5 Unusual Things To Do In Oaxaca

Boring simply doesn’t exist in Oaxaca. Every corner of this Mexican city reveals vibrant street murals, inventive cuisine, and spontaneous parades that delight the senses. Here’s your ultimate guide.

With endless options for entertainment, it can be difficult to decide how to spend your time in this cultural epicenter. For travelers who prefer to stray from the typical attractions, Oaxaca possesses a wealth of hidden history and strange sightings that make a visit here that much more memorable.

* Guelaguetza festival

For one week during the month of July, the city of Oaxaca teems with international and domestic tourists who come for the Guelaguetza festival. Translating to ‘giving and sharing’ in the Zapotec language, Guelaguetza is an annual event that dates back to 1932 and aims to highlight the different indigenous communities throughout the state of Oaxaca. Guests attending Guelaguetza are introduced to traditional costumes, dances, music, textiles and foods that give a deeper understanding of the history and cultures in the region.

Along with concerts, parades and artisanal exhibitions, attendees of Guelaguetza can also take part in the Mole Festival and International Mezcal Fair. While many of the festivities are free to access, interested parties should ask a local tourism office for the year’s exact dates and more information on ticketed events.

* Cruise around a calmer Oaxaca

Get to know a different side of Oaxaca during a bike ride after dark. Sponsored by Mundo Ceiba, an organization that promotes social change through citizen participation, the night bike rides are free of cost, with cyclers meeting at the esplanade of the Santo Domingo church just before 9pm. They return at the reasonable hour of 10.30pm, so those with additional energy can easily visit one of Oaxaca’s many bars or clubs before heading home. The rides are hosted every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Bike and tandem bike rentals are also available through the organization. For those who prefer biking during the day, Mundo Ceiba also hosts weekly rides to El Arbol de Tule, said to be the widest tree trunk in the world.

* Museum hop

Oaxaca is getting a lot of attention for its thriving art scene, and monthly Noches De Arte, or Art Nights, are a great way to tap into the city’s creative pulse. Noches de Arte are free to the public and take place on the last Saturday of every month. Evenings include workshops, music, dance and theatre performances. There are also a number of lectures, readings and photography exhibitions in various locations around town.

* Admire the city’s street art during a cycling tour

Become acquainted with Oaxacan street art during a half-day cycling tour hosted by Coyote Aventuras. The tour covers three different neighborhoods, complete with an English-speaking guide who will point out important historical sites and various art workshops, as well as the city’s most well-known street murals. The four-hour excursion is far from strenuous and includes a break at a local market for snacks and drinks. Coyote Aventuras also offers its street art experience as a walking tour.

* Excite your taste buds with prehispanic delicacies

Modern Oaxacan cuisine is heavily influenced by ancient prehispanic diets, meaning that bugs are a popular menu item. Chapulines, or grasshoppers, are a favorite garnish for an assortment of Oaxacan staples. Drenched in salt, lime, garlic and chili powders, these crunchy snacks are often served with guacamole or as a mezcal chaser. More adventurous foodies can request chapulines as the protein on their tlayuda, also known as a Mexican pizza with a tortilla as the crust, a bean spread replacing the marinara sauce, and various toppings sprinkled on top; or taco orders. For amateur chefs who are interested in adding chapulines to their personal recipes, these critters can be purchased in bulk (pre-cooked and pre-seasoned) at the Central de Abastos market.