 Mexico, sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west, is a traveler’s paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposite identities: desert landscapes, ancient ruins, colonial towns, world-class resorts, deserted beaches and an endless collection of fauna and flora. The country is divided into six tourist regions, where the mix of modern and traditional, clichéd and surreal, is the key to Mexico’s charm.
A living cultural center, Oaxaca is the capital city of the state of Oaxaca and is located near the center of the state in a high mountain valley with a population of about 250,000. Oaxaca City appears an open air museum, its city markets are internationally renowned, and churches and other historical sites dot the city. The climate is spring like during most of the year with warm days and cool evenings. The region is generally arid with a rainy season beginning about July and lasting until October. Century upon century, the pre-Hispanic past has been transmitted from parents to children and it lives and is manifest in the fiestas, markets, music, clothing, speech, and gastronomy. Zapotecs, Mixtecs, and fourteen other ethnic groups are still present in Oaxaca’s culture and customs, making Oaxaca the most diverse state in Mexico.
Things to do on a visit to Oaxaca:
-
Admire the impressive architecture
of the buildings in the Centro Historico, which was declared a World
Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
-
Explore the traditional
markets, such as Benito Juarez
and 20 de Noviembre, where
you’ll find an array of crafts coming from various regions of Oaxaca including the colorful alebrijes, woolen garments and beautiful
barro negro or black pottery.
-
Visit archaeological zones Monte Alban and Mitla, pre-Hispanic
capitals of the Zapotec and Mixtec people.
-
View the magnificent natural
scenery at Parque Nacional Benito Juarez and the spectacular fossilized
waterfalls at Hierve el Agua.
-
Marvel at El Tule, purportedly the largest tree in the world.
-
Try delicious local fare such
as tamales, mole dishes and Oaxacan cheese washed down by Oaxaca’s famous mezcal, a regional alcoholic beverage made from the maguey
plant.
-
Enjoy a popular local past time
and sit outside at one of the many cafes surrounding the zócalo and watch
the activities in the square.
Find out more about our activities |
Daily Life in Oaxaca
Enjoying the same ideal subtropical climate as Cancun but without the crowds, Oaxaca enjoys an average temperature of 25 Celsius and sunny days throughout most of the year. As the weather ranges from warm to hot for most of the year, and with usually very high humidity, time moves at a slower pace like many other coastal areas within the region. The sea is almost always warm enough for a swim, and it is common to break up a day’s worth of study or work with a dip or two in the ocean.
In the areas further west from the downtown avenues, one can find a quieter and more real Oaxaca off the beaten path. Fantastic low-key restaurants and shops that offer clothing and goods for prices far more reasonable than those of the touristy Quinta Avenida strip. Nightlife along Quinta Avenida get into full swing around midnight, and the main street transforms from a family-friendly pedestrian way to a bustling hot spot where the growing underground music scene, featuring local artists and attracting rock, pop and folk musicians from all over the world, is put on showcase..
 History of Oaxaca
Oaxaca is rich in history and culture. The name Oaxaca was originally derived from the Náhuatl word, Huayacac, which roughly translated means The Place of the Seed in reference to a tree commonly found in Oaxaca. As the fifth largest state of Mexico, Oaxaca is characterized by extreme geographic fragmentation. Oaxaca's rugged terrain, which caused various groups to develop in relative isolation from one another, is responsible for the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region.
The city region was known as Huaxyacac in the Nahuatl language until 1532 when the Spanish gave it the name Nueva Antequera. In colonial times, Oaxaca came to occupy a prominent place in the New Spain development. Even today, it is believed that at least half of the population of Oaxaca still speaks an indigenous dialect. Sixteen different indigenous groups have been formally registered as indigenous communities, all perfectly well defined through dialect, customs, food habits, rituals, etc.
Go to Spanish Courses
|
5. The City
