Mexico, North America
Oaxaca in September
The rainiest stretch, with heavier afternoon storms that can make mountain roads slow. Independence celebrations on September 15 and 16.
The straight answer
September is a quiet, good-value month to visit Oaxaca. The rainiest stretch, with heavier afternoon storms that can make mountain roads slow. Independence celebrations on September 15 and 16.
- Weather
- Wettest month, highs near 78F (26C)
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What September is like in Oaxaca
September is the wettest month, with highs near 78F (26C) and heavier afternoon storms. Mountain roads can be slow, and outdoor plans need flexibility. Crowds and prices are low, and Mexican Independence is celebrated on September 15 and 16 with the Grito and fireworks.
It suits flexible, budget travelers who mostly want food, markets, and museums. If you want dry days for ruins and village trips, wait a few weeks: October brings the rains to an end and the Dia de Muertos season begins.
Make the most of September
What is especially good about Oaxaca this month.
Independence night
On the night of September 15, crowds fill the Zocalo for the Grito, with fireworks and music, followed by the holiday on the 16th.
Rainy-day food crawl
Hop between the markets for mole, tlayudas, and hot chocolate while the storms pass.
Low-season rates
Some of the lowest prices of the year, a good time for a longer stay.
What to pack for September
- A reliable rain jacket
- Waterproof shoes
- A small umbrella
- A light sweater for damp evenings
Our timing tip
Plan any Hierve el Agua or mountain trip early in the day, and ask your hotel if roads are clear before you go.
Book Oaxaca for September.
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- Hotels for September
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in OaxacaOpens a hotel search for Oaxaca in September, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in OaxacaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in OaxacaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Oaxaca for September. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Oaxaca
Monte Alban
The Zapotec capital on a leveled mountaintop above the city. Go when it opens to beat the heat and the tour buses; bring a hat, there is little shade.
Templo de Santo Domingo and the Museo de las Culturas
The gilded church interior is one of Mexico's baroque masterpieces; the former convent next door holds the treasures of Tomb 7 from Monte Alban.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juarez market
The smoke-filled grill aisle for tasajo and chorizo, then chocolate, mole pastes, and chapulines next door. Go at lunch.
Museo Textil de Oaxaca
A small, excellent museum of regional and international textiles in the Centro. Free and often overlooked.
Hierve el Agua
Mineral springs and petrified waterfalls about 90 minutes away. Access has occasionally been closed by local disputes, so confirm before you go.
Mitla and the Tule tree
Combine the stone fretwork of Mitla with the massive ahuehuete tree in Santa Maria del Tule, one of the widest trees in the world.
Beat the crowds
- For Dia de Muertos, book hotels four to six months ahead, and consider arriving a week early to see altar building and markets before the peak crowds arrive.
- January and February are the empty, sunny months. You get the same food and markets at half the Dia de Muertos price.
- Go to Monte Alban at opening time and save the markets for the afternoon, when the ruins are hot and busy.
- For the Guelaguetza, free community versions and parades happen around the city even if the main auditorium tickets are gone.
Know before you go
- Many museums close on Mondays, which catches visitors out. Check hours for any museum you plan around.
- Christmas through January 6 and Semana Santa are Mexican holiday periods: sights are open but crowded, and some small businesses shut for a few days.
- Access to Hierve el Agua and some villages is occasionally closed by local community disputes or blockades. Ask your hotel before heading out.
- Teacher and labor protests sometimes block streets in the Centro or roads to the airport, especially in late spring. Leave extra time and follow local news.
Oaxaca in September, quick answers
Is September a good time to visit Oaxaca?
September is a quiet, good-value month to visit Oaxaca. The rainiest stretch, with heavier afternoon storms that can make mountain roads slow. Independence celebrations on September 15 and 16.
What is the weather like in Oaxaca in September?
Wettest month, highs near 78F (26C).
Is Oaxaca crowded in September?
September is one of the quieter months in Oaxaca; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Oaxaca.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in September
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