Shopping Tours in Oaxaca: The 6 We Would Rebook

1.Immersion Tour and Oaxaca Markets, All gastronomy included

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

Walk from central Oaxaca to its huge local market with guides such as Brian or Yahel, tasting about 20 foods and drinks. Try traditional tacos, quesadillas, grilled meats, tejate, pulque, baked goods, moles, grasshoppers, and more. The tour lasts about three and a half hours, welcomes omnivores and vegans, and ends where it begins.

“Value was horrible. We certainly didn’t leave super full. We only had two full sized items then a pinch of a few other things. The group way too large to navigate the crowded market. We didn’t try very many things. Didn’t learn or taste any fruits or veggies. I’ve been on other food tours and this one missed the mark. Highly unsanitary. We were all pinching and licking things over and over. Don’t do this your if your a germophob. Guide asked us if we would like to try a drink. We all said yes. Didn’t say they weren’t included in the $55. Had to pay extra. He took some…”

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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

Start at Casa Crespo with a market walk, then return to cook a changing Oaxacan menu with Oscar, Emily, or another instructor. You may grind masa, make mole, prepare tortillas, and mix drinks. The small-group format encourages hands-on work, though larger groups can mean more prep than cooking.

“Very informative and interactive! Food was excellent and filling. Very warm and hospitable people and the tour guide was very friendly”

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3.Food and Markets Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 170 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $56

Spend 2.5 hours with an English-speaking local guide such as Alicia, Elizabeth, or Coyote, sampling Oaxaca’s market foods. Taste tejate, flavored waters, grasshoppers, tamales, tlayudas, roasted meat, local cheese, and sweets while learning how food connects to Oaxacan culture.

“Make sure you come with an empty stomach because you are going to eat your heart out. Our guide Coyote was fantastic, teaching us a lot about the food and the culture behind it. His English is great and the food even better! Highly recommend this tour to get a good understanding of local cuisine!”

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4.Food & Markets Tour

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

Spend about two and a half hours exploring Oaxaca’s Mercado Benito Juárez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre with a local English-speaking guide. Try tejate, aguas frescas, grasshoppers, sweets, tamales, empanadas, tlayudas, grilled meats, mole, cheese, and mezcal. Guides such as Alicia, Elizabeth, and Coyote also explain local customs and help you order with confidence.

“As people who had not visited the region before, we felt a little overwhelmed navigating food scene here. This experience is an excellent crash course, and our guide was super friendly and enrhisiastic about answering all our questions about this beautiful and complex city. All of the food was excellent, and lives up to reputation!”

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5.Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class with Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 80 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $133

Spend 5.5 hours exploring an Oaxaca market, choosing ingredients with an English or Spanish-speaking cook, and preparing regional dishes in a local home. Depending on the host, you may cook with Sandra and Samuel, Gerardo, Alicia, or Silvia, make tortillas and traditional drinks, and see family textile work.

“We had a wonderful day of shopping, preparing and eating! It was an amazing experience with a talented and knowledgeable chef. He was gracious, patient and provided us with an amazing opportunity to learn about Oaxacan cuisine and cooking techniques. I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting an in-depth culinary experience.”

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6.Market tour and all gastronomy included⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 35 reviews · 4 hours · from $64

Spend four hours with an English or Spanish-speaking gastronomy guide, exploring Oaxaca’s Central de Abasto and tasting a wide range of regional foods. The route suits omnivores and vegans, includes pre-Hispanic drinks, and may be led by guides such as Brian or Roberto. Expect plenty of walking, a small group, and no need to eat beforehand.

“This was an AMAZING tour! This market would only be navigable with a guide and Brian was the best! I learned so much, learned and tried so many things, and bought my fair share of goodies. It was a market of the people with no frills of a tourist trap and everything was so reasonably priced. I HIGHLY recommend!”

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