Gay Oaxaca
Located in southwestern Mexico in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountain range, Oaxaca exudes old-world charm, pre-Colombian ruins, and astounding indigenous traditions. The city has long drawn artists and it takes just one visit to see why. Many famous painters such as Rufino Tamayo and Francisco Toledo are from Oaxaca and their works can be found at various galleries. Music and dance have heavy roots in the area's heritage. The culture of the indigenous people has mixed with Spanish, European, and Catholic. The city is becoming a popular tourist destination and a lot of visitors plan their trip to coincide with special holiday celebrations.
Photo Credit: Roman Lopez
What do you want to discover?
Top Things to See and Do in Oaxaca
MUST DO: Attractions & Activities
MUST VISIT: Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
Local Expert: Gay Scene in Oaxaca
The state of Oaxaca is one of the most gay-friendly destinations in the country. Aside from same-sex marriage being legal here, it was also revealed that LGBT-related tourism in Mexico has been growing steadily.
Oaxaca has a large LGBTQ community, as proved by the large crowd who march every year in the city’s pride parade. The annual march for sexual and gender diversity is relatively low-key and without commercial sponsorship—but with plenty of queer celebration and fun.
Photo Credit: Arturo Garcia
Best Time to Visit Oaxaca
Oaxaca has a temperate climate year-round and is excellent to visit any time of the year. While there are frequent rain showers from July to September, Oaxaca’s month-long folk dance festival, Guelaguetza, occurs on the last Monday in July. The city is vibrant and special during this festival and this impressive culinary celebration should be on your bucket list.
Photo Credit: Jose Mizrahi
Top Things to See and Do in Oaxaca
1) Hierve el Agua
Photo Credit: Analuisa Gamboa
2) Museo Casa Juárez
3) Oaxaca Cathedral
Photo Credit: Geraint Rowland
4) Cultural Centre of Oaxaca
5) Monte Albán
Photo Credit: Matthew Essman
6) Bahias de Huatulco
7) Puerto Escondido beach
Photo Credit: Lorraine Mojica
8) Mitla
9) Zipolite
10) Temple of Santo Domingo
MUST DO Oaxaca Attractions & Activities
Oaxaca is one of Mexico's most beautiful cities and is a fantastic place for sightseeing. There are a ton of attractions and landmarks, the most famous being the Monte Albán, the former capital of the Zapotec empire. Be sure to visit the ancient Zapotec center of Mitla—it attracts a lot of attention because of ancient stone fretwork and abstract art galleries. Displaying a mix of Indian and Spanish elements, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has successfully preserved its unique charm and is a delight to explore.
Go and explore Hierve el Agua, a stunning hot spring leading to petrified waterfalls overlooking a cliff and panoramic views. If you want to add a tropical beach getaway to your trip, you can never go wrong with Playa Zipolite. Now popular with gay men, it is also known for its nude beaches and an array of world-class restaurants.
Photo Credit: Norma Contreras
Oaxaca has a lot for you to see and do, and simply wandering around town and taking in the ambiance is a great way to explore the city, with beautiful churches, cafes, and museums next to trendy boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
MUST EAT Oaxaca Gay-Friendly Dining
Considered to be the culinary capital of Mexico, Oaxaca's cuisine is characterized by flavors like sweet and spicy chocolate, decadent moles, and smooth mezcal. Start your tasting spree at Los Danzantes, one of Oaxaca’s leading gastronomic experiences. Don’t miss the cheese fondue served with mushrooms and Oaxaca’s favorite crunchy ingredient: grasshoppers.
Oaxaca is known as the “land of seven moles”; you’ll want to try at least a red, green, and brown version while you’re there. For late-night eating after a few too many mezcal tastings, nothing hits the spot like a crispy tlayuda. These large, thin, and crunchy tortillas covered with a spread of beans, lettuce or cabbage, avocado, meat, Oaxaca cheese, and salsa are crisped to perfection at any of the city’s street stalls.
Photo Credit: Real de Oaxaca
MUST VISIT Oaxaca Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
Head to Luna Rosa on the weekend for a drag experience or any time for throwback music. This tavern-style gay bar will be your first taste of an authentic Mexican gay bar offering a great atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks.
Club 502 is Oaxaca’s first gay club and disco and is the most popular nightclub for the city’s LGBTQ community. This is the spot to go for mixed drinks and great dance tunes.
La Envidia is a classic local bar and is the ideal place to drink beer and mezcal.
Travel Safety Tips
In general, Oaxaca is pretty safe. The city is best explored at leisure on foot, with ample time for stops at unique coffee shops and mezcal bars along the way.
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