Oaxaca Outfits Inspo: Here’s What to Wear in Oaxaca Mexico
Wondering what to wear in Oaxaca City?
You’ve come to the right place, as I’ve been living in Mexico since 2018! I’ve also done countless trips to Oaxaca City, and I even lived there for a while.
When packing your Oaxaca outfits, keep these two things in mind: 1) Oaxaca weather fluctuates a lot, and 2) there are a variety of things to do in Oaxaca City.
If you need stylish outfit ideas for Oaxaca so you can both climb ancient ruins and lounge at your resort, and enjoy both daytime and nighttime activities — I’m here to help!
Whether you’re going to Oaxaca for a romantic getaway, girl’s trip, or Day of the Dead, this article has all the Oaxaca outfits inspo you need to plan the perfect Mexico vacation wardrobe.
Besides the clothes, I’ll answer common questions about typical Oaxaca dress codes, packing for Oaxaca, and much more — so let’s dive in!
Oaxaca Weather: What to Expect
Oaxaca and all Central Mexico has what’s known as the “Eternal Spring” climate, so in general, you can expect balmy springtime temperatures year-round.
In fact, many restaurants, cafes, Airbnbs in Oaxaca and some smaller boutique hotels don’t have AC or central heating — and it’s usually not an issue.
This pleasant climate also makes packing for and dressing in Oaxaca pretty consistent, as mornings and nights are cool or cold, and days are warm or hot.
With weather like this, packing things you can layer is key, as you’ll want a jacket or coat each night, and a T-shirt or sundress during the day.
🌡️ Average Oaxaca City Weather
With hot summers and colder winters, and sunny days and cool nights, Oaxaca weather fluctuates a lot!
As Oaxaca has distinct seasons, packing for Oaxaca varies greatly depending on when you’re going — so let’s do a deep dive into this topic.
Oaxaca Outfits By Season
What to Wear in Oaxaca in Spring
🌷 Spring in Oaxaca: March to June
- Average Temperature Range: 50-90°F (10-32°C)
- Season: End of Dry Season; Beginning of Rainy Season
Spring tends to be quite hot in Oaxaca, especially the month of May. This is usually the hottest month of the year, no matter where you go in the country.
If you want to comfortably sit at a restaurant’s outdoor patio or are planning to walk around a lot, make sure you have on warm weather clothes and sunscreen.
As mentioned earlier, most Oaxaca Airbnbs and some hotels don’t have AC, so make sure they provide a fan so you can comfortably sleep at night.
Jeans and a T-shirt or a sundress would work for daytime, as you can expect lots of sunshine and hot temperatures during the day.
At night, some travelers will enjoy the cooler temperatures so much that they might not even want to add a layer.
Others might want to add a cardigan, a pair of leggings, or even switch to a long sleeve shirt.
What to Wear in Oaxaca in Summer
☀️ Summer in Oaxaca: June to SeptemBer
- Average Temperature Range: 55-85°F (12-29°C)
- Season: Rainy Season
Summer is a bit cooler than Spring and that’s because it’s the rainy season and the rains usher in cooler temperatures. I’ve even experienced hail several times.
While most people associate Mexico weather with sunshine, it can rain a lot during the rainy season — so expect afternoon showers each day for about 1-2 hours.
After that, the sun will probably come back out, so don’t avoid Oaxaca summer travel just because of some rain!
Just like Spring, jeans and a T-shirt or a sundress would work for daytime, as you can expect lots of sunshine and hot temperatures during the day.
At night, some travelers will enjoy the cooler temperatures so much that they might not even want to add a layer.
Others might want to add a cardigan, a pair of leggings, or even switch to a long sleeve shirt.
What to Wear in Oaxaca in Fall
🍂 Fall in Oaxaca: October to December
- Average Temperature Range: 55-75°F (12-23°C)
- Season: End of rainy season; Beginning of dry season
If you’re traveling to Oaxaca at the beginning of the Fall/Autumn season, know that it’s a lot warmer than at the end of the season.
