Sight guide · Oaxaca · Mexico
Visiting Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Oaxaca's most spectacular church was built by Dominican friars from the late 16th century and is covered inside with gilded and polychrome stucco.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. João Sousa assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán is a religious site in Santo Domingo and the Andador, Oaxaca. Allow 30–45 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Santo Domingo and the Andador
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- architecture, history, free and photo spot
- Best months
- January–February and May
About Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Oaxaca's most spectacular church was built by Dominican friars from the late 16th century and is covered inside with gilded and polychrome stucco. Look for the genealogical tree of Saint Dominic's family on the ceiling beneath the choir, and the Rosary Chapel, a riot of gold leaf, to the right of the nave. The plaza and agave beds outside are the city's favourite meeting point.
Tip: Visit in the late afternoon, when the sun lights the façade, and step inside quietly if a service or wedding is under way.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 30–45 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Santo Domingo and the Andador, the pedestrian street, galleries and the gilded church.
Best time to visit Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- February: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- May: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- January: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Oaxaca has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Oaxaca itinerary visits Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán on day 1, together with Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca and Zócalo and Cathedral.
- No. 1 of the 17 sights in our Oaxaca things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Oaxaca.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Oaxaca.
Near Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Also in Santo Domingo and the Andador, so you can walk between them:
- Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca — 2 hours, low cost
- Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca — 1–2 hours, low cost
- Andador Macedonio Alcalá — 1 hour, free
If you like Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
- Monte Albán — Monte Albán, 2–3 hours
- Zócalo and Cathedral — Centro Histórico, 1 hour
- Basílica de la Soledad — Barrio de la Soledad, 45 minutes
- Jalatlaco street walk — Jalatlaco, 1–2 hours
Staying near Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Stay in Santo Domingo and the Andador ($$$) to walk here: the pedestrian street, galleries and the gilded church. All areas to stay in Oaxaca.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán?
Plan 30–45 minutes. With Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca nearby, it fits a half-day in Santo Domingo and the Andador.
+Is Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán?
January–February and May, the quietest of the good months. Visit in the late afternoon, when the sun lights the façade, and step inside quietly if a service or wedding is under way.
+Do I need to book Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.