Mexico City–Puebla–Oaxaca Southbound
Head south from Mexico City to Puebla and Oaxaca, connecting ancient ruins, Baroque historic centers, and indigenous cuisine.
This is the classic southbound route most favored by travel agencies: four nights in Mexico City, two nights in Puebla, and four nights in Oaxaca, traveling one-way and flying out of Oaxaca. The cities are connected by overland buses, with lighter schedules on travel days. Ideal for first-time visitors with plenty of time who value culture and gastronomy; this route skips the mountain hiking and coastal areas of Oaxaca.
Accommodation in Oaxaca is extremely tight around the Day of the Dead; Hierve el Agua is occasionally closed due to local community disputes, so verify before setting out.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Mexico City & First Look at the Historic Center
Mexico City（Zócalo / Metropolitan Cathedral、Templo Mayor、Palacio de Bellas Artes）
Take a taxi from the airport to the Historic Center (approx. 40 minutes), drop off your luggage, and explore the Zócalo area on foot.
The altitude is about 2,240 meters; take it easy on your first day.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 2 · National Museum of Anthropology & Chapultepec Castle
Mexico City（National Museum of Anthropology、Chapultepec Castle）
Take the metro or a taxi for about 30 minutes to Chapultepec, spend the day walking in the park, and return in the evening.
Both the museum and the castle are closed on Mondays.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 3 · The Blue House & Xochimilco Canals
Mexico City（Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)、Coyoacán、Xochimilco）
Take a taxi to Coyoacán (approx. 40 minutes), head to Xochimilco in the afternoon to ride a colorful trajinera boat, and return by taxi in the evening.
You must book tickets for the Blue House online in advance; it is closed on Mondays.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 4 · Teotihuacán Day Trip
Mexico City（Teotihuacan、Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe）
Take a bus from the Northern Bus Terminal (Terminal del Norte) to the ruins (approx. 1 hour), or join a day tour, returning in the afternoon via the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Climbing the pyramids is currently not allowed; bring plenty of sun protection and drinking water.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 5 · Transfer to Puebla's Historic Center
Puebla（Zócalo of Puebla、Puebla Cathedral、Biblioteca Palafoxiana、Rosary Chapel, Templo de Santo Domingo）
Take a taxi to TAPO, take an ADO bus to CAPU (approx. 2–2.5 hours), then take a taxi to the historic center and explore on foot.
The Palafoxiana Library is closed on Mondays.
Stay: Centro Histórico
Day 6 · Cholula & Baroque Chapels
Puebla（Great Pyramid of Cholula、Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies、Church of Santa María Tonantzintla）
Take a taxi or minibus for about 30 minutes to Cholula, then take a taxi to Tonantzintla, returning to the historic center in the evening.
You can arrange a mole cooking class on this day or the following morning.
Stay: Centro Histórico
Day 7 · Head South to Oaxaca
Oaxaca（Zócalo & Oaxaca Cathedral、Andador Turístico (Calle Macedonio Alcalá)）
Take an ADO bus from CAPU to Oaxaca (approx. 4.5–5.5 hours), take a taxi to the historic center, and explore on foot in the evening.
Buses run roughly every two hours; book tickets in advance during holidays.
Stay: Historic Centre (around Constitution Square)
Day 8 · Oaxaca Historic Center & Markets
Oaxaca（Templo de Santo Domingo & Museum of Oaxacan Cultures、Ethnobotanical Garden of Oaxaca、Mercado Benito Juárez、Mercado 20 de Noviembre）
Spend the day walking around the historic center; churches, museums, and markets are all within a 10-to-15-minute walk of each other.
Most visits to the Ethnobotanical Garden require a guided tour; check the schedule in advance.
Stay: Historic Centre (around Constitution Square)
Day 9 · Monte Albán & Craft Villages
Oaxaca（Monte Albán、San Bartolo Coyotepec、San Martín Tilcajete）
Take a taxi or shuttle for about 30 minutes to the ruins, hire a car in the afternoon to visit the black pottery and woodcarving villages to the south, and return in the evening.
There is very little shade at the ruins; it is recommended to enter as early as possible after opening.
Stay: Historic Centre (around Constitution Square)
Day 10 · East Valley: Tule Tree to Hierve el Agua
Oaxaca（Árbol del Tule、Teotitlán del Valle、Mitla、Hierve el Agua）
Join a day tour or hire a private car to visit the Tule Tree, a rug-weaving village, Mitla, and Hierve el Agua in sequence (approx. 8–9 hours total).
If it's Sunday, you can add the Tlacolula market to the itinerary.
Stay: Historic Centre (around Constitution Square)
Day 11 · Historic Neighborhoods & Fly out of Oaxaca
Oaxaca（Museo Textil de Oaxaca、Barrio de Jalatlaco）
Spend the morning walking through the Textile Museum and Jalatlaco, then take a taxi to the airport in the afternoon (approx. 30 minutes).