I write this because I believe it's not helpful to have a rating inflated because of only very positive reviews. I've seen a lot of posts on Xaok being great. Here's the deal:

- The couple who owns and runs it is wonderful
- The service is very good
- We had 4 dishes - 3 were very good, one was meh. But overall their food is very good.
- They ordered a cab for us after our meal (again, good service)

But...

- They're very much trying to be creative, but in the process it all feels a bit hollow
- In the reservation we let them know it was our birthdays, and they didn't acknowledge it once during dinner
- We wish we had gone to Levadura de Olla; took a swing on an "underdog" of sorts (less known), and unfortunately it didn't work out

I know taste is subjective, but this can be treated as an objective truth.

¡Hola! Me voy a alojar en el hotel Xeno, en Playa Estacahuite, durante las próximas dos noches para celebrar el cumpleaños de mi pareja. ¿Alguien podría recomendarme algún restaurante cercano para una buena cena de cumpleaños? El hotel ofrece una cena privada, pero cuesta alrededor de 3.000 pesos, lo cual es un poco más de lo que tenía pensado gastar. Muchas gracias.

In English:
Hello! im staying at Xeno hotel in Playa Estacahuite the next two nights for my partners birthday. I was wondering if anyone could recommend any restaurants nearby for a nice birthday dinner? the hotel offers a private dinner but it's around 3,000 pesos which is a bit more than I was hoping to spend. thanks so much.

I live in Santa María Atzompa and every October I get the same questions, so here's a quick overview. I wrote longer guides with cemetery hours, routes, and options, linked at the end. Is it safe? Yes, but not the "one of the safest states in Mexico" story you'll read online. Petty crime in the Centro has gone up. Phone snatching from motorcycles and bag slashing in crowds are the real issues, plus traffic (cars don't stop for pedestrians). After midnight, don't walk. Take a ride. Do you need a tour? Not for the city. Panteón General, Xochimilco, and the comparsas are all doable on foot. Where it does make sense: seeing Xoxocotlán and Atzompa the same night (opposite sides of the city, rides get scarce late) or the muerteada in Etla, where getting back at 3 AM is the real challenge. Transport: there's no Uber. Uber recently announced it was coming, but the state transit agency said it isn't authorized, and the taxi unions are not going to make it easy. A new mobility law might change things, but don't count on it this year. Taxis have no meters, so agree on the price first. There's also a new government taxi app with mixed results so far. Myths worth dropping: - It's not an unchanged 3,000-year-old ritual. It's centuries of indigenous belief mixed with Catholicism. - La Catrina isn't an Aztec goddess. She's a 1910s satirical print by Posada. - Face paint is fine in the Centro and Xoxocotlán, but not the custom in quieter valley cemeteries. - It's not a party everywhere. Some cemeteries are silent vigils. People complain every year that it was "too quiet." It wasn't a show. One tip: bring a candle or flowers. If you see a grave nobody is tending, leave them there. It's one of the most powerful things you can do that night. Longer guides if you're planning: - Día de Muertos (dates, cemeteries and hours, Etla muerteada rules, tours vs. DIY): https://queondaoaxaca.com/blog/dia-de-muertos-oaxaca-2026?lang=en - Getting around without Uber (DiDi, taxis, airport, buses): https://queondaoaxaca.com/en/guides/guia-transporte-oaxaca - Safety, no filter: https://queondaoaxaca.com/en/guides/seguridad-en-oaxaca-guia-turistas-extranjeros

La detención de “El Cromo” vuelve a poner bajo la lupa a Los Cromos, un grupo cuya forma de operar y sus presuntos vínculos con autoridades de Juchitán, Oaxaca, fueron expuestos tras este arresto, según reportó Milenio.
Y aquí es donde la ciudadanía debe poner atención: cuando se investigan grupos criminales, no basta con detener a una persona. También es importante esclarecer quiénes los protegen, cómo consiguen operar y si existen funcionarios involucrados.
Porque la seguridad de un municipio no depende solamente de patrullas y operativos. También depende de que las instituciones actúen con transparencia, que las investigaciones lleguen hasta donde las pruebas lo permitan y que nadie esté por encima de la ley.
Juchitán, Oaxaca, merece respuestas. Si existen servidores públicos implicados, deben investigarse con pruebas y responsabilidades individuales, no con rumores ni encubrimientos.
La pregunta es inevitable: ¿la detención permitirá desmantelar toda la estructura o solamente estamos viendo una pieza de un problema mucho más grande?

