Discover Oaxaca with your personal guide! Join a small-group walking tour that turns the city into a living story. We’ll wander the UNESCO! Listed historic center, taking in colonial facades, sun-dappled plazas and winding alleys while I share the stories behind each corner and point out the best photo spots to capture unforgettable memories. This tour is more than sightseeing — it’s a personal orientation: insider tips on where to eat, drink, and explore next; and a handful of tucked-away gems only a local would know. Small group size ensures a relaxed, personalized pace and plenty of time to ask questions and connect with fellow travelers. Perfect for your first day in town (or anytime you want to fall in love with Oaxaca), this experience blends history, food, photos and all delivered with warmth and enthusiasm!
Out at sunset: the 4:30 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 6:00 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 9 of the next 41 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Discover the flavors and traditions of Oaxaca at the famous Mercado 20 de Noviembre. Stroll through colorful aisles filled with aromas of freshly grilled meats in the iconic “Pasillo del Humo,” where tasajo, cecina, and chorizo are cooked over hot coals and served with handmade tortillas and salsas. More than a market, this 19th-century landmark is a living piece of history and one of the best places to experience the authentic soul of Oaxaca.
Experience the vibrant heart of Oaxaca at Mercado Benito Juárez, just steps from the Zócalo. This historic covered market—opened in 1894—buzzes with energy as locals and travelers mingle among stalls brimming with fresh produce, spices, chocolate, mole pastes, cheeses, mezcal, and chapulines (fried grasshoppers). This market isn’t just a stop—it’s an immersive dive into flavor, tradition, and Oaxacan life.
Experience the vibrant heartbeat of Oaxaca at the historic Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución). Flanked by elegant colonial arcades, the grand Cathedral of Santo Domingo and the Government Palace provide a stunning architectural backdrop. Stroll through the shaded square beneath ancient laurel trees and let the lively melodies of marimba bands and street performers set the mood. The Zócalo is the perfect place to soak in the culture, flavor, and spirit of Oaxaca.
Discover one of Oaxaca’s most iconic cultural landmarks: the Teatro Macedonio Alcalá. Built in 1909 in elegant Art Nouveau and French-influenced style, this architectural gem features a striking green-and-rose cantera façade and a grand Louis XV vestibule with marble stairs and ornate ceilings illuminated by gilded cherubs and allegorical art. Originally a casino and opera house. Today, it hosts world-class performances and honors ethnic and artistic heritage as a vibrant symbol of Oaxaca’s soul.
Here we’ll visit the Museum of Philately (Stamp Museum), a unique place dedicated to the art and history of stamps. We’ll take a short walk inside to explore its beautiful collection, including the very first stamp ever issued in the world.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
First Day in Oaxaca – Guided Walking Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
Prices start at $22 per person for this Oaxaca City experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:30 PM.
Children aged 4–11 pay from $22, adults from $22.
It can: 9 of the next 41 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is We will meet right in front of the main entrance of the Church of San Juan de Dios, located next to the 20 de Noviembre Market. The church is easy to recognize and sits on the corner of Aldama Street and 20 de Noviembre Street. Please be there a few minutes early so we can start on time. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN, ES.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 5 participants.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Wonderful afternoon walking tour with our guide Gilberto. A native of Southern mexico Gilberto has extensive knowledge of the region, its history and the City of Oaxaca. A wonderful and friendly tour that showcased the Centroa area and gave us some great places to explore.
This tour is a great overview of Oaxacan food, culture and history. Our tour guide, Gilbert was great!
Gilberto was an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable about the city's history. He did a great job showcasing key sites and identifying great spots to come back to after the tour. As I booked last minute during low season, the tour ended up being private, and Gilberto was extremely gracious in showing me Oaxaca's Centro one-on-one. Highly recommend him for anyone wanting to get oriented in Oaxaca and learn more about its history and culture
Beto was a fantastic guide! He is friendly and engaging and is passionate about Oaxaca and its history without overwhelming you with too much information. We saw the zocalo, churches, markets, museum of stamps (which was surprisingly fascinating…don’t miss Friday Khalo’s letters). We learned about different breads, mole, mescal and chocolate (all with samples) at separate vendors in the markets. Beto is new to Viator so he doesn’t have many reviews yet but don’t let that stop you from booking with him…you will not regret it!
This experience was the best way to start my visit to Oaxaca and undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of my trip! I took the tour on my first day in the city, and it helped me understand the city much better overall! The tour was very pleasant, with interesting explanations and a comfortable pace. More than a tour, it felt like exploring Oaxaca with a local friend passionate about sharing the essence of their city. I especially recommend it for the start of the trip, as it offers an excellent introduction to Oaxaca and allows you to appreciate much more of what the city has to offer.
If you are visiting Oaxaca for the first time, this tour is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the city! Gilberto's information was interesting and easy to follow at all times. The experience was relaxed, entertaining, and very authentic. You can tell when someone enjoys sharing their city, and that made the tour much more enjoyable! I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone who wants to know Oaxaca beyond the surface and start their journey with a better understanding of the city. Thank you, Gilberto, for being so kind to me!
Couldn't have asked for a better tour experience. Such a pleasure getting to meet Gilberto, who is very knowledge about the locations, the history, and the people of Oaxaca. Very personable and one could tell that he loves to shares his love of the city. I was lucky to be in a small group tour where we had conversations, asked questions of Gilberto and felt like I had known him for some time. I highly recommend this tour for both solo travelers and groups looking to get a memorable experience learning about this beautiful city. Thank you again Gilberto!
excellent tour, it was a great idea that this activity was on the first day because it gave us a great panorama of the CD, culture, gastronomic and suppr recommendations of all kinds... The guide named Beto who attended us... Summarize. SUPER RECOMMENDED
As a Travel Agency I am very grateful to this supplier who treated my clients wonderfully recently and definitely highly recommend it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Gilberto has a breadth of knowledge about the history of the city. He is also kind and funny and this made the tour even better. Would highly recommend.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Day in Oaxaca – Guided Walking Tour | 2 hours | 5.0 (20) | $22 | |
 Monte Alban - Full Day Guided Tour with or without Food - Oaxaca | 8–9 hours | 4.9 (188) | $26 | View |
 Oaxaca Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt | 2 hours | 5.0 (1) | $5 | View |
 2-Day Guided Tour in Oaxaca with a Certified Guide | 2 days | 5.0 (3) | $390 | View |
 Hierve el Agua Guided Full Day Tour in Oaxaca | 10–11 hours | 4.8 (168) | $33 | View |
 Half-Day Gastronomic Walking Tour in Oaxaca | 3–4 hours | 5.0 (5) | $76 | View |
 Mitla Half Day Guided Tour | 6–7 hours | 4.7 (101) | $35 | View |