Mexico · OAXACA TOURS

The 15 Best Oaxaca Tours & Mezcal Trips

94 tours  ·  from $8

Oaxaca is the best eating in Mexico and the mezcal capital by some distance. These 15 cover Monte Albán, the Hierve el Agua terraces, the village markets and the palenques, priced, timed and clear about how much driving each involves.

Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour - Teotitlán del Valle and Zapotec weaving
Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour

1.Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,094 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $55Our pick

Spend a full day outside Oaxaca City visiting the ancient Tule tree, Zapotec Mitla, a Teotitlán weaving workshop, and Hierve el Agua. You’ll also see how mezcal is made and taste several varieties. Guides such as Adriel, Miguel, and Andrea are praised for lively English explanations.

“miquel was an amazing tour guide. eduardo was a very safe driver. a great experience!! would highly recommend ♥️”

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Explore Hierve el Agua, Mitla, Tule, Textile and Mezcal for a day - Hierve el Agua: hike first, pools second
Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews

Explore Hierve el Agua, Mitla, Tule, Textile and Mezcal for a day

2.Explore Hierve el Agua, Mitla, Tule, Textile and Mezcal for a day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,043 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $75Top rated

Spend about 11 hours outside Oaxaca City with an English-speaking guide such as Luis or Pavel. Visit the Tule Tree, hike and swim at Hierve el Agua, explore Mitla, see wool weaving, and taste mezcal. Transport, water, and admission are included, but lunch costs extra.

“Wow, what an amazing full day of so many unique Oaxcan experiences. Beautiful nature, archeological site, cultural indigenous rugs (you can negotiate just a little bit - but not much as they take so much time), the Tule Tree was incredible and the town so nice, and even the restaurant was pretty good with many locals. Our group was tons of fun and our guide Luis spoke great English and our driver Dani was extra safe. Exceptional tour in all ways and really great price for all you get. I had a blast as a solo 52 year old female traveler.”

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Monte Alban Guided Half Day Tour - Starting at the Lescas Tours office in Centro
Guided, Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Monte Alban Guided Half Day Tour

3.Monte Alban Guided Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 880 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $32

Travel from central Oaxaca to Monte Albán in an air-conditioned vehicle, then explore the Zapotec ruins with an English or Spanish guide. Miguel is often praised for his clear, lively explanations. After the guided visit, enjoy free time and choose a later return shuttle if you want longer at the site.

“Definitely the way to visit the site. Miguel‘s explanations were illuminating and inspiring, and I felt it was just the right balance of guided and free time.”

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From Oaxaca de Juarez: Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery - Walking the rock formations and reaching the pools
Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews

From Oaxaca de Juarez: Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery

4.From Oaxaca de Juarez: Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 615 reviews · 8 hours · from $64

Travel from Oaxaca with an English-speaking host, spend three unhurried hours hiking and swimming at Hierve el Agua, then visit a mezcal distillery for a guided tasting. Guides such as Leon, Stephany, Margarita, and Braulio are known for adding local insight and keeping the day relaxed.

“Our guide was amazing - Estefania! She was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Our driver was also excellent. We had just the right amount of time in each place and absolutely loved the trip! 10/10”

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Oaxaca de Juarez: Monte Alban Half-Day Tour - The 30-minute ride from central Oaxaca
Half-Day, Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Oaxaca de Juarez: Monte Alban Half-Day Tour

5.Oaxaca de Juarez: Monte Alban Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 492 reviews · 4 hours · from $31Best value

Travel by van from central Oaxaca to Monte Albán for a 2.5-hour guided visit. Learn about Zapotec culture, pyramids, stelae, the ball court, tombs, and site architecture in English or Spanish, then enjoy time to explore before hotel or Airbnb drop-off.

“Do not miss this tour if you are in Oaxaca! The site at Monte Alban is so incredibly beautiful and as a family we can’t stop talking about it! We had a wonderful guide and were on the same tour as Hugo from a previous review. He is such an engaging and friendly person who cares deeply about the site and the people of the indigenous community. What the Zapotecs achieved here is simply mind blowing. You must go! Transportation and timing of the tour was perfect.”

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AUTHENTIC OAXACA CULTURAL FOOD TOUR, eat like a local. - Starting at Santo Domingo and walking the historic center
Food, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Oaxaca, Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

AUTHENTIC OAXACA CULTURAL FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.

