Is it safe to drink the water?

No. Only drink bottled or filtered water. Most hotels and restaurants provide jugs of purified water for refills.

Do I need to carry cash?

Yes. While larger restaurants take cards, markets, colectivos, and artisan shops are cash-only. Carry small denominations of pesos.

How to spend 4 days in Oaxaca City

Spend your first two days exploring the historic center and markets, and dedicate the final two days to surrounding Zapotec ruins, artisan villages, and a day trip to Hierve el Agua. Base yourself in the Centro neighborhood to walk everywhere, relying on collective taxis or pre-booked shuttles for excursions.

Secure your transport from OAX. Upon landing at Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), ignore the general taxi booth. Head to the official 'Transporte Terrestre' counter to buy a fixed-rate ticket for a shared shuttle (colectivo) to your accommodation in Centro, which costs about 120 MXN.
Use local transport for day trips. For trips to Tlacolula or Mitla, go to the Central de Abastos bus station. Take a 'colectivo' taxi—these are shared sedans that leave once full. Ask for the destination clearly, and expect to pay 30-50 MXN per seat.
Master the market navigation. Visit Mercado 20 de Noviembre for lunch. When ordering 'tasajo' (thinly sliced beef), you buy the meat at a stall, take it to the communal grill area, and pay a small fee for them to cook it for you. It’s the standard local way to eat.

Is it safe to drink the water?: No. Only drink bottled or filtered water. Most hotels and restaurants provide jugs of purified water for refills.
Do I need to carry cash?: Yes. While larger restaurants take cards, markets, colectivos, and artisan shops are cash-only. Carry small denominations of pesos.