Major city · Mexico
MitlaSan Pablo Villa de Mitla
Go as a half-day or one-night stop from Oaxaca City, not a base: the ruins take 2–3 h, the town is small, and buses back run until about 22:00.Go as a half-day or one-night stop from Oaxaca City, not a base: the ruins take 2–3 h, the town is small, and buses back run until about 10:00 PM.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (dry, cooler); the town's feast days and Day of the Dead add crowds
- avoid May–Jun and Sep–Oct (rain, afternoon downpours); Easter week and Day of the Dead if you want quiet
- Airport
- OAX
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Mitla is Oaxaca's second Zapotec site after Monte Albán, and the only one where the modern town sits inside the archaeological zone: the church, the market and the ruins are a few minutes apart on foot. Most travellers come from Oaxaca City (about 45 km) for the day; a night buys you the ruins at opening, the mezcal palenques and a side trip to Hierve el Agua or Yagul.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mitla, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyMitla is a small, calm town and the usual advice applies: use taxis at night, keep to lit streets, carry small notes…
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies (police, fire, ambulance) · 078 Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / SECTUR)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOAX Oaxaca International (Xoxocotlán) (About 1 h 15 min to Mitla by car or taxi; no direct bus from the airport, so go into Oaxaca City first.).
- Getting aroundThe centre, the ruins, the church and the market are walkable in 10–20 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or atoleM$25–50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealBreakfast (huevos entomatados, bread, coffee)M$70–140 (≈ US$4–8)
- BeerBeer / glass of mezcalM$40–70 (≈ US$3–4)M$40–100 (≈ US$3–6)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miMototaxi hop in towncheckM$20–40 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–400 (≈ US$11–25)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personMX$300 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomMX$1,450 (≈ US$80)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomMX$2,200 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,300 (≈ US$75) · High MX$2,600 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OAX Oaxaca International (Xoxocotlán) (About 1 h 15 min to Mitla by car or taxi; no direct bus from the airport, so go into Oaxaca City first.)
Weather and climate
Mitla: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C79°F
8°C46°F
1 rd
Feb
27°C81°F
9°C48°F
1 rd
Mar
29°C84°F
11°C52°F
2 rd
Apr
30°C86°F
13°C55°F
4 rd
May
29°C84°F
14°C57°F
8 rd
Jun
27°C81°F
15°C59°F
14 rd
Jul
26°C79°F
14°C57°F
13 rd
Aug
26°C79°F
14°C57°F
13 rd
Sep
26°C79°F
14°C57°F
15 rd
Oct
26°C79°F
12°C54°F
8 rd
Nov
26°C79°F
10°C50°F
3 rd
Dec
26°C79°F
8°C46°F
1 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre, the ruins, the church and the market are walkable in 10–20 min. Mototaxis (three-wheelers) cover short hops in town; taxis wait near Cempoaltepetl and Independencia. For Yagul, Matatlán, Hierve el Agua or the caves you need a taxi, a tour or a combi, and combis to Hierve el Agua leave when full rather than on a timetable.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hierve el Agua
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h each way
Combi from Independencia at Aquiles Serdán, or taxi; combis leave when full
Petrified waterfalls and spring pools; go early, bring cash for entry and parking.
Yagul
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Taxi or combi towards Oaxaca City, about 12 km westTaxi or combi towards Oaxaca City, about 7.5 mi west
Smaller Zapotec site with a ball court and tombs; pair with the Yagul caves.
Matatlán
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Taxi or combi on the Oaxaca road, about 8 kmTaxi or combi on the Oaxaca road, about 5 mi
Mezcal town with many palenques; agree a tasting price before you start.
Door to door: About 1–1.25 h
Second-class bus from the Mitla terminal (gate 10) or combi on Hwy 190
Buses run roughly every 15–30 min through the day; last departures in the evening.
Monte Albán
cautionDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus or combi to Oaxaca City, then a tour bus or taxi up to the site
Do it as a day from Oaxaca City, not as a return trip from Mitla.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mitla centro (around Independencia and Benito Juárez)
Walk to the ruins, the bus terminal and the market; best for one night without a car.
San Pablo / Xaagá road
Guesthouses and boutique hotels with gardens and pools, 5–15 min by taxi from the ruins; quieter, fewer places to eat on foot.
Oaxaca City (base option)
Most travellers sleep in Oaxaca City and day-trip; more beds, food and transport, but 45–60 min each way.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$500–900 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$900–1,600 (≈ US$50–90) excl. bed
- High
- M$1,600 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × MX$1,450 | MX$1,450 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,300 | MX$2,600 |
| Round-trip bus or combi Oaxaca City ↔ Mitla2 × MX$50 · check | MX$100 |
| Taxi Oaxaca City → Mitla, one way1 × MX$400 · check | MX$400 |
| Archaeological zone entry2 × MX$90 · check | MX$180 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$523 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,877 per person per day, bed included | MX$5,753≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance transport and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or atole | M$25–50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Tlayuda or mole plate | M$90–180 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Breakfast (huevos entomatados, bread, coffee) | M$70–140 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Beer / glass of mezcal | M$40–70 (≈ US$3–4) / M$40–100 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Bottle of mezcal to take homePrice depends on agave and ageing; ask for the litre price. | M$200–800 (≈ US$11–45) |
| Mototaxi hop in towncheck | M$20–40 (≈ US$2–3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$200–400 (≈ US$11–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ruins are open-air and shade is scarce: go at opening, carry water and a hat.
- Some site areas and the church can close for restoration or ceremonies: check locally before you pay.
- Combi and bus drivers may not give change; carry small peso notes.
- Mezcal sold at roadside palenques is strong (often 40–60% alcohol) and pours are generous: eat first.
- Afternoon rain from May to October can make the archaeological zone slippery and cut visits short.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies (police, fire, ambulance)
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / SECTUR)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MitlaSan Pablo Villa de Mitla
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassy in Mitla; the US, UK, Canadian and other consulates or embassies are in Mexico City, with a US consular agency in Oaxaca City (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Oaxaca City → Mitla: from about M$20–25 (≈ US$2), about 1 h (check)
- Combi Oaxaca City → Mitla: about M$20 (≈ US$2), about 1 h (check)
- Taxi Oaxaca City → Mitla: about M$400 (≈ US$25), negotiable (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- Dos boletos, por favor — Two tickets, please (dohs boh-LEH-tohs por fah-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está la terminal de autobuses? — Where is the bus terminal? (DON-deh es-TAH la ter-mee-NAL deh ow-toh-BOO-ses)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- Sin hielo, por favor — I don't want ice (seen YEH-loh por fah-VOR)
Cash is king in Mitla: many small restaurants, combis and palenques do not take cards.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mitla. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar (dry, cooler); the town's feast days and Day of the Dead add crowds · avoid May–Jun and Sep–Oct (rain, afternoon downpours); Easter week and Day of the Dead if you want quiet · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for OAX: taxi or shuttle times into Oaxaca City, then the Mitla leg, with a late-arrival fallback.
- Walking cluster map: ruins and church, market and weavers, Independencia food strip, mezcal palenques.
- Place pages with verified hours and entry fees for the archaeological zone, Templo de San Pablo and the caves.
- Hierve el Agua and Yagul combi fixtures so the day-trip verdicts can go green or red.