Mitla and Santiago Matatlan (mezcal capital) ★ 4.7
Mitla and Santiago Matatlan are the World Capital of Mezcal: the Zapotec ruins at Mitla and 200-plus palenques in Matatlan running tours and guided tastings.
More food day trips in Oaxaca
Hierve el Agua (petrified waterfalls) ★ 4.5
Hierve el Agua is the petrified-waterfall site east of Mitla, with mineral pools to swim in and Comedor Citlaly nearby for tlayudas before the drive home.
Monte Alban (archaeological) ★ 4.6
Monte Alban is the Zapotec capital ruins 10 km west of Oaxaca, with a museum and on-site restaurant for buffet lunch and a long valley view from the plaza.
San Andres Huayapam (tejate) ★ 4.4
San Andres Huayapam 10 km north of Oaxaca is the tejate village, hosting the Feria del Tejate every Palm Sunday with 88-plus producers of the recipe.
San Pablo and Reyes Etla (quesillo and tianguis) ★ 4.4
Reyes Etla is the village 30 km north of Oaxaca that put quesillo on the map; the Wednesday tianguis at Mercado Reyes Etla draws the valley producers weekly.
Tlacolula Sunday Tianguis ★ 4.6
Tlacolula's Sunday tianguis fills the plaza around the Cathedral of Tlacolula every week with Zapotec valley farmers, barbacoa de chivo and mezcal producers.