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Oaxaca: Valleys to the Pacific: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 6-day version for November: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · best time to go.
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6
days
325 km
distance
13.4 h
driving
27
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Dry season on both sides of the sierra; Day of the Dead (late Oct–Nov 2) is Oaxaca at its most extraordinary.
Day 1 Oaxaca historic day
- Transit
- 2h07
- Finish
- ~17:25
- Temperature
- 8.2°C–20.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~3
- Daylight
- 11.2h
09:00
Oaxaca historic-centre circuit lugares.inah.gob.mx map ↗
Start with Oaxaca’s public historic centre, Santo Domingo context and a currently open museum.
50 min · Oaxaca historic day · Confirm current admission where applicable
10:00
11:25
13:45
15:55
Overnight here
e.g. Casa Angel Youth Hostel · Hostal Central
Day 2 Monte Albán day
- Transit
- 1h07
- Finish
- ~15:05
- Temperature
- 8.2°C–20.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~3
- Daylight
- 11.2h
09:50
Monte Albán archaeology circuit lugares.inah.gob.mx map ↗
Give Monte Albán a full archaeology day inside the official public window.
50 min · Monte Albán day · Confirm current admission where applicable
open: Daily 08:00–17:00; last access 16:00; confirm current notice
10:50
12:35
Tlacolula search
In Tlacolula, you'll savor the rich flavors of local markets and traditional Oaxacan cuisine.
90 min · Monte Albán day
14:05
La Capilla restauranttipicolacapilla.com map ↗
Enjoy mole and traditional meals in Zaachila.
60 min · Monte Albán day
Overnight here
Day 3 Mitla archaeology day
- Transit
- 2h31
- Finish
- ~16:55
- Temperature
- 9.7°C–20.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 11.2h
10:55
Mitla archaeology and town circuit lugares.inah.gob.mx map ↗
Read Mitla as both a living Zapotec town and an official archaeology site.
50 min · Mitla archaeology day · Confirm current admission where applicable
open: Daily 08:00–17:00; last access 16:30; confirm current notice
11:55
12:55
14:00
Mitla Fortress search
Explore ancient stone walls and remnants of residences on a historic hilltop.
50 min · Mitla archaeology day
15:05
Gates of Hell search
Discover legendary underground vaults said to hold treasures of high priests and kings.
50 min · Mitla archaeology day
15:55
Overnight here
e.g. Casa Lyobaa · Hotel Hacienda "Don Cenobio"
Day 4 Puerto Escondido arrival day
- Transit
- 4h52
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 16.8°C–26.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.2h
13:40
Puerto Escondido public arrival circuit oaxaca.travel map ↗
Recover from the motorway transfer with a measured public Puerto Escondido orientation.
50 min · Puerto Escondido arrival day · Confirm current admission where applicable
14:40
16:20
Overnight here
e.g. Aldea del Bazar Hotel & Spa · Hostel Shalom
Day 5 Puerto Escondido coast day
- Transit
- 0h36
- Finish
- ~14:35
- Temperature
- 16.8°C–26.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.2h
09:25
Puerto Escondido public-coast circuit oaxaca.travel map ↗
Explore Puerto Escondido’s public coast without assuming calm water or an activity provider.
50 min · Puerto Escondido coast day · Confirm current admission where applicable
10:25
12:05
13:35
Overnight here
e.g. Blater Hotel · Bungalows Santa Cruz
Day 6 Mazunte conservation day
- Transit
- 2h09
- Finish
- ~15:40
- Temperature
- 26.6°C–29.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 11.3h
10:40
Mazunte turtle-conservation circuit oaxaca.travel map ↗
Close at Mazunte with turtle-conservation context and the public headland path.
50 min · Mazunte conservation day · Confirm current admission where applicable
11:40
Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga tortugasmazunte.org map ↗
Observe diverse sea turtles in their natural habitat.
50 min · Mazunte conservation day · M$37
12:45
Punta Cometa search
Watch both sunrises and sunsets from rocky ocean points.
50 min · Mazunte conservation day
13:50
Centro Cultural Luna Nueva search
Enjoy live music and cultural performances.
50 min · Mazunte conservation day
14:40
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.