I am in my mid 30s and my Spanish skills are around B1 I would say. I‘d like to travel through mexico and in order to learn something and socialize with others I‘d like to do a language course in Oaxaca. Any recommendations for a school?
Thank you!

Teatro macedonio alcala joya arquitectonica

Any recommendations for regenerative or sustainable tourism options in and around Oaxaca city?! More projects like Pueblos Mancomunados de la Sierra Norte or any other person/ project that has interesting proposals!

How much cash is good to have on hand for a few days in Oaxaca de Juarez? Thinking a couple of taxis, tips(?), mostly street food with a nicer restaurant sprinkled in.

Is there a reliable, safe ATM in Huatulco? Or should I get cash in Oaxaca de Juarez first?

Thanks for any insight.

ETA: I’m aware of the ATM conversion “scam”

​

A warm cup of frothy chocolate in the mountains of Oaxaca 🍫🌿

Imagine yourself in the mountains of the Sierra Juárez, surrounded by a lush green forest, cool mountain air, beautiful trees, waterfalls, and the peaceful sounds of nature.

Now imagine sitting down with a warm cup of traditional Oaxacan chocolate, freshly prepared by local people using just three simple things: chocolate, water, and a traditional wooden whisk called a molinillo. They spin it between their hands until the chocolate becomes wonderfully frothy. Simple ingredients, an old tradition, and so much flavor!

Here in Oaxaca, chocolate isn't just a drink. It's part of our culture, our traditions, and the way we welcome people.

And believe me, if you come to Oaxaca, bring your appetite! Our state is full of incredible food, traditional drinks, unique flavors, and recipes that have been passed down through generations.

So, let me ask you something:

How do you like your hot chocolate — made with water or milk? ☕ Both are delicious, and here in Oaxaca, you can enjoy it your way.

Have you ever visited Oaxaca, or is it still on your travel bucket list? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Voy a estar en Oaxaca unos días en Noviembre, cerca de Tlacolula. Tengo 22 años. Voy a visitar a mi abuela en un pueblo cercano. Soy de Los Ángeles. O Qué recomiendan que haga? Also divertido.

I’m currently visiting Oaxaca and would love to bring some Oaxacan cheese (quesillo) home to Canada.

I was at a market today, and the vendor told me that the cheese would be fine unrefrigerated for up to 15 days. It was sealed in plastic, but I’m a little skeptical of that claim since I thought this type of cheese needed to be refrigerated.

Has anyone brought Oaxacan cheese back from Mexico, particularly to Canada? I’m curious how you transported it, whether you kept it refrigerated during your travels, and if you had any issues bringing it through customs.

I’d also love to know if the claim about it lasting 15 days without refrigeration is actually true, or if something might have been lost in translation!

Thanks!

Hi everyone! Asking here to get some local insights on Huatulco. I recently got out of a long-term relationship and am planning a last-minute solo trip to Mexico at the end of December (over Christmas). My goal is to escape the festive local rush and just enjoy some warm, peaceful beach time.

After doing some digging, Huatulco seems to fit my needs best:

Quiet & peaceful: It feels much more low-key and laid-back than party resort towns (perfect for my introverted nature).

Great snorkeling: I grew up by the sea and am a fairly experienced snorkeler, so being in the water is a priority for me.

Solo-friendly logistics: Safe, calm vibe, straightforward airport transit, and official/fixed taxi rates.

