Travel Memoir: Oaxaca, Mexico - Mezcal, Mole & Why This City Should Be on Your List
A solo traveler’s guide to the vibrant flavors, culture, and hidden gems of Oaxaca—from street food to artisan tours.
Oaxaca had been on my travel list for years, ever since I discovered mole—a complex Mexican sauce with deep cultural roots. Unlike salsa, mole requires specific preparation methods, and Oaxaca is its spiritual home. When a trip to Mexico City aligned, I knew I had to carve out time for Oaxaca and now, I’m already dreaming of going back.
How I Got to Oaxaca from Mexico City
I started my Mexico trip in Mexico City—if you're curious about that leg of the journey, including how I got there from Antigua, I’ve got you covered here.
From Mexico City to Oaxaca, you can take an 11+ hour bus or a 1-hour flight. With only a week to spare, I flew with Viva Aerobus, a Mexican budget airline. My roundtrip flight cost me $159.50 USD and it included a carry-on and checked-bag
As it was a domestic flight, there’s no need to clear customs and the next step was to get a taxi to my accommodation. The airport has a taxi kiosk with two main options:
Colectivo (shared van) – Zona 1: $120 MXN (~$6 USD/$16 XCD), Zona 2: $190 MXN (~$9USD/$25XCD)
Especial (private taxi) – Zona 1: $465 MXN (~$23 USD/$62 XCD), Zona 2: $680 MXN(~$34USD/$92 XCD)
I opted for the Colectivo—affordable and safer for solo travelers like me.
Where I Stayed in Oaxaca (Solo-Traveler Friendly)
I stayed in Centro, the heart of Oaxaca City. It’s central, walkable, and filled with restaurants, galleries, and markets making it perfect for solo travel.
Hotel Abu: I only stayed here for one night because my hotel of choice did not have the room I wanted available until the next day and it was located conveniently next door and at an extremely affordable rate. The hotel was clean and it’s in a good location but I wouldn’t stay at this hotel otherwise, if I’m being honest.
Selina Oaxaca: For the rest of my stay, I checked into Selina Oaxaca—a digital nomad-friendly hotel with co-working spaces, communal activities, and several room options. I booked a private room with a private bathroom. Highly recommend for solo travelers looking to connect with others and still have their own space.
Best Things to Do in Oaxaca
While I was in Thailand, a friend introduced me to Airbnb Experiences for some interesting experiences so when I got to Oaxaca, I turned to Airbnb again and found some truly unique and meaningful experiences, like:
A vibrant street-style photoshoot with a local photographer: Oaxaca is bursting with colour and charm and stunning architecture. I wanted to capture myself in the midst of all of this but as a solo traveller, I don’t have the equipment to do it myself, so this AirBnb experience was perfect!
Hugo, the photographer, was super friendly and knew exactly how to guide me into the best angles and locations it .The edited photos take a bit of time to arrive, but honestly, many of the unedited shots were already ready to post. I posted some recently here, get into it!
A mezcal and mole tasting hosted by a certified sommelier: Mole was the main reason I went to Oaxaca, and mezcal was a close second. I booked this tasting and it was so worth it. We paired different moles and mezcals, learned about their origins, and I left with a whole new appreciation (and a little buzz, let’s be honest).
Bonus: I got to tell everyone to visit Antigua and they are all hyped to come.
P.S. All tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila.
Watch my reel about it below!
An artisan tour highlighting traditional Oaxacan trades: I skipped the standard walking tour and chose to explore Oaxaca through the lens of its traditional trades. Mario made the experience feel personal—introducing us to weavers, chocolatiers, and toymakers keeping local heritage alive.
A watercolour making workshop using natural pigments: As someone who dabbles in painting (very inconsistently), this was a must. I joined a workshop with Indiana, a local artist, where we created our own watercolour pigments from natural materials. A unique, grounding experience I’ll never forget. Check out all the fun below!
Walk around & see where it takes you: Centro is extremely walkable. I stumbled into an artisan shop and stocked up on Oaxacan matcha, teas, (perfect gifts btw) and kombucha. I also visited the Museum of Oaxacan Painters (only 50MXN Pesos to get in), just by letting my feet lead me.
