The most convenient way to reach Oaxaca is by flying into Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX). The airport serves direct flights from major cities in Mexico and select international destinations. Connecting flights are available through Mexico City and through Dallas and Houston. Plan early!
The drive to the city from the airport is about 15-20 minutes. Before exiting the airport, you will see a taxi kiosk where you can purchase a voucher for a spot in a van or a private car; most of you will be staying in Zone 1, so note that for the agent at the counter (as there are different prices for Zone 1 vs. Zone 2). After purchasing the voucher, you will exit the airport; you can show the voucher to one of the individuals at the taxi stand, who will direct you to a driver that will take you to the city.
A passport is mandatory for international travel. Visa may also be required dependent on country of origin/your citizenship. It is not required for citizens of the USA. We recommend checking your passport expiration date and renewing it if necessary. Please note that if your passport is set to expire within 6 months of the final day of your travel, you will not be allowed to fly internationally.
The city of Oaxaca is very walkable, and most restaurants, museums, galleries, and shops are within a 10 minute radius. However, since there are no Uber/Lyfts in Oaxaca, below are some taxi companies. Taxi Sitio Ado +52 951 516 0503 Taxi Presidente +52 951 511 2077 Taxi Reforma +52 951 518 7484
Although the climate in Oaxaca can change, in June, temperatures oscillate between 83°F and 76°F during the day. At night, the temperatures can fall to below 70°F. We would recommend bringing light clothing for walking around during the day, but a sweater or shawl for the nighttime (but that's also because we are from Miami and anything below 75°F is cold!). May, June, and July all fall during the rainy season of Oaxaca, so we would recommend bringing an umbrella for your trip, just in case.
If you'd like to make a vacation out of the trip, we recommend ~4-5 days (inclusive of our wedding festivity days) in Oaxaca city and surrounding towns and historic areas. If you would like to also visit the beaches in the south of Oaxaca state, we recommend an additional 2 days.
Even seasoned travelers generally drink bottled and filtered water in Oaxaca. When visiting Oaxaca, we do the same. Though, we did not worry about ice in our drinks, eating washed raw vegetables, or using tap water while brushing out teeth. While the carts and stands in Oaxaca city are supposed to be even cleaner than in NYC, we recommend avoiding street food until Sunday (i.e., after out wedding festivities have concluded).
Most restaurants and bars will take credit cards; note that while most locations will take Mastercard or Visa, only a few will take American Express and none will take Discover. We do recommend bringing cash for paying taxi drivers, purchasing pottery and/or rugs from stores in the villages, and in the case of an emergency. To get the best exchange rate for your cash, we recommend: exchanging at a bank in your home country (if feasible; exchanging cash for pesos in the Mexico City airport; exchanging cash for pesos in the Oaxaca airport; withdrawing from an ATM in Oaxaca.
Please let us know if you have children under the age of 10 who will be traveling with you!
We chose Oaxaca for its captivating blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a mosaic of ancient traditions, vibrant street life, and culinary excellence. It offers stunning settings for our wedding, from majestic mountains to colorful streets, making it the perfect place to celebrate our love and begin our new chapter together. For those eager to delve deeper into what makes Oaxaca great, we suggest exploring some insightful reads, such as Conde Nast Traveler's feature on why Oaxaca has become a top travel destination and The New York Times' immersive "36 Hours in Oaxaca, Mexico." These pieces beautifully capture the spirit of the city we've fallen in love with.