Oaxaca Attractions & Tours

Oaxaca is a culturally rich state with recreational alternatives for everyone. From ancient archaeological sites and historic churches to some of the finest beaches in Mexico, Oaxaca offers something for everyone. Discover ancient Zapotec Indian ruins at Monte Alban and explore historic churches in the City of Oaxaca. Enjoy all water sports, white sand beaches, sport fishing, river rafting and more in Huatulco. Experience the the "Mexico Pipeline", an internationally acclaimed surf break in Puerto Escondido.

Oaxaca is also home to several important regional and national festivals including Guelaguetza in July which celebrates with traditional song and dance and dates back to prehispanic times when the cultures wished to please the gods in hopes of a bountiful harvest. Although a national holiday, the Day of the Dead is not celebrated more passionately than in Oaxaca. The famous skeletons of Jose Guadalupe Posada can be seen throughout the city as people celebrate their dead relatives. And December 23 welcomes the annual Night of the Radish Festival in Oaxaca City, where radishes are transformed into elaborate nativity scenes.

Among the many handicrafts found in Oaxaca, the black clay pottery (“barro negro”) is one of the most popular, representing a tradition that dates back to prehispanic times and spans generations. The black clay used to make this pottery can only be found in Oaxaca with most of the artisans concentrated in the town of San Bartolo Coyotepec, about eight miles south of city of Oaxaca. Another popular handicraft in Oaxaca is the colorful “alebrije,” creatively hand-carved or paper mache figures, usually depicting monsters and hand-painted.

The regional cuisine is also an important aspect of Oaxacan life as the state is famous for its mole (a sauce made containing over 20 different spices) and the native types of chiles. In October, Oaxaca hosts their Food of the Gods Festival which, among other things, celebrates chocolate which comes from the state.

Oaxaca was previously inhabited by the rivaling Zapotec and Mixtec indigenous peoples, and their ancient cities represent two of the most important archaeological sites in the country. Monte Alban, which was the capital of the Zapotecs and reached its peak in 800 A.D., is located just six southwest miles from Oaxaca City. Two centuries later, the Mixtecs conquered the Zapotecs and used Monte Alban as an elaborate cemetery. Today, only 10 percent of the site has been excavated. Mitla is the second most important ceremonial center in the region, and is located 30 miles east of Oaxaca City. Its structures show influence from both the Mixtecs and the Zapotecs. Photography by Bruce Woodworth ©.