Oaxaca

There are many good, sensible reasons to visit Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ca, not oh-axe...a car). I went, however, as a spur of the moment thing. Mexico City had shut down in an attempt to eradicate swine flu, and though I appreciated the 10 days paid leave we had been given at work, the lack of stuff to do in the city was driving me a little bit crazy. So, I booked a flight and 2 days later jumped on a plane to Oaxaca. Oaxaca city is a one hour plane ride or about a 6 hour bus journey from Mexico City, and the difference in price between the two seemed minimal, so I flew. Plus, the idea of an hour of recycled air was still more appealing than 6 hours full of ...  Read the complete review

Oaxaca city is the capital of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is popular for it's strong indian culture, and it's markets. The Oaxacans are desendents of the Zapotec and Miztec indians, and there is said to be 16 other distinct indian groups living in the region. Many of the people of Oaxaca still carry out their indian customs. There are alot of indian handicrafts made in Oaxaca, and you can see women in their traditional dress selling crafts, and other goods everywhere in Oaxaca. These indian women take advantage of the fact that the city is popular with tourists. They make a great deal of their income as a result of the foreigners. I ...  Read the complete review

Oaxaca has some of the finest markets in Mexico. Never have I experienced such a variety of smells, colours, sounds and different products. Having accidentally come accross this city while on my travels in South America, I fell in love with this place. From the friendly local grandmas who sell edible grasshoppers to the moody Oaxaca cheese smellers, you will not go away from this town without a lasting impression. Undoubtedly, it will eb a very good impression. Oaxaca is famous for Oaxaca cheese which is a must try. Monte Alban, a historical site on the outskirts, and Mole, a chocolate based sauce, are enough to make you want to come back to mexico and ...  Read the complete review

Oaxaca as a town is pleasant but not really special – I prefer Taxco which has a more dramatic setting. However it does have pleasant street and buildings from the colonial era and quite an interesting local market. It is a tourist center because of nearby site rather than for its own sake. The most visited are Monte Alban with its Zapotec tombs and Mitla - Mixtec ruins. The latter has unique geometrical wall decorations rather than the figures more commonly seen in Mexican sites but the former has a nicer setting. If you are in Oaxaca you can find things to do but it is not a city I would divert to visit. The archeological sites are interesting but there ...  Read the complete review

Oaxaca is a small city in the most southern state of Mexico. The atmosphere is a long way away from the Americanisation of most Mexican resorts, and you’re more likely to feel in Spain than the US! The central piazza ebbs and flows with slow and sleepy locals, and it’s a joy to sit outside one of the restaurants and immerse yourself in it. Nearby you can get to the ancient ruins of Monte Alban, which has good guided tours. Beware the coach journey to the beach! We went to Puerto Escondido, the “Mexican Pipeline” that surfers dream of, and it took 12 hours! Best advice is to spend double and fly in a little Cessna over the Sierra Madre mountains. ...  Read the complete review