Oaxaca, Mexico: 8 Places to See, from Monte Albán to the
Explore Oaxaca, Mexico through its ancient archaeological sites and natural landmarks spanning 2,733 km. This route traces the legacy of the Cloud People and their civilization across the southern Mexican highlands, from mountaintop ruins to diverse ecosystems.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Monte Albán
- End
- Oaxaca City & Artisan Villages
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Monte Albán — Pre-Columbian hilltop city and ceremonial center offering sweeping valley views and insights into Zapotec and Mixtec civilizations.
- Hierve el Agua — Petrified waterfall formations created by mineral-rich springs cascading down mountainsides over millennia, with turquoise pools at the cliff edge overlooking vast green valleys.
- Árbol del Tule — Ancient ahuehuete tree among the world's largest by diameter, revered as a sacred natural monument in Oaxaca.
- Sierra Norte — Mountain region inhabited by indigenous communities known for traditional weaving, coffee cultivation, and cloud forest ecosystems.
- San José del Pacífico — Hillside village famous for indigenous heritage, artisan crafts, and panoramic views over the coastal plains below.
- Pacific Coast — Oaxaca's tropical shoreline featuring pristine beaches, lagoons, and marine biodiversity attracting surfers and nature enthusiasts.
- Guelaguetza & Día de los Muertos
- Oaxaca City & Artisan Villages
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Monte Albán sits 400 meters above the valley floor. Plan transportation up the mountain in advance, as it overlooks everything in the valley below.
- Tip
- Mitla features geometric mosaic fretwork on walls with over 14 distinct designs. Many patterns remain intact after centuries of earthquakes despite being assembled without mortar.
- Where to stay
- Hierve el Agua sits at over 1,500 meters elevation. Natural pools filled with mineral-rich turquoise water are at the cliff's edge, offering surreal views while floating.
- Tip
- El Árbol del Tule is about 10 kilometers from Oaxaca City center. The tree trunk measures roughly 14 meters in diameter and takes over 30 people holding hands to encircle it.
- Transport
- Sierra Norte is less than 2 hours from Oaxaca City. Eight Zapotec villages are located at over 3,000 meters above sea level in cloud-forested peaks.
- Tip
- The ecotourism cooperative in Sierra Norte has built over 100 kilometers of marked trails. Around 20,000 visitors come each year, but most days you won't see other tourists.
- Food
- San José del Pacífico restaurants serve quesadillas made with wild local mushrooms and Oaxacan string cheese, grilled over a comal and paired with hot cocoa or café de olla.
- Avoid
- San José del Pacífico has no ATMs and unreliable phone reception. Bring cash and plan accordingly before visiting.
- Timing
- San José del Pacífico sits at 2,500 meters altitude in a cloud forest. Weather changes rapidly—visibility may suddenly be obscured by thick clouds that swallow surroundings.
- Tip
- Hierve el Agua is one of only two known petrified waterfall formations in the world. The mineral-rich springs look like boiling water despite being cool to the touch.
- Timing
- Guelaguetza festival and Día de los Muertos celebrations occur in Oaxaca. These are significant cultural events honoring indigenous traditions and the dead.
Video on this route
OAXACA | Where Mexico’s Ancient Heart Still Beats | 4K Travel Documentary