We highly recommend extending your trip to explore Oaxaca, Mexico City, and beyond! Mexico is an incredible country with so much to offer. Whether you arrive early or stay after the wedding, here are our top recommendations.
🏛️ In Oaxaca
Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most culturally rich cities, known for its cuisine, indigenous heritage, mezcal, and vibrant arts scene. You could easily spend a week here and still want more.
Must-See Sights
- Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán — Our ceremony venue! One of the most stunning Baroque churches in all of the Americas. The interior is covered in gold leaf. Don’t miss the adjacent Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, housed in a beautiful former monastery.
- Monte Albán — Ancient Zapotec ruins perched on a mountaintop just outside the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Absolutely breathtaking views and a must-visit. Go early in the morning to beat the heat and crowds.
- Hierve el Agua — Stunning petrified waterfalls and natural infinity pools with panoramic views of the valley. About 1.5 hours from the city. Bring swimwear!
- Andador Macedonio Alcalá — The main pedestrian street lined with galleries, shops, and cafés. Perfect for an evening stroll.
- Mercado Benito Juárez & Mercado 20 de Noviembre — Two adjacent markets where you can sample Oaxacan street food, chocolate, chapulines (grasshoppers!), and browse local crafts. In the Mercado 20 de Noviembre, head to the “Pasillo de Humo” (Smoke Alley) for incredible grilled meats.
- Mitla — Another impressive archaeological site about 45 minutes from the city, featuring intricate geometric stone mosaics unique in Mesoamerica.
- Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca — A beautiful botanical garden in the former monastery grounds next to Santo Domingo. Guided tours available (book in advance).
Food & Drink
Oaxaca is widely considered the culinary capital of Mexico — and for good reason. Don’t miss:
- Mole — Oaxaca is famous for its seven moles. Try mole negro (the most complex, made with over 30 ingredients) at a traditional restaurant or market stall.
- Tlayudas — Large, crispy tortillas topped with beans, cheese, meat, and salsa. Often called “Oaxacan pizza.” Try them at the market or at street stands in the evening.
- Chapulines — Crunchy seasoned grasshoppers! A local delicacy and a must-try snack. Available everywhere in the markets.
- Mezcal tasting — Oaxaca is the heartland of mezcal. Visit In Situ or Mezcaloteca for curated tastings, or take a day trip to a palenque (artisanal distillery) in the surrounding villages like Santiago Matatlán.
- Chocolate — Visit Mayordomo or La Soledad to see traditional chocolate being ground on stone metates. Buy some to bring home — Oaxacan hot chocolate is unforgettable.
- Tejate — A pre-Hispanic cold drink made from cacao, mamey seed, and maize. Find it at the markets.
- Street food tours — Several companies offer excellent walking food tours. A great way to discover the markets and try things you might not find on your own.
Activities & Day Trips
- Cooking classes — Learn to make mole and other Oaxacan dishes. Highly recommended: Casa Crespo or Susana Trilling’s Seasons of My Heart (at a ranch outside the city).
- Teotitlán del Valle — A village about 30 minutes from Oaxaca, famous for beautiful handwoven wool rugs using natural dyes. Watch artisans at work and buy directly from the weavers.
- San Bartolo Coyotepec — Village known for its distinctive black pottery (barro negro). Visit workshops and see the traditional techniques.
- Santa María Atzompa — Known for green-glazed pottery. The potters here have been working for generations.
- El Árbol del Tule — One of the widest trees in the world, with a trunk circumference of over 42 meters. About 15 minutes from the city — easy to combine with a trip to Mitla.
- Benito Juárez (Sierra Norte) — Mountain village in the Sierra Norte with incredible hiking, zip-lining, and cloud forests. Community-run ecotourism at its best. About 1.5 hours from the city.
- Oaxacan Coast day trip — If you have time, consider heading to Puerto Escondido (short flight or 6–7 hour drive) for world-class surfing and beautiful beaches, or the laid-back villages of Mazunte and Zipolite for a relaxed beach vibe and sea turtle conservation.
Nightlife & Entertainment
- Mezcal bars — Try La Mezcalerita, Sabina Sabe, or Los Amantes for evening mezcal cocktails.
