Top Oaxaca Nature and Wildlife

Experience the enchantment of releasing baby sea turtles into their natural environment on an evening tour from Puerto Escondido. After hotel pickup in a comfortable, air-conditioned car, travel to the unspoiled Palmarito Beach to admire the coastal splendor of the area. Receive an interesting introduction to the behavior and breeding habits of sea turtles before helping newly hatched baby turtles make their way into the sea. Watch the sun set over the virgin sands of the beach before returning to Puerto Escondido with magical memories.  

Heighten your chances of spotting wild dolphins on a boat cruise from Puerto Escondido, the ideal choice for travelers interested in nature and wildlife. With the help of your guide’s local knowledge, you’ll sail the Pacific Ocean in search of five dolphin species and get unobstructed views of secluded beaches from the water. Plus, convenient hotel pickup is included.

Experience an enchanting day amid mysterious mangroves and luscious lagoons on a full-day eco-tour from Huatulco. Ride on a boat through tranquil mangroves and scan the verdant undergrowth for fearsome crocodiles. Come face-to-face with sea turtles in the National Mexican Turtle Center before reclining on the silken, sandy shores of the popular surfing village Zipolite.

Visit Hierve el Agua, a mezcal producer, and the Zapotec town of Teotitlán del Valle on a full-day tour from Oaxaca. Head to Teotitlán del Valle to learn about Zapotec weaving traditions and explore the town. Next, enjoy plenty of time to walk down to the swimming area at Hierve el Agua and take a leisurely dip in the warm spring waters. Finally, visit a mezcal producer and sample several varieties of mezcal. Your tour includes guide, mezcal tasting, entrance fees, and round-trip transport from Oaxaca.

Discover Cascadas Magicas de Copalitilla on this all-day guided tour from Crucecita. As you head to the falls, pass by villages and see the local life of Oaxaca. Once you arrive at the cascading waterfalls, take a refreshing swim in the clear turquoise pools. The tour also includes an optional chocolate tasting (not included in the price).

Discover the pyramids of Oaxaca in Monte Alban, meaning ‘White Mountain,’ located on a vast mountaintop expanse with spectacular 360-degree views of Oaxaca Valley. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Oaxaca City, the pre-Columbian archaeological site is considered the most magnificent of the region’s ancient ruins. On this guided tour by coach from Oaxaca, explore the complex filled with pyramids, ceremonial rock carvings, a huge ball court and 170 excavated tombs. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

From the mountaintop pyramids of Monte Alban to the Cuilapam Convent on the valley floor, learn all about the rich history of Oaxaca Valley on this guided full-day trip by coach. Discover the Zapotec pyramids and excavated ruins of UNESCO-listed Monte Alban, admire the mystical woodcarvings of San Antonio Arrazola and meet resident artisans in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town known for its beautiful black pottery. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Oaxaca included.

Discover one of Oaxaca’s natural minerales, the gigantie tree of el Tule which is over 2000 years olg, we Will procee to Teotitlan del Valle where you can admire the wool carpets; we continue to the ceremonial center of Mitla, outstandingly beautiful for ist magnificent fretwork made of countless polish stones, our journey continues to hierve el agua, where you wil have the opportunity to admire the beautiful petrified wather falls: our last stop is a mezcal destilley.The archaeological zone of Mitla is only visited from Wednesday to Sunday.

Receive personalized attention on this private full-day tour of Hierve el Agua and Teotitlan del Valle. After being met at your hotel you'll be taken to Hierve el Agua to enjoy three hours of hiking, swimming, and admiring the views of the petrified waterfalls. After, enjoy a mezcal pick-me-up at a distillery, then head to the markets of Teotitlan del Valle, where you can learn about (and buy) traditional handicrafts.

The ancient Zapotec city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Monte Alban sits about 9 miles (6 kilometers) west of Oaxaca. With this tour, explore the hilltop archaeological site with a guide and enjoy views overlooking the Oaxaca Valley. That leaves enough time to visit the artisan towns of Arrazola, Cuilapam de Guerrero, and San Bartolo Coyotepec. Plus, round-trip transportation from your hotel in downtown Oaxaca is included.

Discover the tastes and textures of Oaxaca during a cooking workshop right in the heart of the city. Join a small group and visit a local market to gather ingredients for your class. There's no set menu, so the group can select which traditional dishes to make. Learn about the origins of each dish and several techniques during your hands-on class. Your tour end with the delicious meal that you've created.

Monte Albán is an archaeological site in Oaxaca and this half-day guided tour is the perfect way to learn more about its history, the ruins and the first inhabitants. Close the travel guide and enjoy a guided adventure with commentary throughout the tour. To save time, the tour travels between sights in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you can cover much more ground than on a walking tour.

