Oaxaca
(that’s wa-ha-ka if you’re still tripping over the pronunciation)
Where work meets culture, mezcal & magic
Whether you’re here for a few weeks or a few months, Oaxaca is a fantastic place to dive into Spanish school. There are tons of excellent language schools offering group classes, private tutors, and cultural immersion programs. Practicing Spanish here makes daily life feel way more fun- you’ll be bargaining at mercados and ordering tlayudas like a local in no time, and your efforts will be appreciated!
Level up your Español
Oaxaca knows how to party, with regular calendas (street parades) filling the streets for so many different celebrations, and sometimes for no reason at all! But two main events stand out as ones to add to your bucket list:
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, late October/early November): Think candlelit cemeteries, vibrant face paint, colorful altars, and streets bursting with life. It’s spiritual, it’s artistic, and it’s truly unforgettable. If there’s one time to be in Oaxaca, this is it!
Guelaguetza Festival (July): Oaxaca’s biggest summer festival. It’s all about music, traditional dances, parades, and sharing local culture (and mezcal, obviously). You’ll see people from all over the state in beautiful traditional dress- it’s pure joy.
Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most enchanting spots, packed with history, art, nature, and yes, WiFi strong enough to keep you connected for your long-distance Zooms!
So if you’re wondering what life looks like here between getting business done and Slack notifications, here are the top things to do in Oaxaca as a digital nomad:
Join the fiesta: Day of the Dead and Guelaguetza
Eat your way through Oaxaca’s food scene
Oaxaca is basically foodie heaven. Forget plain tacos (though they’re still amazing) this region is famous for mole (rich, complex sauces that can take days to make), tlayudas (a local twist on pizza, but crunchier), and quesillo (the stringy cheese of your dreams).
You must check out:
Mercado 20 de Noviembre: smoky grills, sizzling meats, and rows of local vendors.
Trendy cafés & restaurants: perfect for nomads who want good coffee and a stylish place to work- we list some of our favourites a bit further down…
Cooking classes: learn how to make mole, then impress your future housemates back at Co404.
Sip Mezcal like a local
Tequila may get the global spotlight, but Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal… the smoky spirit made from agave. Visit a local mezcalería for a tasting or head out to a village distillery to see how it’s made. Just remember, mezcal isn’t for shots. It’s for sipping, savoring, and probably telling some deep stories you’ll only half remember the next day. But the upside is, no hangover… apparently!
Work from Oaxaca’s cutest cafés
These are some of the best cafés in Oaxaca City for digital nomads:
- Marito & Moglie Café (delicious brunch and great coffee)
- Café Brujula (several locations, reliable WiFi)
- Café Nuevo Mundo (quiet, comfy, good for focus time)
- Onnno Café (warning: you’ll stay for the pastries, not just the laptop time)
Explore beyond the city
- Hierve el Agua: petrified waterfalls with turquoise pools you can swim in.
- Monte Albán: ancient Zapotec ruins with stunning valley views.
- Villages around Oaxaca: each specializes in something- pottery, textiles, wood carvings. Perfect for day trips and picking up unique souvenirs.
Embrace the nomad balance
Life in Oaxaca is a beautiful mix- mornings at a Spanish class, afternoons getting some work done, evenings feasting on mole, and weekends exploring waterfalls, ruins, or dance-filled festivals. It’s slow enough to savor, but lively enough to never get boring!
Why Oaxaca wins for nomads
If you’re craving a destination that feeds your creativity, tastebuds, and sense of adventure, Oaxaca is the perfect spot. Come for the festivals, stay for the food, and maybe (just maybe) find yourself signing up for a mezcal tasting after your last Zoom call of the day.
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