The 15 Best Oaxaca Nature Tours for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Ready to book the best Oaxaca tours for nature lovers?

You’ve come to the right place because this guide highlights the 15 best Oaxaca nature tours. While some places are safe to go alone, some aren’t, so book a tour to safely experience the great outdoors in this beautiful Mexican state.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best Oaxaca nature tour is this Sierra Norte Oaxaca Hike, with a near-perfect Five Star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lush valleys, cloud forests, rocky deserts, hidden caves, sweeping vistas, and volcanic landscapes all provide the backdrop for your favorite wildlife tours and outdoor adventures while on a tour Oaxaca style. 

Hike into cloud forests, trek to waterfalls, go mountain biking down gnarly trails, and kayak on a lake nestled between mountains — there are endless natural attractions in the Central Oaxaca region to see.

Get outside, get active, and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Oaxaca with all of these awesome tours! Ready to get to the list? Let’s dive in!

Top 3 Picks: Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cloud Forest: Hiking in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca
✔️ Traditional breakfast
✔️ Tickets and entrance fees

↳ Book it

#2 PICK

Ultimate Hierve el Agua Hike + Mezcal Tasting
✔️ Traditional breakfast
✔️ Tickets and entrance fees

↳ Book it

#3 PICK

Sierra Norte Hike to Oaxaca Pueblos Mancomunados
✔️ Tickets and fees
✔️ Lunch

↳ Book it

15 Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

1. Cloud Forest: Hiking in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca

Join avid adventurer Luis Fernando by booking this Oaxaca nature hike. During this excursion, you’ll trek through a beautiful cloud forest until you reach the Cumbre de Ixtepeji at 10,500-feet above sea level (3,200 m).

It’s one of the highest points in the state and offers breath-taking views. The hike itself leads through biodiverse terrain on flat and up-and-down trails.

Tour guide Luis Fernando is a hobby botanist and conservationist, so as you go, he’ll add extra interest to the excursion by sharing about the flora and fauna you pass. He is a true Oaxaca hiking aficionado, so you’re in good hands.

Depending on your fitness level, you’ll hike for 3-5 hours and cover six to nine miles of terrain (about 9-14 km). The excursion ends with a delicious local meal of traditional foods, like Oaxacan mole.

This tour includes food, drinks, entrance tickets, and round-trip transportation from Oaxaca City.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

2. Ultimate Hierve el Agua Hike + Mezcal Tasting

⏰ Tour time: 12 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 4.93 out of 5 Stars | 🥾 Check Rates & Availability

One of the best tours to Hierve el Agua Oaxaca Mexico is this 12-hour hike and mezcal tasting tour. 

The day starts bright and early with a 6am start — because early is the best time to visit Hierve el Agua. You can spend the two-hour drive to San Isidro Raoguía waking up slowly and enjoying the scenery.

Once there, you’ll eat a yummy breakfast with a local family. Next, you’ll get plenty of free time to explore the rock formations at Hierve de Agua, relax in the thermal pools, and enjoy the natural beauty.

After that, you’ll go on an approximately three-hour hike over rugged terrain to find a hidden waterfall that few tourists know about. How cool is that!?

The tour finishes off at the home of a master mezcal-maker in Matatlán, one of the best places for Oaxaca mezcal. You’ll have lunch with his family and try a dozen or so different mezcals from Oaxaca. Are ya sold yet?!

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

3. Sierra Norte Hike to Oaxaca Pueblos Mancomunados

⏰ Tour Length: 8 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥾 Check Rates & Availability

Journey into the beautiful highlands north of Oaxaca on one of the best Sierra Norte Oaxaca tours available, this Pueblos Mancomunados Oaxaca tour.

The Pueblos Mancomunados of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca are eight self-governing, indigenous Zapotec Villages. They are located a few hours from Oaxaca City, and provide immersive Mexico ecotourism experiences.

The eight Pueblos Mancomunados are: Amatlán, Benito Juárez, Cuajimoloyas, La Nevería, Lachatao, Latuvi, Llano Grande and Yavesía. The nature trails here are a network of rural footpaths that span more than 62 miles (100 km).

It is a virtually-untouched natural area, so you will need to go with a local guide like Ivan to help you navigate this rural area in the Oaxaca mountains.

