A Unique Experience of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico

Whoever visits the State of Oaxaca is immersed in an unusual world of natural beauties, in a special universe in which the past still coexists with the present full of vitality.

In its vast geography, the visitor finds beaches, mountains, forests, and valleys; archaeological zones, colonial architecture, enormous biodiversity resources, all the comforts of the modern world, centennial traditions, and inexhaustible folklore, which constitute one of the favorite destinations for national and foreign tourism.

The city of Oaxaca and the Central Valleys is a unique experience because they are the human expression of many centuries and of a present full of traditions and aspirations that you are invited to get to know and enjoy.

Oaxaca: Beauty that Wins You Over

The city of Oaxaca is distinguished by the beauty and harmony of its colonial architecture, the richness of its customs and traditions, the wide variety of its typical food, and the mildness of its spring climate.

The historic center of the city is a feast of the green quarry, declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Plaza de la Constitución or "Zócalo", one of the most beautiful squares in Mexico, is the heart from which the city vibrates. The walkway Macedonio Alcalá or "Andador Turístico" is a pedestrian street home to museums, old colonial houses, galleries, restaurants, and the most distinguished handicraft and jewelry stores.

The Church and Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman stand out for its Mexican Baroque splendor, with its high altar covered in gold leaf and its impressive interior decoration. In the Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo, perhaps the largest viceregal construction of Mexico and probably of all America is located the Santo Domingo Cultural Center which gathers the Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca, the Fray Francisco de Burgoa Library, the Ethnobotanical Historical Garden and areas dedicated to conferences, congresses, exhibitions, and concerts.

Set out To Explore the Central Valleys

Route to Mitla. Departing from the city of Oaxaca, visit the Ciudad de las Canteras (City of Quarries), an ancient site converted into a recreational center. Only 12 km from there you will marvel at one of the most extraordinary natural beauties: the Arhol del Tule, guardian of the town of Santa Maria el Tule.

Ahead you will find the religious complex of Tlacochahuaya, from the XVI century, the archaeological zone of Dainzú. Teotitlán del Valle - first Zapotec settlement and artisan center of wool rugs. The archaeological zone of Lambytieco. Santa Ana del Valle, where fine wool textiles are made. The Sunday market of Tlacolula and Yagul is contemporary to the archaeological zone of Mida. In the latter observe the varied ornamentation of the buildings, based on unique fretwork in the country, because, unlike other ancestral pre-Hispanic structures, the walls of this city are made of stone mosaics embedded, decorated with totally abstract forms.

Monte Albán - Zaachila Route. This route includes the archaeological zone of Monte Albán, the most representative city of the Zapotec culture for its cultural development and monumental architecture, as well as the town of Atzompa, where beautiful pieces of natural and green glazed clay are made. On the way back to the city, highway 131 leads to Arrazola, famous for its copal and polychrome wood carvings. In Cuilapan de Guerrero there is a 16th-century convent complex that stands out for its open chapel. The route ends in Zaachila, where after the visit to the archaeological zone, the exquisite Oaxacan gastronomy and the joy of its Sunday market can be appreciated.

Ocollán Route. The main attraction of this route is the black clay pottery of San Bartolo Coyotepec. Nearby, San Martin Tilcajete offers beautiful carved and polychrome wooden figures. In Santo Tomás Jalieza cotton weavings are made, and in Ocotlán de Morales visit the Museum of Santo Domingo, the craft workshops of cutlery and pottery, as well as the house of the painter Rodolfo Morales.

Etla-El Mogote Route. The ex-convent of Etla from the XVI century is worth a visit, as well as the market, where you can taste the quesillo and cheese of Oaxaca. In San Jose El Mogote, an important pre-Hispanic site is located the Hacienda del Cacique, a true historical monument.

Route of the Dominicans. It takes you to the heart of the Mixteca to visit the churches and former convents of Yanhuitlán, Tamazulapam, Teposcolula, and Coixtlahuaca, of enormous architectural beauty. You can also visit the archaeological site of Huamelulpan and Cerro de las Minas, an important archaeological site in Huajuapam de León.

Ride A Wave in Huatulco That Has Everything, Except Winter

Only 248 km from the state capital is one of the most beautiful places on the Mexican Pacific coast: Huatulco, which has nine bays with beaches of fine, soft sand on which luxurious hotels await you.

Huatulco is considered one of the most ambitious tourist complexes in the country because in all its megaprojects it has sought to protect the natural beauty of the place and preserve its ecology.

Currently, there are multiple activities to enjoy the sunlight or the moonlight, such as tours of the bays, river rafting, bike rides or ATVs, diving in coral reefs or near sunken ships, and water sports (jet skiing, windsurfing, or sea kayaking), golf in one of the best courses in the world, sport fishing, hiking, horseback riding and much more.

Two Typical Southern Paradises

Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel contrast with the modernity of Huatulco, offering their beautiful landscapes and charming beaches to those seeking tranquility.

In Puerto Escondido, the ideal place for surfers is celebrated every year at the coastal dance festival, which puts you in touch with rhythm, songs, and ancestral dances; don't miss it! In Puerto Angel, you will be surprised to find a cemetery with colorful tombs on the seashore, at the Playa del Panteon: at lunchtime, fresh fish is the best.

Ecotourism in the State of Oaxaca

Water petrified by centuries. "Hierve el Agua" is one of the most extraordinary natural sites in Oaxaca, where the water that springs from the top of a mountain branch has left its mark in a waterfall of petrified salt. Here there is a tourist stop to be close to nature.

Ecotourism route through the Northern Highlands. The enormous biodiversity of this region offers you the opportunity to enjoy alternative tourism through impressive mountain forests, practicing camping, mountain biking, hiking and observation of landscapes, flora, and fauna, and visits to typical villages such as Benito Juárez, Latuvi, La Nevería, Cuajimoloyas, Yavesia, Llano Grande and other localities.

Santiago Apoala, in the Mixteca, as well as the coffee farms near the coast, among which La Gloria, Pacífico, and Alemania stand out, complement this offer in the State. For everything and more, Oaxaca is a complete tourist destination for an unforgettable trip with family or friends.

Oaxaca Is a Feast of Flavors

Oaxacan cuisine is one of the richest in Mexico and the world, where the pre-Hispanic ingredient is fundamental. Here, cooking is a pleasure and art, a forced and patient exercise, always attentive to the ritual, to the demands of good food, which are tradition, imagination, and good raw materials. In Oaxaca, a meal begins and ends with a feast of flavors.

Whoever visits Oaxaca is obliged to taste one of the most traditional dishes which is the "mole oaxaqueño', in its seven varieties. Depending on the type of chile that is used, it starts from the simplest mole to the most elaborate. There are black, yellow, coloradito, almond, chichilo, green and red mole. Also outstanding are the stuffed chiles, quesillo, tlayudas, typical tamales, deliciously flavored ice creams, fresh fruit waters, the famous chocolate, the rich tasajo, sopa de guías, or totopos from the Isthmus region.

The most peculiar dish is the "chapulines", small crickets prepared with salt that have their legend. It is said that those who try them "always come back to Oaxaca". Among the typical drinks is the mezcal.