OAXACA MEXICO
Oaxaca (pronounced "Wa-Ha-Ca") is one of the largest cities
in Mexico's southern region and is the capital of Oaxaca State,
featuring superb climate and sitting in a valley surrounded by
the rugged and breathtaking Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains.
Once the center of Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations, Oaxaca is a
melting pot of prehispanic, colonial and modern influences
and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
After Oaxaca was conquered by the Spaniards in 1533,
Oaxaca quickly transformed into an exquisite colonial city, with
baroque-style churches, ornate buildings and elegant plazas.
Today, not only has Oaxaca’s colonial appearance remained
intact, but so have the traditions of the indigenous cultures of
the region, making this city truly unique.
OAXACA CITY CENTER
Oaxaca’s city center, or zocolo, is best explored on foot.
Outdoor cafes, enormous laurel trees and live music abound
in the main plaza. Just north of the plaza is the Iglesia del
Santo Domingo, built in 1608 and one of the finest examples
of baroque architecture in the western world. Its adjoining
cultural center houses the Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca,
featuring gold artifacts from excavations performed at the
Monte Alban archaeological site just outside the city. Just a few
blocks away from the church is the Catedral de Oaxaca, built in
1555. Also nearby is the Museum of Contemporary Art of
Oaxaca (MACO), which also serves as a cultural center. The
building in which MACO is housed is a fine example of 18th-
century civil architecture. Also not to be missed is the Rufino
Tamayo Museum of Mexican Pre-Hispanic Art, just blocks from
the main plaza.
OAXACA MARKET
Oaxaca is famous for its handicrafts. The Oaxaca Market,
located in the southwestern part of the city, is a popular native
crafts market, featuring a wide array of handicrafts unique to
the region. Pottery, masks, wool rugs, leather, embroidered
table clothes, jewelry and alejibres, wonderfully colorful and
imaginative hand-carved monsters, are among the wide variety
of items one can find at the Oaxaca Market. The hunt for
Oaxacan handicrafts also makes for interesting side trips. Just
eight miles south of Oaxaca City is the town of Coyotepec,
home to several artisans who create the famous barro negro,
or black clay pottery. And northeast of Oaxaca City, the town of
Atzompa features the unusual green-glazed pottery. Textiles
are also an important craft in Oaxaca and the nearby town of
Teotitlan del Valle is growing rapidly as home to expert rug
weavers.
OAXACA CITY ATTRACTIONS
It is not uncommon to find tourists from all over the world
walking the streets and touring the sights of Oaxaca City. Due
to the nature of the overwhelmingly friendly and charming
Oaxaqueños, Spanish-language schools have become
common in the city. Becari Language School is one of the
most popular, offering a variety of levels and classes for
students. (www.becari.com.mx)
OAXACA DINING
The cuisine from Oaxaca is quite diverse and a product of the
unique variety of chiles, herbs, vegetables and fruits available
in the region. Oaxaca is most famous for its variety of moles
(sauces) and chocolate. Food lovers will delight in the
unfamiliar and exciting aromas and flavors found in Oaxaca
City, and restaurants abound. Oaxaca City also hosts an
annual Food of the Gods Festival in October, featuring the
unique culinary creations from the region.
OAXACA HOTELS
Oaxaca City offers a variety of hotels to suit any taste or budget
such as the Hotel Victoria, Camino Real, Fiesta Inn and Hotel
Fortin Plaza, to name a few. Each of these hotels offers a
number of organized activities and day trips to the surrounding
attractions. Many of the hotels also have special
accommodations for conventions and business meetings. For
those wanting a more intimate scene, Oaxaca also features
quaint boutique hotels such as the Casa Cid de Leon, located
in the heart of Oaxaca City.
OAXACA FESTIVALS
Oaxaca City boasts several important festivals. In July, the
colorful La Guelaguetza festival, dating back to prehispanic
times, welcomes delegates from all over the state to
showcase their region’s distinctive songs, dances and
regional dress in the Cerro del Fortin amphitheater.
Performances end with each group offering a “guelaguetza” or
gift to the audience. Guelguetza is held on the two Mondays
following July 16 of every year.
OAXACA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Interesting side trips include the nearby legendary
archaeological sites of Monte Alban and Mitla, important
ancient cities and ceremonial centers during the height of the
Zapotec and later Mixtec dominance in the region. For beach
lovers, the charming fishing village of Puerto Escondido on the
Pacific coast is just 180 miles south of Oaxaca City. Puerto
Escondido boasts incredible beaches, eco-friendly tourism
and is perhaps most famous for its surf. About the same
distance from Oaxaca City and east of Puerto Escondido is
Huatulco, famous for its nine bays of cerulean waters,
gorgeous beaches and world-class fishing.
OAXACA FAST FACTS
Location: Oaxaca State
Distance from Mexico City: 340 miles southeast
Population: 400,000
Closest Major Airport(s): Xoxocotlan Intl. aka Oaxaca
International (OAX)
Time zone: Central Standard Time
Website: www.oaxaca.gob.mx
Oaxaca (pronounced "Wa-Ha-Ca") is one of the largest cities
in Mexico's southern region and is the capital of Oaxaca State,
featuring superb climate and sitting in a valley surrounded by
the rugged and breathtaking Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains.
