# Guelaguetza: what to do between sessions in Oaxaca

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/guelaguetza/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 26 July to 2 August 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Auditorio Guelaguetza, Cerro del Fortín, Oaxaca, Mexico
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** Centro: Walk to the Zócalo.
- **Getting there:** Oaxaca airport (OAX) is 20 minutes from the centre; flights from Mexico City take 1 hour.
- **Weather:** In July and August, Oaxaca averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 12°C, with roughly 169 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 57 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Hierve el Agua and mezcal tour; Monte Albán ruins; Oaxacan cooking class

## Know before you go

- Oaxaca's regions perform dances on the two Mondays after 16 July.

## Weather and what to pack

In July and August, Oaxaca averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 12°C, with roughly 169 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 57 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

Oaxaca airport (OAX) is 20 minutes from the centre; flights from Mexico City take 1 hour.

Walk or taxi up the hill.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Jalatlaco. Colourful quarter with guesthouses.
- **mid:** Centro. Walk to the Zócalo.
- **luxury:** Boutique hotels near Santo Domingo. Restored colonial houses.
- Hotels we would book: Casa Angel Youth Hostel (budget), Hotel Casa Antigua (mid), Quinta Real Oaxaca (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Monte Albán ruins. Zapotec city on a mountain.
- Eat: Casa Oaxaca, Modern Oaxacan

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Hierve el Agua and mezcal tour. Petrified waterfalls and a mezcal distillery.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Day of the Dead cemetery tour. Candlelit cemeteries.
- Eat: Tlayudas at night stalls, Street food

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Oaxacan cooking class. Mole and market shopping.
- Free: Zócalo evenings.

## Tours worth booking

- [Hierve el Agua and mezcal tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Hierve%20el%20Agua%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-guelaguetza): Petrified waterfalls and a mezcal distillery.
- [Monte Albán ruins](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Monte%20Alban%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-guelaguetza): Zapotec city on a mountain.
- [Oaxacan cooking class](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Oaxaca%20cooking%20class&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-guelaguetza): Mole and market shopping.
- [Day of the Dead cemetery tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Oaxaca%20day%20of%20the%20dead%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-guelaguetza): Candlelit cemeteries.

## Where to eat

- Mercado 20 de Noviembre: Grilled meat aisle
- Casa Oaxaca: Modern Oaxacan
- Tlayudas at night stalls: Street food

## With kids

- Ethnobotanical garden tours.

## Rainy-day backups

- Museum of Oaxacan Cultures.

## Getting around

- Walkable centre; tours for villages.

## Questions people ask

### When is Guelaguetza 2027?

The next edition is 26 July to 2 August 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Guelaguetza?

In July and August, Oaxaca averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 12°C, with roughly 169 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 57 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Auditorio Guelaguetza, Cerro del Fortín?

Oaxaca airport (OAX) is 20 minutes from the centre; flights from Mexico City take 1 hour. Walk or taxi up the hill.

### Where should I stay for Guelaguetza?

For most visitors the best base is Centro: Walk to the Zócalo.

### What can we do between sessions at Guelaguetza?

Good short outings in Oaxaca include Monte Albán ruins, Oaxacan cooking class. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Guelaguetza?

Family-friendly picks: Hierve el Agua and mezcal tour, Monte Albán ruins. Ethnobotanical garden tours.

### How far is Auditorio Guelaguetza, Cerro del Fortín from Oaxaca centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Walk or taxi up the hill.

More in Oaxaca: https://eventweekends.com/city/oaxaca/