6.AUTHENTIC OAXACA CULTURAL FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 462 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $114

Spend six hours walking central Oaxaca with guides such as Aurora, Betsaida, Ellie, or Fatima, tasting 24-plus foods, drinks, fruits, mezcal, and sweets. Visit three major markets and street-food stalls while learning about corn, pre-Hispanic cooking, local traditions, and the city’s food culture.

“This tour was hands down the highlight of our trip to Oaxaca. Betsaida was incredibly knowledgable and warm and really just a very fun hang! We learned so much about the history of the city and its people. THE FOOD WAS OUTSTANDING. We ate at many different places over the course of our stay, some of them Michelin starred, but after the trip when my husband and I were ranking our favorite things we ate, 4 of the top 5 were from this tour. One thing that was very unique that we definitely wouldn't have been able to do on our own was to try a bunch of the different…”

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Oaxaca: Tule, Mitla & Hierve el Agua, & Mezcal Tour - The Tule Tree and a very wide first stop
Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Oaxaca: Tule, Mitla & Hierve el Agua, & Mezcal Tour

7.Tule, Mitla & Hierve el Agua, & Mezcal Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 456 reviews · 10 hours · from $75

Spend 10 hours exploring Oaxaca’s Tule Tree, Mitla ruins, Teotitlán weaving, and Hierve el Agua with a bilingual guide such as Ede or Miguel. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, entrance fees, and mezcal tasting are included. Lunch costs extra, and the schedule is full but well planned.

“It was an amazing day with good information and a fun group! We loved being able to see so many things in one day! Over all, STUNNING!”

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Half day tour to Monte Albán - The ride from Oaxaca City to the plateau
Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half day tour to Monte Albán

8.Half day tour to Monte Albán

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 420 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $32

Travel from Oaxaca City to Monte Albán in an air-conditioned vehicle, then explore Zapotec pyramids, tombs, the Grand Plaza, Los Danzantes, and the South Platform with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Antonio, Daniel, Moses, and Monserrat have led highly praised visits, though guide quality can vary.

“Visiting Monte Albán is terrific, but a good guide takes it to another level entirely. We were lucky to get that experience on this tour. He opened our eyes to so many secrets and explained so much about the ruins. Truly fantastic.”

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Oaxaca: Monte Alban Guided Archaeological Tour - From Oaxaca’s center to the mountaintop
Guided, Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Oaxaca: Monte Alban Guided Archaeological Tour

9.Monte Alban Guided Archaeological Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 419 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $33

Ride from central Oaxaca to Monte Albán in an air-conditioned van, then explore the former Zapotec capital with a Spanish and English guide. You’ll see the ball court, tombs, astronomical structures, museum, and broad Oaxaca Valley views, with time to wander on your own.

“The half day trip is great if you want to explore the wonders of Monte Alban in detail and learn about spiritual and religious traditions of the Zapotecs. Our guide lead us through the space with interesting insights and we also had some free time in the end to explore more of the pyramids or take photos. Highly recommend it especially if you want to combine this activity with an afternoon exploration of Oaxaca city or another sight. Pickup and transport were easygoing too even if we signed up last minute.”

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Boil the water and distillery mezcal tour - Three hours among the petrified waterfalls
Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Boil the water and distillery mezcal tour

10.Boil the water and distillery mezcal tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 413 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Spend three hours at Hierve el Agua for hiking, views, and a possible swim, then visit Mezcal Valle Oaxaca for a distillation lesson and generous tasting. Guides such as Margarita, Estefania, Leon, and Rodrigo are known for lively commentary. The tour starts and ends in central Oaxaca at 9:00 am.

“A great way to see Hierve de Agua! We first stopped at a bakery to try local bread and then drove to the park. You get 3 hours to hike, swim, and eat, which is enough time if you time it right. We liked the free structure, rather than having guided time. However, you have to keep track of time to get back to the meeting point to leave. There are changing rooms and showers and a variety of food stands selling traditional dishes. Afterward we went and learned about mezcal and tasted some varieties. Our group was very lively and fun and the ride back was a mini party!…”

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Immersion Tour and Oaxaca Markets, All gastronomy included - The tasting route, from tacos to pre-Hispanic drinks
Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Immersion Tour and Oaxaca Markets, All gastronomy included

11.Immersion Tour and Oaxaca Markets, All gastronomy included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 386 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Walk from central Oaxaca to a vast local market with guides such as Brian or Yahel, tasting about 20 Oaxacan foods and drinks. Try barbacoa tacos, quesadillas, grilled meats, tejate, pulque, mole, baked goods, grasshoppers, and more. The 3.5-hour tour welcomes omnivores and vegans.

