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Oaxaca Travel Guide
Oaxaca has perhaps the most vibrant culture in all of Mexico, having nurtured famous figures who have produced some of the country’s finest arts and crafts. Also, while its name may not ring a bell to the ears of some travelers, it is somewhat of a cult favorite: roughly 77 percent of its economy is generated by tourism.
As compared to the country capital Mexico City, Oaxaca is a lot more laid-back, less of a metropolis, and not as hectic and polluted. That said, it does have top-class modern developments, such as restaurants, shopping centers, and a buzzing nightlife. However, the city suffers from an economic divide – the population is mostly comprised of the rich elite and the poor villagers, which came to a head during a violent uprising in 2006 that had hurt its tourism.
Heart of a Region
Sitting in a valley by the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, Oaxaca is the cultural and industrial heart of the Oaxaca region. It has a rich history behind it: the city was inhabited by different ancient civilizations like the Zapotec, Mixtec, and Olmec. Then, the Spanish colonists arrived in the 16th century, conquering the land and ending these empires in the process. And though the city had long turned back the invaders in 1821, their influence remains strong.
An obvious example would be Oaxaca’s cuisine, which draws heavily on Spanish tastes, but with a unique indigenous twist. In fact, dining out in the city is a popular activity for most visitors. The festivals and fiestas that break out there every once in a while have a distinct colonial flavor as well, especially the Semana Santa, Carnival, and Dia de los Muertos.
Fascinating Sights
As a result of Oaxaca’s rich and eventful history, it is understandably chock-full of historical and archaeological sites. In fact, there are lots of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be found in and around the city. A prime example is Monte Alban, a pre-Colombian site that is filled with Zapotec monuments and ceremonial centers. There another Zapotec archaeological site, Mitla, which features tombs and edifices with unique mosaic designs.
Colonial architecture abound in sites such as Tlacolula and Ocotlan, as well as the Centro Historico at the city’s heart, where Catedral Metropolitana and Convento de Santo Domingo can be found. However, Oaxaca’s beaches at the Pacific coast are perhaps most popular among tourists, especially in Huatulco and Tehuantepec.
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