My Oaxaca Trip: Pottery, Food, and Family Time
In August of 2023, I finally made a trip I had been dreaming about. I kept seeing videos on Instagram and TikTok of the pottery in Oaxaca and how talented the artisans are, so I decided to go see it for myself. I also thought it would be fun to bring my parents along for the adventure.
Getting to Oaxaca
I booked an Airbnb just a few minutes from downtown Oaxaca City. My parents live in Guadalajara, so we planned to meet at the airport. I got there around 7 am and they landed about 30 minutes after me. We went straight to pick up our rental car, did the paperwork in the city, and then headed to the Airbnb.
We stayed at Charming Apartment “Tindi.” It was a two-bedroom place inside a gated community — perfect for the three of us. One room had a queen bed, the other had two twins, and the kitchen had everything we needed. Plus, there was parking for the car, which made things so easy.
The first day we just unpacked and got settled in. Later that night we had dinner at Ancestral Cocina Tradicional and the food was amazing.
Pottery in Atzompa
The next morning we headed out to Atzompa. I had reached out to Emanuel from Colores del Suelo before my trip to see if I could stop by and record some of their pottery process, but before they were available, we walked around the Mercado de Artesanías. I loved seeing all the different pottery styles made in the town.
When we finally made it to Colores del Suelo, Maestra Lucina showed us how they work with clay. First, they mix the clay and let it rest. Then they mold it into vases and cover them in plastic bags to keep the moisture. After that, they add embroidered designs with more clay and finally fire the pieces in the oven. My favorite part was seeing how the whole family worked together to make it all happen.
On our way back, we stopped at a little roadside restaurant where I discovered tacos gobernador. These were made with octopus, Oaxaca cheese, and tomato paste — and they were seriously so good.
Black Pottery in San Bartolo Coyotepec
The following day we visited San Bartolo Coyotepec to see how black pottery is made. We stopped by a small shop where Mr. Pablo and his wife showed us their techniques. The pieces were beautiful, and I loved learning more about the history of barro negro.
Barro Rojo and El Tule
On our third day, we drove into the mountains to San Marcos Tlapazola, home of the famous Mujeres del Barro Rojo.It was incredible to meet them in person, visit their shop, and even get a picture with them. We also picked up some pottery pieces to bring home.
On the way back, we stopped in El Tule to see the giant tree that’s more than 2,000 years old. Next to it, there’s a church and a little market where we grabbed ice cream and snacks. I even saw corn on the cob topped with crickets!
Hierve el Agua
Another day we drove about two hours to Hierve el Agua. The hike down was steep, but the view of the frozen waterfall was worth it. At the top, there’s a small pool with water coming out of the rocks — so beautiful.
On the way back, we stopped for food again (of course!) and had a tlayuda with fresh molcajete salsa. That might have been one of my favorite meals of the trip.
Exploring Oaxaca City
We spent time walking around the city too. One of my favorite spots was Barrio Jalatlaco, which was full of papel picado, colorful murals, and so much character.
We also went back to Atzompa to see more artisans and, yes, I had to stop for tacos gobernador again. On the way back we pulled over at the mirador to get some photos of Oaxaca City.
On our last day, we visited the Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca. It’s basically a huge garden filled with plants from all over the region — cacti, agaves, and so many native species. It’s a really cool place to learn how important plants are to Oaxacan culture.
Wrapping Up
This trip was so special, especially because I got to spend it with my parents. I honestly can’t pick a favorite part — every moment felt magical. From the pottery towns to the food to just walking around the city, Oaxaca completely won me over.
And the best part? We always felt safe — driving around, walking through the markets, even exploring small towns. If you’ve ever thought about visiting Oaxaca, I say go for it. You’ll fall in love with it just like I did.
Is Traveling to Oaxaca Safe?
The short answer: yes, I felt completely safe the whole time.
Where Do You Fly Into for Oaxaca, Mexico?
You fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), which is about 20–25 minutes from the center of Oaxaca City.
How to Plan a Trip to Oaxaca, Mexico
Here’s how I planned my trip, step by step:
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Book an Airbnb near downtown. We stayed at a two-bedroom apartment called “Tindi” inside a gated community just a few minutes from the center. It was perfect because it had a kitchen, parking, and plenty of space for me and my parents.
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Rent a car. This was key because many of the pottery towns and natural attractions like Hierve el Agua are a drive outside of the city.
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Plan for food and markets. Oaxacan food is amazing, and some of my favorite meals were at small roadside restaurants. You don’t want to miss dishes like tacos gobernador, tlayudas, mole, and hot chocolate.
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Make time for artisan towns. Each town around Oaxaca specializes in a different type of pottery: Atzompa (green pottery), San Bartolo Coyotepec (black pottery), and San Marcos Tlapazola (red pottery). Visiting them was one of the best parts of the trip.
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Leave a day for natural wonders. Hierve el Agua, with its frozen waterfalls, was absolutely worth the two-hour drive.
What Can You Tell Me About Visiting Oaxaca, Mexico?
Here’s what my trip was like:
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Day 1: After settling into our Airbnb, we had dinner at Ancestral Cocina Tradicional — a great way to start the trip.
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Day 2: We went to Atzompa to see pottery being made at Color’s del Suelo. Maestra Lucina showed us the whole process, from mixing the clay to firing the pieces in the oven. I loved how the whole family worked together. On the way back, I discovered my new favorite food: tacos gobernador made with octopus and Oaxaca cheese.
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Day 3: We visited San Bartolo Coyotepec and learned about black pottery from Mr. Pablo and his wife. Later, we drove into the mountains to San Marcos Tlapazola to meet the Mujeres del Barro Rojo (the women who make red clay pottery). We also stopped in El Tule to see the famous 2,000-year-old tree and grabbed ice cream at the market nearby.
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Day 4: We spent the day at Hierve el Agua. The hike was steep but the views were worth it. On the way back, we ate a giant tlayuda with fresh molcajete salsa.
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Day 5: We explored Barrio Jalatlaco in Oaxaca City, a colorful neighborhood with papel picado and murals everywhere. Later, we returned to Atzompa for more pottery and more tacos gobernador (yes, they were that good!).
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Day 6: On our last day, we visited the Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca, a garden that highlights the region’s plants and their cultural importance. Then we returned the rental car and headed to the airport.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Oaxaca was magical. From the pottery villages to the food to the natural beauty, there was so much to see and do. The best part was sharing it all with my parents.
If you’re wondering whether Oaxaca is worth visiting, I can say 100% yes. It’s safe, it’s beautiful, and it’s full of culture. Whether you’re there for the food, the art, or just to soak up the atmosphere, Oaxaca will leave you wanting to come back again.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Oaxaca was magical. From the pottery villages to the food to the natural beauty, there was so much to see and do. The best part was sharing it all with my parents.
If you’re wondering whether Oaxaca is worth visiting, I can say 100% yes. It’s safe, it’s beautiful, and it’s full of culture. Whether you’re there for the food, the art, or just to soak up the atmosphere, Oaxaca will leave you wanting to come back again.