“We walked through the enormous local city market and tasted several different foods including creating our own taco, moles, baked goods, roasted grasshoppers and toasted pumpkin seeds. It’s a slow walk so very easy and our guide Yiel was super knowledgeable and got all the foods for us.”

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Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour - What you actually do in the kitchen
Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes in Oaxaca, Markets, Mexican Cooking Classes, Oaxaca Tours, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Workshops

Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour

12.Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 333 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Meet Oscar or another Casa Crespo instructor at 10:00 a.m. for a market walk and hands-on Oaxacan cooking class. Your group helps choose dishes, grinds masa, prepares regional recipes, and eats together with drinks such as mezcal, margaritas, and agua fresca. Vegetarian and special-diet menus can be arranged.

“It was an amazing experience. Probably my favorite thing we did on the trip. The food we cooked with our instructor Oscar was absolutely delicious. I’m just waiting patiently for him to send me the recipes like he said he would.”

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Oaxaca Conmigo Private Tours - Mitla Explains Zapotec Design in Detail
Oaxaca Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Oaxaca Conmigo Private Tours

13.Oaxaca Conmigo Private Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 274 reviews · 3 to 9 hours (approx.)

Oaxaca Conmigo gives you a private English-language vehicle, hotel pickup, and a flexible route through Oaxaca’s best-known sights and villages. Choose from Monte Albán, Hierve el Agua, Mitla, artisan workshops, markets, and mezcal distilleries. Guides include Jesús, Tony, Félix, and Armando.

“We toured with Jesus. He has full knowledge to give this tour, and is very accommodating. We had not settled on the sights to experience. He narrowed our interests with information to fulfill our interests. We learned so much of the area surrounding Oaxaca. By all means take this tour.”

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The Mezcal Journey - Inside the artisanal distillery
Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews

The Mezcal Journey

14.The Mezcal Journey

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 273 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $105

Travel from Oaxaca City to Santiago Matatlán and Mitla with guides such as Leyda, Karen, or Ricardo. Visit agave fields, watch artisanal mezcal production, taste many varieties, and finish with a substantial Oaxacan meal. The small group is capped at 10 people.

“Experience was amazing! Tasted over 10 Mezcals. We got a chance to walk where they plant the mezcals. The guide explained in detail how the mezcal process is done and how it is similar but also different to tequila. Our group was small but we bonded enough to get to know each other a bit. All in all worth every second”

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Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes - Pan, chocolate, and the first taste of Oaxaca
Cooking Classes, Oaxaca Tours, Tour Reviews

Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma’s Recipes

15.Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma’s Recipes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 260 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $90

Meet Chef Adhey Andrade and Enrique at Jardín Conzatti, then ride to their home for a three-hour hands-on class. You’ll make salsas, chileajo, chile rellenos, fruit dessert, and hot chocolate while learning Oaxacan food traditions in English or Spanish.

“Chef Adhey and her husband Enrique invited us into their beautiful home and provided the highlight of our week in Oaxaca. You learn amazing cooking techniques from a professional who has cooked all over the world. The music, drinks, camaraderie were amazing. Don’t miss the chance to eat this well and have this much fun!”

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New in Oaxaca Tours

★ 4.0Private Minivan: Huatulco International Airport (HUX)From $26119 reviews
★ 5.0Ultimate Hierve el Agua Hike + Textile Art42 reviews
★ 5.0Oaxaca Walking TourFrom $2132 reviews
★ 5.0Culture, History and Food in Oaxaca CityFrom $6043 reviews
★ 5.0Private and Secure Transfer Hotel to Oaxaca Airport33 reviews
★ 4.5Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca58 reviews
★ 4.5Tour Monte Albán “clasico”148 reviews
★ 4.5Tour Boil the “classic” water67 reviews
★ 5.0The Late Shift: Tasting Oaxaca, by NightFrom $11535 reviews
★ 5.0Street Art Tour With An Artist in OaxacaFrom $4354 reviews
★ 5.0Street Food and 3 Markets Tour, Meat or Veggie OptionsFrom $7635 reviews
★ 4.5Private transfer from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido – new highway43 reviews
★ 5.0Street Art Bike RideFrom $83125 reviews
★ 5.0Private Historic City Tour + Street Food of Oaxaca – Best RatedFrom $5853 reviews
★ 4.5Private Transportation from Oaxaca Airport to Hotel107 reviews

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