7 Must have Apps to download before visiting Oaxaca.
Traveling to Oaxaca is an amazing experience, and the right apps can make it even more enjoyable and more convenient. From transportation and navigation to finding the best local spots, these essential apps will save you time and enhance your trip. Download them before you arrive👌
Top Tours to do in Oaxaca City
Sky Alert
Oaxaca is prone to earthquakes, so this is the first App you should download before visiting Oaxaca.
SkyAlert sends real-time earthquake alerts directly to your phone when an earthquake exceeds 5.5 on the Richter scale. The app provides a few seconds to a minute of warning, depending on the distance from the epicentre, giving users time to act.
Oaxaca uses the SASMEX (Sistema de Alerta Sísmica Mexicano), an early warning system for earthquakes. Sensors are spread across Oaxaca and other earthquake-prone states, continuously monitoring seismic activity.
For more info on earthquakes in Oaxaca, I’ve written a full post here. Earthquakes are a part of life in Oaxaca.
Latin America lives on WhatsApp. A must have for those who haven’t downloaded it yet.
Any contact that you’ll have with anybody will be through WhatsApp. Friends, Doctors, Dentists, Tour Guides… you name it. A MUST have!
If you’re looking at getting a local chip and phone number while you’re here, Telcel has the best coverage and you can buy one in any Telcel shop or Oxxo store for about $100 pesos.
Google Translate
A very very handy App. My Spanish these days is at about 90%, and I still use Google Translate every day.
Great for translating any words you see or hear in Spanish to see what they mean. Or great if you’re stuck on what to say or ask for in a situation with your limited Spanish. Has an awesome audio feature to play back the words and phrases.
DiDi for Taxis
There is no UBER in Oaxaca, only Didi. So if you use these ride Apps, DiDi is your only option. The drivers aren’t private drivers either, they’re just your normal Taxis that arrive.
It isn’t super reliable as taxi drivers frequently cancel trips because fairs aren’t high enough, but it’s good in and around Oaxaca City.
Sign up with this code to get $30 pesos off your first ride or meal.
Food Delivery Apps
You have 3 options when it comes to food delivery Apps in Oaxaca. UBER Eats, DiDi, and Rappi.
They’re all pretty much the same. I personally use DiDi, because it allows you to just pay in cash when your food arrives.
Google Maps
Just the best maps out there if you aren’t using it already. I mostly use it now when searching for cafes, restaurants, nearest pharmacy, somewhere to get my bike fixed, where to buy vitamins etc.. Anything and everything.
Quickly check business trading hours, reviews. It’s a one stop shop these days.
XE Currency
Quick up to the minute exchange rates. Great for checking for good times to go to the ATM as rates are always fluctuating, but as a tourist, quick easy conversions to see how much something is worth in your home currency 👌
Wise
An App probably for people living here. Although you may need or want to transfer money to someone or a friend with a Mexican bank account.
I transfer money from my bank account in Australia to my Mexican bank account. 95% of the time it’s an instant transfer. Real time rates, and low transfer fees. I recommend Wise and have had no issues using it for the last 5 years.
You can use this link to get your first free transfer up to $1,000
With these apps on your phone, navigating Oaxaca or anywhere in Mexico will be a lot easier, more convenient, and stress-free.
Happy Travels ✌️
