Attractions in Oaxaca & Southern Highlands
The land of seven moles and ancient traditions 🍛🧶
Showing 37 attractions · Sorted by importance
Hierve el Agua
📍 San Lorenzo Albarradas
🏔 Scenic ViewA spectacular site featuring petrified mineral waterfalls and natural infinity pools perched on a cliffside with panoramic valley views.
Huatulco National Park
📍 Santa María Huatulco
🏔 Scenic ViewA protected maritime and terrestrial reserve encompassing five of Huatulco's nine bays, coral reefs, and rare tropical dry forest landscapes.
Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🌿 GardenA world-renowned garden within a former monastery featuring hundreds of plant species native to the state of Oaxaca in stunning artistic arrangements.
Mitla Archaeological Site
📍 San Pablo Villa de Mitla
🏰 CastleA unique archaeological zone famous for its incredibly well-preserved and intricate geometric stone fretwork.
Monte Albán Archaeological Site
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🏰 CastleThe former Zapotec capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring majestic stone pyramids and panoramic mountain views.
Playa La Entrega
📍 Huatulco
⛱ BeachA very popular and calm beach known for its shallow waters and accessible coral reefs perfect for family snorkeling.
Playa Zicatela
📍 Puerto Escondido
⛱ BeachWorld-famous for its massive 'Mexican Pipeline' surf break, this expansive beach is a must-see for watching professional surfers.
Rufino Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🖼 Art GalleryA vibrant collection of ancient artifacts chosen specifically for their aesthetic beauty by the famous Oaxacan painter Rufino Tamayo.
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🏰 CastleA stunning 16th-century former convent and baroque church featuring an incredibly ornate gold-leaf interior.
Centro Ecoturístico Benito Juárez
📍 Benito Juárez
🧗 AdventureA premier high-altitude adventure center featuring one of Mexico's longest ziplines and a dramatic suspension bridge over the Sierra Norte mountains.
Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga
📍 Mazunte
🐠 AquariumThis national conservation center features an extensive aquarium with various species of sea turtles and land tortoises, providing an educational wildlife experience for families.
Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🖼 Art GalleryHoused in a stunning 16th-century monastery, this museum displays the state's history and the dazzling treasures of Monte Albán's Tomb 7.
Parque Eco-Arqueológico Copalita
📍 Huatulco
🧗 AdventureA unique combination of ancient ruins and nature trails that wind through coastal wetlands to spectacular ocean viewpoints.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🏛 LandmarkA significant religious site dedicated to the patron saint of Oaxaca, famous for its richly carved baroque facade and religious significance.
Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca (IAGO)
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🖼 Art GalleryFounded by Francisco Toledo, this cultural hub offers a world-class collection of prints and graphic art in a peaceful, library-filled colonial house.
Lagunas de Chacahua National Park
📍 Chacahua
🌲 NatureA vast protected area of lagoons and mangroves that meets the ocean, offering unique boat tours and wildlife spotting.
Manialtepec Lagoon
📍 Puerto Escondido
🌲 NatureA lush coastal lagoon famous for its magical seasonal bioluminescence and exceptional birdwatching opportunities.
Oaxaca Cathedral
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🏛 LandmarkThe seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Antequera, this cathedral features a distinct neoclassical facade carved from green volcanic stone.
Punta Cometa
📍 Mazunte
⛱ BeachThe southernmost point of Oaxaca offering a dramatic cliffside lookout with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Teotitlán del Valle
📍 Teotitlán del Valle
🏘 Town / VillageA traditional Zapotec village renowned for its hand-woven wool rugs dyed with natural materials like indigo and cochineal.
Yagul Archaeological Site
📍 Tlacolula de Matamoros
🏰 CastleAn ancient hilltop fortress and palace complex featuring a large ball court and spectacular views of the Tlacolula Valley.
Bahía de San Agustín
📍 Huatulco
⛱ BeachA tranquil and remote bay featuring extensive coral reefs and gentle waves, ideal for a quiet day of exploration.
Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla
📍 San Miguel del Puerto
🧗 AdventureA beautiful series of jungle waterfalls with natural swimming holes and rock slides, perfect for a refreshing family day trip from the coast.
Centro de las Artes de San Agustín (CASA)
📍 San Agustín Etla
🖼 Art GalleryAn eco-friendly arts center located in a spectacular former textile factory featuring rotating contemporary art exhibitions and mountain views.
Ecoturixtlán
📍 Ixtlán de Juárez
🧗 AdventureAn expansive ecological park offering thrilling ziplines, mountain biking, and tours of the impressive Grutas del Arco caves.
Escobilla Turtle Sanctuary
📍 Mazunte
🌲 NatureA vital conservation area and beach sanctuary where thousands of sea turtles arrive to nest throughout the year.
Ex-Convento de Cuilápam de Guerrero
📍 Cuilápam de Guerrero
🏰 CastleA massive, roofless 16th-century Renaissance monastery known for its striking open-air chapel and unfinished arches.
Hagia Sofía Agro-Ecological Park
📍 Huatulco
🌿 GardenAn expansive ecological attraction featuring a botanical trail with over 300 species of tropical flowers and exotic fruit trees alongside a scenic waterfall.
Oaxaca Textile Museum
📍 Oaxaca de Juárez
🖼 Art GalleryFamilies can explore the rich heritage of Oaxacan weaving through beautifully displayed traditional garments and contemporary textile art.
Santuario de Cocodrilos Lagarto Real
📍 Santa María Tonameca
🦁 ZooA community-run ecotourism sanctuary offering guided boat tours through mangroves to observe crocodiles and iguanas in their natural habitat.
Yagul Natural Monument and Prehistoric Caves
📍 Tlacolula de Matamoros
🌲 NatureA UNESCO-listed site combining ancient Zapotec ruins with prehistoric caves set in a protected semi-arid landscape.
Yeé Lo Beé Butterfly Park
📍 Santa María Huatulco
🐄 FarmOne of the largest butterfly farms in Latin America, offering immersive walks through massive screen-enclosed gardens filled with native species.
Árbol del Tule
📍 Santa María del Tule
🏘 Town / VillageA massive Montezuma cypress tree, over 2,000 years old, considered to have the stoutest trunk in the world.
