Photos to Inspire Your Oaxaca Trip in Mexico

This is the first year, possibly in the last ten, that I haven’t traveled internationally.  Between buying a house & the pandemic: my travels have been completely curtailed.  While gathering photos for this post, looking at shots from Mexico’s photogenic Oaxaca region ~ I’m reminded why we travel: because it breathes new life into us.  It reminds us how other cultures place more emphasis on connection & celebration.  And in a year like this, when many of us are more isolated than ever: this takes on a striking significance.  So I invite you to peruse these “Photos to Inspire Your Trip to Oaxaca,” & let your mind & soul wander a bit…

If I had to sum up Oaxaca in one photo: it would be this one. It captures the vibrant culture that radiates from this mountainous & utterly authentic Mexican city.

Where is Oaxaca?

Oaxaca is both a region AND a city (Oaxaca City is its official name, & the capital of the region).  Oaxaca is located in Southern Mexico, with its western border hugging the Pacific Ocean, & its southern flanking the Chiapas region.  It’s about 280 miles southeast of Mexico City, or a one-hour flight from the nation’s capital. 

Photos to Inspire Your Trip to Oaxaca City

Let’s start this photographic journey in the heart of the region: Oaxaca City.  From the beautiful architecture of its churches to the handcrafted textiles, tapas bars & mezcalerias: this is the ideal place for those seeking a taste of “Authentic Mexico.”

Young ladies in festive dress selling their wares in front of my FAVORITE church in Oaxaca City: Templo de Santo Domingo.

My favorite Mexican towns share one thing in common: their buildings are painted in BRIGHT colors with fantastic color combinations. It’s part of what makes Mexico so unique & architecturally appealing.

The agave plants in front of Templo de Santo Domingo provide the perfect foreground for photos of this stunning church, whose interior is made entirely of GOLD. It’s one of the few churches in Latin America that wasn’t plundered by Spanish conquistadores.

Save room in your luggage to take home beautiful handmade goods from this region.

Sunset in Oaxaca City.

Oaxaca is one of the best places to experience Mexico’s famous “Day of the Dead.” Celebrations take place over the course of several days, usually between October 31st-November 2nd. This is a magical time to be in the city!

Oaxaca City is a foodie’s town: cute cafes, coffee shops, rooftop bars, & upscale eateries abound. I did NOT have a bad meal here!

Two hotels I stayed at during my time in Oaxaca City were Casa Ortiz ($67+) & NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca ($82+). Both have adorable courtyards, & are walkable to the city’s major sights. And each felt entirely safe, as I traveled solo to Oaxaca!

Photos of Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca

Hierve el Agua was my absolute, #1 MUST-SEE in Oaxaca!!!  I hired a guide (NaNa Vida Hotel arranged it for me), he picked me up early the next morning, & we set off for the 90-minute journey to Hierve el Agua….which consists of two petrified waterfalls with greenish-blue swimming pools atop them.  It’s like a real life, incredible infinity pool at the edge of a mountain.

I took over 200 photos at Hierve el Agua: it’s STUNNING. Sunrise is a great time to visit, & you’ll encounter less people.

This is the first viewpoint you’ll come to when walking from the parking lot: a view towards the uber-green pool & ONE of two petrified waterfalls (directly to my left).

And this is the crazy blue-green pool up close…

The infinity pool to end all pools….

On top of the world!!

Photos of Oaxaca’s Beaches

Puerto Escondido & Santa Maria Huatulco are two of Oaxaca’s most popular beach towns.  Surfers flock to Puerto Escondido for its world-famous pipeline at Zicatela Beach, & also for its nightlife.  While Huatulco offers a slightly slower pace, with its Copalita Ruins & Huatulco National Park.

Puerto Escondido is one of Oaxaca’s most popular beach towns, known for its “Mexican Pipeline” surf break at Zicatela Beach.

Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido.

Stay at one of the many resorts in Huatulco…which boasts over 9 different bays & 36 beaches!

Sunset in Oaxaca.

Mezcal & Beyond in Oaxaca….

Other day trips from Oaxaca City include a visit to the ruins of Monte Alban (which is just 20 minutes above town), a tasting of Oaxaca’s most popular libation: mezcal, or a visit to nearby towns like Teotitlan del Valle, where you can meet local artisans & learn about their unique techniques for dying fabrics & creating textiles.

Once you get outside of Oaxaca City, much of the region looks like this: agricultural landscapes with wide vistas.

The ruins of Monte Alban sit above Oaxaca City on top of a large hill. They’re one of the most important historical centers in the country.

Make sure to do some mezcal tasting (even if you don’t love its SUPER distinctive licorice taste)! Palenque Mal de Amor is one of the many mezcal stops you can make on a return trip from Hierve del Agua.

My guide also took me to meet local artisans in a village outside of Oaxaca City; they use all kinds of natural products to dye their fabrics.

Teotitlan del Valle.

Photos to Inspire Your Trip to Oaxaca in Mexico

And a reminder on where I stayed: Hotel Casa Ortiz ($62+/night) or NaNa Vida Hotel ($82+/night).  Both are centrally-located boutique hotels with gorgeous, central courtyards.

xoxo Noelia 

Read Next: Is Oaxaca Safe for Solo Travel?

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