From the Zapotec villages of the Sierra Norte to the turtle nesting beaches and mellow points around Mazunte, the landscapes match views with adventure-focused communities through trail networks, cabin stays, and guiding projects that keep more tourism revenue in local hands.
Photo: Photostock by Leonardo Em/Shutterstock
Zoom out on a map and Oaxaca looks like three trips in one. Inland, Oaxaca City sits in a high valley ringed by rugged sierras and archeological sites. To the north, the Sierra Norte rises into pine and oak forest where trails connect village to village. South and west, the mountains fall hard toward the Pacific, breaking into coves, bays, and surf beaches from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido.
And while Oaxaca’s surf towns have long been havens for wave chasers from around the world, it’s the mountain bike trails that have become the hot adventure draw over the past decade. The first international race on the TranSierra Norte took place in 2017, and the options have only increased ever since.
Crucially, Oaxaca remains relatively affordable compared to many North American and European adventure hotspots, with a robust network of long-distance buses, colectivos, and short domestic flights connecting its hubs.
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Less than two hours from Oaxaca City, the Sierra Norte is where you’ll find a collective of eight Zapotec villages known as the Pueblos Mancomunados, which manage more than 100 kilometers of signed trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Trails thread through microclimates that shift from thick pine to agave-studded slopes; altitude and cool temperatures make summer here feel like a different country from the coast.
The project is more than a playground, though. The Pueblos Mancomunados are a long-running example of community-based tourism used to safeguard forests and provide alternatives to logging and migration. Guided treks — ranging from day hikes to multi-day village-to-village routes — channel visitor spending into local jobs and conservation, while keeping group sizes small and impacts controlled.
Beyond the Pueblos Mancomunados, operators around Oaxaca City now bundle in rock climbing, canyoning, and trail running in the Sierra Norte and neighboring ranges for travelers who want more technical objectives.
Photo: Christopher Mazmanian/Shutterstock
Puerto Escondido is still the big name, one of Mexico’s surf capitals with everything from beginner-friendly breaks to the famously heavy barrels at Playa Zicatela. That said, you’re likely to hear English on the streets and in the bars Mazunte, Zipolite, and smaller villages between Puerto Escondido and Huatulco add a more mellow, bohemian feel, with point breaks, coastal hikes, and opportunities for sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Adventure can be easily broken up with animal spotting. Seasonal turtle nesting, dolphin and whale-watching trips, and snorkeling tours in the bays around Huatulco connect visitors directly with the Pacific’s biodiversity.
Infrastructure has improved, too. Short domestic flights link Oaxaca City with Puerto Escondido and Huatulco in about half an hour, and upgraded roads have made coast-to-mountain loops more feasible — though the mountain routes remain winding and are best tackled with time, patience, and a lot of moxie.
Photo: Raul Luna/Shutterstock
November through April is the dry season on the coast and is best for surfing, sailing, and beach time around Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, and Huatulco. In October through March, take cooler-weather treks in the Sierra Norte and combine mountain excursions with Day of the Dead or winter festivals in Oaxaca City. May through September is the quietest time for international visitors due to the heavy rains on the coast.
Oaxaca City is the main international gateway and jumping-off point for anywhere you want to go in the state. Comfortable hotels and Airbnbs can be found across the city (try to stay near one of the markets, like Mercado 20 de Noviembre or Mercado Benito Juarez). Puerto Escondido’s airport is small but manageable if you want to start on the coast, and still has some backpacker-style stays as well as cheap hotels, but even the more luxurious Airbnbs still go for relatively cheap.
Nominations for the 2025 Matador Network Adventure Destination Award were sourced from across the well-traveled Matador Network team. The nominees were judged based on accessibility, range of experiences, sustainability, cost, seasonality, accommodations, and crowds.
Our other top nominees, in no particular order: