Oaxaca has one of the richest cultures in Mexico. Everywhere you go, people are creating, celebrating, sharing, and keeping traditions alive. These five places let you connect with locals, learn their beliefs, and support their communities in a real, meaningful way.
1. Teotitlán del Valle
Zapotec woman weaving on a loom
Best for: learning Indigenous weaving & natural dye traditions
Why go:
This village is famous for its Zapotec weaving, and almost every family has a loom in their home.
What you do:
- Join a hands-on weaving workshop
- Learn how natural dyes are made from plants & insects
- Hear family stories behind patterns and symbols
- Try weaving or dyeing wool yourself
Why it’s meaningful:
- You support local families directly
- You learn the cultural meanings behind designs
- You experience a tradition passed down for generations
2. Mercado Benito Juárez & Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Best for: tasting traditional foods & talking with local vendors
Why go:
Markets are the heart of Oaxacan life — full of color, family recipes, and everyday culture.
What you do:
- Taste mole, chocolate, tlayudas, chapulines
- Ask vendors about their recipes and ingredients
- Join a local-led food tour
- Sit at a stall and watch dishes made right in front of you
Why it’s meaningful:
- You support family-owned food stands
- You learn about Oaxacan flavors straight from the cooks
- You experience the real daily life of the city
3. Hierve el Agua Community Projects
petrified waterfalls
Best for: learning about Indigenous land protection
Why go:
Hierve el Agua isn’t just beautiful — it’s managed by local Zapotec communities who protect the land.
What you do:
- Tour the site with a community guide
- Learn how they protect the springs & mountains
- Visit family-run food stands and craft shops
- Join small volunteer activities like trail clean-ups (optional)
Why it’s meaningful:
- Your entrance fee helps fund village projects
- You learn how the community balances tourism & conservation
- You support families who live and work in the area
4. San Martín Tilcajete
colorful alebrijes
Best for: painting alebrijes and learning Indigenous mythology
Why go:
This village is the birthplace of alebrijes, the bright wooden spirit animals found all over Oaxaca.
What you do:
- Visit family carving workshops
- Learn how alebrijes are carved from copal wood
- Paint your own mini alebrije
- Hear stories about the spiritual meanings behind designs
Why it’s meaningful:
- You support local artists and their families
- You learn how dreams, symbols, and myths inspire each piece
- You take home something you made with your own hands
5. Traditional Temazcal Ceremony
stone temazcal hut with herbs and steam
Best for: experiencing Indigenous healing & spirituality
Why go:
A temazcal is a traditional steam ceremony led by a healer, meant to cleanse the mind and body.
What you do:
- Enter a warm stone hut filled with herbal steam
- Follow the healer’s rituals and guided reflection
- Learn about the meaning of the herbs, stones, and songs
- Leave feeling calm, renewed, and grounded
Why it’s meaningful:
- You learn ancient wellness traditions
- You support local healers who keep this practice alive
- You connect with Indigenous beliefs about balance and health
Why These Experiences Matter
These aren’t tourist activities — they’re real cultural moments shared by the people who live them every day.
You:
- meet families
- learn traditions directly from locals
- support community projects
- understand Oaxacan culture in a deeper, more personal way
It’s the kind of travel that stays with you long after the trip ends.