Where to Shop and Eat: 4 Oaxaca City Market Tours

1.Immersion Tour and Oaxaca Markets, All gastronomy included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 386 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59Our pick

Spend 3.5 hours exploring Oaxaca’s local markets with a food researcher from Etnofood. Guides such as Brian and Yahel lead you through crowded aisles, explain the origins of regional dishes, and serve about 20 foods and drinks, including tacos, quesadillas, tejate, pulque, mole, baked goods, and grasshoppers. Omnivore and vegan options are available.

“It was a fun and informative experience with a great guide. The vastness of the market was impressive. I enjoyed all the food and samples we tasted.”

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2.Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 333 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Join Casa Crespo in Oaxaca City for a hands-on market tour and cooking class led by Oscar or another instructor. You may help make mole, tortillas, soup, tacos, ceviche, or dessert, depending on the group’s menu choice. Drinks, lunch, vegetarian options, and special diets are included.

“We loved the entire experience! Beautiful market tour, then we prepared & enjoyed a delicious meal! Chef Oscar was very knowledgeable and helpful and made sure we all were able to participate.”

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3.Food & Markets Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55Best value

Spend 2.5 hours tasting Oaxaca’s market foods with a small English-speaking group of up to six. Guides such as Alicia, Elizabeth, and Coyote lead you from the cathedral to Mercado Benito Juarez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre, covering tejate, grasshoppers, mole, mezcal, tamales, grilled meats, tlayudas, sweets, and local customs.

“Knowledgeable guide, good introduction to Oaxaca food, history, and markets. Be prepared to walk a bit.”

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4.Oaxaca Street Food Tour. Signature Markets Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $104

Start at 9:30 am in central Oaxaca for four hours of market food, local history, and cultural context. Guides such as Betsy, Daniela, Camilla, and Christian lead small groups of up to eight through Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Mercado Benito Juárez, and sometimes Cosecha. Food and drinks are included, so skip breakfast.

“I loved this tour! Daniela was lovely with a good sense of humor, and even taught us about how the food is grown. She showed us how to order in the meat market, and I tried food I otherwise wouldn't due to being overwhelmed by all the choices. I now know where some hidden markets are that I'd walked past several times unaware. I thought four hours might a lot of walking, but it was fine with all the sitting breaks to eat. And the amount of food was perfect; I felt stuffed at the end but not overly so.”

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