Less known than the Mexican Caribbean, the state of Oaxaca, located 5 hours south of Mexico City, is nevertheless a destination that has everything to offer to travelers who venture there. Inhabited as early as 500 BC by the Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations, and then conquered by the Spanish in 1521, the region has a rich cultural heritage. But Oaxaca has not only kept beautiful stones from its past. For the territory is inhabited by 18 Indian ethnic groups, guardians of century-old traditions. Add to these attractions a sumptuous setting, made up of 600 kilometers of paradisiacal beaches and mountains covered with dense forest where one can practice numerous outdoor activities, and the state of Oaxaca presents itself as a dream destination
Oaxaca, the city of a hundred treasures
Surrounded by mountains, the city of Oaxaca, at an altitude of 1,550 meters, is a must-see stop on your trip. Its historic center, listed as a World Heritage Site, preserves the grandiose aspect of the colonial cities and houses hundreds of religious and civil buildings, built between the 16th and 18th centuries thanks to the wealth generated by the export of cochineal. Among the colonial jewels of the historic center that should not be missed are the Basilica de la Soledad, a beautiful example of religious baroque art, and the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, which has a coffered ceiling decorated with paintings depicting passages from the Old Testament. Even if you are not an architecture buff, it is possible to enjoy the colonial charm of the city. For Oaxaca is not a city frozen in time. A second life has been given to the patrician colonial houses, which have been transformed into museums, cultural spaces and charming hotels
But beyond its imposing green granite walls, Oaxaca is also a city with a singular cultural identity, emblematic of Mexicanness. To get close to it, you have to take the time to stroll through the Zócalo square, always invaded by children playing with balloons and groups of Indians demonstrating in front of the Government Palace; to stop in the Socrates Garden; and to walk through the labyrinthine corridors of the Benito Juárez and 20 de Noviembre markets, where dozens of species of chilies and exotic foods are piled up. These culinary curiosities are a reflection of centuries-old traditions
A land of festivals and traditions
The cultural singularity of this region is manifested in all its splendor during the popular festivals. On December 23, a very special celebration takes place, "the night of the radishes", during which hundreds of participants present on the Zócalo of the city of Oaxaca the figures and characters that they have elaborated from... radishes! This tradition, which has been held since 1897, has its origins in a market that the Indians held in the city center on Christmas Eve. In July, the famous Guelaguetza is held, a festivity resulting from the syncretism between the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi and pre-Hispanic rites in honor of Centéotl, the goddess of corn
On this occasion, representatives of the eight regions of the state of Oaxaca come to Oaxaca to present a glimpse of their culture through dance and music performances. It is a colorful celebration that should not be missed
Getaways to Indian villages
There are many possibilities for getting away from it all around Oaxaca City. A must-see is Monte Alban, the ancient capital of the Zapotec civilization, which was inhabited from the5th century BC to the 9th century AD, before being gradually abandoned in the following centuries and then reused by the Mixtecs as a funeral monument. Majestic as well by its dimensions as by its geographical situation overhanging the valley, the archaeological complex is organized around an immense central place. On the facade of one of the buildings, the Zapotecs engraved figures that, because of their eccentric positions, seem to represent dancers, but which in fact commemorate the military victories of the city. After this obligatory detour, you will have to make a choice and decide if you want to deepen your knowledge of pre-Hispanic civilizations by visiting other ruins; learn more about the elaboration of handicrafts by stopping in Indian villages; or enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes of the region. Heading south, you can stop in the village of Santo Tomás Jalieza, where Indian women make beautiful embroidery with looms that hang from their belts. To the west of the capital is the village of Santa María El Tule, famous for its thousand-year-old ahuehuete tree, which has a trunk more than 14 meters in diameter; the magnificent ruins of Mitla, with palaces adorned with rich decorative motifs; and Hierve El Agua, a beautiful natural park that houses a petrified waterfall and several pools where you can bathe. The northern region is known for its beautiful forest landscapes, home to many species of birds and mammals
Oaxaca, a seaside destination between surfing and relaxation
The city of Oaxaca is located less than 300 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. It is therefore easy to end your vacation in style, on a sunny beach, lulled by the sound of the waves. The two main seaside resorts of the coast are Puerto Escondido, known worldwide for the quality of its waves, which allows to practice surfing (competitions are regularly organized there), and Huatulco, which has tourist infrastructures of high standing (luxury hotels, golf course...) in a preserved natural framework. Further north, there are several small villages with a heavenly atmosphere - Mazunte, San Agustinillo, Zipolite, Chacahua - where you can sleep in palm-roofed huts, with only the sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach as neighbors
Everywhere, the landscapes are magnificent, thanks to the prolific vegetation that grows behind the beaches, whose color changes from green to brown depending on the season, and the ever-blue sea, where an abundant marine fauna lives. Even the more developed resort of Huatulco has received EarthCheck and Blue Flag certifications, a sign that its waters are clean for swimming and diving. And since the sun is out all year round, you can be sure to come back with a tan! All the more reason to finish your trip with your feet in the sand
Useful information
When is it open? All year round. Winter in Oaxaca is never harsh and always sunny. In the summer, it often rains, as this is the rainy season in Mexico, but this is also when the Guelaguetza festivities take place. The city of Huatulco has 330 days of sunshine a year, so it would be really exceptional if you had rain during your entire stay on the coast!
Getting there. There is no direct flight to Oaxaca from France. You have to make a stopover in Mexico City. From there, you can reach Oaxaca by plane via local low cost companies (1 hour trip).
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