One of Mexico’s Most Charming Cities Is More Popular Than Ever — And Its Food Scene Is Booming

The sound hits you before the sight — the rhythmic call of street vendors, the rustle of palm fans in shaded courtyards, the laughter from open-air mezcal bars. Then the colors come in: the ochres and pinks of colonial facades, the green of distant mountains, the vivid blues of handwoven textiles drying in the sun. Oaxaca is alive, and travelers are noticing.

This year, Oaxaca International Airport has already welcomed 1,069,923 passengers, a 4.9 percent jump from the same period in 2024. It’s a rare upswing at a time when many other Mexican destinations are seeing slower growth or even declines. The city has managed to hold — and grow — its audience by offering something that feels both authentic and fresh: deep cultural heritage with a modern edge.

Why Oaxaca Keeps Drawing Travelers

Oaxaca’s appeal is multilayered. The UNESCO-listed historic center offers cobblestone streets and centuries-old churches. Markets overflow with Oaxacan chocolate, fresh chapulines, and baskets of spices. There’s a calendar full of festivals, from the internationally known Guelaguetza to Day of the Dead celebrations that transform the city into a tapestry of marigolds and candlelight.

It’s also a city where gastronomy is a driver. Traditional moles and world-class mezcal are only the beginning — chefs here are reinterpreting heritage recipes in ways that make Oaxaca one of Mexico’s top dining cities.

And then there’s its location. Just a short hop from Mexico City and with improved seasonal flights from several U.S. gateways, Oaxaca has become more accessible without losing its identity.

Oaxaca’s Booming Food Scene

The city’s culinary reputation has been growing for years, but the current wave of restaurants is drawing a new generation of travelers who come as much to eat as to explore. Oaxaca’s traditional markets — like Mercado 20 de Noviembre — remain essential stops, offering smoky tlayudas, bubbling cazuelas of mole, and fresh tortillas pressed before your eyes.

Beyond the markets, a thriving fine-dining scene has taken root. Contemporary restaurants are blending local ingredients with global techniques, producing tasting menus that might feature native corn in three textures or mezcal-paired courses built around seasonal produce from the surrounding valleys. Chefs are embracing slow food principles, highlighting small-scale farmers and heirloom varieties.

Cafés and mezcalerías have also evolved into creative hubs. Visitors can sample rare wild-agave mezcals alongside curated small plates, or sip Oaxacan hot chocolate spiced with cinnamon in leafy courtyards. Street food culture thrives alongside this high-end renaissance, ensuring that the city’s food scene remains accessible at every level — from late-night memelas to multi-course feasts.

Beyond the City: Parts of Oaxaca State to Explore

While the city is the cultural heart, Oaxaca state is vast and diverse, with regions that feel like entirely different worlds. To the south, the Pacific coast towns of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido (which is actually getting its own nonstop flights soon on American Airlines) draw beach lovers and surfers, offering golden sand, clear waters, and a laid-back vibe. In the Sierra Norte mountains, villages like Benito Juárez and Cuajimoloyas are gateways to eco-tourism trails and cloud forest landscapes. The Valle Central, surrounding Oaxaca City, is dotted with artisanal towns such as Teotitlán del Valle, known for its traditional weaving, and San Bartolo Coyotepec, famous for black clay pottery. Each region adds another layer to the state’s appeal — and makes Oaxaca a destination you can return to again and again.

How to Get to Oaxaca

Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) is located about 15 minutes from the historic center. Travelers from the United States can connect through Mexico City with carriers like Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris, while American Airlines and United operate seasonal and year-round nonstop flights from select U.S. cities, including Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston. Increased seasonal service has made it easier than ever to reach the city, with new routes timed to coincide with major festivals and the peak winter travel season

Four Hotels to Try Now

Casa Santo Origen – A serene boutique hotel on the outskirts of the city, offering panoramic mountain views, elegant suites, and a farm-to-table restaurant that celebrates Oaxacan ingredients.

Hotel Sin Nombre – A minimalist, design-forward property in a restored colonial building, with a tranquil courtyard and rooftop terrace overlooking the city.

Pug Seal Oaxaca – A stylish retreat housed in a historic mansion, featuring individually designed rooms, vibrant murals, and an emphasis on local culture.

Escondido Oaxaca – Part of Grupo Habita, this sleek, modern hotel brings a contemporary edge to the historic center, with a rooftop pool and cocktail bar.

The Bottom Line

With passenger traffic rising, a deep cultural calendar, and a hotel scene that continues to evolve, Oaxaca is proving that in Mexico’s competitive tourism market, authenticity — paired with accessibility — can still drive growth.