The best flight deals to Oaxaca (OAX)

A city break in Oaxaca takes in world class museums, vibrant street life, enticing markets and mouthwatering cuisine. Capital of the state of Oaxaca, about 300 miles south of Mexico City, the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, while the city's origins date back to the 16th century. A photographer's haven, the city's streets are lined with perfectly preserved colonial architecture and house an array of restaurants, arty cafes, museums, shops selling local handicrafts and boutique hotels. Oaxaca is also renowned for its lively festivals and fiestas, as well as its powerful mezcal, a local alcoholic drink, which like tequila, is derived from the agave plant.

Every visitor will discover something different on a trip to beautiful and colorful Oaxaca. The city offers an amazing array of attractions and activities, from eclectic shopping and bohemian galleries to UNESCO-protected cultural and historical treasures.

While visiting Oaxaca, be sure to:

• Wander through the colorful 20 de noviembre, Benito Juárez and Abastos markets and taste local delicacies, or shop for souvenirs
• Visit the Iglesia de Santo Domingo, founded in the 16th century
• Sip a hot chocolate or a "Café de Olla" at a sidewalk café in the city's Zocalo (main square)
• Visit the archaeological site of Monte Alban and learn about the ancient Zapotec civilization
• See one of the oldest living trees in the world, the Tule Tree, located just outside the city
• Take a tour of a mezcal distillery, the area's local liquor produced from distilled agave
• Visit the workshops of local artisans in the picturesque villages just outside the city limits
• Take a journey through the history and heritage of Oaxaca at the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca
• Admire pre-Hispanic art and archaeological objects at the Rufino Tamayo museum
• Travel to Oaxaca in November for the vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations