Oaxaca, OaxacaCapital city of the state of Oaxaca
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 City of Oaxaca as seen from Monte Albán |
Oaxaca is rich in history and culture. The urban center was known as Huaxyacac in the Nahuatl language until 1532 when the Spanish gave it the name Nueva Antequera. The zócalo (main square) is the heart of the city and has been so since 1529. On the south side of the zócalo is the state government building*; on the north side is the Cathedral of Oaxaca which dates from 1535. The thick stone walls are designed to withstand the earthquakes of the region. To the northwest is Alemada de Leon. A number of cafes surround the zócalo and sitting at a sidewalk table and watching the activities in the square is a popular pastime.
The zócalo is also the site of frequent political rallies and protests, which turned deadly in 2006. I will use the location of the zócalo as a reference to describe the locations of other points in the city. See also this article about the zócalo by Stan Gotlieb.
There are numerous attractions within a few miles of the city. There are villages known for their pottery, weaving, embroidery, and wood carvings, there are breathtaking natural areas, and archeological sites that provide a glimpse of Oaxaca's past civilizations.
Although the name of this web site is called the The Pacific Coast of Mexico, the city of Oaxaca is not on the coast. It is only 147 miles (237 km) from the city to the coast, but the road crosses the Sierra Madre del Sur, making this an 8-hour drive. Nevertheless, hwy 175 is a world class drive through gorgeous tropical forests and I highly recommend it for the adventurous traveler. Another option is to fly to the coast. Many travelers combine the city of Oaxaca with a trip to the coast, so I now include the city here. The city of Oaxaca and surrounding area have so much to offer that you can't see it all in one trip. You will be back.
*The state government building is being converted to a hotel. Government offices have been dispersed around the city in order to reduce the impact of protest gatherings on the administration of Oaxacan government.
The busiest times in Oaxaca (when rates are higher and reservations are required) are Christmas & New Year's, Easter (2 weeks), Guelaguetaza (week of the next to last Monday in July), and Día de los Muertos (one week before and after November 1).
Hotels •
Hoteles
There are about 150 hotels in Oaxaca. Only a sampling can be listed here.
Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.
Restaurants •
Restaurantes
Oaxaca is a large city with numerous restaurants and is well-known for its regional cuisine. Only a sampling of some of the preferred restaurants can be listed here.
Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.
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e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.
Cuisine of Oaxaca •
El arte culinario de Oaxaca
The cuisine of Oaxaca is so significant that it gets its own section. Fueled by a rich diversity of available ingredients and cultures, Oaxaca draws visitors from all over the world to sample its foods, participate in the many cooking classes, browse its colorful markets, and document the subject on film and in print. The mountainous tropical setting provides multiple growing environments for both cool weather and warm weather crops and has also served to isolate and nurture multiple cultures. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean enables the inclusion of seafood. And finally, the sprawling markets present the fresh ingredients to the households and restaurants of the city.
Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.
Ayúdenme a mantener ésta información al día. Envía tus actualizaciones por
e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.
Markets and Shops •
Mercados y Tiendas
Tours
• Excursiones
Spanish Language Schools
• Excuelas de Español
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Tom Penick:
tom@tomzap.com