- Live music — Many restaurants and bars feature live Oaxacan folk music, marimba bands, or jazz in the evenings. Wander the Zócalo (main square) in the evening — there’s almost always something happening.
- Guelaguetza festival — While the main Guelaguetza is in July, cultural performances happen year-round. Check local listings for shows featuring traditional dances from Oaxaca’s indigenous communities.
🌆 In Mexico City
If you’re flying from Scandinavia, we strongly recommend spending a few days in Mexico City (CDMX) on your way to or from Oaxaca. It’s one of the greatest cities in the world — an overwhelming mix of history, culture, food, and energy.
Must-See Sights
- Museo Nacional de Antropología — One of the world’s best museums, showcasing Mexico’s extraordinary pre-Columbian civilizations (Aztec, Maya, Olmec, Zapotec, and more). Plan at least half a day. The Aztec Sun Stone alone is worth the visit.
- Teotihuacán — The enormous ancient pyramids of the Sun and Moon, about 1 hour from the city. One of the largest ancient cities ever built. Absolutely unmissable — go early to climb the Pyramid of the Sun before it gets hot.
- Palacio de Bellas Artes — Stunning Art Nouveau/Art Deco palace with world-famous murals by Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco. Check the schedule for ballet or opera performances.
- Zócalo & Templo Mayor — The massive main square (one of the largest in the world) and the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, discovered right in the heart of the city in 1978.
- Chapultepec Castle — A hilltop castle in the middle of a huge park, with incredible views over the city and a museum of Mexican history. One of only two castles in the Americas that served as royal residences.
- Coyoacán — A charming colonial neighborhood, home to the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul). Book tickets well in advance — it sells out! Also visit the beautiful Coyoacán market and the nearby Leon Trotsky Museum.
- Xochimilco — Float on colorful trajineras (flat-bottom boats) through ancient Aztec canals while mariachi bands play from passing boats. Fun for groups — bring snacks and drinks!
- Museo Soumaya — A striking modern museum in Polanco with an impressive free collection of European and Mexican art.
- Bosque de Chapultepec — One of the largest urban parks in the world, with multiple museums, a zoo, lakes, and beautiful walking paths.
Food & Drink
Mexico City’s food scene is extraordinary — from street tacos to world-class fine dining:
- Tacos al pastor — The city’s signature taco. Try them at El Vilsito (a mechanics shop that transforms into a taco stand at night), El Huequito, or Taquería Orinoco.
- Tacos de canasta — “Basket tacos” — soft, steamed tacos filled with beans, chicharrón, or potato. Available from bicycle vendors on virtually every street corner.
- Fine dining — Pujol (ranked among the world’s best restaurants, famous for its mole madre), Contramar (legendary seafood — get the tostada de atún), Quintonil, or Rosetta.
- Markets — Mercado de San Juan for gourmet and exotic ingredients, Mercado Roma for a curated food hall experience, Mercado de Coyoacán for traditional market food.
- Cantinas — Visit a traditional cantina like Salón Corona or La Bipolar for cold beers and complimentary botanas (snacks).
- Churros — Get fresh churros with chocolate at El Moro, a Mexico City institution since 1935.
- Café culture — The Roma and Condesa neighborhoods have an incredible café scene. Try Café Avellaneda, Quentin, or Almanegra.
Neighborhoods to Explore
- Roma & Condesa — The trendiest neighborhoods, with tree-lined streets, Art Deco architecture, excellent restaurants, independent bookshops, coffee shops, and leafy parks (Parque México, Parque España).
- Polanco — The upscale area with luxury shopping (Avenida Presidente Masaryk), world-class museums, and some of the city’s best restaurants.
- Centro Histórico — The colonial heart of the city. Grand architecture, street food, the Zócalo, and the magnificent Palacio de Correos (post office).
- Coyoacán — Bohemian and artistic, with cobblestone streets, the Frida Kahlo Museum, and lovely plazas.
- San Ángel — A quiet, upscale neighborhood known for its Saturday Bazaar (Bazar Sábado), beautiful colonial architecture, and the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Studio Museum.