During this eight hour experience, you’ll head to one of the highest points in the Oaxaca state — a scenic village 10,500-feet (3,200 m) above sea level. Here, you’ll hike picturesque trails through a cloud forest.

Giant agaves, wildflowers, wild mushrooms, pine trees, and oaks will surround you on all sides. You’ll travel between striking rock walls, cross a suspension bridge, and enjoy marvelous views from a stunning overlook.

After the hike, you’ll eat a traditional meal prepared by a local family, which is included. This tour also includes transportation from your Oaxaca hotel, entry fees, drinking water to refill your water bottle, and one drink.

Note: Wear comfortable hiking shoes or running shoes and a light rain jacket, as temperatures in Oaxaca are cooler in the mountains than in Oaxaca City.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

4. Ixtepeji: Hiking in Oaxaca at an Enchanted Forest

Hike into a magical forest of towering trees dripping with moss and bromeliads by booking this Oaxaca hiking tour led by Coyote Aventuras. 

Enjoy a yummy breakfast on the road, then hike through an enchanting forest. You’ll enter a world teeming with varied plant life, birds, and wild animals.

Snack on trail mix as you go, enjoying the beautiful views. After the hike, re-fuel with a tasty lunch at a charming local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Oaxaca City.

Guests loved the enchanting setting, delicious food, and attentive guides. This tour includes round trip transportation, breakfast, lunch, snacks, bottled water, and entrance fees.

🌳 Oaxaca Hiking Tips: There are several different distances and levels available, so you can choose your level of challenge. Wear layers and bring a raincoat, as the temperatures in Oaxaca can get chilly.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

5. Oaxaca Bike Tour to the Mountains and Pueblos

If you love biking, art, history, and gastronomy, there’s no better Oaxaca nature tour than this. Bonus: You’ll visit one of the top Oaxaca sites, El Arbol del Tule (the El Tule Tree).

Hop on two wheels and pedal down to Santa María El Tule when you book this 5-6 hour Oaxaca bike excursion. In the Oaxaca pueblo of Santa María del Tule, you’ll eat a wonderful traditional breakfast in the market. 

Next, you’ll visit the famous Tule Tree. This Montezuma bald cypress is more than 2,000-years-old, with a circumference of 190-feet (58 m). As the widest tree in the world, it takes about 30 people with clasped hands to wrap around it.

Pictures just can’t compare to seeing the Oaxaca Tule Tree in person!

After another stint of biking, you’ll visit the Santo Domingo Tomaltepec Dam. It has been called the most beautiful dam in Oaxaca, thanks to its calm waters and surrounding lush rolling hills.

If time allows, you’ll also stop in at a leather craftsman’s studio and a traditional bread bakery for an inside look at each craft. These spots will take you beyond the touristy Teotitlan de Valle tour stops you see on Tripadvisor.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

6. Cuajimoloyas: Hiking the Oaxaca Mushroom Forest

Culture and adventure await in Cuajimoloyas, one of the Oaxaca Pueblos Mancomunados. This collection of eight Zapotec villages has garnered attention in ecotourism circles for the natural beauty of their surroundings.

This Oaxaca hike into the mushroom forest lasts for 3 or 4 hours. The trails meander through fields, below beautiful trees, and past boulders — for some of the most amazing panoramas and views of Oaxaca state.

If you go from July to September, you may find mushrooms as well! You’ll also get to eat a mushroom breakfast on your way to the trailhead.

After hiking five to six miles, you’ll hop into the car and drive 20 minutes to a restaurant. Eat a mouth-watering lunch of Oaxaca food while you rest your legs and enjoy the sight of the picturesque community below.

Travelers loved their super-storytelling host and the excellent value of this tour.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

7. Apoala Waterfall and the Turquoise Lagoon

Are you a fan of hiking, swimming, and waterfalls? If so, booking this tour to Santiago Apoala Oaxaca is a wonderful choice for you.

A local guide will lead you through a lovely forest dotted with caves and rock formations. You’ll keep walking through a limestone valley until you reach an impressive waterfall.

The Apoala Oaxaca Waterfall is called Cola de Serpiente, or Serpent Tail Falls, and cascades 213 feet down into the valley (65 m). It is one of the best waterfalls in Oaxaca — and some say it’s also one of the best waterfalls in Mexico.

Next, you’ll head to a gorgeous turquoise lagoon where you can swim, relax, and enjoy the views. They are out of this world!

Plus, they’re much closer to Oaxaca City than the Chacahua Lagoons in Lagunas de Chacahua Oaxaca National Park. The Oaxaca beach town of Chacahua is located on the coast, west of Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.

🏝️ Want to explore the Oaxaca coast? Don’t miss the Oaxaca nature tours to go whale watching or on a bioluminescent lagoon boat tour. There are plenty of Puerto Escondido tours and Huatulco tours available for these.

This full-day tour to the Sierra Mixteca Mountains includes roundtrip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, a local guide, and all fees and taxes. No meals are included, so do pack food and snacks.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

8. Oaxaca Motorcycle Tour: Ride On a Triumph to Discover Oaxaca

Book this Oaxaca Motorcycle Tour and it will have you grinning until your cheeks are sore. Ride along with your host, Pablo, as you explore Oaxaca from the back of his Triumph Scrambler.

Your heart will get pumping, the wind will blow in your face, and you’ll see amazing views during this sightseeing adventure.

Pablo will give you lots of options so you can decide on the perfect itinerary. Then he’ll drive you safely over little-used roads.

You’ll have lots of chances to stop, breathe, and take pictures as you explore. You’ll be able to see, smell, hear, and enjoy everything so much more this way than if you were squashed into a tourist van!

Travelers loved the tailored itinerary, the scenery, and how secure they felt on the bike with Pablo. He’s definitely taking safety measures seriously! Plus, the tour is available in English, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

9. Oaxaca Mountain Biking Tour to Secret Bike Trails

Hit some gnarly trails, travel through interesting towns secreted away in the mountains, and stay energized on delicious Oaxacan cuisine by booking this bike tour of Oaxaca, Mexico’s mountain-biking Mecca!

Drop down through cloud forests on loamy paths, hit technical desert trails, and refine your skills on tricky rock features. The varied terrain is incredible, and some of the descents can last for 45 minutes. Talk about fun!

The guides on this all day private tour excel at sharing riding tips, pointing out features, and choosing the best trails for your group. As you go, you’ll also have the chance to learn about the local communities and culture.

This day tour includes a certified guide, private transportation, an Enduro mountain bike, entrance fees, insurance, bottled water, meals, snacks, and coffee or tea. It does not include a helmet, gloves, elbow and knee pads, or biking clothes.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

10. Hiking in Oaxaca & Rituals in the Mountains

⏰ Tour Length: 4.5 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 4.98 out of 5 Stars | ⛰️ Check Rates & Availability

In the market for hiking tours in Oaxaca Mexico? With a near-perfect rating, the Hiking in the Mountains of Oaxaca experience with Margo is an awesome choice. The hike is 2.5 hours, and of moderate difficulty.

Along the way, you’ll learn about many local plans, animals, and birds. At the top of the mountain, your guide Margo performs a ritual to help you connect to the earth and feel more grounded.

To round off the tour, you’ll eat a yummy meal prepared by a local family. Besides trying some authentic Oaxaca food, you also get the chance to make your very own tortilla and cook it on the cooking comal (fat-top griddle).

While guests loved the scenery on this tour and the chance to learn about local flora and fauna, being able to eat with a local Oaxaca family is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience as well.

This tour includes transportation to and from the trailhead, an expert guide, food, drinks, binoculars, and access to a first aid kit. Note: The entire tour lasts 4.5 hours, but the moderately-difficult hike is about two hours.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

11. Visit Oaxaca Mixteca Alta, a UNESCO Global Geopark

Explore one of Mexico’s most geologically complex regions on this private day tour of the Mixteca Alta Geopark. It is an eye-catching region, sculpted by volcanic flows, marine rocks, and continental sediments.

It’s a perfect destination for nature lovers! Start the day trip with a 1.5-hour drive to Santo Domingo y Yanhuitlán, an important commercial center during the Colonial Age in Mexico.

Here, you’ll eat a traditional breakfast and enjoy a guided tour of the town, including the Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo — one of the best places in Oaxaca for history buffs.

This huge building is one of the best examples of 16th Century novo-Hispanic architecture in existence. It’s famous for its magnificent fretwork made from lovely mosaic tiles that have countless polished stones. 

