welcome to 
Oaxaca.
BienvEnidos 
A Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is a historic city located in the southern region of México, within the State of Oaxaca (this can understandably cause some confusion!). It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, world-class cuisine, and deeply rooted Indigenous traditions.

The city is especially celebrated for its food scene—most famously mole, chocolate, and mezcal. Oaxaca is also known for its artesanía (handicrafts), including textiles, ceramics (barro rojo and barro negro), and wood carving. Around the historic centre and surrounding areas, you’ll find numerous workshops (talleres) where these traditional crafts are still actively practised.

The historic centre of Oaxaca de Juárez is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its well-preserved colonial architecture and archaeological significance.

We are always excited to return to Oaxaca for a dose of its culture and incredible food. It is here that we have chosen to host our wedding. While delicious food, drinks, and a beautiful setting are guaranteed on the day, we’ve also included a list of suggestions below to help you make the most of your time exploring this remarkable region.

Oaxaca City is approximately a one-hour flight from Mexico City. For those travelling domestically within México, Aeroméxico offers the most extensive schedule and generally operates the most convenient flight times between Mexico City and Oaxaca. Alternative carriers include Volaris and Viva Aerobus, which often provide lower-cost options.

Australian guests who prefer to arrive directly to Oaxaca can do so via the United States. For travellers departing Australia, the most straightforward international connections to Oaxaca are typically via Los Angeles (LAX) or Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), both of which offer direct services to Oaxaca International Airport. Depending on your departure city and airline preferences, this can be a convenient alternative to transiting through Mexico City.

The journey by bus from Mexico City to Oaxaca takes approximately 7 hours. If travelling by bus, we recommend choosing a daytime service for a more comfortable and scenic journey. Oaxaca International Airport is approximately 20 minutes by taxi from the city centre. Before exiting the terminal, you'll find two authorised taxi counters where you can purchase a ticket for a private airport taxi. The fare for two people is approximately AUD $40 (subject to exchange rates) or MXN $500. Uber operates in many parts of México and can be used to travel to airports, but in most cities (including Oaxaca) it cannot be used for pick-ups from the airport. An authorised airport taxi is the easiest option on arrival. Always carry your passport when flying within México, as it is required for airport identification and security, even on domestic flights.

Visit

01
Sydney → Los Angeles → Oaxaca (approximately 14 hours + 4 hours)

02
Sydney → Dallas → Oaxaca (approximately 14 hours + 3 hours)

03
Mexico City → Oaxaca
(approximately 1 hour)

DÍa de los 
muertos

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of México’s most cherished cultural celebrations, honouring the lives and memories of loved ones who have passed away. Held annually throughout the week leading up to 2 November, it transforms cities and towns across México with vibrant altars (ofrendas), marigolds, music, parades, and festive gatherings.

We have intentionally chosen our wedding date shortly after this extraordinary celebration, giving those who wish to extend their travels the opportunity to experience Día de los Muertos in Mexico City or elsewhere in México. As this is one of the city’s busiest times of year, guests hoping to attend the celebrations are encouraged to book flights, accommodation, and restaurants well in advance—ideally around 12 months ahead—as availability can become limited. By celebrating shortly afterwards, we also hope to give guests who prefer to avoid the seasonal crowds and peak travel period the opportunity to do so.


There are plenty of Airbnb properties available throughout Oaxaca. These can be cost-effective alternatives to hotels, particularly for families or groups travelling together, while also offering the opportunity to stay in some of the city’s most charming buildings.

As an alternative, consider one of the city’s many boutique hotels. We’ve highlighted a few of our favourites below.

Stay

Accommodation

  • Hotel Quinta Real

    5-star hotel
    20-minute walk or 7-minute car ride to venue

    UNESCO World Heritage Convent
    $$$$

    Book

  • Hotel Escondido Oaxaca

    4-star hotel
    10-minute walk or 4-minute car ride to venue

    Design by Mexican Architects Kalach
    $$$$

    Book

  • Hotel Otro Oaxaca

    4-star hotel
    20-minute walk or 4-minute car ride to venue

    Hotel flanking Oaxaca’s main plaza
    $$$$

    Book

  • Hotel Azul

    4-star hotel
    25-minute walk or 8-minute car ride to the venue

    Designed by Maestro Francisco Toledo
    $$$

    Book

  • Hotel Los Pilares Oaxaca

    3-star hotel
    30-minute walk or 12-minute car ride to venue

    $$

    Book

  • Hotel Santa Rosa

    3-star hotel
    15-minute walk or 8-minute car ride to venue

    $$

    Book

  • Casona Oaxaca

    3-star hotel
    15-minute walk or 4-minute car ride to venue

    $$

    Book

  • Hotel Casa de la Tía Tere

    3-star hotel
    25-minute walk or 7-minute car ride to venue

    $$

    Book

  • Hotel Parador San Agustín

    3-star hotel
    15-minute walk or 5-minute car ride to venue

    $$

    Book

México is (rightly!) celebrated for its extraordinary cuisine, with regional dishes that are rich in tradition, flavour, and history. While we encourage everyone to embrace the local food scene, it can be wise to ease into unfamiliar cuisines. Different ingredients, spice levels, and food preparation methods may take a little adjustment, particularly after long-haul travel. If you have a sensitive stomach, you may wish to take something like Riopan before enjoying a particularly rich or spicy meal to help minimise any unwelcome stomach discomfort.