In October, expect warmer temperatures and possibly even some afternoon rain showers, but November and December should be cool and dry.
In Fall, jeans and a T-shirt or a sundress with leggings would work for the warm daytime temperatures.
At night in the Fall season, make sure you have a cardigan, light scarf, and/or long sleeve shirt to put on for when the temperatures drop.
For late-Fall, I’d also recommend packing warm socks and pajamas for nighttime, as many buildings don’t have central heating and those will help you sleep comfortably.
What to Wear in Oaxaca in Winter
❄️ Winter in Oaxaca: December to March
- Average Temperature Range: 40-75°F (4-23°C)
- Season: Dry Season
Oaxaca winters are usually cold at night, but never cold enough to snow (though it does snow in Mexico in some places).
As mentioned a few times, most Oaxaca Airbnbs and some hotels don’t have central heating, so make sure they provide a space heater.
In winter, jeans and a T-shirt or a sundress with leggings would work for daytime, as you can expect lots of sunshine and warm temperatures during the day.
However, make sure you have a jacket and scarf with you to put on at night. You might even want to pack a pair of Ugg boots (or similar) for nighttime.
I’d also recommend packing warm socks and comfy pajamas for nighttime, as many buildings don’t have central heating and those will help you sleep comfortably.
Daytime Oaxaca Outfits
As one of the most popular cities to visit in Mexico, you probably already know there are A LOT of things to do in Oaxaca City within city limits.
As you saw above, you can get away with a similar outfit most of the year when you’re just hanging out in the city (jeans and a T-shirt or a sundress with leggings, and a warmer layer at night).
However, while traveling to Oaxaca there are popular excursions just outside the main parts of town as well, like climbing ancient ruins and soaking in thermal pools.
For these excursions, it’s important to dress appropriately so let’s go over this more in depth below.
What to Wear to Monte Alban Ruins
One of the most fun Oaxaca day trips is seeing the ancient Monte Alban Ruins — a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 30 minutes from Oaxaca City.
When visiting, know that there’s very little shade at this site, so this sun hat and sunglasses will be essential.
Also, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, a good backpack, and a reusable water bottle. I love this Water-To-Go bottle because it has a built-in water filter.
For your outfit, shorts and a tank top will work for your clothing, or any athleisure outfit you feel comfortable in.
You’ll be walking a lot, so opt for comfortable shoes like these Hokas, or your hiking boots if you want sturdier footwear to climb the pyramids.
What to Wear to Hierve el Agua
Hireve el Agua (meaning “boiling water”) is located about 1.5 hours from Downtown Oaxaca City.
One of the most interesting sites, it’s famous for the mineral pools and waterfalls — although the waterfalls here are petrified so water isn’t actually falling in a massive quantity as it appears.
To fully experience the site, you’ll want to do the hike to the bottom of the “waterfall,” which is a pretty easy hike in good sneakers.
After that, you can jump in the mineral pools for a swim, so make sure to bring a bathing suit and whatever you might need for a beach day.
There are small food and drink stands on-site, so you can easily spend the whole day here if you come prepared with the right clothes.
Nighttime Oaxaca Outfits
Evenings in Oaxaca City are the perfect time for dressing up — my nighttime outfit is usually a little black dress with a cardigan, tights (in winter), and ballet flats.
In general, think business casual for the evenings, but here are some ideas for what to wear at night in Oaxaca City depending on where you’re headed:
What to Wear to Dinner in Oaxaca
Most Oaxaca City restaurants don’t have a dress code, so stylish pants and a top or a dress are usually fine no matter where you go.
On vacation in Mexico, you may want to embrace bright colors to go with the country’s vibe, like this vibrant maxi dress with pockets. (#TeamPockets forever)
Accessorize with this popular rattan purse, wedges with embellishments, sandals with rhinestones, or even high heels if you’re feeling fancy.
Just a quick note that the streets in Oaxaca City aren’t easy to walk on in heels or wedges, so if you’re wearing those, plan to use taxis to get around.