Next, you’ll traverse portions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on foot, admiring the scenery with its rippling red hills and expansive landscapes.

This tour includes private transportation, a guide and driver, lunch, and bottled water. Alcoholic beverages, like Oaxacan mezcal, and tips are not included.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

12. Hiking the Oaxaca Central Valleys with Dogs

Booking this Oaxaca Nature Hike with Dogs, and a human guide, is a must for dog-lovers! On it, hiking paths and pups combine for a fun hike above the Valles Centrales, or Central Valleys of Oaxaca.

You’ll join tour guide, Danae, and her friendly rescue dogs on little-known eco trails in Oaxaca Mexico. Enjoy amazing views of the valley, a touch of physical challenge, and some optional rock climbing.

As you walk, Danae will share stories with you about the community and her canine companions. It’s a lovely way to gain insight into Oaxaca culture.

The hike is 7- to 9-miles-long (11 to 14.5 km), and has a few steep inclines. It leads from San Antonio de la Cal towards La Peña de San Antonio de la Cal.

To finish, eat a freshly-prepared meal of tlayudas, tortillas, eggs, quesadillas with Oaxaca cheese, and memelas. Travelers called this a once-in-a-lifetime hike, and loved Danae’s super storytelling skills.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

13. Monte Alban Ruins & Beyond: Authentic Oaxaca Tour (2 Days)

If you’re looking for two jam-packed days of Oaxaca sightseeing, look no further than this awesome 2 Day Monte Alban & Beyond Tour. As a private tour, you customize your itinerary to enjoy several amazing stops over the two days.

First on the list is the Monte Alban archaeological site — one of the best places to visit in Oaxaca. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of all the most intriguing parts of the ruins, and learn about the life and culture of long-lost civilizations.

Once you’ve enjoyed the Ruins of Monte Alban to the fullest, you can head out on the artisan circuit. There are several beautiful Oaxaca artisan towns, some located near Monte Alban.

During this part of the tour, you’ll learn about natural dyes and rug-hooking, fantastical wooden alebrijes, black pottery in San Bartolo Coyotepec, mezcal, and textiles made on a backstrap loom in a Zapotec weavers town.

To round out the fun, hike up to the prehistoric Mitla Caves for a peek at red, white, and black petroglyphs, explore the Mitla Ruins, visit a 16th Century Catholic church and explore Puerto Morelos Market.

This Oaxaca and Mont Alban tour includes transportation and parking. No meals or beverages are included so make sure you eat before visiting the important archaeological zones, as food choices are limited.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

14. Kayaking in Oaxaca With Mountain Views

Exchange the bustle of the city for the splash and rhythm of paddles. Booking this 4.5-hour kayaking tour will take you to a tranquil Oaxaca lake that’s surrounded by mountains.

Choose a single or double kayak and paddle, float, explore, or simply drift and relax. The lake is the result of a nearby dam which is an important water supply for regional farmers. It’s also a draw for waterbirds.

You’ll meet in the center of Oaxaca City for this tour. Transportation and set-up should only take an hour, giving you plenty of time to enjoy kayaking out in the Oaxacan nature that’s just outside of downtown.

Travelers loved the excellent value of this tour, and the host’s super storytelling skills that will keep you entertained throughout. For nature-lovers, it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Oaxaca.

🩴 Oaxaca Travel Tips: Bring water shoes or extra sandals, as your shows will get wet. You may want this water bottle as well — but lifejackets, paddles and your kayak are included in the tour cost.

Best Oaxaca Nature Tours

15. Biking to El Tule Tree & Lake Tomaltepec

⏰ Tour Length: 5 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 4.96 out of 5 Stars | 🚴‍♀️ Check Rates & Availability

If you’re interested in Oaxaca mountain bike tours, you’ll love this outing to the region’s famous Tule Tree. Not only is this giant cypress tree 2,000-years-old, it also holds the Guinness World Record for the widest tree in the world.

This fun Tule Tree & Lake Tomaltepec Biking Adventure will take you on dirt roads and paved roads, from Downtown Oaxaca to Santo Domingo Tomaltepec. It will be an exciting off-road, and off the beaten path Oaxaca day.

