Oaxaca
The region
Oaxaca has peaks almost 10,000 feet (more than 3,000 metres) high, caverns among the deepest in the world, virgin beaches, hidden jungles, and luminous valleys that house populations where, as a crucible, cultures of all people who once lived in its midst come together.
The city
Oaxaca, the State Capital, declared Humanity's Cultural Patrimony by UNESCO, owes its fame to the beauty and harmony of its architecture, the richness of its cultural traditions, the wide variety of its typical foods, and its soft temperate climate, spring-like throughout the year.
San Felipe del Agua
San Felipe del Agua, where Casa Union is situated, used to be an independent little village just outside of the city of Oaxaca. Nowadays, San Felipe is a beautiful quiet, residential area. Casa Union is 7 minutes walking from the village's church, built around 1650, next to the main square. Here you'll find an occasional little market, some local groceries and a very peaceful and friendly atmosphere. From Casa Union it is a 3 minutes walk to the bus stop, from where the bus brings you to the city centre of Oaxaca in just about 15 minutes.
Cultural Attractions
Monte Alban, Oaxaca
The ruins of this ancient Zapotec capital make up one of the most
important archaeological sites in all of Latin America.
Attraction type: Ancient ruins; Historic site; History museum;
Landmark/point of interest
Mitla,
Oaxaca
The Zapotecs inhabited this ancient city after they were forced out of
Monte Alban.
Attraction type: Ancient ruins; Historic site; Landmark/point of
interest
Rufino Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art (Rufino Tamayo Museo de
Arte Prehispanico de Mexico),Oaxaca
This museum contains a varied collection of pre-Columbian art donated by
Rufino Tamayo, one of Mexico's
most famous modern artists.
Attraction type: Art museum
Church of Santo Domingo (Iglesia de Santo Domingo),
Oaxaca
This famous 16th-century baroque cathedral serves as the spiritual
center of the city and also happens to be its tallest structure.
Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building
Oaxaca Regional Museum (Museo Regional de Oaxaca),
Oaxaca
This museum, located in a building allegedly built by Hernán
Cortés, includes a large collection of Zapotec Indian artifacts
among other exhibits.
Attraction type: History museum; Museum
Museum of Contemporary Oaxacan Art (Museo de Arte Contempraneo de
Oaxaca),
Oaxaca
This museum has permanent exhibits of five well-known Oaxacan artists
and also has a rotating collection of modern exhibits.
Attraction type: History museum; Art museum
Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca,
Oaxaca
Attraction type: Art museum
Benito Juarez Home (Casa de Benito Juarez),
Oaxaca
This small house was the home of legendary Mexican President Benito
Juarez for ten years during his childhood.
Attraction type: Historic home; Museum
Tule Tree,
Oaxaca
This large cypress tree is said to be over 2,000 years old.
Attraction type: Landmark/point of interest
Chocolates La Soledad,
Oaxaca
Attraction type: Specialty shop
Cathedral of Oaxaca,
Oaxaca
This lavish cathedral sits on the town's
zócalo.
Attraction type: Religious site
Isaac Vasquez Studio,
Oaxaca
Visitors to Vasquez's
studio, located in a city where weaving is a popular occupation, can
view the weaving process from start to finish.
Attraction type: Specialty shop
Mercado de Abastos,
Oaxaca
This large flea market on the outskirts of town features hundreds of
local vendors selling foods and arts and crafts.
Attraction type: Flea/street market
Zocalo,
Oaxaca
This plaza, ringed with stores and an 18th-century cathedral, is the
center of social activity in Oaxaca.
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza
Church of San Felipe Neri (Iglesia de San Felipe Neri),
Oaxaca
An ornate 17th-century cathedral.
Attraction type: Religious site
San Juan de Dios,
Oaxaca
This simple building is Oaxaca's
oldest church.
Attraction type: Religious site
Basilica de la Soledad,
Oaxaca
This 17th-century church contains an interesting museum of religious
art.
Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building
Mercado de Artesanias,
Oaxaca
Although this market is known for its rugs, craftsmen sell many other
items here.
Attraction type: Flea/street market
Cerro del Fortin,
Oaxaca
This hill on the city's
west side offers great views of the surrounding area.
Attraction type: Landmark/point of interest; Scenic/historic walking
area
Teatro Macedonio de Alcala,
Oaxaca
This theater, constructed in 1903, is still a popular place for
performances.
Attraction type: Theater
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Oaxaca (MACO),
Oaxaca
Attraction type: Art museum
State Government Palace,
Oaxaca
This government building is noted for its famous mural depicting the
important role of Oaxaca
in Mexican history.
Attraction type: Government building
La Mano Magica,
Oaxaca
Attraction type: Art gallery
Gold of Monte Alban (El Oro de Monte Alban),Oaxaca
Located across the street from the Oaxaca Regional Museum, this small
store sells reproductions of the jewelry found in Monte Alban's
famous Tomb 7 as well as other reproductions.
Attraction type: Specialty shop
Aripo,
Oaxaca
An eclectic one-room arts and crafts shop.
Attraction type: Specialty shop
Andador de Macedonia Alcala,
Oaxaca
One of Oaxaca's
crowded main thoroughfares.
Attraction type: Street
Parque Comunal,
Oaxaca
This scenic park is just 15 minutes outside of Oaxaca, but has an
extremely rustic atmosphere and serves as a relaxing contrast to the
busy city.
Attraction type: Park
Benito Juarez Market (Mercado de Benito Juarez),
Oaxaca
Visitors to this marketplace are advised to bargain with vendors to get
low prices.
Attraction type: Historic village; Flea/street market
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman,
Oaxaca
One of the city's
most ornate structures, this church is lavishly endowed with gold.
Attraction type: Religious site
Tobala Mezcal de Oaxaca,
Oaxaca
This store sells mezcal, the alcoholic drink of choice for locals.
Attraction type: Specialty shop
El Mirador,
Oaxaca
This observation tower on Fortin Hill looms high above the city.
Attraction type: Observation deck/tower
Auditorio Guelaguetza,
Oaxaca
This concrete stadium, built in 1974, hosts a wide range of events.
Attraction type: Arena/stadium/field
Ballet Folklorico de Oaxaca,
Oaxaca
This famous national ballet troupe offers performances in Oaxaca.
Attraction type: Ballet
Ethnobotanical Garden,
Oaxaca
Part of the Santo Domingo de Guzman Cultural Center, this garden
features live plants from many regions of the state Oaxaca.
Attraction type: Garden
Centro Fotografico Alvarez Bravo,
Oaxaca
Attraction type: Art museum
Natural Attractions
Natural
Spas
Laollaga, El Tzul-Zul, Atonaltzin, etc.
Waterfalls
Hierve el Agua, La Guacamaya, etc.
Plant
Life
El Tule Tree, Historical Ethno-botanical Garden, etc.
Caves
& Caverns
Apoala, Sótano
de San Agustín, San Sebastián, etc.
Lagoons
Manialtepec, Pastoría, Chacahua National
Park, etc.
Dams
Yosocuta, Miguel Alemán, El Estudiante and La Azucena, Benito
Juárez.
More information
For more info about Oaxaca go to:
http://oaxaca-travel.com/guide/index.php?&lang=us
and
Oaxaca_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast-Vacations
These sites offer fairly complete information about the city and the region: how to get there, distance tables, flight times, maps, travel tips, eco tourism, whether forecast, indigenous villages, cultural attractions, natural attractions, etc,