What to Wear to Bars in Oaxaca
The dress code for Oaxaca City bars and clubs differs depending on where you’re going — but still, you shouldn’t need to get too fancy unless you want to.
In the most posh area of town, Reforma, you’ll find a few more exclusive bars where the vibe will be a bit more dressy.
However, bars in the trendy parts of town like Downtown and Jalatlaco tend to be more casual.
A little black dress, sandals and this anti-theft crossbody bag will work for women at the majority of clubs and bars in Oaxaca Mexico.
For men, opt for pants (jeans aren’t always OK), this guayabera shirt, and close-toed shoes when you go out at night.
What to Wear at Oaxaca Resorts and Hotels
There aren’t many resorts in Oaxaca City — though there are several high-end luxury hotels in Oaxaca.
At these, resort casual attire or business casual attire is acceptable both in common areas at the bars and restaurants.
At pool and spa areas, you’d want to wear a cover up when moving around and sandals. I own and love these Havaianas.
Oaxaca Dress Codes
There’s no official dress code in Oaxaca or Mexico, but as a general statement from someone who has lived in Mexico since 2018, Mexicans tend to dress conservative.
However, Oaxaca is an artistic city, and people who want to stand out from the crowd often do so through their physical appearance and unique style of dress.
The truth remains though that dressing in a unique way that makes you stand out — so let’s examine what that could mean.
Dressing for Safety
Let me start by saying that I’m not telling anyone how to dress, and that you should wear what makes you feel good and comfortable.
However, as a Mexico blogger, the topic of safety comes up for me A LOT — and blending in with the crowds is one way to garner less attention for yourself.
One of my tips for safety in Oaxaca City is to call as little attention to yourself as possible, so for me, dressing similar to the locals has always worked.
Personally, I’ve always felt safe in Oaxaca City, and I want you to as well. To help you achieve that end, I always offer my readers what has worked for me.
How to Not Be Flashy on Accident
When people think of conservatism in dress, they often think of not wearing revealing clothing. However, this extends to another area in Oaxaca — designer labels.
While designer labels are a status symbol, in Mexico, they can make you an easy target, so I’d recommend clothing and sunglasses without labels.
As it’s super easy to lose jewelry when traveling, I’d also recommend leaving expensive jewelry at home; ie. your wedding ring and anything with diamonds.
Now, I’m by no means telling you not to wear jewelry (in fact, most people are wearing some), but I am suggesting that you stay inconspicuous with it.
As a general travel safety rule that applies to any country on Earth, if you’re thinking of taking something you can’t bear to lose, then just leave it at home so you don’t.
Camera and Cell Phone Safety
I think Oaxaca City is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I’m not alone, so you’ll see people going around using professional cameras like DSLRs.
While not all neighborhoods in Oaxaca are equally safe, the ones frequented by tourists tend to be, like Centro (Downtown), Jalatlaco, Xochimilco, and Reforma.
In these areas, if you’re mindful of your surroundings and your belongings, you should be fine with a camera — but pay extra attention to your cell phone and wallet.
Anti-Theft Purses and Backpacks
- No front zippers! With an improved anti-theft design, it opens from the back so thieves cant steal your belongings.
- Made of soft waterproof PU leather and water-resistant nylon fabric.
- Adjustable shoulder straps for carrying it like a book bag (rucksack) or purse.
- Interior and exterior pockets fit an iPad, books, smartphone, wallet, cosmetics, and on-the-go essentials.
Pickpocketing in Oaxaca isn’t a huge problem, but it can happen in places like downtown, crowded markets or on public transportation.
Rather than keeping things in your pockets (especially your back pocket), invest in an anti-theft purse or this top-rated anti-theft backpack for your trip.
They have various measures like concealed zippers, slash-proof fabric, hidden compartments, and locking zippers that make theft a lot more difficult.
Oaxaca Packing Checklist: What to Pack for Oaxaca
👗 Sundresses: Maxi dresses and sundresses are the easiest item to pack for Oaxaca that go from day to evening.