Since this is my first solo trip and my first time in Latin America (I don't speak Spanish, though I'm used to living in countries where my native language isn't spoken), I’d love to get advice from locals or frequent visitors to Oaxaca on a few questions:

1. Where to Stay & Beach Recommendations in Huatulco
I’m planning a one-week stay. I’ve read that staying in La Crucecita and walking or taking a quick taxi to the town/beaches is a great budget- and solo-friendly base.
Do you have any specific hotel recommendations in La Crucecita suitable for a solo adult traveler looking for a quiet stay?

Beaches: I’m looking at Playa Santa Cruz, Playa La Entrega, and Playa Chahué. Chahué looks very peaceful, but I hear it has strong waves/tides. La Entrega seems like the safest bet for clear, calm water and snorkeling. Which beach did you enjoy most, or recommend for solo ocean swimming?

2. Boat Tours & Freediving
Can you recommend any good local boat operators/tours out of Santa Cruz marina that take small groups to coral spots for snorkeling?

Also, I’ve never done formal freediving, but I’m very eager to learn! Are there reputable local shops or certified instructors in town who offer introductory freediving sessions or private coaching?

3. Alternative Local Spots?
While Huatulco seems ideal, are there any other quiet, safe coastal spots or hidden gems nearby in Oaxaca with amazing snorkeling that I should keep on my radar?

If you have any other local tips or recommendations for Huatulco, I’d be super grateful to hear them. I’m excited but a bit nervous at the same time, so your advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

My wife & are a fleeing the US over the Thanksgiving week & it's our first time in Oaxaca. We've decided to hunker down in one place for 7 nights & found an AirBnb in Reforma that seems like a good fit for us. We have one day trip booked w Mas Montana for Full Day Hike in Sierra Norte & planning on booking a Street Food Essentials Tour w Club Tengo Hambre for the morning of our first day which is a Saturday.

We have often headed to Europe this same week in previous years & have been fortunate to stumble into some amazing local early Holiday celebrations. (e.g. Sinterklauss arrival in Amsterdam, Christmas Markets in Spain etc.) I'm curious if we should be on the look out for something similar on this trip?

We are crappy tourists but seasoned travelers & typically avoid overly busy tourist spots in favor of putzing around a city eating, drinking, & hanging out. (been to Paris a few times, never been to Louvre, Didn't wait in line to see David in Florence, forgot to book Ann Frank house tour in Amsterdam way ahead of time etc.) That said, I know there are some really beautiful experiences outside the city that we don't want to miss, but I don't want to overcommit to several day-trips.

Are there places/experiences that we will definitely regret not prioritizing?

We aren't renting a car (and don't want to) but open to booking a driver, plan on mostly exploring the city on foot & don't want to deal with the hassle of a beach trip if that helps!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! And my wife will be turning 50 while we are there and would love some dinner recs. We are definitely food people but are kind of over the Michelin type multi-hour tasting menu so looking for more of a chef-driven ala carte experience that's more fun than fussy?

Hi, my wife and I are spending 3 days in Oaxaca city between december 21-25.
On the 25 (Christmas Day) we are planing to travel to Puerto Escondido. Are there any recommendations on
A) how to get from the city to PE
B) a great guided tour of the countryside including visiting ruins, local villages, distilleries

Thanks for your advice

I'm looking for a rave in Oaxaca. Any good suggestions? Thanks!

I'm a foreigner that just moved to Miahuatlan and I'm wondering if there's anything to do like pubs or bars. I speak some Spanish, but I'm a bit shy about going into bars. Thank you!

Hi everyone!

I’ll be in Oaxaca for Día de Muertos this year and wanted to ask how easy it is to visit the cemeteries independently rather than booking an organised tour?

I’ve seen lots of tours advertised, but most seem to involve 6–8 hours of activities, which feels a bit much for what we’re after.

Ideally, we’d love to visit a cemetery in the evening, experience the atmosphere and celebrations, and explore at our own pace while being respectful of local traditions.

Has anyone done this independently? Are there particular cemeteries you’d recommend, and is it easy enough to get there and back without a guide?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks!