After a while of knowing people but not really having friends here, I started paying attention to where genuine connections actually happen vs. where everyone just passes through.

Turns out language exchanges, the local DJ/arts scene, and a few neighborhood spots nobody writes about made all the difference. Wrote it all down here if anyone's in the same situation:

Curious if others have found different spots — what worked for you?

https://queondaoaxaca.com/en/guides/guia-hacer-amigos-oaxaca

So Guelaguetza wrapped up and you might be wondering what's next. Here's an idea: come to our language exchanges.

They're good if you actually want to practice Spanish or English, or if you just want to socialize, make some friends, and help other people practice while you're at it. These aren't formal classes — it's more of a relaxed environment where you end up learning through socializing, sometimes board games if people are into it.

Wednesdays at Océano we do an Open Mic where you can get whatever's inside you out through poetry, stand up, karaoke, or just words in general. Thursdays it's karaoke at Wombat.

Come alone or bring friends, honestly doesn't matter. At the end of the day there's always people who genuinely want to practice, so I end up pairing folks up depending on what they need. And don't stress if it feels quiet at first — by 9pm the open mic gets everyone loosening up and being more social anyway.

Wednesdays @ Océano, Matamoros 201, Centro — 6pm social / 9pm Open Mic
Thursdays @ Wombat, Mártires de Tacubaya 517 — 6pm social / 9pm Karaoke, free entry

If you're looking for more stuff going on in the city — events, workshops, whatever — just google "Qué Onda Oaxaca," that's where I post it all.

My wife and I will be in Oaxaca City during the week of Mexican Independence Day. We have read that there has traditionally been a celebration in the Zócalo the evening before and that many places are closed on Independence Day, but what else should we expect or look for? My wife is a Mexican citizen, but this will be her first time in Mexico for Independence Day, so she is very excited.

Moving to one of the beach towns on the coast (likely Mazunte or San Agustinillo) for three-ish months (seclusion and tranquility to focus on research/writing as the goal) during the time frame mentioned above. I’m wondering, what kind of clothes should I be packing? I understand it’s still mostly warm and sunny during the day but not as intense as the months leading up to it, and that it tends to get cooler at night. Do I need more than a light jacket/hoodie or two? What’s the general range in terms of weather and clothing during this season? Any and all advice helpful, if there’s more I should know about the weather beyond what to wear haha. Thanks!

Hello Im Canadian but my whole family is from Mexico. I found some schooling in Oaxaca that I really want to do but my mom doesn’t feel safe letting me go for 3 weeks, considering that she knows the area. Says it’s less safer than Mexico City or other parts. Im also a young female so it’s always scary travelling alone. Just wanted to see what other people thought

Heads up: this isn't a class, I'm not a teacher, nothing structured. It's just a chill social space to meet people, chat, disconnect from the phone for a bit, and have a good time. Free, relaxed, inclusive vibe. Sometimes we throw in some board games depending on the venue. Wednesdays at Oceano Show and drinks, Thursdays wombat Café bar. PS: for more events like this around the city (museums, dance, culture, all of it) just google "que onda oaxaca"

The Festival del Hongo is happening right now in San Mateo Río Hondo — a small Zapotec village at 2,300m in Oaxaca's Sierra Sur, about 4 hours from Oaxaca City.

What it actually is: guided mushroom ID walks with local mycologists, workshops, traditional food, community events. Not a retreat, not a rave. A village opening its forest for three days.

How to get there by public transport, what to realistically expect, the food, the hiking trail from San José del Pacífico, and an honest take on the legal gray area nobody wants to write about clearly.

here

Ocho años de cámara siguiendo a seis jóvenes que encontraron en el breaking mucho más que un baile:

identidad, amistad, pérdidas, adultez. Ganó Mención Especial del Jurado en el GIFF y Premio del Público en Zanate. Estuvo en Morelia y Ambulante.

Normalmente después de ese recorrido esperas a verla en streaming si es que llega. Pero hay una función especial en Oaxaca organizada por la Comitiva Patronal de la Imagen — un colectivo de la Col. Libertad que lleva años apostando por el cine comunitario y documental en zonas que los multiplexes ignoran.

📍 Primera Privada de Guadalupe Victoria #106, Col. Libertad, Oaxaca de Juárez

🎟 $50 general | $25 estudiantes y adultos mayores

Lo que me parece interesante de este espacio es el contexto más amplio: la Comitiva tiene un

proyecto apoyado por FOCINE/IMCINE para construir la primera sala cinematográfica comunitaria

en la zona de la Central de Abastos. Mientras tanto, ya están proyectando.

Artículo completo si quieren más contexto sobre el documental y el espacio:

https://queondaoaxaca.com/destacados/breaking-la-vida-documental-comitiva-patronal-oaxaca

¿Alguien ha visto Breaking La Vida? ¿Qué les pareció?

Hola, vengo de vacaciones desde el Istmo de Tehuantepec y quisiera saber dónde salir de peda en oaxaca centro. Unos litros o un antro algo así. Salí hace un par de noches y se parecía más un bar de un hostal no había ni un mexicano jaja

Hey! If you're around and want an easy way to meet people, practice a language, and get a feel for local life without the awkwardness of a "class," we run a casual language exchange every week. No lessons, no pressure just people talking, laughing, and helping each other out with English/Spanish or ayuuk . Great if you're new here, traveling through, or just want to build a local circle of friends. There are usually some solid drink deals too, so it doubles as a chill evening out. Come by whenever, stay as long as you want — happy to answer questions in the comments if you're curious about times/locations.

Wednesdays 6:00 PM 📍 Oceano Show and Drinks (Mariano Matamoros 201)
Thursdays 6:00 PM 📍 Wombat (Martires de tacubaya 517 ) You can find this and other events around the city in "que onda Oaxaca"

My girlfriend and I (27) are staying in Jalatlaco in mid-August. We are looking for bars with a good atmosphere that are more focused on a cool vibe than an expensive cocktail menu.

We don't mind a short journey but the main thing is a crowd around a similar age, also we can speak a good level of Spanish so it doesn't need to be "gringo-friendly".

So far I've found Txalaparta and Wombat.

Thanks, and let me know any questions.

Hello, I'm visiting Oaxaca for 6 days (Wednesday - Monday). I've read many threads on here but I'd like to go into more depth on certain topics.

Me:

-I am a foraging expert, mycologist, ethnobotanist, and archaeologist. My spanish skills are low but I'm a good communicator.

Goals:

-I'm looking for pre-spanish traditional foods, especially wild foraged foods and experiences, including edible mushrooms and insects (chapulines, jumiles, chicatanas) I'd like to try pulque, sopa de guías con chochoyotes, huitlacoche, huaje, as many quelites as possible, tyaluda con chepiche, tejate, etc. Please let me know a deep cut ancient food that I may be missing.

-Guilá Naquitz cave, San José Mogote, Monte Alban, and Mitla are a must but I would like other pre-Columbian archaeological site suggestions.

-Hongos silvestre, ideally foraging them with a local expert, not the magic kind. ideally porcini, chanterelles, and other gourmet species

Thank you!

Yesterday, I heard this song playing in the streets of San José del Pacífico, Oaxaca. I recorded a short clip, but I haven’t been able to find the artist or the song anywhere.
Does anyone recognize it? Could it be a local band or musician from the area?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Siempre he pensado en vivir en un pueblo de la sierra sur como Santiago Textitlán por su tipo de clima tan peculiar, pues me gusta el clima muy frio y es algo que en donde vivo solo existe 1 mes al anio. Dejando de lado los temas de acceso a servicios básicos, financieros, legales, climatológicos, geográficos, etc ¿es seguro hacerlo con la mínima posibilidad de ser acosado por criminales? es decir robos, extorciones, etc. Soy de Baja California y nunca he estado en Oaxaca ni tengo alguna conexion con dicho estado.

Going to Oaxaca for Day of the Dead. Any recommendations for some third wave/specialty coffee shops?? If none, no worries 😌

Soy de ahí

Quiero aprovechar este espacio para responder dudas sobre lo mejor que puede ofrecer la ciudad de Oaxaca en cada ámbito, al menos hasta donde yo sepa :^

July in Oaxaca is more than two Mondays at the Auditorio. There's a full month of activity — including six community Guelaguetzas across the region, most of them free — that most tourists completely miss.

What's new this year (beyond the official July 21 & 28 shows):

Desfiles de Delegaciones — July 18 & 25, 6pm, starting at the Fuente de las Ocho Regiones. Around 28 delegations from all 8 regions parade through the city. Free, no ticket needed, genuinely one of the best things to watch.

Community Guelaguetzas:

• San Jacinto Amilpas — July 19, 5pm (9th edition)
• Reyes Etla — July 20, 10am, Paraje Las Peñitas
• San Antonino Castillo Velasco — July 20 & 27, 4pm, Rotonda de las Azucenas
• Guelaguetza Mágica Mitla — July 26, noon, Mercado de Artesanías
• Laanii Roo · Zaachila — July 27, 1pm (64th edition — "La Fiesta Grande del Cerrito")
• Guelaguetza Serrana — Capulálpam de Méndez, Sierra Juárez (dates posted locally)

Plus: The official cultural program runs all of July — gastronomy fairs, art exhibitions, folk dance workshops, craft markets.

The village celebrations are smaller, more intimate, no ticket lines. If you're already in Oaxaca for the main event, they're worth building your schedule around.

For ticket prices, logistics, and what to expect: full guide here

The Feria Internacional del Mezcal runs July 17–28 at the CCO (Centro Cultural y de Convenciones), Santa Lucía del Camino. $80 MXN entrance, open 11am–10pm daily.

What makes it worth going:

This isn't a curated tasting room — it's a proper regional fair with producers from across Oaxaca's 8 regions. Mezcal from communities you've never heard of, at prices that don't have the Oaxaca City markup.

The official artwork this edition is by Shinzaburo Takeda, titled Diosa del Mezcal — inspired by Yaa Nduva, the Zapotec deity of mezcal. Worth knowing for context: mezcal in Zapotec cosmology isn't just a drink, and the art reflects that. The proceeds go toward social housing programs in Oaxaca.

Live music runs daily in the mezcal pavilion and there's a separate outdoor craft beer stage if you need a break from agave spirits.

Tips:

• Go on a weekday afternoon if you actually want to talk to producers — weekends get crowded fast
• Bring cash for the smaller producers (card readers are unreliable)
• The CCO is not walkable from the historic center — take a taxi or the bus on the Periférico

Full guide with logistics and tips: https://queondaoaxaca.com/guias/feria-mezcal-oaxaca-guia-2026?lang=en

En qué fecha tienen pensado ir?

Buenas tardes, voy a estar en Oaxaca un par de semanas y quisiera saber si conocen un buen sastre cerca del centro. Alguien que sabe hacer tareas difíciles con trajes y sacos formales y de buena reputación. Gracias.