🇲🇽 Elsewhere in Mexico
If you have extra time, Mexico has so much to offer beyond the wedding destinations. Here are some of our favorite places to extend your trip:
Beach & Coast
- Oaxacan Coast (Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Zipolite) — Beautiful Pacific beaches about 6–7 hours from Oaxaca by car (or a short 45-minute flight to Puerto Escondido). World-class surfing at Zicatela beach, sea turtle release programs in Mazunte, and the clothing-optional beach at Zipolite. A perfect relaxing add-on after the wedding.
- Sayulita & Punta Mita (Nayarit) — Charming surf town and luxury resort area on the Pacific coast, northwest of Guadalajara.
- Tulum & Riviera Maya — Stunning Caribbean beaches, Mayan ruins overlooking the sea, cenotes (natural sinkholes for swimming), and the bohemian town of Tulum.
- Isla Holbox — A car-free island off the Yucatán coast with bioluminescent water, whale shark encounters (seasonal), and empty white-sand beaches.
Colonial Cities & Culture
- Puebla — A beautiful colonial city between Mexico City and Oaxaca, known for its incredible cuisine (mole poblano, chiles en nogada, cemitas), stunning Talavera pottery, and the famous Biblioteca Palafoxiana.
- Guanajuato — A colorful colonial city built in a ravine, with underground streets (former river tunnels), a vibrant university culture, and the famous “Callejón del Beso” (Alley of the Kiss).
- San Miguel de Allende — One of Mexico’s prettiest towns, with cobblestone streets, a thriving arts scene, and beautiful colonial architecture. Very popular with international visitors.
- Mérida — The charming capital of Yucatán with excellent food (cochinita pibil!), Mayan museums, and a relaxed Caribbean-meets-colonial atmosphere. Great base for exploring the Yucatán.
Nature & Adventure
- San José del Pacífico — A mountain village in the clouds on the winding road from Oaxaca to the coast. Mystical atmosphere, incredible views, and a unique stop if you’re driving to the coast.
- San Cristóbal de las Casas (Chiapas) — A highland town surrounded by indigenous Tzotzil and Tzeltal communities, with beautiful churches, amber markets, and access to the stunning Sumidero Canyon, the turquoise Agua Azul waterfalls, and the jungle ruins of Palenque (one of the most atmospheric Mayan sites).
- Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre) — In northern Mexico, a canyon system larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. Ride the spectacular Chepe train through the canyons.
- Monarch Butterfly Reserves (Michoacán) — If you’re visiting in late October–March, witness millions of monarch butterflies in their winter habitat in the mountains of Michoacán. A truly magical experience.
Archaeological Sites
Mexico has an extraordinary wealth of ancient ruins beyond what you’ll see near Oaxaca:
- Chichén Itzá (Yucatán) — One of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The iconic stepped pyramid of Kukulcán.
- Palenque (Chiapas) — Atmospheric Mayan ruins set in dense jungle. One of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Mexico.
- Uxmal (Yucatán) — Less crowded than Chichén Itzá but equally impressive, with ornate Puuc-style architecture.
📋 Practical Tips for Exploring Mexico
- Internal flights are affordable. Airlines like Volaris and VivaAerobus offer low-cost domestic flights. Book in advance for the best prices.
- ADO buses are an excellent way to travel between cities. First-class buses are comfortable, safe, and have WiFi and movies.
- Uber and DiDi work well in most major cities in Mexico.
- Learn a few phrases in Spanish — it goes a long way and locals really appreciate the effort! “¿Dónde está…?” (Where is…?), “La cuenta, por favor” (The check, please), “¡Muy rico!” (Delicious!).
- Markets are the best place to eat — fresh, authentic, and incredibly affordable.
- Carry cash for markets, street food, and small shops. ATMs inside banks give the best exchange rates.
- Drink bottled water and be cautious with ice in smaller establishments (though most restaurants in tourist areas use purified ice).
- Altitude — Mexico City sits at 2,240 metres. You may feel it the first day or two. Take it easy and stay hydrated. Oaxaca is at 1,555 metres.
- Sun protection — The sun is strong, especially at altitude. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
Have questions about planning your Mexico adventure? Don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re happy to help with recommendations!
Contact Us:
Email: jesperandersson89@gmail.com
Phone: +4746581480