Where to Eat & Drink in Oaxaca
Oaxaca’s food scene is everything. Here’s where I ate, drank, and indulged:
Loved:
Ocote Cocina: This is my absolute favourite dining spot in Oaxaca. I visited once and just kept going back. The menu is diverse as they are playing with some interesting flavours. I tried ALL of the tacos they had on the menu and there was only one thing I didn’t love and that was the pulpo taco. Everything else? Bussing!
Tierras del Sol: This spot, led by Chef Olga Cabrera and rooted in Mixtec tradition, is more than a restaurant—it’s a full gastronomic experience. Before heading upstairs to dine, you’re welcomed with fresh, handmade tortillas and an array of salsas. The menu celebrates six native ingredients: corn, beans, quelites, pumpkins, chiles, and cacti. I had the yique (a native corn dish) and the yellow chileajo, paired with a glass of Henri Lurton Mexican wine. It was all divine. My only regret? Solo travel means fewer dishes to sample—next time, I’m coming hungry and with friends.
Cangreburger cangrejochos: Every night, the burger man across from my hotel had a steady crowd and a 4.9-star Google Maps pin. I had to try it—and I wasn’t disappointed. Juicy burger, all the condiments (my favorite part), and steps away from bed. Perfection.
Liked:
Terraza Los Amantes: Stunning, stunning stunning views of Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán while you eat. This spot came highly recommended, and while the food was good, it didn’t blow me away. I had the ceviche de tigre and the barbacoa de cordero tacos.
Selva: Post-photoshoot glow intact, I wasn’t quite ready for dinner—but a cocktail felt right. I headed to a spot listed among North America’s Top 50 Bars (2024) and let the bartender work his magic based on my favourite flavours. I couldn’t tell you the ingredients, but the drinks? A perfect match.
Praga Coffee Bar: Next door to Terraza Los Amantes, this bar has the same breathtaking views. The bartender at my hotel recommended it, and I’m happy I took the suggestion. I tried the mezcal iced tea and aguachile camaron, with green apples adding a nice twist. While the live music downstairs was a vibe, I enjoyed some quiet time upstairs.
Sabina Sabe: I popped in here shortly after arriving in Oaxaca since it was just around the corner and caught my eye. The food was tasty, and being famished, I went for aguachile and tlayudas. But the real star? This spot’s been featured on North America’s Top 50 Best Bars list in 2022, 2023, and 2025. The drinks were definitely the highlight for me.
Skip, Do NOT pass go:
Tlayudas el Negro: Absolutely not for me. Tlayudas are a classic Oaxacan dish—big open-faced tortillas with refried beans, cheese, and meat—and they’re delicious. But this place missed the mark. It was all over social media, and a few people recommended it, but it didn’t deliver. To top it off, it was on the outskirts of town, so I walked quite a distance to be disappointed.
Shopping:
Oaxaca is FILLED with places to shop. There are markets and stores selling works of art in the form of clothing, jewelry and more. I left Oaxaca with a stunning linen from Cabrera Perez, a store owned by Oaxacan designer, Carlos Cabrera (who I got to meet).
Bonus:
If you're in the city on the weekend, you might be lucky enough to experience a calenda or two—traditional wedding celebrations that fill the streets with vibrant processions, music, and dance.
Looking for a laundry? Antequera Tintoreria y Lavandería is the place to go and they deliver!
Oaxaca was everything I dreamed it would be—vibrant, rich in culture, and brimming with unforgettable experiences. From savoring mole to sipping mezcal, exploring artisan traditions to getting lost in the city’s stunning streets, it was truly an adventure I’ll carry with me forever. There’s still so much more to explore, my arms are wide open for another opportunity to go back.
If you’re planning a trip to Oaxaca, take a note from my journey and carve out time to immerse yourself in its food, culture, and incredible people. I promise you won’t regret it.
If you want to see more about my time in Oaxaca, be sure to follow me on Instagram for more travel tips, adventures, and foodie finds!
Where have you been that exceeded your expectations? Drop a comment below and share your experiences—I love hearing from fellow wanderlusters!