You’ll spend time at Lake Tomaltepec, then ride a bit further to the town of Santa Maria del Tule, Oaxaca. Here, you’ll see the Arbol de Tule Tree and colorful church next to it, and stop for lunch in the mercado, or Oaxaca local market.

After refueling with food and drinks, you’ll bike back to Oaxaca City. In total, you’ll bike 18.5-miles (30 kilometers), so make sure you’re in fair shape before booking this Oaxaca bike tour.

This tour lasts approximately five hours and includes a mountain bike, helmet, wonderful guide named Ivan who’s a Oaxaca local, access to an on-the-go tool kit and first aid kit (safety first), and all entrance fees.

Oaxaca Travel Guide and FAQ

🗺️ Oaxaca Map

Oaxaca City is located about six hours south of Mexico City. You can book direct flights from Mexico City to Oaxaca City, or take the ADO bus. I recommend the flight, as it’s much shorter but not much more money.

🌡️ Oaxaca weather Averages

Oaxaca City has a desert climate, so hot days and cool nights. The temperature in Oaxaca City fluctuates a lot, so be mindful and bring layers when packing for Oaxaca.

If you hate the heat, avoid the hottest months of April to May so you have an enjoyable Oaxaca vacation.

Oaxaca City is the country’s 67th largest city, with a population of about 275,000, but retains a humble, pueblo vibe. Now, that doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen in Oaxaca City; they do.

However, if you take the same general travel precautions you would anywhere else — ie. stay aware of yourself, your belongings and your surroundings — you should be safe traveling to Oaxaca City.

⚠️ For a deep dive into this topic and a Oaxaca safety guide, check out Is Oaxaca Safe to Travel to Right Now?

What’s the closest Oaxaca Airport?

Wondering, Is there an airport in Oaxaca City? Yes, there’s Oaxaca International Airport (code: OAX), located about 20-30 minutes from downtown. ▶︎ Book your Oaxaca flights now!

You might see this airport called Xoxocotlán International Airport, but it is just another name for OAX Airport.

🚐 Best Oaxaca Airport transportation

They do have DiDi Taxi through the DiDi Rider app, which lets you call a Oaxaca taxi via the app. It’s basically like using Uber or Lyft, but you will get a regular cab.

• Download DiDi Rider for iPhone
• Download DiDi Rider for Android

The best things to do near Oaxaca include exploring Hierve el Agua in San Lorenzo Albarradas, San Agustín Etla, Teotitlán Del Valle and San Pablo Villa de Mitla, a pueblo magico (magic town).

Planning to visit the best beaches in Oaxaca, including Puerto Escondido, Huatulco and Mazunte? For a Oaxaca City and Oaxaca beaches trip, you’ll need at least a week or two.

If you’re really wondering, Why is Oaxaca so popular? The answer is likely for the food. In fact, Oaxaca is known as the Foodie Capital of Mexico, so try both the street food in Oaxaca and the restaurants in Oaxaca.

For a deep dive into this topic, check out this What is Oaxaca famous for? article. In it, you’ll learn even more about what makes Oaxaca unique.

As you’ll usually need to take at least two flights to Oaxaca, Mexico, or a flight and a bus if you’re coming from Mexico City, wondering if traveling to Oaxaca is worth it is a totally valid question.

I hope this guide to Oaxaca made it clear that FU+K YES IT IS!

There’s everything from rich history, colorful festivals, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, locally-made mezcal, beautiful nature, colonial buildings, indigenous artisan communities, and of course, the yummy Oaxacan food.

Final Thoughts: Best Oaxaca Nature Tours in Mexico

Zoom over loamy mountain bike trails, attack fun rock features, and pedal through far-flung communities on an Enduro MTB tour in Oaxaca. Hike through a mushroom forest, gathering tasty morsels you’ll dine on for lunch. 

Swim in turquoise lagoons. Bicycle to the widest tree in the world, kayak on a scenic lake, and learn about the local communities as you go. All these activities and more are available in Oaxaca Mexico.

This Mexico state of Oaxaca is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, whether you like biking, hiking, kayaking, exploring, roaring around on motorcycles, or walking to waterfalls.

I hope you found your perfect next excursion on this Oaxaca nature tours list. If not, you can’t go wrong with our #1 choice — this Oaxaca hike in the Sierra Nortea, which has a near-perfect Five Star rating.