Thinking about taking a trip to Oaxaca? While the historical center is filled with gorgeous buildings, cute streets, and a lot of history to match, if you’re looking for something a little different, you’ve got to head to Jalatlaco. Don’t worry; Jalatlaco is a barrio of Oaxaca that is literally right next to the historical center, so you won’t have to walk far. But once you step foot in this barrio, you’ll be transported to a super colorful area that is a lot calmer but still filled with activities and energy.

If you’d like to get to know Jalatlaco and explore this small barrio of Oaxaca, we’ve got you covered with this guide. We spent an entire month in Oaxaca, exploring everything the city has to offer, including the barrios outside of the historical center, and we hope to inspire you to step foot outside your standard tourist track.

Want a more extensive itinerary to help plan your trip? Here is our ultimate Oaxaca itinerary for 3, 4, or 5 days!

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A Bit About Jalatlaco: Colorful, Quiet Streets With a Rich History

jalatlaco oaxaca

Oaxaca has exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming one of the most visited cities in Mexico. There is a lot to love about Oaxaca as a whole, but Jalatlaco is easily one of the most colorful and interesting neighborhoods in the city.

Jalatlaco has pre-Hispanic roots dating back to 1486. In fact, it is actually older than the city center of Oaxaca and is the second oldest neighborhood in the city, Barrio Xochimilco being the only older area. Jalatlaco was originally inhabited by indigenous Zapotecs but was settled by Spanish Conquistadors in 1521.

As soon as you step foot in Jalatlaco, you’ll feel like you are being transported back in time. Everything about Jalatlaco, from the cobblestone, colorful houses, and creative murals, makes the area the most charming little enclave. Despite being located a short walk from the historic center of Oaxaca, it has a completely different vibe and is much more relaxed.

The different vibe in Jalatlaco mostly comes from the fact that local Oaxacans are still the primary residents in the neighborhood. While gentrification has been occurring at high rates in Oaxaca to make room for hotels and Airbnbs, Jalatlaco is still primarily a local area.

jalatlaco oaxaca
jalatlaco oaxaca

How to Get to Barrio Jalatlaco

Jalatlaco is a barrio (neighborhood) of Oaxaca City that is very centrally located. It only takes around 20 minutes to walk to Templo de San Matías, which is the main center of Jalatlaco from Zocalo. The barrio is situated just south of La Reforma, north of Independencia, and east of El Llano Park.

While we were in Oaxaca, we simply walked pretty much everywhere. Oaxaca is pretty compact, and Jalatlaco is close to the most popular areas, so you’ll never be far.

Another convenient thing about Jalatlaco’s location is that it is right next to the ADO bus station, so you can easily catch a bus from this area to other areas in Mexico or for day trips to places like Tlacolula market and Hierve Del Agua.

What to Do in Jalatlaco, Oaxaca

So, what are some of the key things you can do in Jalatlaco? While a small barrio, there are a few different activities we highly recommend when exploring this area.

Have a Look at the Amazing Street Art

jalatlaco oaxaca
jalatlaco oaxaca

First things first, one of the main reasons tourists visit Jalatlaco is for the amazing street art. In fact, there are plenty of free street art walking tours you can choose from. Since it’s a relatively small barrio, you can easily walk around and admire the street art yourself. But if you want to hear the stories behind the artwork, we highly recommend booking a tour.

If you plan to do a self-guided walk like we did, we recommend walking down Calle Aldama, from which you can head off into the smaller streets. But honestly? Feel free to get lost a little bit. You never know what you may find!

jalatlaco oaxaca
jalatlaco oaxaca

Go Cafe Hopping

jalatlaco oaxaca

One of our favorite activities to do in Jalatlaco is cafe hopping. As you walk around, admiring the street art, you’ll notice plenty of hole-in-the-wall cafes and ice cream shops dotted all around the barrio. Don’t be afraid to sit down and take it slow at one of these cafes. Many of these cafes feature artwork of their own and feature fascinating decor. On any given day, you’ll find plenty of tourists and locals alike frequenting these cafes.

The Jalatlaco cafes we recommend are:

  • Once in Oaxaca
  • Jalatlaco Cafe
  • Dark Heladería
  • Yegolé Café
  • ME Brew Bar & Coffé Art
  • Café Blasón

Have Lunch in the Cat Cafe

best restaurants in oaxaca - la selva de los gatos

Right at the southern end of Jalatlaco, you’ll find the most adorable cafe and restaurant: La Selva De Los Gatos. This is a vegan cafe that serves delicious food and drinks, all while you get to bask in the attention of the rescued cats that call this place home.

There is now an entrance fee of 50 pesos to get into this cafe, but we think it’s definitely worth the cause, especially if you are in the mood for cuddling these cute cats! Don’t worry; this entrance fee is crossed out from your bill if you order food or drinks. While the menu here is definitely limited, it’s one of the only vegan restaurants in Oaxaca. If you’re not a big fan of vegan food, however, we recommend popping in one of the other many cafes and restaurants in Jalatlaco and only stopping here for a drink.