Once the center of Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations, Oaxaca is a
melting pot of prehispanic, colonial and modern influences
and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
After Oaxaca was conquered by the Spaniards in 1533,
Oaxaca quickly transformed into an exquisite colonial city, with
baroque-style churches, ornate buildings and elegant plazas.
Today, not only has Oaxaca’s colonial appearance remained
intact, but so have the traditions of the indigenous cultures of
the region, making this city truly unique.
OAXACA CITY CENTER
Oaxaca’s city center, or zocolo, is best explored on foot.
Outdoor cafes, enormous laurel trees and live music abound
in the main plaza. Just north of the plaza is the Iglesia del
Santo Domingo, built in 1608 and one of the finest examples
of baroque architecture in the western world. Its adjoining
cultural center houses the Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca,
featuring gold artifacts from excavations performed at the
Monte Alban archaeological site just outside the city. Just a few
blocks away from the church is the Catedral de Oaxaca, built in
1555. Also nearby is the Museum of Contemporary Art of
Oaxaca (MACO), which also serves as a cultural center. The
building in which MACO is housed is a fine example of 18th-
century civil architecture. Also not to be missed is the Rufino
Tamayo Museum of Mexican Pre-Hispanic Art, just blocks from
the main plaza.
OAXACA MARKET
Oaxaca is famous for its handicrafts. The Oaxaca Market,
located in the southwestern part of the city, is a popular native
crafts market, featuring a wide array of handicrafts unique to
the region. Pottery, masks, wool rugs, leather, embroidered
table clothes, jewelry and alejibres, wonderfully colorful and
imaginative hand-carved monsters, are among the wide variety
of items one can find at the Oaxaca Market. The hunt for
Oaxacan handicrafts also makes for interesting side trips. Just
eight miles south of Oaxaca City is the town of Coyotepec,
home to several artisans who create the famous barro negro,
or black clay pottery. And northeast of Oaxaca City, the town of
Atzompa features the unusual green-glazed pottery. Textiles
are also an important craft in Oaxaca and the nearby town of
Teotitlan del Valle is growing rapidly as home to expert rug
weavers.
OAXACA CITY ATTRACTIONS
It is not uncommon to find tourists from all over the world
walking the streets and touring the sights of Oaxaca City. Due
to the nature of the overwhelmingly friendly and charming
Oaxaqueños, Spanish-language schools have become
common in the city. Becari Language School is one of the
most popular, offering a variety of levels and classes for
students. (www.becari.com.mx)
OAXACA DINING
The cuisine from Oaxaca is quite diverse and a product of the
unique variety of chiles, herbs, vegetables and fruits available
in the region. Oaxaca is most famous for its variety of moles
(sauces) and chocolate. Food lovers will delight in the
unfamiliar and exciting aromas and flavors found in Oaxaca
City, and restaurants abound. Oaxaca City also hosts an
annual Food of the Gods Festival in October, featuring the
unique culinary creations from the region.
OAXACA HOTELS
Oaxaca City offers a variety of hotels to suit any taste or budget
such as the Hotel Victoria, Camino Real, Fiesta Inn and Hotel
Fortin Plaza, to name a few. Each of these hotels offers a
number of organized activities and day trips to the surrounding
attractions. Many of the hotels also have special
accommodations for conventions and business meetings. For
those wanting a more intimate scene, Oaxaca also features
quaint boutique hotels such as the Casa Cid de Leon, located
in the heart of Oaxaca City.
OAXACA FESTIVALS
Oaxaca City boasts several important festivals. In July, the
colorful La Guelaguetza festival, dating back to prehispanic
times, welcomes delegates from all over the state to
showcase their region’s distinctive songs, dances and
regional dress in the Cerro del Fortin amphitheater.
Performances end with each group offering a “guelaguetza” or
gift to the audience. Guelguetza is held on the two Mondays
following July 16 of every year.
OAXACA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Interesting side trips include the nearby legendary
archaeological sites of Monte Alban and Mitla, important
ancient cities and ceremonial centers during the height of the
Zapotec and later Mixtec dominance in the region. For beach
lovers, the charming fishing village of Puerto Escondido on the
Pacific coast is just 180 miles south of Oaxaca City. Puerto
Escondido boasts incredible beaches, eco-friendly tourism
and is perhaps most famous for its surf. About the same
distance from Oaxaca City and east of Puerto Escondido is
Huatulco, famous for its nine bays of cerulean waters,
gorgeous beaches and world-class fishing.
OAXACA FAST FACTS
Location: Oaxaca State
Distance from Mexico City: 340 miles southeast
Population: 400,000
Closest Major Airport(s): Xoxocotlan Intl. aka Oaxaca
International (OAX)
Time zone: Central Standard Time
Website: www.oaxaca.gob.mx
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