Oaxaca packing list

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Wondering what to pack for our Oaxaca tour? Going on your own holiday adventure to explore Oaxaca solo?

In this article you’ll find an intro to the weather in Oaxaca City and a handy list of suggestions for things women should pack when visiting.

The weather in Oaxaca

Oaxaca has a mild, temperate and pretty stable weather year round with temperatures that fluctuate little month by month, warm days and cool nights, comfortable humidity year round and low rain that makes ocasional appearance in the summer months from May to September.

This makes it a very pleasant and easy to pack for destination where you can bring your summer clothes for the day exploration yet always have a jacket handy for the cooler evenings.

This is what the weather looks like in Oaxaca City throughout the year:

  • Temperatures that can range from 10-15 C (50-59 F) at night when it cools off significantly, to 27-32 C (78-88 F) during the day when the sun is shinning.
  • 11 to 13 hours of daylight, giving you plenty of time to sightsee, and lots of sunshine, especially in the drier winter months when you can expect up to 8 hours of sunshine per day.
  • Stable conditions that make it easy to pack for. Days will look the same with sunshine and dry weather from October to April and showers from May to September. You should bring layers if you plan to stay out after sunset. 
  • Comfortable humidity levels between 60-70% year round.

Bear in mind that the state of Oaxaca also has a coastline, both in the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea, and the weather there is much warmer and humid than in the city. On the other hand, the mountainous villages will enjoy cooler weather.

Pro tip: Oaxaca City is 1,555 meters / 5,102 feet above sea level. While this altitude is not high enough for most people to feel breathless, it is best to leave all physical activity for the second / third day of your trip to Oaxaca so that you are a bit better acclimatised.

In the next section we will discuss how to dress up and share some inspiration of outfits that can come in handy if you are traveling to Oaxaca.

How to dress to enjoy Oaxaca

Now that you know what the weather will be like in Oaxaca, let’s talk about some guidelines and suggestions to help you pack.

Don’t let the warm weather fool you

Yes, it is warm throughout the year in Oaxaca, but temperatures drop a lot at night in Oaxaca City and you will be caught off guard when the night falls, it happened a lot to me.

As soon as the sun sets, you will need a jacket to go out. Don’t be fooled by the many outdoor restaurants and terraces, it gets chilly at night, especially during the drier winter months when temperatures can be as low as 10 C or 50 F.

Pack a warm jacket, fleece or layer that you may also wear in the plane, so that you have something to throw over if you are out till later or plan to have dinner at one of the rooftop terraces.

Casual, practical attire and shoes

Most oaxaqueños dress in layers that can take them from the cooler early morning and evenings to the heat of the day. Outfits are colorful, comfortable and practical, especially when it comes to footwear.

High heels and shoes that do not have grip will be a hazard when walking around the old cobblestoned streets of Oaxaca City and the various villages.

Instead, bring footwear that can be strapped to your feet, with grip and that has a thicker sole to walk on uneven surfaces so your feet don’t hurt. Flip flops or very flat sandals will make you tired after a while.

Minimal AC or heating

Even though it can be hot at night, many hotels and BnBs do not have AC or heating. Temperatures drop at night and you won’t feel like you need AC to cool the room or heating to keep it warm.

If you run cold, you may want to bring a warm pyjama and if you run cold, a portable fan. Or book accommodation that comes with AC, most hotels and BnBs will mention whether they have it or not.

Colorful patterns

Locals favor colorful outfits with different patterns and designs all worn together. Colors are everywhere in the city; from the faces of the colonal buildings to the many murals, the celebratory flags that permanently hang from major streets and the natural-dye fabrics.

You will fit right in if you also wear colorful outfits, you can leave the all-black clothing at home.

What to pack for a trip to Oaxaca

Below is a list with suggestions for what to wear in Oaxaca. Further down, you will also find a list of other things to bring specifically on our tour.

Rain jacket

If you are visiting during the summer months / rainy season between May and September, I recommend you pack a light raincoat to stay dry in case of showers that tend to happen in the evening and are short and tropical-style.

This should be something you can easily put on top of your clothes to stay warm and that does not make you hotter, so light, breathable and packing options like this one are best.

Alternatively, you can also bring a light umbrella which can come in handy in the cities and towns but less so if you plan to go hiking.

Jacket or cardigan

As mentioned, the early mornings and evenings can get quite misleadingly chilly in Oaxaca, which is why you should make sure to pack a cardigan or light jacket for dinners outside in rooftops and terraces and to get to / from your hotel to dinner.

As soon as the sun sets, temperatures drop a lot and you’ll find you wanting warm comfort.

I recommend a fleece-style jacket, a denim jacket, a leather jacket or a light coat that you can easily put inside your bag if you are planning to be out all day.

I like to bring a fluffy jacket that I can wear in the plane, which is always chilly, so I don’t have to bring an extra layer.

Some ideas:

Trousers and jeans

If you are visiting during the drier months and you are used to the heat, you may not find the weather that warm so a pair of light trousers or jeans with a top could be your go-to comfy outfit that keeps you comfortably warm.