Check Out Templo de San Matías

jalatlaco oaxaca
jalatlaco oaxaca

The Templo de San Matías may not be as grand as Templo de Santo Domingo in the historical center (this is one of the best things to do in Oaxaca), but it still has its own charm. This 17th-century church is the heart of the Jalatlaco neighborhood, featuring intricate details and vibrant colors. Don’t forget to snap a picture of the beautiful exterior of this church along with the gorgeous trees (which are particularly stunning in the spring).

This is still a very local church that hosts events for the residents, including beautiful weddings.

Shop Around at Some Local Boutiques

Jalatlaco may be famous for its street art but don’t forget to walk inside the boutiques instead of simply admiring everything from the outside. If you’re in the mood for some shopping and want to check out local goods, head inside the small boutiques in the barrio for handmade items clothing, and artisan products. This is a great place to score some souvenirs that you are not likely to find in one of the more touristy areas of Oaxaca, such as the markets.

While you’re at it, you may wander into some local art galleries, from which you can admire the Oaxacan creative spirit from indoors too. For example, our favorite cafe here, Once in Oaxaca, actually doubles as an art gallery!

Where to Eat and Drink in Jalatlaco

barrio xochimilco oaxaca
oaxaca itinerary market food

Oaxaca is a true foodie’s paradise. Beyond the city center, you can find some restaurant gems that may be less frequented by tourists. If you’re ready for a bite to eat or simply want to sit down and have a coffee, here are some of our favorite spots in Jalatlaco.

Once in Oaxaca

One of our favorite coffee shops in Oaxaca is Once in Oaxaca. Located right off Calle Aldama, feel free to grab a seat at one of the many outdoor tables right by the street. Enjoy the colorful buildings, gorgeous trees, and all-around relaxing vibe as you drink a cup of coffee. Don’t forget to pop inside the cafe itself to take a look at the art they have on display. You’ll find plenty of handmade artwork to admire, including postcards, magnets, and stickers.

La Casa De La Chef

Situated right on the edge of Jalatlaco, La Casa De La Chef came highly recommended to us as one of the best restaurants in Oaxaca. And word certainly spreads fast, as this is probably one of the busier restaurants you’ll see in the city. While La Casa De La Chef does not sell your typical Oaxacan food, you can still find some Mexican classics like chilaquiles for breakfast, while the rest of the menu is made up of more standard cafe favorites, such as hamburgers and pasta.

Intercambio Terraza

Head inside Los Pilares Hotel and straight up to the rooftop terrace to visit this lovely Jalatlaco restaurant. Intercambio Terraza serves Oaxacan food with a Mediterranean twist, so don’t expect your classic Oaxacan dishes here. The food here is absolutely delicious, made with fresh ingredients, and the stunning presentation certainly doesn’t hurt.

Mercado de La Merced

jalatlaco oaxaca

Want something more classically Oaxacan? There’s no better place to eat than at Mercado de La Merced. While not technically in Jalatlaco, it’s literally right at the border, so we couldn’t not recommend it! You can’t go wrong with any of the stalls in this market. So, just sit down at any table, pick a dish, and eat your heart out.

Psst! Want more food recommendations for Oaxaca? We’ve got you! Here are the top 30 restaurants in Oaxaca. These bars in Oaxaca are worth a visit, too.

Best Places to Stay in Jalatlaco

One of the best things about Jalatlaco is its location. It’s still very central but is not located in the hustle and bustle of the historic center, giving you some much-needed peace and quiet if that’s something you’re after after long days of exploring the city and the Oaxaca region. Luckily, there are plenty of accommodation options in Jalatlaco for you to choose from. Here are some of the standouts.

City Centro by Marriott

jalatlaco oaxaca
Photo credit: City Centro by Marriott

City Centro by Marriott immediately stands out as one of the best places to stay in Jalatlaco for those looking for a photo perfect backdrop. The building itself is colored bright pink, which may look jarring literally anywhere else. But in Jalatlaco, it fits right in with all the other colorful buildings beside it. City Centro features a rooftop terrace and a pool as well, which in our opinion is a necessity for any hotel in Oaxaca.

Hotel Cazomalli Oaxaca

Another colorful hotel choice is Hotel Cazomalli Oaxaca. But instead of one cohesive color, this hotel is bursting with many different colors throughout every crevice of the building and interior design. Say goodbye to boring white sheets, and hello to sheets in shades of blue, red, and every color under the sun. Hotel Cazomalli is one of the more budget friendly hotel options.

Los Pilares Hotel

jalatlaco oaxaca
Photo credit: Los Pilares Hotel

Los Pilares Hotel is the perfect Jalatlaco hotel for you if you want a more luxurious and modern vibe. With plants galore and wooden finishes, this hotel is starkly different from the colorful streets of Oaxaca. But if serenity is what you’re after, you’ll certainly find it in this small hotel in the peaceful barrio of Jalatlaco. This hotel features a stunning pool and delicious restaurant on the terrace.

Don’t Forget to Explore Jalatlaco!

Jalatlaco may not be a hidden gem anymore, but it’s definitely still forgotten about on many Oaxacan itineraries. So, if you’re heading to Oaxaca sometime soon, don’t forget to set aside some time to explore this tiny, colorful, and bohemian slice of heaven literally minutes from the historical center. You won’t regret it!

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