Eat

Restaurants

  • Levadura de Olla

    Traditional and contemporary gastronomy from the Southern Mountain Chain of Oaxaca

    $$$

    Book

  • Los Danzantes

    Michelin star contemporary Oaxacan food restaurant

    $$$

    Book

  • Alfonsina

    Family restaurant in the outskirts of the city focusing on local and seasonal produce

    $$$

    Book

  • Crudo Oaxaca

    Creative Omakase fusing Japanese flavours with local ingredients and cooking methods

    $$$

    Book

  • La Cocina de Humo

    Clay pots, rammed earth, fire and smoke, focusing on regional Oaxacan flavours

    $$$

    Book

  • Tierra del Sol

    Restaurant focusing on Oaxacan biodiversity — indulge for breakfast in the Atole bar and bakery

    $$

    Book

  • Pitiona

    Rooftop restaurant with views to Plaza de Santo Domingo, offering contemporary Mexican and Oaxacan food

    $$

    Book

Street Food & Drinks

  • La Mezcaloteca

    Book a mezcal tasting and be transported to the different mezcal regions of Oaxaca

    $$

    Book

  • Pasillo de Humo - Mercado Benito Juárez

    Longaniza, cecina and enchilada with four sides — a winning combination for three people

    $

    Location

  • Tlayudas la Chinita

    Tlayudas are traditional late-night meals, comprising a large, charred tortilla, meat of your choice, Oaxacan cheese and salsa

    $

    Location

  • Memelas Doña Vale - Central de Abastos

    A legendary, early-morning breakfast tortilla with beans, cheese, and an unmatched salsa

    $

    Location

  • Tamales y Empanadas de Amarillo de Bertha

    Amarillo is a traditional yellow Oaxacan mole, crafted lovingly from countless ingredients

    $

    Location

  • Oaxaca en una Taza

    Wake up early and enjoy a Mexican hot chocolate — choose between a water or milk base and don’t forget to order a concha to dip in your drink

    $

    Social

  • Manolo Nieves

    Try nieves (sorbet) with traditional Oaxacan flavours and ingredients

    $

    Social

  • Chocolate Mayordomo

    Take home some of the best hot chocolate you’ll ever taste — and have one while you’re at it

    $

    Location

You didn’t think we would keep our art and architecture recommendations to ourselves, did you? Below is a small selection of our favourite things to see in the city—but is in no way an exhaustive list.

See

Art & Architecture

  • Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca

    Explore the biodiversity of Oaxaca within a 15th-century convent

    Info

  • Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca

    Explore the history of Mexico and the treasures of Tomb 7 (found in Monte Albán, on the outskirts of Oaxaca)

    Info

  • Museo Textil de Oaxaca

    Discover the history and variety of Oaxaca’s textiles and weaving practices

    Info

  • Centro Cultural San Pablo

    Cultural hub restored and extended by architect Mauricio Rocha

    Info

  • Archivo General del Estado de Oaxaca

    Community centre and garden precinct within 20 minutes of the city by architect Ignacio Medrano Corsini

    Location

  • Escuela d Artes Plásticas de Oaxaca

    Building complex within the Benito Juárez university campus designed by architect Mauricio Rocha

    Location

Oaxaca is known for its incredible craft traditions, making it the perfect place to find something special. We've rounded up some of our favorite spots to browse beautiful handmade gifts, homewares, ceramics, and other keepsakes to take home.

SHop

Artesanías

  • Cooperativa 1050*

    Buy sustainably-sourced ceramics from the state of Oaxaca with proceeds going back direct to communities

    Info

  • Piedra de Río

    Shop traditional barro rojo (red clay) ceramics

    Social

  • Barro y Palma

    Collection of ceramics, candles and woven artesanías

    Info

  • Burro Press

    Oaxaca is home to a robust contemporary printmaking culture — buy from local practitioners at Burro Press

    Info

  • RRRES

    Woven rugs and objects by Mexican designer Javier Reyes

    Info

  • Aripo

    Artesanías and fashion from Oaxaca and México in a beautiful historic precinct

    Location

  • Amano Alaclá Gallery

    A gallery with especially high-quality alebrijes from the Jacobo y María Ángeles workshop

    Location

Many of the experiences below can be arranged directly through your hotel as private tours or for small groups. If you prefer to explore with a guided tour, we recommend considering Zapotec Travel, a small Indigenous-owned, women-led tourism business that offers local experiences.

EXPLORE

Day Trips

  • Monte Albán y Mitla

    A sprawling Zapotec city complex dating to 500 BCE, Monte Albán inspired Jørn Utzon’s essay Platforms and Plateaus and, ultimately, his design for the Sydney Opera House

    Info

  • Hierve el Agua

    A spectacular natural wonder of petrified waterfalls, mineral-rich pools, and sweeping mountain views, formed over thousands of years by the slow flow of spring water

    Social

  • San Martín Tiljacate

    The birthplace of alebrijes, San Martín Tiljacate still supports a network of makers practicing in the tradition

    Info

  • Puerto Escondido

    Visit for its world-renowned surf and Casa Wabi, a striking Tadao Ando–designed museum perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean

    Info

  • Santa María Atzompa

    A nearby town famous for its barro verde — a traditional ceramic practice yielding functional wares glazed sparkling green

    Info

  • San Bartolo Coyotepec

    A nearby town renowned for barro negro, a traditional hand-crafted pottery style that originated here — notice its dark, metallic sheen, a technique with deep roots in Zapotec tradition

    Location

  • Teotitlán del Valle

    A nearby town flecked with traditional weaving workshops and textiles for sale — ask how they create the colour purple!

    Location
Next

Mexico City