🥵 Linen Clothing: Linen is a great material because it’s moisture-wicking (meaning it quickly moves sweat to the fabric’s outer surface), and keeps you cool.
🧣 Cardigan Sweater or Light Jacket: You’ll want to have layers because the temperature usually drops by 10-20°F (approx. 5-11°C) from day to night.
🧥 Jacket or Coat: In late-Fall and Winter, you’ll need a heavier jacket at night because it’s often 40-50°F (4-10°C) during in the coldest months of the year.
👚 T-shirts: Cotton T-shirts, tank tops and workout style shirts always come in handy, so pack a few.
🩳 Shorts: Comfy shorts are a great item to pack for walking around your resort, any of these best Oaxaca tours and excursions, or even a casual meal.
Now, there is a common misconception that you can’t or shouldn’t wear shorts in Oaxaca (or really, all Mexico).
This isn’t necessarily true, though shorts aren’t common Mexico outfits for locals outside of athletic activities like playing soccer or going to the gym.
When you wear them, it will be obvious you’re not from Mexico — but that was probably obvious anyway, so if shorts make you comfortable, wear them.
Best Shoes for Oaxaca
👟 Sneakers: These Hoka sneakers, known as some of the most comfortable shoes for travel, are ideal for walking around Oaxaca City and Oaxaca City day trips.
👡 Evening Shoes: For evening time flats, these black strappy sandals make any outfit look dressed up, and these espadrille wedges take it to the next level.
👢 Boots: In late-Fall and Winter, you might want a pair of boots to wear at night, especially a pair of Ugg boots.
Best Dresses for Oaxaca
For me, these dresses with pockets are an absolute must when traveling because pockets always come in handy.
A few short sundresses, a few maxi sundresses, and a few rompers should be all you need in Oaxaca, so choose your most comfortable pieces and only pack those.
Best Sunscreen for Oaxaca
- This totally invisible, weightless, scentless formula provides oil-free sunscreen protection for all skin types and tones.
- A great make-up primer, the unique formula glides onto skin, provides shine control and leaves a velvety, makeup-gripping finish.
- No oxybenzone, octinoxate, sulfates, parabens, or synthetic frangrances EVER!
- Hydrating meadowfoam seed nourishes and protect even the most sensitive skin.
A best seller on Amazon, we also love this Supergoop SPF 40 Invisible Sunscreen for many reasons — but especially because it’s cruelty-free (not tested on animals) and eco-friendly.
One other thing to keep in mind when packing for Oaxaca is that you must comply with FAA regulations for liquids in carry-on luggage.
For this, liquids must be less than 3.4 ounces, so at 1.7 ounces, the Supergoop is the perfect size as is and you won’t need these 3.4 ounce containers.
Accessories to Pack for Oaxaca
👒 Sun Hat: A hat is an absolute must to keep protected from the sun in Oaxaca, and I love these fun straw hats with cute saying on them like “Out of Office.”
👜 Anti-Theft Purse: This crossbody anti-theft purse makes it a lot more difficult for thieves to steal your belongings with several theft-preventing measures.
😎 Sunglasses: A must for any Mexico vacation — though I always leave my expensive pairs at home because sunnies are so easy to lose, and instead, I opt for cheap sunglasses from Amazon.
🧴 Sunscreen: Pack your favorite light-weight sunscreen because stores in Oaxaca City have limited options, and sunscreen there is more expensive than in the U.S.
🦟 Bug Spray: Mosquitos can be an issue in Oaxaca, especially during the rainy season from about June to October, so I recommend this eco-friendly bug spray that has a nice lemon smell.
What NOT to Pack for Oaxaca
🤑 Valuables: While I’ve never had any issues with theft in Mexico, it can absolutely happen, so mitigate this risk by simply leaving your valuables at home.
💵 Dollars/Foreign Currency: The cheapest and easiest way to get Mexican pesos is by using the ATMs in Mexico — so don’t bring a lot of cash with you because the currency conversion services take a hefty fee to change money.