If you plan to go hiking, you will also need a pair of leggings / yoga pants or hiking trousers to be more comfortable. Here are some ideas:

Shorts

Useful during the day and when out exploring, shorts will keep you cooler during the heat of the day and can be easily styled with a cute top to look well put together.

A pair of denim shorts like this one will keep you cooler when visiting archeological sites or if you go to Hierve el Agua during the day.

Dresses

Dresses are a great outfit idea to pack light, be comfortable and look good. Add a jacket for the evenings / mornings and a pair of comfy shoes and you have an entire outfit. Or bring a pair of thin leggings or stockings to wear under in case the weather is cooler.

I like long sleeve dresses because they cover my shoulders and arms so I don’t have to put on sunscreen, but you can wear any kind, Oaxaca is not a conservative city so you don’t need to cover up to fit in.

Here are some ideas of dresses I like or that are similar to the ones I wear:

Midi skirts

I find this length of skirt perfect for travel because it is not too short that I need to be concerned about flashing anyone in case of wind or showing too much but it is also not so long that I risk tripping over myself.

Three-quarter length skirts that reach mid leg are perfect for Oaxaca and will help you fit right in. Here are some suggestions that I love:

Cute tops

I like to complement simple trousers or shorts with a colorful top that fits right in with Oaxaca’s rainbow streets. I prefer flowy longer sleeves so that I don’t have to worry about sunscreen or getting sunburned.

Here are some colorful tops for inspiration:

Linen shirts and slacks

Linen is a great material for the hot weather and I love to wear it, especially in loose fitting shirts over leggings or as a pair of long trousers. 

The main issue with linen clothing is that it requires ironing and I don’t like to iron when I am on holidays. To minimize creasing, check out our packing hacks and roll the clothes. Or bring a portable travel steamer.

Cropped pants, jumpsuits and rompers

I am a big fan of cropped pants because they can be really cute, come in a variety of materials and are fun yet conservative and cover me from the sun, plus they fit my silhouette. 

A pair of light crop denims like these ones or linen pants will come in handy.

You could also opt for floral jumpsuits, comfy and loose wide-legged jumpsuits or ruffle rompers. Many of our guests wear all these kinds of outfits for the comfort, look and easiness of only having to pack one item to make a full outfit.

Footwear

Footwear is important in Oaxaca because, as mentioned before, the streets are from colonial times and they are cobblestoned and uneven, making walking around a hazard if you are not wearing the right shoes.

I recommend packing shoes that are strapped to your feet, as opposed to slip-on sandals or flip flops which may come off or facilitate you twisting an ankle, unless they are made for walking and have support and grip.

Shoes that have thin soles or that are too flat will be uncomfortable to walk on after a while when the surface is uneven and sometimes pointy or sharp.

I also recommend study footwear like a pair of sneakers if you plan to go to Hierve El Agua, Monte Alban or do some hiking in the forests.

Here are some ideas of footwear that I wore in Oaxaca or that would be comfy:

  • Allbirds casual sneakers are said to be the most comfortable
  • Veja sneakers are all the rage these days and the right mix of casual but not too sporty
  • Superga canvas sneakers are a European classic
  • Another sole makes the most comfortable walking shoes, and they are all I wear on tour, often only packing these for the entire trip. They can go from walking in cobblestoned streets to going for dinner, and I can wear them with trousers, skirts, dresses and even to go hiking
  • Cushioned sandals
  • To fit right in, opt for a pair of local huaraches like the ones above which are strap-on, are cushioned and have a tire sole.

Bags and anti theft purses

Even though Oaxaca city and the villages around it are quite safe, slash and theft proof cross-body bags like the ones we listed on this article add an extra layer of protection that is always a good idea. 

There are a few anti-theft bag models that we specifically recommend because Meg and I, our team or many of our guests have used on our European tours:

  • A waist bag option from Travelon that you can wear on your waist or across your chest like I always use mine. This makes it much more convenient to reach out for things and much closer to your body, so harder to steal from.
  • Many of our guests have this one from Travelon that comes with a compartment for the water bottle. This has to be the most commonly used by our guests.

Swimsuit

If you plan to visit Hierve el Agua, plan to participate in a Temazcal ritual or if your hotel has a pool to cool down during the heat of the day, you will need to pack your bikini or a swimming suit!

Other items you should pack for your Oaxaca trip

What not to bring to Oaxaca

There are a few things that you should reconsider bringing along with you to Oaxaca and save the space for more useful items:

  • Heels: While heels are very cute, the cobblestoned streets and style of Oaxaca means they are unpractical. If you want to pack some, bring the chunkier, lower and wide heels instead which will keep you steady and avoid twisting an ankle on the uneven surfaces.
  • A full suitcase: You have to have some free space to buy local artisanal items. There is absolutely no chance that you will visit Oaxaca and not want to buy clothing, textiles, handicrafts, etc. Make sure you have some space in your luggage, or bring a “just-in-case” tote.
  • Flashy jewelry or very expensive watches: They may attract unwanted attention and are best left at home.