Learn how to create Oaxacan cuisine at a world-class restaurant in Oaxaca raved about in the ‘New York Times’ and ‘Bon Appétit.’ During this 3.5-hour cooking class led by an expert chef-instructor, your small group, limited to just 10 cooking enthusiasts, decides which dishes are on the menu. After picking up the necessary ingredients, all fresh, from a local market, prepare your dishes back in the kitchen. Whether it’s tortillas, salsas, soup, mole, or dessert, take home exciting recipes knowing you’ll be able to easily recreate the flavors of Oaxaca.

Visit Mitla, Tule, and Hierve del Agua in a single day on this multi-stop tour from Oaxaca. With round-trip transportation provided, it’s easy to move between the different sites and there’s no need to rent a car. Learn about the Zapotec people at the Mitla archaeological site, see a 2000-year-old tree at Tule, and swim in the natural pools at Hiever del Agua. Get the most out of your visit to the region through guided commentary on the local people, culture, and history.

Try and taste the true traditional food of Oaxaca, not in restaurants! The food of Oaxaca is recognized nationally and internationally. The markets of Oaxaca are the most popular places to taste traditional Oaxacan cuisine. Explore the flavors and smells of Oaxacan cuisine from the most traditional places.

Find culture, history and excellent souvenir shopping on this 4.5-hour guided tour of the city of Oaxaca. Explore by foot the ‘zócalo’ (town square) and city center, and visit the Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzman and the Oaxaca Regional Museum located in its former convent. Wander the stalls of 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juarez, two of Oaxaca's most popular markets, and pick up woven goods, crafts and tasty snacks like chocolates and chilies. Hotel pickup and drop-off by coach included.

Foodies know that every meal is precious when traveling, so don't risk wasting time on a bad meal. You'll walk and eat your way around Oaxaca on this 4.5-hour tour. Sample over twenty different local dishes at the markets and street food stalls. Learn about Oaxacan culture through its food, and get a close-up look at a side of the city many travelers miss.

Montealban is one of the places you have to visit if you come to Oaxaca. With more than 2,000 years of history, Montealban is unique. In addition, you can visit the alebrijes and black clay workshops, recognized crafts of the Oaxaca Valley. You can also enjoy the architectural beauty of the former Cuilapam convent. Note: Due to the health emergency (COVID) Monte Albán has limited access by people. So, to secure entry, it is sometimes necessary to arrive earlier than the departure time indicates. Please keep an eye out for pickup time updates.

Explore Monte Albán, a pre-Columbian archaeological site in Oaxaca, on this all-day guided tour. The ruins offer a glimpse into Zapotec and Mixtec culture. Also, visit an alebrije workshop to watch artisans carve and paint Mexican folk art sculptures and stop to see black clay ceramic pottery being produced. Plus, enjoy a buffet of traditional Oaxaca food (not included in the price).

Discover the remote beauty of Mexico's Huatulco National Park during this boating excursion. Join a small group and board your vessel to explore several of the bays including Santa Cruz, Maguey, Cacaluta, and Chachacual. Stop at several locations to snorkel in the abundant reefs, relax on the pristine beaches, and observe the local wildlife.

Pair nature-watching with beach time, and you have this enjoyable 5-hour guided tour to Manialtepec Lagoon and Puerto Suelo from Puerto Escondido. If you’re a bird-lover, then make sure to bring your camera to capture the herons, parrots and migrant birds that call the lagoon home. Learn about the local vegetation and wildlife as you cruise the lagoon, and then head to the beach for a refreshing swim. Round-trip hotel transport is included on this budget-friendly tour.

While in Puerto Escondido, explore the Chacahua Lagoons National Park either as a day or an evening trip. A boat takes you to all five lagoons of the park, a maze of mangroves, a bird sanctuary, and Corral island. Get to know the village of Chacahua and the history of the Afromestizos culture. The evening trip also includes a trip to a lighthouse, a beach campfire, and a swim in a bio-luminescent lagoon. Hotel transport included.

This combination of a horseback tour and a hot springs visit is the ultimate way to appreciate the nature and wildlife of Mexico. Follow your guide on beautiful off-road trails—including parts of the route through shallow water, and visit traditional village houses that you wouldn't uncover alone. The trip also goes to a hot spring area, where it's possible to swim and relax in the water.

Explore wildlife and beautiful beaches on a full-day eco-tour from Santa Maria Huatulco, traveling in a climate-controlled minivan as you discover Oaxaca’s scenic Pacific coast. A boat cruise through the mangroves of Playa la Ventanilla is excellent for spotting birds, crocodiles, and other wildlife. And at Zipolite, you’ll have time to purchase a seafood lunch at an ocean-front restaurant with great views.