Under $100: Oaxaca, Mexico

The southern Mexican city of Oaxaca is becoming a top destination for tourists thanks to its charming colonial streets, indigenous culture and mescal production.

Start your day with breakfast at Cofetarika, which is well known for its tasty coffee and beautiful outdoor seating area ($8). Take a while to enjoy the view before heading off to explore the Oaxaca Culture Museum. Here you will be able to learn about the indigenous cultures of Oaxaca and see some impressive ancient artifacts ($3.50).

For lunch, treat yourself at Casa Oaxaca. The restaurant uses a constantly evolving selection of local ingredients, which can include grasshoppers and wild mussels. There are also a number of Mexican wines to choose from ($15).

In the afternoon, take the time to learn about mescal, the spirit that has driven a wave of interest in Oaxaca. If you’ve not got time to make the trip to one of the farms where the spirit is made, spend a few hours at In Situ. Here, there are more than 200 different mescals ready for your tasting pleasure, with knowledgeable staff that can fill you in on the now trendy liquor with an ancient history ($10).

Steady the ship with dinner at Calabicitas Tiernas, a vegetarian restaurant named after one of the most famous Mexican films of all time ($15). Take a break from the mescal with some craft beer at La Santisima ($4 each) before trying some pulque (fermented maguey sap) at Mezcalarita ($3).