Instead, just get money from any of the numerous Oaxaca City Airport ATMs. While there will be ATM fees, they’re cheaper than at the currency conversion kiosks.
💊 Your Whole Medicine Cabinet: There are plenty of pharmacies in Oaxaca (called farmacias), so you don’t need to pack a ton of meds.
If you have prescription meds, of course bring those, but know you can easily get over the counter medicines like Tylenol (it’s called paracetamol in Mexico though).
🍓 Foods: It’s actually illegal to bring fresh fruits and veggies across borders, so make sure you don’t have those with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oaxaca Outfits
What’s the weather like in Oaxaca?
Temperatures average about 50-75°F (10-21°C) for much of the year, but can sometimes feel a bit hotter because of the humidity in Oaxaca.
How should I dress for Oaxaca?
As someone who lived in Oaxaca City for about six months, I basically wore a sundress and cardigan each day. At night, I’d layer on tights and a light scarf.
In the colder months of the year, go for a pair of jeans and long sleeved shirt during the day, and add a jacket or coat and scarf at night.
Should I dress conservatively in Oaxaca?
I’ll never tell anyone how to dress, but I will say that as a general statement from someone who has lived in Mexico since 2018, Mexicans tend to dress conservative.
As a Mexico blogger and expat, one of my top Oaxaca safety tips is to dress similarly to the locals so you call as little attention to yourself as possible.
I’ve always felt safe in Oaxaca, and I want you to as well, which is why I offer my readers the same tips that I use — but in the end, how you dress is up to you.
What kind of clothes should I wear to Oaxaca?
For the most part, a resort casual or business casual look will work anywhere you’re going when traveling to Oaxaca.
With this style of dress, you can go from day to night in all types of places, including restaurants, museums, mezcal bars (mezcalerias), shops, and local markets.
Can I wear shorts in Oaxaca?
There is a common misconception that you can’t or shouldn’t wear shorts in Oaxaca (or really, all Mexico).
This isn’t necessarily true, though shorts aren’t common for locals outside of athletic activities like playing soccer or going to the gym.
When you wear them, it will be obvious you’re not from Mexico — but that was probably obvious anyway, so if shorts make you comfortable, wear them.
What shoes to wear in Oaxaca?
These Hoka sneakers, known as some of the most comfortable walking shoes, are ideal for walking around Oaxaca.
In the evenings, casual dress shoes like loafers, ballet flats, huarache sandals or even espadrille wedges will work, or a pair of Ugg boots in the winter months.
Do you need a sweater at night in Oaxaca?
Yes — You’ll want to have layers because the temperature usually drops by 10-20°F (approx. 5-11°C) from day to night.
In late-Fall, Winter and sometimes early-Spring, you’ll need a heavier jacket at night because it’s often 40-50°F (4-10°C).
Are there mosquitoes in Oaxaca?
Yes — You’ll likely encounter mosquitoes, particularly during the Oaxaca rainy season in the summer, so come prepared with this eco-friendly bug spray that has a pleasant smell.
The mosquitoes aren’t known to be too terrible in Oaxaca City, but they can definitely be a nuisance during twilight hours in the wet season.
What to wear to a Oaxaca destination wedding?
Always defer to the wedding’s dress code, but tropical sundresses, wedges or dressy flats usually work for women, and guayabera shirts and slacks for men.
Need More Oaxaca Travel Tips?
We’ve reached the end of this Ultimate Guide to What to Wear in Oaxaca, and I hope it helped you plan all your Oaxaca City outfits.
However, I have plenty more Oaxaca travel tips for you — so check out my other Oaxaca blogs to help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.
- Renting a Car in Oaxaca City
- 17 Best Places to Stay in Oaxaca City
- 20 Best Oaxaca Tours You Can’t Miss
- Is Oaxaca Safe for Travelers?
- 30 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca City
- What’s the Best Time to Visit Oaxaca?
- Can You Drink the Water in Oaxaca?
- Best Oaxaca Restaurants for Foodies
- Is There Uber in Oaxaca Mexico?