Things to Do

1. Take a Cooking Class with La Cocina Oaxaqueña

   The chef first takes you on a tour of a local market to buy ingredients for the class. Afterwards, you’ll learn how to make a variety of dishes (we made stuffed peppers, tortillas, and a soup). Best of all, sit down for a meal and eat your creation!! The chef’s home is so beautiful, and both he and his mom are very kind. And you get to go home with a copy of the recipes.
   

2. Go on a Guided Hike with Tierraventura

   Pueblos Mancomunados is an ecotourism project that allows tourists to enjoy the nature of this area while also benefiting the Zapotec indigenous people in this area!

   Tierraventura is a tour company owned by a Swiss couple that has lived in Mexico for the past 20 years. We did the San Miguel del Valle - Cueva de la Iglesia hike with the husband (and their dog!), who was very funny, knew a lot about the plants we saw, can tell you more about local politics/history if you’re curious, and has a long-standing relationship with the people who live in the pueblos. He picks you up from your hostel, which is convenient because the trails are about an hour outside Oaxaca. We also had another guide who is from one of the pueblos whose land we were passing through. At the end, we had a large, delicious meal at one of the pueblos.

3. Nighttime Biking with Mundo Ceibo

   Mundo Ceibo is a cafe that doubles as a bike rental shop. A few times a week, they do nighttime bike rides that are so much fun! Meet up at the shop and depart with a group (there were 20-30 people with us). The ride around the city is 1.5-2 hours, while the guide up front blasts music from a large speaker. You can leave whenever you want, but I didn’t want it to end! It’s safe because they will have someone else who will manage the traffic as you ride. Highly recommend if you like biking!

4. Make a Day Trip out to Hierve El Agua

   I didn’t have time to come here, but the photos look incredible!

5. Shop at Markets

   • Mercado Juarez

   • Mercado 20 de noviembre

Where to Stay + Restaurants to Try

• Stay at Hostal Luz de Luna: Very low-key hostel with a tranquil garden in the center. They have 2 cats, offer free (very basic) breakfast every morning, are centrally located, and practice sustainability (water is collected from rainwater).

• Eat at Zandunga: This restaurant is on the fancier side with nice ambiance. Portions are small, but food is delicious. Other restaurants that I didn’t go to but have been recommended (all are on the more expensive side): Casa Oaxaca, Los Danzantes, and Origen.

Things to Do

1. Visit Tenochtitlan

   Used to be a massive city-state that once was the capital of the Aztec Empire in the 15th century (built in 1325). If you go up the (many) steps of the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, you’ll get an awesome view of the whole place, where you can try to imagine all the people and activities that used to make it one of the largest cities in the world (population around 200K).
   

2. Tour the Frida Kahlo House

   Famous Mexican artist, whose house has been turned into a museum, exhibiting her art, style, studio space, bedroom, and more. She is awesome, and everyone should learn more about her. Was married to famous muralist Diego Rivera.
   

3. Party on a Boat at Xochimilco

   The area of Mexico City used to have a large canal system during the Aztec time. Now, Xochimilco is basically the only part of these waterways that are left, and you can rent a boat for up to 20 people for an hour or a couple hours. Come during the weekend for more atmosphere, and feel free to bring your own food and drinks. Boats can provide coolers and speakers! Really unique experience; highly recommend.

4. Rent a Bike with Ecobici

   Fun, convenient, and environmentally-friendly way to travel around the city! There are several stations from which to rent and return bikes.

5. Shop at El Bazar Sábado

   Every Saturday. The market itself is inside the building, but there are also stands and tents set up outside in the square. The market itself is higher-end with beautiful products, but the stuff outside is more affordable.

Where to Stay

• Airbnb: That’s what we did, and Mexico City has several great options!

Restaurants to Try

• Tori Tori (Japanese) - Polanco Location: Hidden behind a secret black door, where two people at the entrance will ask if you’re looking for Tori Tori and then open the door to reveal a hip, beautifully designed restaurant with really good Japanese food. More on the expensive side, but good option if you’re craving Asian cuisine.

• Mercado Roma (Food Hall): Lively rooftop space for drinks (and food) at their Biergarten! Variety of options for food on the first floor.

• Comunal Condesa (Food Hall): Good quality food and many options (including Italian). Unique food hall layout, similar to Mercado Roma.

Nightlife

• Salon Tenampa: Super fun! Might have to wait outside for a while if it’s a weekend night, but the plaza where this place is located (Plaza Garibaldi) is fun—a lot of mariachi bands playing and people hanging out. Inside are also mariachi bands that will wander between the tables, wanting to play for you. Awesome atmosphere and way to experience Mexican culture. Food and drinks.

• Salsa at Mama Rumba: Probably will have to pay a cover, but popular salsa place where there are sometimes live bands. Tables if you’d rather sit and watch—but definitely give salsa a go!

Things to Do

1. Learn to Surf at Playa Carrizallilo

   With surf lessons, you can either find professional schools or locals that set up shop by the beach. They’re both around the same price, but you get a different experience. The schools will focus more on technique, while the locals will just want you to love surfing.

   Carrizallilo is known as the best beginner’s beach for learning to surf in Puerto; however, I would rate it as more experienced beginner/intermediate. At least the day that I went, we had to swim pretty far out from shore to catch waves, and the waves were bigger than I was expecting. Other “beginner-friendly beaches” I’ve been to were much easier for learning because you could start by standing in shallower water.

   With that disclaimer out there, Carrizallilo is a gorgeous beach. There’s a beautiful view of it as you’re walking down the steps to get to it. A few simple restaurants by the beach.

2. Release Baby Turtles at Playa Coral

   A little bit of a trek from everything else, but with that comes a long stretch of barely populated beach. Turtle releases here everyday at 5 pm.

3. Watch Pro Surfers at Playa Zicatela

   Huge waves for advanced surfers - come here early in the morning if you want to watch the pros! There are also hostels and restaurants in this area.

Hostel Recommendations

• Casa Losodeli: Great amenities, pool, bar, good breakfast (but you have to pay extra), free bike rental, walking distance to laundromat that will then deliver your clothes back to the hostel.

• Vivo Escondido: Great location - walking distance to a beach and to a street with several restaurants. Owner is a cool dude from New Hampshire. Run by volunteers, free home-cooked breakfast, homely vibe, pool.

• Puerto Dreams: We didn’t actually stay at this hostel (just hung out on the roof one night), but we had a lot of fun because it was more social than the other 2 hostels mentioned above. Guy at the front desk was nice, too. And I think they organize surf lessons.

Where to Eat

• Pepe’s (Tacos): Literally the best tacos of my life. Fish or shrimp tacos with toppings including coconut flakes and pineapple. Place is hard to find because it’s just a dude’s house, but sooo worth it. Really good mango juice too.

• Palma Negra (Ice Cream + Coconut Water): Sooooo refreshing to come here because it gets hotttt in Puerto. You can drink refreshing coconut water (with a metal straw—reusable!) and then they can even cut up the coconut so you can eat it as well. Ice cream and popsicles are really good. And the people who work here are friendly.

• El Cafecito: Good food and reasonably priced. Locals come here.

Nightlife

• Congo: Where everyone goes on a Wednesday! Literally the whole town, locals and travelers alike. Fun for dancing.

• Playa Kabbalah: Located in Zicatela area. Very nice cabanas that you can sit under while sipping a drink and take a day nap. Or a place to go for drinks at night.