Oaxaca Vacation Guide
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The City of Oaxaca is the state’s capital and is the largest city in the State of Oaxaca. While the city's economy relies on modern industry, Oaxaca's colonial charm has remained intact and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Oaxaca features a variety of cultural landmarks including the Museo Rufino Tamayo and the Museo de Arte Contemperaneo, as well as the historic temple and convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman, among others.

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’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 City 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.

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 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.

On December 23, Oaxaca City’s zocolo comes alive with the annual Noche de los Rabanos, or Night of the Radish festival, where radishes are transformed into delightful sculptures and put on display. The festival began more than a century ago, when vegetable growers put up stands during the Christmas season to sell their produce to the public. In order to make their booths more attractive to passersby, the growers carved designs out of their produce, and radishes lent themselves particularly well. Demand grew for these delightful radish creations, which soon became sought-after centerpieces in homes during the holiday season, and competition among growers for the best design grew as well. Thousands travel to Oaxaca every year to see the humble radish transformed into art.

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Testimonials From Our Guests

"Dear Gene: The Oaxaca tour was nothing short of fantastic! I have nothing but positive and wonderful things to report...it was very well organized and Ivan Diaz, the tour guide was very helpful, knowledgeable and professional. It was worth every penny and even the frustration of having to take time off from teaching. It truly was the trip of a lifetime. Thanks much, LIZ CRUM"

"Gene: Claude and I want you to know that our recent trip to Oaxaca was one of the best trips we have ever taken. It was well organized and Ivan Diaz, our guide, was the greatest! He was very knowledge about the ruins, day of the dead, and everything else that was asked of him. He was always on time and ready to go. Excellent trip. Do you have any trips to Tikal, Guatemala? Claude and Ginger Sowry"

"Gene: We just returned from our trip to Oaxaca; and our 2 day visit to Puerto Escondido went as smooth as we could have possibly wanted. The flight to the coast and the Hotel Santa Fe were both great, we were particularly impressed by the restaurant food and service at the Hotel. We had a wonderfully relaxing time at the coast. We will happily recommend your services to anyone interested in traveling to the Oaxacan coast and look forward to returning ourselves for a longer stay. Thanks again for your assitance. Andrew Cooper"

Oaxaca Photo Tour By Gene