While you could easily spend more than one week in both Mexico City and Oaxaca in their own right, this Mexico City to Oaxaca self-drive itinerary can be completed in a week. On this Mexican road trip, expect to be amazed by the history of Mexico City, incredible Mexican food, ancient ruins, and charming Mexican towns.
Fly into Mexico City but make sure to stay a few days. Mexico City is full of life with over 28 million people bustling through the streets. Explore the old historic city center with a free walking tour, eat street food at one of the many local stalls, visit the Frida Khalo museum for an in-depth look at one of Mexico’s finest artistic creators, take a stroll through Latin America’s second-largest city park Bosque de Chapultepec or even dine at one of the world’s top ten restaurants! The possibilities of things to do in Mexico City are endless so make sure you plan at least three days here to truly take in all this beautiful city has to offer.
After leaving Mexico City, make sure to stop at the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Perhaps a bit touristy for some, the floating gardens of Xochimilco are a popular activity in Mexico City. Here you can rent a colorful boat and cruise through the waterways dining on traditional Mexican fare and listing to, of course, mariachi. Don’t forget to ask to be taken by the Isla de las Muñecas (aka the Island of the Dolls) for a frightful surprise!
After visiting the floating gardens of Xochimilco, it’s time to continue onward to the “pueblo magico” of Cholula. Perhaps you may recognize the name from the wildly popular hot sauce found in the US, but Cholula has more to offer than hot sauce. Cholula is best known for the Great Pyramid adorned with the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, as well as, the numerous churches that dot the streets of this charming town.
After a day in Cholula, spend your evening in the state’s capital of Puebla. Often overlooked for cities such as Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende, Puebla has plenty to offer and is worth a night. The best things to do in Puebla include admiring the beautiful, old buildings, dining on mole (it’s from Puebla!), and brushing up on your Mexican history at the Amparo Museum.
Your final destination on this epic road trip is none other than Oaxaca. As we already mentioned you can easily spend a week in Oaxaca exploring the city and the nearby surroundings, but even just after a few days, you will already be planning your trip back.
A city known for its arts, culture and amazing food, you won’t be short of things to do here. Start your morning off in Oaxaca with a walking tour to learn about the rich history of this iconic Mexico town. Being in one of Mexico’s gastronomic hubs, continue your day with a food tour or perhaps a cooking class. Explore the ancient ruins of Monte Alban or Yagul or embark on a distillery tour in the birthplace of mezcal. The possibilities of exploring Oaxaca are endless and you will quickly see why Oaxaca is one of our favorite cities in all of Mexico.