The Adventure Doesn’t Have to End: 3 Amazing Mexican Destinations to Explore After Day of the Dead

Beyond Oaxaca’s Marigolds

You’ve just experienced Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca, and you’re probably still reeling from the beauty of it all. The marigold-strewn altars, the haunting glow of candles in the cemeteries, the laughter of families sharing stories with departed loved ones—it’s pure magic. But as unforgettable as Oaxaca is, Mexico is far too vast and diverse to stop here.

If your heart is saying, I’m not ready to go home yet, listen to it. Mexico’s landscapes and cultures change dramatically from state to state, and after Oaxaca, three destinations stand out: the beaches of Puerto Escondido, the colonial elegance of Puebla, and the mystical highlands of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas.

Each one offers a completely different adventure—whether you crave surf, history, food, or jungle exploration.

Puerto Escondido: Sun, Surf & Sea Turtles

Why Visit Puerto Escondido?

After the intensity of Día de los Muertos, Puerto Escondido is the perfect place to recharge. It’s one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets—a coastal town with golden beaches, dramatic waves, and a laid-back, bohemian vibe. Unlike Cancún or Tulum, Puerto Escondido hasn’t been overrun by mega-resorts. Here, you’ll find boutique stays, surf shacks, and beachfront cafes where flip-flops are the dress code.

How to Get There from Oaxaca City

You’ve got two main options:

• Flight: A quick 45-minute hop from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Airport.

• Bus or Shuttle: A 6–7 hour drive through twisting mountain roads. It’s scenic, but not for the faint of stomach.

Best Things to Do in Puerto Escondido

• Surf Lessons at Playa Carrizalillo: If you’ve always dreamed of learning to surf, this is the place. Carrizalillo’s gentle waves and turquoise water make it ideal for beginners.

• Watch the Pros at Playa Zicatela: Known as the “Mexican Pipeline,” Zicatela is famous for massive waves that draw world-class surfers. Even if you don’t surf, it’s thrilling to watch.

• Bioluminescent Lagoon at Laguna de Manialtepec: At night, hop in a boat and glide across this lagoon, where microorganisms light up the water around you in glowing blue swirls. Swimming here feels like floating through starlight.

• Turtle Release at Playa Bacocho: Join a conservation program and release baby sea turtles into the ocean—a heartwarming, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Food & Nightlife

Puerto Escondido blends surf culture with Oaxacan flavors. Try pescado a la talla (grilled fish), sip mezcal cocktails at a beach bar, or grab smoothie bowls from a beachfront café. At sunset, head to the cliffs at Playa Coral for jaw-dropping views.

Puebla: History, Architecture & Foodie Heaven

Why Visit Puebla?

If Puerto Escondido is about sand between your toes, Puebla is about stepping into history and indulging in some of Mexico’s finest cuisine. Just two hours from Mexico City, this elegant colonial city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s famous for baroque architecture, Talavera tiles, and its rich culinary traditions—especially mole poblano.

How to Get There from Oaxaca City

The most convenient route is to fly or bus back to Mexico City, then take a luxury bus two hours east to Puebla. The buses are modern and comfortable, often with reclining seats, Wi-Fi, and onboard movies.

Best Things to Do in Puebla

• Explore the Historic Center: Puebla’s downtown is lined with pastel-colored facades, Talavera-tiled houses, and colonial mansions. Don’t miss the Puebla Cathedral, one of Mexico’s most impressive.

• Climb the Great Pyramid of Cholula: Just outside the city lies the world’s largest pyramid by volume. Today, it looks like a grassy hill topped with a golden church, but beneath it lies a labyrinth of ancient tunnels. On a clear day, you’ll see Popocatépetl volcano smoking in the distance.

• Taste Mole Poblano: Puebla is the birthplace of Mexico’s most iconic mole, made with chilies, chocolate, spices, and nuts. Whether in a cooking class or at a traditional restaurant, tasting it here is a must.

