Shaving sugarcane, Oaxaca

Shaving sugarcane at an Oaxaca market; (c) Soul Of America

Oaxaca Travel Tips

Oaxaca Facts

Official Language: Spanish
Currency: Peso
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Est. Population: 255,000

Oaxaca Travel Tips

Passports are required for U.S. citizens.

The city’s tropical climate averages 70-80 degrees. As a result, the dress code is always Casual.

Anytime is a great time of the year to travel here. The rainy season is from June to September. With the city’s tropical climate, brief showers can come at any time.

Currency is the Peso with U.S. dollars and major credit cards accepted by most establishments.

Though Spanish is the official language, English is spoken by fewer locals than Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan. Practice a few key Spanish phrases to have a better experience when you arrive.

You can make phone calls at pay phones around the city. Get a local phone card for the best rates.

The main post office is located in downtown Oaxaca. Post office hours are 9am-6pm Monday-Friday.

Banks are open from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. The most common ATMs are part of the Cirrus or Plus network (Some ATMs only allow PINs with 4 digits).

Most stores are open 10am-8pm Monday-Saturday.

You should drink only bottled water.

Bring sunglasses, a hat and plenty of biodegradable sunscreen.

Electricity is the same as the U.S. If you plan to use a laptop, purchase a surge protector in Oaxaca to protect your computer.

The major holidays in Oaxaca are New Year’s Day, Day of the Kings, Constitution Day, Mexico’s National Flag Day, Ash Wednesday, Festivity of the Holy Cross, Good Friday, Easter, Labor Day, Cinco De Mayo, Independence Day, Day of the Dead, Mexican Revolution Day, Christmas Day.

The crime rate here is less than a major U.S. city, but visitors should use common sense when out and about.

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