Oaxaca is the food capital of Mexico, and on our trip you’ll eat like it. Market breakfasts, family kitchens, a Michelin-star dinner over open fire and mole cooked in a grandmother’s mountain kitchen.
Packing for it is easier than most trips. The only real tricks are the altitude, the big temperature swings between day and night, and saving room for everything you’re going to want to bring home.
Here’s exactly what to pack for our Oaxaca trip, which runs in April and December.
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Oaxaca weather: April vs December
Oaxaca City sits in a high valley, so the sun is strong and nights cool off fast.
April: one of the warmest, driest times of year. Hot, sunny days and comfortable evenings. Think sun hat, linen and sunscreen.
December: dry, mild and sunny during the day, cold at night. You’ll want a real jacket in the evenings.
Either way, the day in the mountains is different. Cuajimoloyas sits above 3,000 meters, about 10,000 feet, and it’s much colder than the city. In December it can get close to freezing. Pack a warm jacket for that day no matter what month you travel.
What to wear in Oaxaca
Oaxaca City is relaxed and stylish. Dresses, linen and jeans all fit right in. Cover your shoulders if you step into one of the churches.
- 3 to 4 breathable tops
- 1 or 2 pairs of comfortable pants (yes, stretchy waistbands count)
- 1 or 2 dresses or skirts
- A warm sweater or fleece
- A warm jacket for the mountains and December evenings
- A scarf or shawl
- A sun hat
- Sleepwear
For cooking days
You’ll cook over open fire in family kitchens. Wear something you don’t mind smelling like wood smoke, tie your hair back and skip the flowy sleeves.
For Monte Albán at sunset
You’ll walk across an ancient mountaintop city with stone steps and uneven ground, with very little shade. Sneakers, a hat, sunscreen and a layer for when the sun drops.
For the Michelin dinner and the mezcal field dinner
Bring one outfit that feels a little special. For the dinner in the field at La Fortaleza, add a warm layer and closed shoes, since you’ll be outside on uneven ground after dark.
Shoes: comfort first
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers (cobblestones, markets, Monte Albán)
- A pair of sandals or flats for warm evenings
- Closed shoes with grip for the mountains
Toiletries and health essentials
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm (the high-altitude sun is intense)
- Moisturizer (it’s dry)
- Insect repellent for evenings outdoors
- Hand sanitizer and tissues
- Your preferred period products
- A reusable water bottle (don’t drink tap water)
- Electrolyte packets
- Stomach meds, just in case, for an adventurous eating week
- Prescription meds in their original packaging, plus a few extra days
If you have any dietary needs, tell us ahead. Vegetarian and vegan travelers are covered.
Electronics and money
Mexico uses the same plugs as the US, at about 127 volts, so US chargers work without an adapter. Travelers from elsewhere will need one.
- Power bank
- An eSIM or local SIM
- Offline maps
The currency is the Mexican peso. Restaurants and shops in the city take cards, but markets, taco stands and artisans in the villages are cash only. Carry small bills.
Leave room for the good stuff
This is the most important packing tip on this list. Oaxaca is one of the best places in Mexico to buy things you’ll actually keep: black clay pottery, woven rugs from Teotitlán, embroidered blouses, chocolate and mezcal.
Pack a foldable duffel or leave half your suitcase empty. Wrap anything breakable in your clothes, and check your airline’s rules and your home country’s customs limits before you buy bottles of mezcal.
What to leave at home
- Heels (cobblestones)
- Too many outfits (you’ll want the space for shopping)
- Heavy toiletries you can buy at home
- Anything you can’t get smoky
FAQ: packing for Oaxaca
How cold does it get?
In the city, nights get cool, especially in December. In the mountains, it’s genuinely cold, sometimes close to freezing. Bring a warm jacket.
Will the altitude affect me?
Oaxaca City is high but comfortable for most people. Up in the mountains you may feel a little breathless. Drink lots of water, go slow and go easy on the mezcal the first night.
Can I wear shorts?
Yes, especially in April. Locals tend to dress a little more covered, so many travelers end up in light pants, skirts or dresses.
Can I drink the tap water?
No. Use bottled or filtered water.
What if I’m a picky eater?
You’ll manage, but this trip rewards a yes. Vegetarian or vegan? Tell us ahead and you’re covered.
Can I bring mezcal home?
Usually, yes. Check your airline’s liquid rules and your country’s customs allowance, and pack bottles in checked luggage wrapped in clothes.
The bottom line
Pack light, bring a warm jacket for the mountains and leave room for pottery. You won’t regret either.
Ready to eat your way through Oaxaca? See our Oaxaca trip, or browse all our upcoming trips.