• Wander Local Markets: Mercado El Carmen is great for street food like chalupas, while Mercado de Sabores offers a foodie playground of regional specialties.

Food & Drink in Puebla

Besides mole, Puebla is home to chiles en nogada, a patriotic dish topped with pomegranate seeds, and cemitas, a sesame-seed sandwich stuffed with meat, cheese, and avocado. Wash it all down with artisanal pulque, a traditional fermented agave drink.

San Cristóbal de las Casas: Jungle Adventures & Indigenous Culture

Why Visit San Cristóbal?

If Oaxaca gave you a taste of Indigenous culture, San Cristóbal immerses you in it. Nestled in the highlands of Chiapas, this mountain city is colorful, cool, and alive with tradition. Cobblestone streets lead to leafy plazas, artisan markets, and centuries-old churches. But the real adventure lies beyond—in the jungles, canyons, and Mayan ruins of Chiapas.

How to Get There from Oaxaca City

From Oaxaca, the easiest route is to fly to Mexico City, then catch a flight to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (TGZ). From there, it’s about a one-hour drive to San Cristóbal.

Best Things to Do in San Cristóbal & Chiapas

• Boat Ride Through Sumidero Canyon: Imagine cliffs a mile high towering above your boat, crocodiles sunbathing on the shore, and waterfalls spilling down the canyon walls. This is one of Chiapas’ most dramatic landscapes.

• Visit San Juan Chamula: Just outside San Cristóbal, this Indigenous town practices a fascinating blend of Catholic and Mayan traditions. Inside the church, you’ll find pine needles covering the floor, candles flickering, and shamans performing rituals. Respect is essential—photography inside is strictly forbidden.

• Explore Palenque Ruins: If you can spare a few extra days, journey deeper into Chiapas to see the Mayan ruins of Palenque. Jungle vines wrap around ancient temples, howler monkeys echo in the distance, and the site feels like a true lost world.

• Shop at Artisan Markets: San Cristóbal’s markets are filled with handwoven textiles, amber jewelry, and pottery crafted by Indigenous communities. Every purchase supports local artisans.

Food in San Cristóbal

Chiapas cuisine blends Indigenous and colonial influences. Try tamales de chipilín, coffee from local highland farms, and posh, a traditional sugarcane liquor often used in ceremonies.

Which Destination Should You Choose After Oaxaca?

Still can’t decide? Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Puerto Escondido is for beach lovers, surfers, and anyone who wants to relax by the ocean after the high energy of Día de los Muertos.

• Puebla is perfect for history buffs, architecture lovers, and foodies who want to taste Mexico’s culinary heart.

• San Cristóbal de las Casas is for adventurers, culture-seekers, and nature lovers craving mountains, jungles, and Mayan ruins.

Practical Travel Tips for Continuing Your Journey

• Weather: Puerto Escondido is hot and humid year-round, Puebla is mild, and San Cristóbal can get chilly at night—pack accordingly.

• Currency: Mexican pesos are essential. ATMs are widely available, but carry small bills for markets and local buses.

• Language: Spanish is the main language, but in tourist areas, basic English is common. In Chiapas, you’ll also hear Indigenous languages like Tzotzil.

• Timing: Traveling right after Día de los Muertos means you’ll miss the holiday crowds, making these destinations quieter and more enjoyable.

Your Day of the Dead trip in Oaxaca may be the highlight of your travels, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. From the turquoise waves of Puerto Escondido to the tiled streets of Puebla and the jungle-clad temples of Chiapas, Mexico is overflowing with stories waiting to be lived.

Each of these destinations offers a completely different lens through which to experience Mexico: surf and sunsets, history and gastronomy, or jungle trails and Indigenous traditions. No matter which path you choose, you’ll leave with memories as rich as Oaxaca’s marigold altars.

So go ahead—extend your trip. Because in Mexico, the adventure never really ends.